#SmallBusinessKC

[ecartwright362]

In today’s market, every small business needs a unique brand image to stand out, and our Kansas City-based branding photography helps achieve that! 🙌🏙️🌟 We specialize in capturing the personality of local businesses, from cafes ☕ to boutiques 👗, creating visuals that highlight your brand's story and attract customers. Our personalized product shots and team portraits strengthen your brand identity across social media, websites, and more. Whether you’re building recognition or refreshing your look, we’re here to help your business shine! 🌆🌐✨

[brianwhitedesign]

Great freelance portfolio showcase with @fxofkc in #KC. Met lots of great designers and writers. Thankful to be a part of this crew. Excited for new client connections in #kansascity and beyond. Also, for new potential freelance partners in design! - - #uidesigner #freelancekc #contractdesign #design #graphicdesign #smallbusiness #smallbusinesskc #businessowner #smallbusinessowner #webdesign #portfolio #showcase #brianwhitedesign https://www.instagram.com/p/B2WugYhAfpP/?igshid=1uqz5kozi05qk

[nourishesthetics-blog]

🙌🏻have big news!!!....but I’m not going to tell you exactly what it is just yet! I’ve mentioned to a lot of you my goals for 2018.... well one of them is about to become a reality🤗👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 ⭐️ HINT: your experience at Nourish Esthetics is going to be even more relaxing soon!!... and my back is going to start loving me again 😆 I’m just so excited and honestly couldn’t have made this goal happen without the support of my guests!! Thank you so much for supporting my business ❤️❤️#reachingmygoals #smallbusinesskc #nourishestheticsbyhaylan #kansascity #kansascityspa #adultinghard (at Nourish Esthetics By Haylan Noel)

[holstrit-blog]

The Confession

I have a confession to make.  Last week I thought about quitting HOLSTRit.  I added up all my inventory I have in stock and figured out if I sold 75% of it, would we get our money back out of it.  I didn't do this because I wanted to quit or because I didn't like what I was doing, I did it because I had lost focus. Even as I was adding up my inventory I knew I wasn't going to quit, I just panicked. 

I had become overwhelmed with the pressure I was putting on myself to be the wife and mother I thought I needed to be, to be the entrepreneur I think I should have turned into by now and mad at myself for being too tired to do any of it the way I thought it needed to be done.  These impossible expectations were self-inflicted, unnecessary and draining.

This weekend my husband and I went to a marriage conference here in town called Weekend To Remember.  It has been over 10 years since we've done anything like this for our marriage and even though, (logistically speaking because of lack of child care), it was a bit of a battle to get there the timing couldn't have been more perfect.  I recommitted to putting God and my family first and immediately felt the load I was carrying lighten.  Whatever success this business has will have to be up to God and when I quit is up to Him too.   I know this business can either be a curse or a blessing and today I'm choosing blessing.   

[jonkupchin-blr]

RT @newdimestore: Our boys are doing great! Keep it up! #kcchiefs #gochiefs #kc #kcmo #kansascity #brooksidekc #shoplocalkc #bkskc #smallbusinesskc https://t.co/3wucd8kDsT

Our boys are doing great! Keep it up! #kcchiefs #gochiefs #kc #kcmo #kansascity #brooksidekc #shoplocalkc #bkskc #smallbusinesskc pic.twitter.com/3wucd8kDsT

— The New Dime Store (@newdimestore) January 10, 2019

from Twitter https://twitter.com/SantaFeTow January 11, 2019 at 05:20AM via IFTTT

[logowhirl]

Order small business logos at www.logodesignguru.co.uk #smallbusiness #smallbusinessbigideas #smallbusinesskc #smallbusinessownersouthafrica #smallbusinessguru #smallbusinessvancouver #smallbusinessinformation #smallbusinessmatters #smallbusinessgrant #smallbusinesscoaching #smallbusinesssavvy #SmallBusinessPower #smallbusinessads #smallbusinessBIGchange #smallbusinessinsight #smallbusinesssa #smallbusinessassocuation #smallbusinesswomen #smallbusinessownerandoperator #smallbusinessphotographer #smallbusinessi #smallbusinessinabuja #smallbusinesscrm #smallbusinessstrong #smallbusinesstoronto #smallbusinesssaturdays #smallbusinesstraining #smallbusinesspromotion #smallbusinessaccounting #SmallBusiness101 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7DkKtnsEj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ggjgurkayyyd

[uniquecandymuabyfshionique-blog]

#SUMMERTIMEFINE This Saturday August 3rd 6-9pm .. Gotham Arts Building 2100 Grand 64108 LADIES LADIES LADIES ... #supportkc #womeninbusiness #BMS #SUMMERTIMEFINE #womeninbusiness #yearofthewomen #femaleentrepreneurs #smallbusinesskc #kcblackbusinesses contact @bonniieemonnroe or @brookeyrozay for details !!

