"green" Terminology/Dictionary

Are you eco-saavy? Are you working on reducing your carbon footprint? Are you reducing your water usage therefore decreasing your greywater output? Do you think LED or CFL are secret government acronyms or have you already replaced your standard incandescent light bulbs with them? Are you reducing, reusing and recycling for a better tomorrow? Every little thing helps in making tomorrow greener. With a little understanding of the "green" terminology being used today you too can help with making a Greenier Tomorrow.

Below is an incomplete list of green terms. Click on the green term to be directed to a more complete definition. Please feel free to contact me with additional terms and discriptions.


ANTIMICROBIAL- A natural substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, or parasites. For example, Bamboo fabric is naturally antimicrobial.

BIOACCUMULATION - is when toxins taken up by plants and animals from their environment become concentrated in body tissues.

BIODEGRADABLE- Refers to the process by which organic substances are naturally broken down by living organisms when thrown into a landfill.

BIODIVERSITY- Is the state of different living things within one area including plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms and the ecosystems they are part of.

BLACKWATER- Is water that contains fecal matter and urine - i.e. sewage

CARBON FOOTPRINT- Is the carbon dioxide emitted by a person or industry

CFL- Stands for Compact Fluorescent Lamp - an energy saving light bulb.

CHLORINE-FREE- A chlorine-free product does not contain chlorine as a disinfecting or whitening agent, providing a safer, less irritating and less harmful alternative. Chlorine can trigger negative reactions in children, the elderly, and people with chlorine-sensitivity.

CLIMATE CHANGE- Means the rapid change occurring in the Earth's global climate due to many enviromentally unsafe activities.

COMPOSTABLE- Material that breaks down to become what is essentially dirt. It contains no toxins. Compostable materials can sustain plant life.

ECO-SAAVY- Individuals who are aware of their enviroment and the effects their lives have on it.

ECOSYSTEM- The physical and biological elements of an area co-existing to form a self supporting environment.

FAIR TRADE- an organized movement promoting standards for labor, environmentalism and social issues in areas of production of Fair Trade labeled and unlabeled goods. The Fir Trade movement focuses on exports from developing countries to developed countries.

FORMALDEHYDE- Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen and is a known/possible cause for cancer.

FOSSIL FUEL- Is a hydrocarbon deposit used for fuel such as oil, coal and natural gas. Fossil fuels take many years to be created in the natural environment.

FREE RANGE- A method of farming where the animals are permitted to roam freely instead being confined to an enclosure.

GLOBAL WARMING- Is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's air and large bodied water temperature mainly due to human influences such as emissions, pollutants and the loss of natural resources.

HYPOALLERGENIC- Is a term used in describing cosmetics, textiles and metals that are known to cause fewer allergic reactions.

LED- Light Emitting Diode is becoming a replacemtn for traditional incandescent lights.

LOW-IMPACT DYES- These dyes are synthetic dyes that chemically bond to the clothing fiber. They contain no heavy metals or toxic substances. They use less natural resources in the dying process therefore have less effect on the enviroment.

LOW-VOC FINISHES- VOCs are Volatile Organic Compounds or organic chemical compounds significantly vaporize and enter the atmosphere. VOC finishes have the same the same as traditional finishes without health hazards of pollutants.

MDF- Medium-Denisity Fiberboard - an engineered wood product used in furniture making and home construction.

NATURAL- A natural product that is not altered.

ORGANIC FOOD- Are plants that are grown without pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage or processed without food additives. Organic food products produced from animals have not been feed or injected with antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic foods usually costs more, but has far less environmental impact.

PARTICLE BOARD- is an engineered wood product.

POST-CONSUMER WASTE/RECYCLED- Post-consumer material is product that has completed its life cycle as it was intended for and would normall been disposed of but is recycled for reuse. Post-consumer materials include recyclables collected in recycling programs, such as paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastics and metals.

PVC- polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. PVC is the only plastic that contains chlorine, so it is creates a hazard.

