MS Challenge Preparation

I have completed two twelve mile training walks which is in
preparation to completing the MS Challenge three day 50 mile walk which starts in just one week. This time next week I will have completed just 20 miles of the 50. I know that the first day isn't going to be too difficult but the
other two I am not so sure about. I have purchused and broken in two pairs
of sneakers, have stocked piled some moleskin, gotten enough shorts and
t-shirts to make it through the weekend. The only thing left to get is Body
Glide, ever heard of it? Me neither but I plan on purchasing it and using
it. Any other suggestions for a more comfortable walk from experienced
althetes, which I am not, are being accepted and will be appreciated.

When I registered for the MS Challenge Walk, I took on not one, but two significant challenges: to complete the rigorous event, and to raise money funding services and research to help create a world free of multiple sclerosis. At some point during the MS Challenge Walk, my feet might ache or I might feel tired, but my thoughts will never be far from those who must every day move forward with the fatigue, immobility, and other symptoms of multiple sclerosis. I still feel forunate enough to not have any one in my immediate family with MS but I am starting to realize that more people have it then I ever thought. I hope that my walking now helps them and their families in the future.

That's why I'm asking you to support my fund raising efforts with a tax
deductible donation.Please make a donation on by my behalf or campaign for donations on my behalf by forwarding this email to all your family, friends and co-workers
because they that might be interested in donating to this charitable cause
also. All help is appreciated.

It's faster and easier than ever to support this cause that's so important
to me. Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you
prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.

Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of
people living with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting
you know how I do.

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Challenge/MAMChallengeWalkEvents?px=5329348&pg=personal&fr_id=8862&s_tafId=72450

Click here to view the team page for Scrap Dogs
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Challenge/MAMChallengeWalkEvents?team_id=101716&pg=team&fr_id=8862&s_tafId=72450

My Junior Golf Pro!

My Junior Golf Pro, Ashley, took first place in the Wanumotonomy Junior Golf Championship today for girls aged 11 to 14. It was a beautiful day for golf on the windy hill. The course lived up to its name today. There was a consent wind coming out of the southwest which kept the temperture just right. She made some nice long drives, a awesome chip shot on 14 and some descent putts which all added up to a great day of winning golf.

Between this championship title and placing third in the Rhode Island Womens Golf Championship you would have to say that 2008 was a season to be remembered.

Golf anyone?

My MS Challenge Participant Page

My Participant Page were you can make a donation to my fundraising efforts for the MS Challenge is
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/janeroggero


I appreciate all the help. Thank you.

Training for MS Challenge

Training success.

I have completed two weekend walks of 10.5 miles and 12 miles. The first walk of 10.5 miles I completed close to home but the second one of 12 miles I walked 6 miles away from home and back. I needed to leave my comfort zone and safety of my neighborhood and I was OK. I took a day off after the 12 miles for recovery but walked the next day and will continue to walk on a training schedule because I vowed to train up to the walk. Its only two weeks away. Yikees.

I have said before I am forunate not to have anyone close to my family with MS but during my fundraising efforts I have found that many people I know have family members or friends that suffer with MS. These are the people that I am walking for and for those that are suffering with the emotional lose of family members that passed due to MS. I don't want them or anyone else to suffer in the future. If me doing this can help in the future then I know I am helping now.

More to come on this.

Unique Packaging

Does anyone want to discuss the most unique packaging they have seen?


Included in this discussion can be retail packaging used by a retail store - big or small - or product packaging used by a manufacturer - big or small.


Well, I am a fan of color so the more colorful the better.

A current customer of mine that owns two retail store locations opted to print his two logos, one on either side, of a plastic bag. Doing this allowed him to order a higher inventory level and save funds. The logos are very different then each other in color (4 colors each) and design but when placed on either side of the bag it doesn't matter. In this time of economic uncertainty its a sound financial decision that allows for advertising of both locations. One of the logos incorporates his physical location with the name of his store and the other incorporates his store sign with a basic graphic that relates to the product he sells. His logos are eye catching and memorable. So for a favorite financially designed custom bag this wins.

I have seen so many complete match packaging compaigns while working with Gift Box Corporation that I don't even know where to begin. Some very talented graphic designers, store owners and sales reps have put together packaging that has left an impression on me. Currently there is pictured in the GBC 2008/2009 catalog a selection of packaging used by Studio U that is very color and very visually intersting because of the colors and shapes that have been printed on not just eurototes but on gift boxes as well. Their multi color eurototes allow them to use several different colors of coordinating tissue papers making the final product simple and elegant or bright and colorful. So this is a favorite for bright and colorful. Of course there are so many that use color including 4 color process designs that I could go on forever.

I am bias to Gift Box Corporation manufactured one and two piece gift boxes but for retail packaging they are the best in the world. Quality is superior to any other. The colors are trendy. The hot stamping charges are minimual allowing the customer to imprint their logo making it their own. Where can you advertise your name for $24.00 and reach a minimum of 1000 people? A well done and eye catching store logo leaves an impression.