[holstrit-blog]

DIY Isn't Cutting It Anymore

When I was designing holstrit.com, I knew a video showing why this stay-at-home mom would create a product and start a business was a priority.

My girls helped record a video on my iPhone serving not only as the videographers, but also as the directors, lighting technicians and on-site beauty team.  In post-production, they taught me the basics of editing using iMovie and Our Story was born.

While it's not eve close to professional quality (and every once in a while you can see dust flying around in the sunlight,), I learned a lot in the process, and it was a family collaboration and I was happy with it.

Fast forward 17 months:  HOLSTRit is rapidly growing and I need to find professionals who can help me in certain areas of the business.  I decided to contract with professionals who could truly capture the essence of HOLSTRit and tell our WHY. It's an important story because it's the only reason HOLSTRit exists. 

Last weekend Zoe Media shot our new Our Story video.  She not only captured a lot of footage, but the whole family was also involved.  Which means, she was able to teach my little photographer all about what she was doing while she was doing it.  Big fan of hands-on learning.

We'll roll out the video in March!  Can't wait for you to see it!

 photo credit: Brooklynn Johnson

[holstrit-blog]

The Small Business Customer

When I'm a passenger in the car and I see random office buildings, I look for the name of the company on the side of the building, I scan the building wondering what goes on in there and I wonder how they got their start.  I wonder about what they did to get where they are, if they still operate like a small business or if they now have a CFO.

Recently I went to a big chain store that opened at 9:00am.  I thought it was already open so I went to the door.  It was 8:56am and I decided to wait even though it was really cold outside.  By 9:02am, another customer was banging on the door to get them to unlock it so we could go inside.  By contrast, I went to The Tasteful Olive, which is a family owned small business, one Sunday morning thinking they opened at 12:30pm.  They didn't open until 1:00pm but I showed up at their front door at 12:25pm, was looking for their hours sign and the next thing I knew, the owner unlocked the door saying, "Oh come on in, I'm only doing my morning cleaning".

Here's what happens when you by from HOLSTRit, a very small, mom-owned business.  I see the email that someone ordered and if I don't say it out loud, I'm thinking, "Oh yea!"  I fight the urge to fill the order right then and there because I want my customer to have their product as soon as possible however I have to remember that no matter when I fill the order at home all the mail leaves the post office one time a day...so it doesn't have to be right away...ok, I can finish feeding my children.  I print a packing slip and write "Thank You!" on each one.  When I put the product in the bag, I wonder who it's going to and hope they find it as helpful and convenient as I do.  When I hear that someone has a problem with their HOLSTR, if it's defective in some way, I'm very disconcerted.  Even though I can't control the quality directly, it's a reflection on me and I do everything I know to do to make it right.  I appreciate every one of my customers and want them to be happy with their purchase.

I will still shop at a large box retailer however I jump at the chance to be a small business customer any time I can!  #SmallBusinessOwners take care of #SmallBusinessCustomers.

[holstrit-blog]

Tech-NO-logy And Me

Technology and me, well we just don't get along.  It's not that I don't appreciate it, I just don't like having to take the time to learn when it always seems to be changing.  Lately I've had no choice but to suck it up and figure it out.  

Before I officially launched HOLSTRit, the extent of my technology reach was that I could text and email.  I wasn't on Facebook, didn't know a Twitter from a tweet, Instagram was a new word to me, I hadn't even heard of Snapchat and I guess I have a Pinterest account because I keep getting emails that my girls are pinning things to their boards...whatever that means.  I only had Mac computers and laptops so I was super bummed to have to buy a Windows laptop and learn a whole new system.  (Even the X to close out windows is opposite!  Sheeze!)  I decided if I was going to try to run a business I needed to be on Facebook, I mean it seemed like everyone else was.  I checked out Twitter, because, well Ellen DeGeneres was tweeting pictures at the Oscars so it must be important.  At one of our trade shows I had a sweet college girl tell me I had to get on Instagram so right then and there she signed me up and showed me how it works.   

