Back on track

It's amazing how life can just take over and believe me I'm present for every bit of it. Being a mom, a wife, meal cooker, and managing my business - I truly feel blessed. 

I've got some great things coming and some new articles I'll be writing. 

For now, it Sunday and I'm getting back on track. 

 

One foot in front of the other...

About to start testing and running in these two fine shoes. Both different, but both supposedly have a minimal stride. 

Excited to try them out and tell you all what shoe feels better and on what type of trails. 

Skora & Salomon are both brands that I really like. Skora is making a step into the minimal market and a local Portland company. 

Happy almost Friday all! 

Keep running!

Hey -- if you like photography, food, kids and the outdoors then stop by my Instagram profile.

Hope you all enjoy a fabulous weekend and I'd love to follow you back.

Cheers,
Michele

Wow!! I didn't realize that it's been a long time since I've last blogged. Just stopping in to say hello and share a few updates.

• We now have a daughter - she's 2 and amazing.
• I'm still an independent consultant and still totally dig what I do.
• I've gone Paleo
• I've traveled the US about 6x over due to work
• Enjoyed a business trip to Italy. Florence and Lucca in particular.
• I work with awesome companies: SITM , Diaper Dude , & Grandluxe
• I love CrossFit. Yep, I jumped on that bandwagon.
• I might be slightly addicted to Justin's nut butters. Maple Almond Butter in particular. 
• I also love butter in my coffee. Check out the Bulletproof Exec for more info.
• I totally dig Instagram and if you want to check out the kid, food and coffee, head to my account. @salesguru33
• Life is good. 

I promise I won't be away as long this time. 

Thanks for stopping by!
Michele

QR Codes

Hey everyone! QR codes are really fun and a great way to get someone to check out your website, your Linkedin, FB, Twitter or blog. You can't help but pull out your handy dandy smart phone to scan away and see where it takes you.



You can totally make your own QR Code for anything that has a URL.

So go ahead - have fun with it! Use it for your business... brand yourself, PR, whatever. This is the wave of the future. Add it to your email. I'm sure you'll start your own trend and then your friends will want to follow too.

Have a great day!!
Thanks for reading,
Michele

My day with the Buzz Bus

Every now and then I get a lucky day. So last Friday I had the extreme pleasure of enjoying that day on The Buzz Bus. I was riding the MAX into downtown and with all of my other companies bowing out earlier in the week, I was still strategizing in my mind about who we should interview and where our hula-hoop stops should be. All of a sudden I think... KEEN. They have that whole "recess is back" revolution going on! So I call the office and since this is Portland... they would be a no brainer, but they had Friday morning meetings and I felt my heart get squashed again. Then, I began to call my friend, Stephanie who works at the fabulous company Horny Toad only around the corner from my favorite coffee stop, BaristaPDX. She totally pulled through and our day was turning around for the better. We got some great video and photos of the Horny Toad squad. Then we decided to do a reconnaissance on Keen, only 3 blocks away. So while they are pulling the Buzz Bus Airstream I see my friend Tsveti from non-other than the amazing New Zealand company, Icebreaker. Funny enough she was visiting her husband who is a Keen employee and was so excited to give her company a recess. Plus, they are a new sponsor with the OIWC. So she gave me directions to their headquarters and we then had an amazing time visiting and getting a tour of their USA TouchLab. They are all pretty special people. The girls with Buzz Bus were so excited how the day turned out and I have got to give a big shout out and thank you to them for giving me a great opportunity and to the fabulous companies that surround our downtown! You guys make such a difference and for years to come I will be grateful for your time and energy!! This is one of the many reasons why I love Portland!

Selling in Hot-lanta!

It's that time of year again... where the retailing worlds collide with the vendors of the world in one lovely humid town filled with thunderstorms. Yes, I'm talking about Atlanta or better known to all of us as Hot-lanta! In the months of Summer it definitely lives up to its name. July is known as 'MARKET'. This is where I come alive. I love seeing all these cool people with their wonderful shops come in and talk shop. I love being able to provide them with that item that will be a smash hit for their store through out holiday season and beyond. It's great when they can get excited over our products after having looked at over 100+ other companies and products. Between June and August we have our largest gift shows and people come from all over the US and Canada to shop here. It's row after row and floor after floor of all the hottest accessories from floral - toys that cater to museums, boutiques, high-end apparel stores and car washes. Yes, the latter seems odd, but it's true. There are a lot of hip car washes that now have an accessories area. As well as contemporary home stores that love creating a special area that their customers can take something home while waiting on their customized furniture. Table top is great for that. So this week, our showroom, Just Got 2 Have It will be wining and dining all the fabulous buyers that will step in and shop with us. I'm excited to share all that is great about our stainless steel accessories. Stewart/Stand is on fire! Come on by and see us if you're in the area. Have a great week. Thanks for reading.