Closeup #4: Dirty Bike Chain

Closeup #3: Frito with Dip

Humble Beginnings

Onoma Clothing Co. is finally on it's way to becoming a world renown clothing co! lol Well, I think that's the dream of every business owner out there. But if there's one thing I've learned thus far, it's to keep things simple! Because I have so many ideas both on paper and in my head, there's a tendency to want to put them all to work for me at the same time. And while that would be ideal in starting a business, usually it's not realistic. I learned from the owner of Flaw'd Clothing at Spirit West Coast that keeping things simple is not only the best way to start, it's the least stressful way of all and it's very cost effective. I think alot of business owners go in over their head and end up with alot of debt from the very start. I realize that for some businesses this is necessary if you don't have the capital to begin with, but the risk is higher. I made up my mind that I'm going to start simple and within my means, because if there's one thing I know it's how horrible having debt is! It's just plain awful, especially when it leaves you with nothing left. So little by little is how I plan to build upon this future giant of mine.

Although not everyone who passed bought a shirt or decal, some actually asked if I would be there next week, which motivates me to be there again. I wasn't sure if I would do this every other week or every week, but I do know that the more frequent I'm there, the more familiar people will be with me. Then others just simply took my business card. Some didn't even look up at my booth. I can understand since it was so darn hot out there, I think some were just in a daze out there and tired of looking at every single booth! lol I was getting like that at SWC after I'd seen about 20 different booths! I was like 'okay I think I've seen enough already.' But the booths that stood out somehow still got my attention, no matter how tired I was, and that's what my goal is, to stand out in some way as to still catch people's attention, in spite of the 100's of other booths that are vying for attention. At the Swap Meet, it's not that hard to stand out as a clothing company, cause most booths were bargain-shopping booths with almost anything for sale, or a mix of things. But selling somewhere like SWC or any Christian event will be more of a challenge. So that's my focus and being at the Swap Meet will prepare me for that. It's kind of like a testing ground for me. All in all, it went pretty well. Hopefully this Saturday will be even better! =)

Seeking His Guidance

Closeup #2

Fountain at night. I found this little cluster of lighted drops interesting. =)

Closeup #1

This is my series of personal photographs, kind of a hobby of mine. =)

Almost Open For Business

I should have my booth up and running either this weekend or next weekend at Maclin Open Air Market in Ontario. I finally got everything ready to go and have a few minor details to work out, but it's been going well. I have about 5 different design options to choose from so we'll see how things go. I just need to get my banner done, which I may have to wait on til next week. I'm also working on getting my DBA (Doing Business As) and seller permit forms taken care of this week. Stacy is going to try and help out with the booth, too.

Along with that I'm finishing my training up with Usana, another business I'm working on establishing, also. I know alongside school and work it keeps me quite busy, but I know in the end it will pay off if I work hard now. I have one more step to complete, but Ted, my upline said I could go forward with selling and promoting my business so I'm concentrating on that too. I know that Lord willing I will get where I want to be down the road. =)

Spirit West Coast

Stace and I decided to go down to Spirit West Coast in Del Mar a few weeks ago, just for Saturday though. It just happened to land on Memorial weekend so there was traffic almost the entire way down there! It was so discouraging too because time was ticking away as we moved about an average of like 10 mph. sheesh. It ended up taking us about 3 1/2 hrs to get there! We actually decided to take PCH when we got around Oceanside. It wasn't much better but at least we were distracted by the shops and such around us. But when we finally got there and walked around a bit it seemed well worth the trip. We stayed until around 11pm or so. Stacy had to get up early for worship, too, but she got to sleep for awhile on the way back, so it worked out pretty well. We actually got to see a little of each of the 3 main bands playing that day and evening, including Skillet whom I have pictured here. The saw Kutless and Newsboys on the main stage later that night.

All in all it was a great day and I was especially glad to go down and see the booths and network a little with the other vendors down there. Plus Stace got me a really cool sweater, so I was happy. =)