Smash into the Yellow Brick Wall

As I mentioned in my last entry, I really like to win.  Even more than that, I hate to lose.  I really hate it, in a way that causes me to break down into silent sobs of rage.  One of the things that frustrates me as a small business owner is that often it seems like I'm losing.  Ashley and I put tons of hours into these cards that we love, so when they don't sell right after we list them it feels like a defeat.  

You see, I like to thank of myself like Dorothy, and my business as the Land of Oz.  While overwhelmed at first, I quickly defeat the first evil witch (bureaucracy) and dance and sing with my new friends, Scarecrow (creativity), Tin Man (revenue), and Lion (public awareness).  Everything shines in glorious technicolor, and the worst obstacles we have to face are flying monkeys which are awesome and really just serve to keep things interesting.  We make our way down the Yellow Brick Road of success and financial independence, and then I get to live happily ever after with my dog and pretty red shoes.  

Needless to say, life isn't really like that.  Rather than following a brightly colored path to success, I seem to have smashed into a yellow brick wall (it's yellow to mock me with it's cheeriness).  Ads we've run have produced little results, and despite increasing the frequency of listing new cards and improving the quality of photography, site traffic continues to go down.  I'm running out of ideas.  It's pretty disheartening.

Nevertheless, like any plucky heroine, I shan't give up.  Maybe I'll take up rock climbing and learn how to scale that wall.  Or maybe I'll just sing an inspirational song.  Or maybe I'll take a nap in the poppy field first.

Why I Should Be a Superhero and/or Spy

Hello again everyone!  I hope you all enjoyed Ashley's post yesterday, which, judging by the stats, you did.  I also hope that you enjoyed Fuzzy Slippers Day as much as I did.  Were your feet as cozy as this?

I thought not!

Gilbert is being deceptively sweet and docile.

In addition to wearing my fuzzy slippers yesterday, I also worked on embellishing and re-listing one of my favorite JA Greetings cards.  This card was inspired by my abundance of impractical shoes.  One day I was wearing a particularly gorgeous pair of lacy 4"pumps to the office.  I came home at the end of day with sore but beautiful feet to take care of my uber-crazy dog, Gilbert.  Gilbert was so excited to see me that I decided to take him out for his walk right away instead of changing into more sensible/ugly shoes.  As is typically my luck, the ground was soggy and my elegant heels sunk deeper into the mud with every step.  I suppose I should be grateful because that extra bit of grounding is the only thing that kept Gilbert from yanking me off my feet altogether.  He's really much stronger than he looks.  

Anyway, this experience inspired me to create a card that shows the need to wear fabulous shoes even when it doesn't seem practical.  That line of thought (along with hours of spy/sci-fi viewing) led me to wonder what kind of lifestyle requires the constant wearing of amazing footwear?  The answer was obvious.  Spies and superheros always wear amazing shoes!  Stiletto heels both support the cover as a wealthy and sophisticated jet-setter, but also double as a weapon should someone discover by my secret spy mission.  And a superhero's sleek and sexy boots make it possible to fight for truth, justice, and the American way in stylish comfort!

It's more that just the shoes that makes me long to be a spy and/or superhero.  Have you seen the accessories?  Incredible!

In honor of all of the fabulous spies and heroes out there, I think tomorrow's made-up holiday is going to be Beautiful Boot Day!  Everyone enjoy, and be sure to let me know about the beautiful boots you decide to wear!