RECYCLED/ RECYLABLE- A recycled product is a product that contains recovered materials such as post- consumer plastics. Recovered materials is trash that has been recycled from landfills and processed for another use. Recycled products are not always post consumer waste. Many manufacturers recycle the production waste, ie. virgin or recycled chipboard is used in making boxes - when those boxes are die cut out of the sheets of chipboard the waste around the boxes are recycled immediately.

REDUCE- Means to minimize the use of enviromentally unfriendly products therefore producing less post consumer waste.

RENEWABLE ENERGY- The use of natural resources such as sun light, wind, ocean tides and surface tempatures to create other forms of energy such as electricity. Windmills or Windfarms are becoming a more common sight through the US.

SOYBEAN FIBER- Soybean fiber is a textile fiber made from renewable natural resources and is sustainable.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN (these are lsited together since they all mean the same thing)
ECO-DESIGN
GREEN DESIGN
ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN
Are all desciptions in the designing of physical objects to conform with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability. The primary purpose of sustainable design is to manfuacture buildings, products and to offer services that help reduce in the use of non-renewable resources such as lumber and minimize the environmental impact offering the consumer a more natural environment and product.

SWEATSHOP-FREE- Sweatshop is where working conditions are poor and workers are paid little while using making textile products. Sweatshop Free is used to describe products that are manufactured in a work enviroment that has fair treatment of workers and follows regulated age and wage guidelines.

VEGETABLE DYES- Any coloring agent that is obtained from a vegetable. Vegetable dyes are mostly an all natural dye and they are more sustainable and an eco-friendly alternative compared to chemical dyes.

WATER BASED INKS- pH neutral inks with a water base rather than petroleum, oil, or metal bases.

Green Dictionary

I just found this complete Green Dictionary and thought for all of you who really want to know all the green terms - Here they are!

http://www.green-e.org/dictionary.shtml

Everyone is Red Hot for "green" Products

How about your local newspaper? Are they focused on local eco-friendly businesses?

Trade magazines and newspapers in the retail packaging industry are all concentrating on "Green" businesses. The local newspapers have been highlighting local manufacturers, growers and businesses trying to be enviromentally friendlier.

So how about the retailers? Don't you think if you have a custom paper or plastic shopping bag made from recycled and biodegradable materials with your name on it, use giftboxes made from 100% post consumer waste, and recycled kraft tissue that might be news worthy?

So retailers go ahead and try it. Have the packaging made and then write a press release to every newspaper within a 50 mile radius of your location, tourist publications and community websites and tell them. You will be surprised how interested an editor will be of the simplest local interest story and you will be more surprised in how many locales will respond to a news paper article.

If new packaging isn't in your budget then offer a discount to those customers bringing in their own shopping bags to take away their purchases. Tell that to the editor. I know I would come visit and make a purcase for a discount. A local grocer gave five cents back for every plastic bag I re-used on every purchase. I know I used 10 bags with most of purchases and that wasn't a huge savings but I thought it was a great attempt by the grocer.

Of course if you are in a "green" community and everyone is already doing it then it might not work. Well then you send out a press release stating you finally joined the "green" movement and some locales might visit your store because you finally came around to their way of thinking.
Watch for my next blog on how to write a press release.

Perform for your Customer!

A great Broadway Preformance takes alot of work and so should your performance.

Create an atmosphere that is play-like for your customer. Each step of your customers buying experience in your store is another act in your store's play. Your stores product line and atmosphere is the plays story line. Is it the best performance you can give or is there room for more practicing?

You wouldn't buy a ticket to a boring Broadway performance and neither will your customer purchase your ticket or product if its not a great store (story) line.

Every great Broadway play entertains the audience with a dramatic reading of its story line and you should preform or read your store's line with enthusiasm and drama. Entertain your customer and give them what they are paying for.

So, What is your story?

Your store's atmosphere, your employee's appearance and personality, and finally your product line.


