March into Spring........it's coming!

MARCH 2013

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With all the cold wind and snow this season, I'm sure your wardrobe is starting to feel a bit grey.  Why not get a jump start on Spring and wrap a little sunshine around you with the TGB Classic Hoodie?  With bright colors like neon yellows, pinks, greens, and blues, as well as our signature colors, we're sure there's something for you!   This is a very soft flex fleece hoodie constructed with 50% Cotton / 50% Polyester fleece. It also has nice and roomy kangaroo pockets, a very durable metal zipper, and is hooded and finished with a white polyester drawcord.  Cute and cozy! Womans Turquoise 2 X 1 Rib tank with THE GREY BUTTON logo. Made of 100% fine ring-spun combed cotton, this textured rib knit features a comfortable stretch with excellent durability through repeated washings. Shrinkage will occur when washed approximately one size. Price: $17 #20413 - TURQUOISE TANK Add Product WOMENS TGB CLASSIC FLEECE HOODIE ~ BLACK This is a very soft flex fleece hoodie constructed with 50% Cotton / 50% Polyester fleece. It also has nice and roomy kangaroo pockets, a very durable metal zipper, and is hooded and finished with a white polyester drawcord. Price: $49 #13113 - FLAT BLACK TGB CLASSIC HOODIE Add Product Womans Fuchsia 2 X 1 Rib tank with THE GREY BUTTON logo Made of 100% fine ring-spun combed cotton, this textured rib knit features a comfortable stretch with excellent durability through repeated washings. Shrinkage will occur when washed approximately one size. Price: $17 #20413 - FUCHSIA TANK Add Product The Grey Button is a not another fashion statement rather it’s a statement life.  In most cases the grey (button) is a common reference to things that are lost, forgotten or discarded in a place no one wants to look. We search for these buttons. The grey buttons, solid in design and function but somehow lost.  We bring them back to life by featuring a button on each item, unique to the garment. By making a button donation you are showing your support of THE GREY BUTTON in the effort to making sure that no button is discarded and every button goes back to work!   Click here to print the form needed to donate your old buttons. WOMANS "HOLD STRONG" V-NECK NECK TEE Stay positive with the "Hold Strong" message tee. Plain in the front and the message on the back bottom hem. This is a very soft and comfortable v-neck tee made of 50% Cotton/50% Polyester. It has also been preshrunk to avoid additional shrinkage when washing. Available charcoal heather. Price: $20 #22513V - "HOLD STRONG" V-NECK TEE Add Product MENS "HOLD IT TOGETHER" CREW NECK TEE Stay positive with the "Hold It Together" message tee. Plain in the front and the message on the back bottom hem. This soft and comfortable t-shirt is made of 100% combed ring spun cotton. It is also preshrunk to avoid additional shrinkage when washed. Available in white, black, and charcoal heather. (*Charcoal heather made of 50%Cotton/50%Polyester) Price: $20 #22813 - "HOLD IT TOGETHER" TEE Add Product WOMANS "HOLD STRONG" CREW NECK TEE Stay positive with the "Hold Strong" message tee. Plain in the front and the message on the back bottom hem. This is a very comfortable boyfriend tee made of 100% combed ring spun cotton and feature. It has also been preshrunk to avoid additional shrinkage when washing. Available in black and white. Price: $20 #22513 - "HOLD STRONG" TEE Add Product

See you soon...

The Power of Networking

I'm pretty sure everyone knows the power of networking, but as I sat at my computer this morning I began to reflect on just how beneficial it has been for me recently.  I have to admit that moving up north was a difficult transition initially as I really didn't know anyone outside of my in-laws.  Although my immediate thoughts were, 'there goes my social life', I was soon reminded of the business connections I left behind as well; not very comforting when you are just starting your business.  My solution: get out and meet new people.  A concept that has opened so many doors in which I have benefited in many ways.  Here are just a few that I wanted to share with you in hopes that it will encourage you to also get out network.  Who knows, we may bump into each other!

