Franklin Lakes, NJ (PRWEB) December 14, 2011
Entrepreneur Susan Millers brand of meaningful handmade jewelry, SKM Artworks, exploded in 2011. Managing a fast growing retail and wholesale business from her home studio while caring for her three sons (ages 8, 8 and 12) alongside husband and biz partner Jonathan, Susan somehow manages to balance it all. And in the spirit of giving, Susan shares her favorite tips on how to survive the holidays and enjoy yourself in the process.
PLAN AHEAD:
November and December are huge for the jewelry industry and with so many people following the trend of buying personal handmade gifts this year, Susan is busier than ever. When items are not mass produced, planning ahead for a successful season is essential so there is less time manufacturing pieces to order and more time for family.
GET ORGANIZED:
Have the kids make their wish lists and then organize them on a master shopping list. Susan’s friends make fun of her gift spreadsheet but it works! A column for each recipient, rows with product name, price and ordering info for each gift. For Holiday Cards invest the time in creating a mailing address label template on your computer that you can print out and just update each year.
SHOP ON-LINE:
Once you have your master shopping list do as much shopping on-line as possible. No hassles at the store or in traffic equals more time enjoying the season at home with your family. Buying gifts can even be relaxing if you follow her lead and on-line shop off your well organized list while watching the Daily Show from bed.
DONT OVER-COMMIT:
Remember its okay to say no, even to a business opportunity. If taking on a new project means you will be uncomfortably above capacity during the holidays, everyone will lose. As a new business in a rough economy Susan was wary of turning away business, but has found shes been able to schedule new projects for start dates after the holidays and it hasnt turned business away. Its put her more in demand.
SHARE THE WORK:
Make a new tradition and get the family in on the action! Susan’s twin 8 year olds got all the holiday card envelopes stuffed, stamped and labelled before their big brother even rolled out of bed, and were so happy to be part of the process. Ever the perfectionist, Susan admittedly was afraid of off kilter addresses and stamps but the process was fun and the kids look forward to helping.
If this is your business crunch time, plan to be a guest rather than a host. Offer to host a different holiday at another time of the year.
STOCK UP ON EXTRA GIFTS:
There are always those last minute gifts you forget about whether for hostess, holiday toy drives or unanticipated reciprocation that dont make it onto the most organized of lists – so buy a little extra (especially when you find a great sale). If they dont get used this year, donate or recycle them next year. Theres nothing worse than realizing you have to enter the fray on those final days after youve already taken that deep breath, thinking you were all done!
SET BOUNDARIES BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY TIME:
For Susan, working from home is blessing and a challenge. The temptation to work all the time is always there, especially during a busy season. Susan manages by working while the kids are at school and activities, doing on-line tasks while the kids do homework and getting in some evening work after the kids go to bed if there is something that really can’t wait. Having an incredibly hands on husband who does the cooking and dishes doesnt hurt either.
DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE:
Susan has learned from years of senseless stressing that maintaining a calm attitude while getting through a mountain of work, for both business and holiday prep, takes less time and energy. Do one task at a time (calmly), and then move on to the next. It will all get done, it always does. Forget non-essentials like making sure the house is spotless and the beds are made. Having a relaxed attitude even if there’s no time to relax can make all the difference.
SKM Artworks offers meaningful wearable art created by hand weaving stunning jewels and precious metals within Irish waxed linens and certified-green leathers…rustic and spiritual with a luxury twist. This unique collection is currently available at http://www.shopSKM.com and various exceptional east coast boutiques and jewelry stores. Retail prices for SKM’s neckworks range from $ 65-$ 325; earworks, $ 45-$ 125; wristworks, $ 59-$ 199.
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