Organized Desk = Organized Life

Organized Desk = Organized Life

Small Business Info
Did you know that having an organized desk is a gateway to having an organized life? I remember reading an article once on reasons why we feel stressed. One of the top reasons was living and working in a messy space. In our lives, there are many things that are out of our control. The orderliness of our living space and working space however, is something we can control. By honing in on organizing what we can control, it makes what we can’t control a bit easier to handle. If you’re like me, your desk at work isn’t so much of a desk as it is a very large, cluttered shelf. Sticky notes, scraps of paper with notes written on them, day-old disposable coffee cups, etc. (Seriously, some days I…
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123Print Small Business Sense – Bill Valway

123Print Small Business Sense – Bill Valway

Small Business Info, Small Business Sense Interviews
Looking to start your own small business? We've got you covered. Each month, 123Print will interview real, live business owners to uncover their tips and tricks to starting and growing a successful small business in the 123Print Small Business Sense interview series. This month ... Bill Valway, CEO of Absolute Perfection, Inc. talks about starting and growing his own business. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-YaabbT0tY Some key takeaways from Bill Valway's interview: If you want to do something that you really believe in, go out and do it on your own -- take the risk. Efficiency is very important. Customer service is number one. It's important to understand what it is your customers want to see and what kinds of things make your customers happy when they do business with you. The first thing to…
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[TRANSCRIPT] 123Print Small Business Sense – Bill Valway

Small Business Info, Small Business Sense Interviews
Bill: Hi my name is Bill Valway.  I am the CEO and owner of Absolute Perfection, Inc.  We started about 10 years ago out of my parents’ garage in Finksburg, Maryland doing auto tinting and I never thought that we would grow into the business we are today.  Now we actually offer vehicle wrapping, window tinting on commercial and residential locations as well as marketing services such as video production, web design and graphic design.  It’s just really exciting for us. Question: What inspired you to start a small business? Bill: I think the reason I started my business at such a young age is that my parents always instilled in me that if you want to do something and you really believe in it, you know, go out and…
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3 Secrets to Small Business Success

3 Secrets to Small Business Success

Small Business Info
Do you remember the movie “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”? Where, armed with a “How to…” manual, an ambitious window washer sought to climb the corporate ladder? Unfortunately, this movie premise does not resemble real life. Shocking, right? A movie that bears no similarities to the real struggles of first-time entrepreneurs. Well, luckily for all you out there who dream of one day owning your own small business, the key to small business success comes from three well-known secrets: [caption id="attachment_2357" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Scene from "How to Succeed in Business..."[/caption] SECRET #1: A Solid Plan Just as in any venture, the most important key is a backbone, or in this case, a business plan. This document would explain both the company’s mission and goals in detail. The…
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Don’t be Afraid to Color Outside the Lines this Wedding Season

Don’t be Afraid to Color Outside the Lines this Wedding Season

3rd Wednesday Weddings, Wedding Inspiration
What colors to use is one of the most defining decisions you’ll make in planning your wedding. Your colors will provide a theme to build all the visual aspects of your wedding around – wedding dress accessories, bridesmaid dresses, wedding invitations, wedding programs, the list goes on and on! Have you been racking your brain for what color theme you’d like to use for your 2013 wedding? Rack no more, because the results are in. Ladies and gentlemen, clear the runway for the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2013! According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, the colors for the 2013 Spring and Summer seasons portray a sense of balance. In our lives, we are always seeking balance – a balance between diet and exercise,…
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7 Steps to a Successful Email Marketing Message

7 Steps to a Successful Email Marketing Message

Monthly Email Marketing, Small Business Info
In 2012 alone, email marketing is on track to bring in approximately $70 billion in revenue. Within four years, that number is projected to jump to $82 billion! Suffice it to say, email is here to stay. But, with everyone and their brother climbing aboard the email marketing train, you need to take specific steps to ensure your email messaging is seen, opened and acted upon. Fortunately, we have compiled these very steps just for you. Craft your email message with the seven steps below in mind, and watch your ROI soar. (more…)
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Small Business Spotlight – Macaroni Kid

Small Business Info, Small Business Spotlight
This week, 123Print is shining its Small Business Spotlight on Macaroni Kid! “Macaroni Kid is a FREE weekly e-newsletter and website which highlights all the kid and family friendly events in the community!  We also offer informational articles, recipes, crafts, spotlights on local businesses, product reviews, giveaways and MORE!  It is completely FREE to join and we never sell your information so subscribe with confidence!"     (more…)
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The Latest Craze In Your Office Should Be … Deskercise!

The Latest Craze In Your Office Should Be … Deskercise!

2nd Tuesday Tune-Up Your Life, Life Insight
(sung to the tune of LMFAO’s “Sexy And I Know It”) When I walk in the office (yeah), this is what I see Everybody stops and they staring at me I got toned arms and legs and abs and I ain’t afraid to show it, show it, show it I’m Deskercise-ing and I know it Are you ready for the latest reincarnation of Jazzercise? We’ve got the scoop on the latest, hippest way to work out … Deskercise! OK, so before you go running to your Fitness-On-Demand, let me clarify one thing first – Deskercise is not yet a term that is sweeping the nation. However, for all you hard-at-work business owners and employees, one session of Deskercise can lower  your stress levels. With the help of Forbes.com, check out…
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He shoots, He scores! What Makes A Good Goal

Monday Marketing Minutes, Small Business Info
Any smart business owner understands the inherent value of goal setting in growing a business (and profits) but figuring out exactly how to develop goals that will move your business in the right direction is a little trickier. Making sure you have goals is a no-brainer. Business goals and objectives give the business direction. With set goals and objectives, employees and management know what is expected of them. This understanding also allows them to strive for the same overarching objectives despite their different responsibilities on a day to day basis. They unite an entire business behind one united front towards a singular goal. But who should develop these goals and what exactly should they be? Follow these six tips below to make your goal development a little easier and stress-free. Tip 1…
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20 Creative Solutions for Gift Wrapping

20 Creative Solutions for Gift Wrapping

Life Insight
[caption id="attachment_2166" align="alignleft" width="147"] [photo credit: Rick Lew][/caption]Who’s down for a WRAP PARTY?! No, unfortunately I’m not referring to Peter Jackson’s wrap party for The Hobbit, (which is set to be released on December 14th! Eek!), but we arereferring to a great way to get you and your friends together to make holiday gift wrapping something to look forward to! While traditional wrapping paper, bows, ribbon and gift tag labelsare tried and true traditions, why not try a few of these creative wrapping ideas for some of your most lucky gift recipients? (You can even start the creative juices flowing by actually throwing that holiday gift wrapping party and having each guest bring a roll of wrapping paper to share!) [caption id="attachment_2180" align="alignright" width="250"] 123Print "Nutty Holiday" Address Label[/caption]  …
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