Over the last 16 months I've learned the basics of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  I had to learn how to design a website and even learned a bit of coding.  I learned how to blog (something I thought I'd never do!).  I had to learn enough about Photoshop to be able to use it when my pictures don't fit into a particular template.  I had to learn all about QuickBooks and hours of phone calls later I think I know enough to squeak by.  I had to learn how to purchase UPC codes and then get them uploaded, (that sounds WAY easier than it was).  I had to learn POS (Point Of Sale) programs to use at our tradeshows and have settled on one I like best.  Just this last week, I learned how to web design on another host site I like better.  All of this is just the technology part of trying to grow a business.

If you would have told me 16 months ago that I was going to learn about all these different platforms and successfully execute I would have never believed it.  I'm not afraid anymore to try.  I might get intimidated by the process but I'm not afraid to dive in.  The point of this post is not to toot my own horn because I'm well aware that God answers my, "If this is the direction I need to go please help me figure it out" prayers, but I hope this is encouraging to someone who is thinking of stepping out and trying to something new.  We just don't know until we try.  It might be hours of frustration and bitter tears but the accomplishment is so sweet so give it a try!!

[holstrit-blog]

HOLSTRit Shark Tank Casting Call 2017

[holstrit-blog]

The Two Most Asked Questions About Our HOLSTRs

Happy New Year!  I know I haven't posted in a few weeks but this week I'm tackling the top 2 most asked questions.  The first most asked question about our HOLSTRs is, "Does this fit the iPhone 6+ (or 7+)?"  Yes!  The HOLSTRs titled *NEW* on our product website page will fit the larger phones.  I have had 2 customers at different trade shows not be able to get their phone in very easily because they had an extremely large case on their phone.  99% of the time they fit.  The picture below shows one of the *NEW* products with my iPhone 6+ in the back.

The second most asked question about our HOLSTRs is, "What size bottle will the HOLSTR hold?"  I have taken pictures to try and help with this important question. 

20 oz. Yeti type bottle

30 oz. bottle

30 oz. Yeti type bottle

36 oz. Tupperware bottle

As you can see the only type bottle the HOLSTR doesn't hold very well is the larger Yeti type bottle however I have had several customers use their HOLSTR for that type of bottle and just stuck it in as far as it goes.  You don't want to force any bottle in as it could potentially pop the Velcro strap eyelet.  I can't know the size and shape of every bottle and wouldn't want to mislead anyone so I hope this is helpful if you're asking these questions. 

Be sure to check out our website at holstrit.com and follow us on our Facebook page to keep up with the most current HOLSTRit information.

[jonkupchin-blr]

RT @newdimestore: ❄️🎄❄️ #kc #kcmo #kansascity #brooksidekc #shoplocalkc #bkskc #smallbusinesskc https://t.co/hseXQV3QDm

❄️🎄❄️ #kc #kcmo #kansascity #brooksidekc #shoplocalkc #bkskc #smallbusinesskc pic.twitter.com/hseXQV3QDm

— The New Dime Store (@newdimestore) December 7, 2018

from Twitter https://twitter.com/SantaFeTow December 18, 2018 at 12:31AM via IFTTT

[holstrit-blog]

Not Business As Usual

You wouldn’t know it by looking at me.  I live life pretty fully and enjoy it most days.  I smile and laugh.  I don’t spend hours in bed when the sun’s up.  I’m not trying to numb anything by doing harmful things to myself, (however sometimes when I feel really bad I’ll watch Dance Moms to remind myself that all moms have issues).  It’s not that I try to be fake or hide anything it's just that when people ask, “how are you doing?” I’m not compelled to say, “Oh I struggle with PTSD and anxiety but other than that, I’m really good!“  This is a conversation that isn’t being had.  No one talks about this, not when it comes to an average wife and stay-at-home mom whose only battle field was trying to just survive when her daughter almost didn’t.  