Let's start with the atmosphere or stage:

A Stage or Set design must be great to draw the attention of the audience. Your store must be carefully planned to create an atmosphere that is appropriate for your setting, ie., a small cottage boutique wouldn't have flashy contemporary furnishings. No, a small cottage boutique will have fashionable cottage inspired furnishings in white washings, wicker or natural aged woods and touches of color highlighting trims and displays. A store in a mall might have bold and contemporary furnishings. Also your products must depict your set design or stage. Your image says a lot about your store's product pricing. Classic and Traditional furniture in a cottage design indicates a moderate to higher price product where bold white and industrial indicates a low end product like Walmart and such. Also lighting is always used on stages during plays, use your lighting to create dramatic displays. Accent lighting should be used to highlight merchandise of interest. Dark areas of the store are going to be overlooked unless it is called for as in a romantic display such as a playful bedding display or a tabletop display set for two by candlelight. Your customer will be drawn to the lit areas and displays. Spot lights work well in emphasizing a display in a dark area of the store. Large department stores use bright lighting throughout there stores. Though I have noticed that Walmart's lighting in their paint aisle is more like the natural light in a home and not as bright as every where else in the store. Of course retail packaging falls into your atmosphere setting. A well designed match packaging is your play leaflet. Your customer will bring it home and cherish it forever or pass it advertising for your next performance.

Moving onto act two - your employees:

You and Your employees are the actress' and actors in your set design. Have you fulfilled the roles of your store line properly. Each member of your play's cast needs to deliver your store line to your audience when they enter through your door. Curtains drawn! You must hire your cast with their understanding of their part in the play. Your employees must understand your stage and your store line. Explain it to them, rehearse with them and then preform with them. As far as your match packaging develop an act and perform it the same everytime. Use the same tissue in the same bag and box everytime. This will create a great advertisement for your store. People will become familiar with it and remember it.


Moving onto act three - your product line:

Your product line must be a part of your stage or set design. Meaning they must work together, comtemporary art isn't going to work on the walls of a cottage boutique but beautiful landscapes depicting tranquil skys will. Purchase your product based on your location, your store's atmosphere and your customers wants and needs. Price those products fairly for your customer.


And the final preformance:

The climax of all great plays will tear the house down if done right and you will know once it happens. No great preformance will happen if the audience or customer doesn't walk away with a shopping bag in their hand a smile on their face. NO standing ovation needed just repeat customers needed.

A great retail play will occur in your store if the above acts are completed flawlessly. Now think about your preformance or your employees to your last audience. Was it flawless? Are there improvements that can be made? Think Broadway Stage not a High School preformance. Your customer deserves the best now do break a leg and give them it.

I did it! Completed all 50 miles of the MS Challenge

Can you believe it, I can't but its true! I walked 50 miles in 3 days.

None of my training walks prepared me for what was in front of me on the trail. This Challenge walk was a like multiple trips to day spas with refreshing drinks, nutriental supplies, candy and pampering if needed! Oh yeah and personal saunas. That's right a day spa. You think I lost my mind on the walk, NO. My twelve mile training walks consisted of 1 break at the half mile mark. The Challenge Walk considered of a rest stop about every 2 miles. Each rest stop had refreshing drinks of water and gatorade. They had protein bars, fruit and all sorts of candy including caramel creams which are my favorite to satisfy your hunger needs. There were also medics to take care of your every medical need especially blisters! Then there are the port-a-potties which I referred to as personal saunas because they were like stinky steam baths. And the staff that manned the rest stops consisted of men, women and children with bull horns, noise markers and the exciting part was the stickers! That's right adults excited over stickers. Had to get a sticker at every rest stop. I think I even walked back 50 steps to get one because I forgot it! These staff members were really volunteers that encouraged us to keep walking and made the walk exicting and so many will be remembered. Some wore custumes and funny hats. One rest stop on Saturday had a Star War theme and others were local groups there to help us. A group of local police fed us munchins, coffee and all of the traditional rest stop fair and then there was a group of boy scouts that stood in the rain and handed us lemonade. Lemonade what a treat after two days of water and gatorade.