I have really been concentrating on retail products outer packaging when looking through stores. I pick out a product that stands out and determine why. Is it the colors, the packaging or product. I have found that the more color of course that catches my attention but also seeing the product is more important to me. I don't have to actaully see the product because if its a closed package then I like to see the product pictured on the outside of the package. Toys are a great example of this. Ever notice that in a toy store that most products are there out in the open for all to see. The manufacturers are catering to the kids. Children don't read they see and touch. And aren't we all just kids grown up? Manufacturers have to keep that in mind at all times. Product packaging has to be graphic, colorful and informative. My favorite in this product packaging catagory would be most toys.

What is your favorite?

The First of Many

The first donations came in today on my MS Challange personal page. Please take the time to review my page, my thoughts expressed on the page and consider making a donation to a very good cause.

I am taking the challange how about you?

The actaul links below don't seem to be working properly sorry!

My Personal Participant Page is http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Challenge/MAMChallengeWalkEvents?pg=personal&fr_id=8862&fr_id=8862&px=5329348



or the main event page at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Challenge/MAMChallengeWalkEvents?team_id=101716&pg=team&fr_id=8862



and of course our Scrap Dog Team page at http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Challenge/MAMChallengeWalkEvents?team_id=101716&pg=team&fr_id=8862

Christmas List

Your Christmas Shopping List should begin with wrapping paper, tissue, bows, boxes and then something pretty for you and everyone else on your list.

Its time to gear up for the Christmas season. Your customers are going to expect the most for the money they spend in your store this year more then ever before. Wrapped gifts will be at the top of their lists.

Pretty wrapping papers over quality gift boxes with colorful tissue inside and exquisite bows on the outside. And you say no way too expensive. A little attention to details and a few extra cents given back to the customer these days go along way. Even myself with all the samples at my finger tips looks for that quality of service. Don't you? Think about your customer. You go back to the stores that give you their undivided attention and quality of service you demand. You think you provide that service to your customers, Do you? And if you do, Don't you think they are going to come back again and again for it, Just like you.

Just a month later

Well, Summer has come and is almost over so quickly and yet business still moves slowly.

Over a month since my last blog and it seems so long ago.

With the release of the Gift Box's new catalog and existing customers still wanting to reorder packaging the summer has moved along for me. I have been working hard with two new customers that wanted custom packaging, my favorite! Those projects have taught me a lot just like all new demands do. Its what I love about my job. I learn new aspects of packaging design, requirements, fulfillment and customer demands with every appointment.

The story about the custom packaging for one of those customers!

A web site that sells lingerie will be offering a complete gift box packaging. The packaging will include a gift box, tissue paper, notecare and envelope and a pre-tied fabric ribbon. I have been working on pulling together quotes for custom boxes, custom assembled bowes, notecards and envelopes (not my expertise), and folded tissue paper all assembled inside the colapsed box and shrinkwrapped for months. I did it. The boxes were the customers biggest problem because of the configuration when folded and shrinkwrapped didn't keep the integrity of the box. Multiple folds in a folding box just doesn't work. So I worked with a box manufacturer and designed boxes that did not need to be folded and assembled by the end user. Our boxes are similiar to an apparel box or sometimes known as a pop-up box. The quality of the box and the presentation worked much better then their original designs supplied by another packaging distributor. The cost of the custom boxes become a concern but that concern soon vanished when my custom box price was less then their original stock box price. Their custom assembled bow now costs less then their original too long length of ribbon also. Stock tissue is stock tissue but getting folded was a big concern for me. Notecards and envelops were not something I had sold before but just like anything else. I asked for a few quotes and went with the best price. All said and none, I pulled together some old resourses from a previous life and was able to get the fulfillment done for much less then they had gotten before. Delivery of this product is slated for Mid September. My customer will receive 3 sizes of boxes, each collapsed box will contain tissue, notecard/envelope and a ribbon hank with an assembled bow all inserted into the bottom side wall of the box and then the top will lay on top of that collapsed and then shrinkwrapped. A final presentation fight for a King buying something pretty for his Queen. Their customers couldn't ask for a better presentation at a cost that is sure to please them.

I will provide pictures and additional information as this project progresses.

I look forward to working with this customer for years to come.

MS Challange Walk

I am training for the MS Challange Walk being held in Cape Cod in September.

My job actually helps me in my trainging, You ask how? Cold calling! I walk to store after store carrying a bag full of catalogs. It really can be a test of endurance both physical and mental. I am strong so the carrying of the catalogs and walking isn't as bad as the rejections that I receive from potential customers that do not want my catalog.

That's OK. I walk on.

If you are interested in supporting me in my walk for MS, please visit my donation page at .

I will try and update this blog with information concerning my training and the final walk!

As of today, I generally complete 3 to 4 five mile walks a week plus my cold calling walks daily but I have completed one 10.5 mile walk and felt as if I could have made it to 20 miles without much problem. Of course the next day might be a problem. We sill see.

This weeks short training took me for a 5+ mile walk along Newport, RI's scenic Cliff Walk and back along the famous Bellevue Avenue. It was a beautiful afteroon with my two children walking with me.

This weekend I am going for 14 miles.

Any past walkers out there? Suggestions and helpful hints appreciated.