2009-04-09T10:31:00.001-04:00

Karen Leonardo's New Book
**** ART BEAD JEWELRY (Seasons in Glass) ****
@
www.LeonardoLampwork.com
June 1

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2009-04-08T01:35:00.001-04:00

Hey, is this working or what

Needs vs. Wants

2009-04-06T17:25:00.007-04:00

The Why

Both Karen and I have seen our Lampwork Jewelry business LeonardoLampwork and justleonardo on EBAY take a real hard hit over the last 2 years. We are certainly not alone. Thus, this is why the blog. We both have decided to take a very proactive approach to the Economic downturn we are all facing. So what I am doing on a number of web portal fronts, is sharing some strategies to help navigate through these more challenging times. Consider this a collaborative work between the two of us. And yes, of course like all of us I am hoping to generate some interest and in turn to help our business. I hope there is some value-added content here for a win -win for both the writers and readers. Thanks in advance for your time.

To start off with, we are not the Internet Guru's who I guess if you pay the right amount of your hard earned money to, you will be number#1 on Google.com on Friday and the following Monday be out pricing one million dollar homes. No we are very regular paycheck to paycheck people, who are looking to get beyond that, but with commonsense and hard work...and yes we want to hear from you as well. So that we all can benefit and we all have something cogent to offer I am sure.

The Economy and You

My husband watched CNBC everyday as he was enthralled with the technicals of the Stock Market. He and many Americans think that we have a ways to go before things get better. So both of us have had to re-think our business model and also how we run our household. So we gathered our 3 teens and begin to talk straight. Stuff like, if you want to keep your cell phone, start paying for it! Bob decided, to have the TV shut off, Hi-Def or not it went bye bye. Our phone service got reduced by 50$ cutting out all the fancy stuff. Nights out have become nights in, anywhere we can cut we do. To me if this is what it takes to make our business work, so be it because its worth it in the end. So ask your self where can I really save. What are my needs and what are my wants.

Bobs Story: The Hammer and the Nail

Let me say the last two years have been a real bootcamp for me both spiritually, financially and physically. When I begin to see the down turn, I made initially a very poor decision but not so un-common men. I went in to my cache of good credit and thought up a scheme so crazy that Karen almost shot me for the idea. I figured that I was such an outstanding Stock Trader that I would cover our Lampwork losses by Trading our way to Financial Freedom!!! And off I went, almost $20,000+ later I was sunk. I wasn't very popular with Karen either. I just could not believe I did so poorly. I had always paper traded to the top 1-3%. Ahh real money vs pretend! Like watching real NFL vs playing real NFL...PAIN! Now I had to go get a what's called a real J.O.B.

So off I went. First J.O.B. Oil/Gas Rig worker at 46. Never did anything like this in my life. God bless the Oil/Gas man..he is one tuff dude! 60 days of that was enough for me, and I left with my shoulder dangling. Next up, Dynamite man for a Rock Quarry.

Dark dangerous and my boss was a rough individual. Personally I think he was in need of some strong medication...God awful! Four months and I was done.

Finally the last 6 months I have spent as a Corrections Officer for a local prison. A real sad place to see your fellow man. Well just this past week I got a 3 week layoff for this tender shoulder I have. May I say this was the best news now that I have had a chance to reflect on it .

So here I am beaten down abit but much wiser for it. I have been the NAIL now for over a year. I think I learned a few things, one of them is alot more humility and grace for others. But business wise I think I will be smarter with my Hammer. Because I like being the Hammer like most of you alot more then being the NAIL.Who wants to get beat on all the time. But having the Hammer does not imply to be foolish, I must be a wise builder. And that's what the metaphor of the Hammer is...a building tool. When we build our business, we want to always be thinking in what way can I build value with my creativity both in product and relationships.

Final Thoughts: Go Organic

Say what...? Well, earlier on I alluded to Internet Guru's who for the right price will send you to the Promise Land so they say. Well by the grace of God, and our fine Web designer who has a touch of that Guru in him, we have slowly organically linked our way through good sound business relationships right on to Googles 1st page. Some days we are on page two and of course that depends on the Keyword you type in. So I want to encourage all of you to avoid spending too much money on overnight ideas. They wont work to well. Also pay per click may be good if you can spare the cash, but I did not get on page one by using any of it all. Stick with old fashioned business to business phone calls, tell them what you are trying to accomplish and give them time to asses your value - added content. Be sure that you have that, and if you don't work to get it.

Ok, nuff said for now, please internet Guru's I have an open funnel for sugesstions, just be sweet about it!

Thanks

Bob n Karen

LeonardoLampwork Jewelry Books Tools Dvd's

The Lampwork Jewelry Economy 101

Test 123

Needs vs. Wants