The Sea Camps weren't the Marriott but it wasn't bad either. Our cabin had two bathroom stalls and two sinks and 7 bunk beds and two additional singles. No dignity in there. Men and Women alike and all part of your team co-habitat in this cabin for three days. Just like one big aching family. I couldn't have been part of a better group of people.

Friday was a beautiful day for a 20 mile walk. We walked from Hyannis to Brewster. I finished the day tired but feeling in great shape. But after an hour the ache set in! After walking 20 miles the last thing you want to do is sit down because that is when the aches start! A simple foot soak is so rewarding after the long distance. My abused feet served me well with no blisters after the first day. Friday night was fun under the big tent. Awards were given out for the top fundraisers and all the walkers got recognized for their repeated completion of previous years walks. And the slide show was entertaining. It was nice to see whatelse happened on the trails.

Saturday was a different story. And we didn't think we would even get through 5 let alone 20 miles. It started out better then expected a few showers, heavy clouds and high humidity. We walked from Brewster to Coast Gaurd Beach in Eastham. I made it to lunch with just a few light showers. A change of socks revealed a blister. A blister, I couldn't believe my abused callus feet had a blister. Just a tiny one on top of my toe. It didn't even hurt. I put a piece of moleskin on top of it and set back off into the trail covered with gray skies. Gray skies turned to blue shortly after lunch. I had an annoying pain in the heel of my foot but the faster I walked the less pain I had to experience so I just kept a fast pace and things were good. Then 3 miles from the finish line the skies open up and I got wet! Dancing in the rain was not what I was doing. I was walking as fast as my feet would carry me so I could make it home to camp before Hurricane Hannah beat me there. The last two miles were spent talking with Caroline who was from California. Meeting new people most of which I dont even know their names was really fun. Another foot soak and little medical attention for my blister and I was off to sit and let the aching set in. Well instead of sitting I decided I hadn't walked enough. The skies cleared for a few hours, the calm before the storm, so I went to the beach and walked the water's edge. We enjoyed a nice chicken dinner in honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary of two of our team members! The program that night was a challenge in its own to attend but everyone must experience some inspirational stories at some time in their life. My time was Saturday night. Shortly after the program ended the wind started to blow and blow and blow. It could have blown as loud as a frieght train because once my head hit the pillow I didn't hear anything until early morning.


Sunday morning came early. Each day was started by a car driving by your cabin with very loud music blarring into the darkness. Not once but twice!
Up and dress and ready to go on our short walk of just 10 miles from Brewster to Dennis. Except that 10 miles is really long when your ankle is killing you. I started my walk just like every walk in the last year saying "this to will pass after a mile" but it only got worse. Medics didn't know what to do for me so I took some Advil and kept on walking. Then after a few more miles I took some Aleve and kept on walking. There was no way I wasn't going to finish this walk. We walked to lunch were they served us hamburgers, hot dogs, salads and fruits and more. We listened to music and enjoyed each walker coming accross the finish line to join us for lunch. We were each given a tshirt to wear. I got a blue one. Thankfully most people involved wore blue. Some people were given orange which meant they were living with MS. So many were in orange and many young even younger then me. I was shocked that I had just completed 50 miles with people that I was unaware that even had MS. I again saw the medic and this time them taped my ankle in a very odd way but it worked. The pain was bearable if not almost gone. All the walkers and most of the crew loaded school buses and we were off to the official finish line in Hyannis were family and friends of the walkers had converged at the Village Green for the closing program. Even my Island Boy, Jimmy, who easily gets lost brought Ashley and James up to Hyannis to see me accross the finish line. I was so excited. I told him to watch for me, that I would be wearing a blue tshirt, black shorts and carrying an orange bandana but I forgot to tell him so would most everyone else.

From a sea of blue there will hopefully come a cure for the orange bouys aflout
during our walk.

