APDM 437: Small Business Start-up taught by Budi Staven

I had such a great time giving a presentation to UHM's APDM 437 class: Small Business Start-Up taught by Budi Staven last week Tuesday, October 11.  It was so inspiring speaking to and fielding questions from such intelligent and ambitious students and it was great to see the enthusiasm in their eyes and hear the excitement in their voices and laughter. What was supposed to be 30 minutes turned into over an hour but it flew by so quickly! 

Special thank you to Bliss model and customer Heide Torno for asking me to speak to her class, Budi Staven for allowing me into his class, and the students of APDM 437 for inspiring me.  Heide's very sweet email follows. 

Hi Wendy!


Thank you so much again for taking the time out of your schedule to speak to my class! Your presentation was great and everyone loved you! My teacher even considered having you speak again in future semesters. My class and I gained more knowledge and insight from you presentation. It was truly inspiring and informational. One thing I especially loved was your strategy of collaboration. It is amazing how your generosity and willingness to help others (even though it may not be related to fashion) can consequently result in the benefit of your business. I also found it very interesting how you see it as a hobby which I think contributes to your successfulness for your business.


Thank you so much again! Words cannot describe how appreciative my class and I were to have you!

Best wishes,
Heide

Sip and Shop...a girls' night out pau hana event!

Bliss is celebrating!  On November 1st, Bliss is turning 2!  Join us as we wish Bliss a happy birthday.  The best part?  You take home all the presents!  :)  With the holidays also around the corner (did you make your Christmas list yet?), there will be LOTS of awesome gift ideas for you to get your Christmas shopping off to a great start! 
This super fun girl's night out pau hana event will take place on Friday, November 4 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the "A Little Bit of Everything" (ALBOE) shop.  This adorable boutique carries EVERY gift item you could need from the popular Skydreams bags to inspirational gift books to clipas in all colors to vapur water bottles.  You'll find gifts for your girlfriends, your guy friends, your mom, your dad, your dog, your aunty, your grandpa, your hair dresser, and anyone else you can think of at this store.  Store owner Valerie Kubota is also the sweetest person you will ever meet and she will help you find that special item in her packed to the brim but beautifully decorated store.  ALBOE is located in the Galerie, Imperial Plaza at 725 Kapiolani Blvd and she offers 3 hours FREE Validated Parking.

Do you need motivation to start your holiday shopping?  Don't worry!  Bliss will be bringing in brand new Winter styles specifically for this event and as usual all regular priced items will be an additional 40% off.  But, to celebrate our birthday, purchase 5 items and receive an additional 50% off regular priced items!  There will also be a $5, $10, and $15 clearance rack. 

You can also shop from Pampered Chef for the most awesome gourmet kitchen sauces, dips, and cookware around! Leah Fukuyama will be on hand to take your order and will be having a fun giveaway at the event! 

Gem Parfait features beautifully handcrafted jewelry and  owner/designer Allison will be at the event to help you pick out the perfect piece for your bffs and of course one for yourself!  You deserve a treat too!!

You are sure to work up an appetite while you power shop, so we will be featuring complimentary delicious chicken and tofu tandooris created by a very talented caterer Subir Kole.  They are absolutely delish, I promise!  :) Continue the celebration with complimentary cocktails and decadent red velvet cupcakes from Panya bakery!

What's the best part of the evening?  To remind us that the holidays are a time of giving and thinking of others, A Little bit of Everything and Bliss are holding a canned food drive to benefit the Hawaii Foodbank.  To reward you for your good deed, you will receive one raffle ticket for every 5 canned good items you bring.  Two winners will be chosen to receive a $50 Bliss shopping spree and a Sky Dreams bag in Minky Fur valued at $77! 

Bring all your girlfriends and make it a girl's night out or make a quick stop on your way home from work. This event is the perfect way to kick start your holiday season!  Delicious food and drink, awesome shopping deals, a chance to win great prizes and help a great cause, and a truly unforgettable evening of fun and laughter.  We hope to see you there!

If you can dream it, you can do it...

A quote from one of my favorite people, Walt Disney, guides my thoughts as I prepare a presentation to an APDM (Apparel, Production, Design & Merchandising) Entrepreneur class at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.  "If you can dream it, you can do it..."

I was so honored when a model in one of my fashion shows, Heide Torno, asked me to speak at her class.  I have always loved teaching...almost any subject, almost any age group.  I enjoy being able to share ideas and hopefully inspire everyone in my class so they can leave the class thinking about something new. 

But, what do I talk about?  What information do I have that could help these students in their quest to start their own businesses?  I figured they are learning marketing, budgeting, and pricing strategies from their lecturer, so what kind of real world knowledge can I leave them with.  Then, it hit me.  Being an entrepreneur is the most scary roller coaster ride I have ever been on!  It's enough to scare even the smartest and most ambitious women away.  But, for the ones that decide to take it on, it can also be the most exhilirating experience of their life!    

"Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears..."  Les Brown.  Think about what you would do if you were guaranteed you would not fail?  Many of us, myself included, let fear guide us away from our goals and dreams.  I love this quote from Robert Schuller, "I'd rather attempt something great and fail, than to attempt nothing at all and succeed." 

So, don't be afraid!  Go after your dreams and make them a reality!  Find your passion(s) in life and just do it...today! :)  and if you find time, I would LOVE to hear about it! :)