February 2017 will be 4 years since my 9 year old daughter went into the hospital.  She had eaten something tainted with E-coli bacteria and it was starting to wreak havoc on her little body.  I watched her endure countless sessions of needle sticks, while I could do nothing.  I watched her body swell up because her kidneys weren’t working to flush fluids or toxins out of her body, while I could do nothing.  I watched her be prepped for surgeries to insert catheters to try to rid her body of these toxins, while I could do nothing.  I watched her go through several sessions of cleaning these catheters just hours later with her crying in pain because they hadn’t healed, while I could do nothing.  I watched as dialysis machines painfully filled her abdomen with fluid, while I could do nothing.  I watched lung machines force air into her lungs to try to get them healthy again, while I could do nothing.  I watched her frail little body do physical therapy, I cheered her on but felt broken.  I watched her slowly fade away into a vegetative state as the toxins invaded her brain only to watch her come back to us within 24 hours.  I struggled constantly with the fact that my faith, that I thought was fairly solid, had been shaken so hard that I wondered if it would ever recover.  I struggled with feeling like God had completely abandoned my daughter, (which is worse than feeling abandoned myself).  I struggled with the fact that my husband, donating his kidney to our girl was the only way back to "health” for her.  I didn’t want any more pain for any of us and then, after a few years, it was over. 

Just like that we were to live life again.  Not worrying day by day what battles we’d have to fight or even if our daughter was going to survive.  "All is well”, right?  I’m the mom, life goes on and I have to live life again however everything has changed and no one is there to teach me how to do this.  Not only am I changed spiritually, but emotionally and physically.  I have learned that my heart will race when I’m awaiting monthly lab results.  I have learned that my heart will race every time I visit someone in the hospital. I have learned that when I see any pictures from 2013-2015 my heart will race. I have also learned that there are moments that my body and my brain will shut down with an exhaustion unparalleled to any other exhaustion.  I can’t think straight or make a decision to save my life.  I have looked back and can now see countless blessings that I’d never want to miss but know they never would have happened if we hadn’t gone through what we did.  I constantly deal with my flesh screaming, “I can’t take any more pain and struggle!” however my spirit wants to keep growing and experiencing God’s best for us. 

I’ve got to think I’m not the only mom who is struggling with this.   We all have a story, we all experience the same types of emotions no matter the struggle and I know women whose stories last much longer than mine.  How can we support each other?  Is anyone really talking about this?  What does healing even look like?  I obviously don’t have the answers but until then I'll put one foot in front of the other, live life the best I know how hoping it’s good enough for my girls and watch an occasional episode of Dance Moms if needed. 

[holstrit-blog]

HOLSTRit Photoshoot December 2016

[holstrit-blog]

Living In Plan B

Since starting HOLSTRit daily life has been quite a bit busier.  At the beginning of the 2016 school year, with my business up and running, I had this amazing plan on how I was going to get it all done and stay sane in the process.  Plan A:  I'd get up early, make some coffee, sit in the quiet and be alone long enough to feel energized and ready to take on whatever might happen that day with saintly patience.  Plan B: I pretty much loath having to get out of my bed and no amount of coffee and alone time fixes that so I try to at least be up before the girls and fix them breakfast.  My alone time?  Well, I do try to make sure that happens once I know I can keep my eyes open.  As for the coffee, I fix that in the morning but by lunch time I have several dried coffee rings on the inside of my cup and it tastes a bit burnt because I have warmed it up in the microwave so many times.  Plan A: Get housework started before the girls ever get out of bed and keep that going throughout the day with all this new gained energy I was going to have because of my alone time.  Plan B:  Well since I never got that early morning energy, it's a good day if I can Clorox wipe the bathrooms.  Bonus if I can actually wash, dry and fold a single load of laundry all in one day.  (I feel like mom of the year when I mop my hardwood!)  Plan A:  Focus on the girls and their school work until about 2:00 pm and then have about 2-3 hours of uninterrupted work time.  Plan B:  I'm not even sure what I was thinking here because life happens and if there are kids in the house, no matter the age, uninterrupted anything doesn't exist. 

So plan B it is, which I'm pretty sure is the story of most of our lives.  Right?  Please tell me I'm right??!!  This picture reveals much truth.  I work sometimes while teaching my youngest.  I package online orders when I have a "break".  My table decorations, courtesy of my 8 year old consist of a toothbrush holder and 3 holiday candle holders that spell "NEL" because somehow the "O" went missing.  There's that coffee cup that follows me around all morning.  The orange bell on the table...well...that's from the kidney walk and someone had the bright idea to ring it every time dinner was ready.  The bag of peanut brittle is there to give me the energy I need to get through the day.  The scooters are in the house because little one here doesn't walk around the house, she rides.  The chipped paint on the wall is there to remind me that I have a lot of projects around the house to ignore in 2017.  I also see the family pictures all around and they are my heart.  I see the scripture verse taped to the wall because we want to memorize it.  Granted we wanted to have it memorize by the end of September but I keep reminding myself, I'm living in Plan B.