I walked 50 miles in 3 days and now it is over.

The oddest part of this whole weekend was my teams attempt and unofficial success in making me their new team captain along with atleast one of the other walkers. Well I am tentative to take over a team that has had such success in the past. I have some great fundraising ideas but captain the team I am not sure I am that good.

Well I hate to say it but watch out because I have a fundraiser in mind for each of my family and friends to attend or partake in. Interested in joing the Scrap Dogs? Part of being Captian will be to recruit new dogs to our house!

Ready to save money?

Well, the 2009 season is approaching quickly and the time to save money for then is NOW. That's right, now.

You should consider asking your retail packaging sales representatives for quotes for the 2009 season now based on your 2008 usage. You ask, Why?

Well its common knowledge that prices always go up as of the first of the year, right? If you get your pricing now and commit to your orders now, in most cases, you get the 2008 pricing and you can request the product to be shipped in 2009.

Example,

Last year, a very good plastic bag user of mine asked for a quote in September. He uses three sizes of plastic bags. To manufacturer plastic bags the minimums can be high but the lower costs per piece make in worth your wild to purchase in bulk. We was required to purchase a total of 9,000 bags. After providing him with two options for delivery and pricing we accepted one being manufactured in China. We placed the order in November and we asked for a May 2008 delivery date. My customer received his bags the first week of May and received a summer dating invoice program so he isn't paying for bags until next week, September 8th!


Savings are available on all types of packaging products. An example is my customers that use gift boxes place their Christmas gift box orders in August or September and include enough inventory to get them through the first quarter. All types of stock products can be purchased in advance as well. Gift Box Corporation, Bags and Bows, Nashville Wraps and others all produce a new catalog at the start of each year. With new catalogs come new prices. Order your product prior to the new catalogs and get last year pricing. Don't forget to ask for a ship date that works for you.

So savings are available this year for next! Call your sales representative today and ask for quotes. Gift Box Corporation has sales representatives through out the US, Puerto Rico, the Carribean and Europe. Of course I am partial to them since I work for them but I also purchased their product for years. I know first hand the quality and service they provide. Their number is 800-443-8269.

Call today to save for next year.

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.

Quotes, Quotes, Quotes

I love giving out quotes. Quotes for bags, boxes, ribbons, labels, stickers, tags or anything to do with custom packaging.

Do you use custom packaging or need custom packaging? Yes you say then ask for a quote. Keep me and my Gift Box colleages busy.

You might learn that you are currently paying too much for your existing packaging or that you can afford the packaging you've wanted for so long. Give us a try.

If you are in Southern New England give me a call 401683-5377 or call 1-800giftbox to find out your local representative. It might just save you a dollar or two in this tough economic times and that alone will be worth the call.

At the very least you will get a new 2008 Gift Box Catalog to review.

Jr Labels makes it to QVC with help from Roseberry Winn Pottery

JR Labels makes it to QVC with the help of Roseberry Winn Pottery!
Roseberry Winn Pottery from Tiverton, RI made their debut on National TV this morning at 6am with their beautiful pottery pieces.
JR Labels made their debut too because on the bottom of every piece of pottery was Roseberry Winn Pottery's clear label with their logo printed on it that JR Labels made.


It was great watching Michael Winn and Bruce Roseberry the artists and owners of Roseberry Winn Pottery and my customers make their debut on TV with some of the pieces they have designed but it became really exciting when the hostess turned over their piece to show that the piece was hand signed by the artist and there was the label I had made for them! "There's my Label, There's my Label, There's my Label!" is all I could yell.


I ordered the hostess bowl pictured below while Michael and Bruce were on air. I know, I know I could have driven right over the bridge and purchased on in their studio but the excitement of the moment got to me and I had to order.

You should order too. Follow this link QVC.com Recently On Air to see the other products they premeired today on QVC and place your order for my label - I mean their beautiful pottery.
I just went to the QVC web site and there on their website is my label too!