1.  -OPPORTUNITIES-  When you get out and mingle with people who have the same character as you, there is a greater probability of opportunities becoming available for you to participate in.  For example, you may be working day and night to produce those beautifully handcrafted greeting cards.  And after the long nights, you are now stumped in trying to find a venue to sell your impressive cards.  That's when knowing a few people may help.  They could be more familiar with the area and know places off hand, or better yet, know someone personally that may be interested in carrying your collection. That's a plus for you. 

2.  -REFERRALS-  Well this is a no-brainer!  We all want to increase our business and this is a huge part of a successful networking community.  One of the biggest advantage is that other business owners have a growing customer base that they may be willing to share with you, if your product fits their client.  This is a big plus for you and them.  You can swap clients.... WIN / WIN!

3.  -ADVICE-  We can't all "know it all" about everything.  Some of us have valuable lessons that we have had to learn along the bumpy road of business.  And just as your parents have had more experience in life than you, so is true in the business world.  I would recommend picking some of your acquaintance's brain.  Asking them for advice when you are unsure of a particular topic could prove to be more valuable than taking the risk.  Why have to find out the hard way that promoting in the local newspaper is not the right avenue for your product?  You could be potentially spending unnecessary funds in advertising by targeting these readers.  Your colleagues may recommend promoting on the local talk show instead.  So don't be afraid to ask for their advice.  In the end the decision is yours, but having more to based it on is very useful.

4.  -INCREASED CONFIDENCE-  One thing I know from experience is networking pushes you to speak with people you don't know.  In return, a greater confidence is built in you.  Do you remember the first time you had to pitch your concept to someone?  You probably felt like you were standing in a hot box and stumbling all over your words.  Fast forward to today.  The nervous feeling is probably not the same at all.  Not to say that you still don't get warm, but the words are flowing much easier and your confidence has grown.  Because you want your business to grow beyond just the people you know, strengthening your backbone is a must and having these connections will help.

5.  -FRIENDSHIPS-  This is my favorite!  Networking opens you up to building new friendships with like minded people.  I'm sure you have heard over and over again that your reputation can largely be based on the people you associate with.  So it only make sense, at least to me, if you want to be viewed as being about your business.......then those are the type of friends you should keep.  Most likely you will go a lot farther in your aspirations while having a great time achieving them.

I enjoy reaching out and building new networking relationships and encourage you to do so as well. And if you don't know where to start, you could always start with me.  Good luck!  I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on the topic.  Please share your comments.

Link with me on Twitter-----> @thegreybutton

HODGE PODGE

I had a great time helping out Heidi with her store front yesterday at Hodge Podge!  Go by and check it out and let her know that Nadia sent you.  While you are there pick up your TGB Signature T-Shirt!!!!

Make sure you stop by the Hodge Podge Facebook page and let her know how much you "like" the new store!  

Diamonds

Cherish the Diamonds in your life!

     Starting your new business is not as easy as 1-2-3.  A lesson that I am being taught at this very moment.  You think you have come up with a great product, you put in online, and everyone should run out and buy from you, right?  Wrong!  It's not enough that you have conceptualized those ideas into your sketchbook and even produced the product.  Now the "business" starts.  And since there is only you, get ready to wear many hats: making financial decisions, handling marketing, becoming an IT specialist, researching, all while staying motivated.  It's tough, but if you love what you are doing, you can do it.  But be prepared for reality, for it's during your development phase that you have so many advocates.  Friends encouraging you to step out and grab those dreams of yours with promises of support, but you can't stop there.  For reasons sometimes unknown those people may never show up.  So when you do have an audience patronizing your venture, you should stop and thank them and let them know just how important they are.  These people are like diamonds, valued as the most special gem.  You are not without flaws, but just as you value them, they have picked you up with words of encouragement and support, kept you polished so that your internal light of inspiration can continue to shine.  One can't even put into words how much that conserves a person's spark who is pursuing something bigger than the norm.  ~Thank you!  Now you must find a new mine of hidden gems!

Success in 2013

       When I started this blog it was to help me through a difficult time.  Almost like a diary of a struggling designer.  I was battling with the idea of leaving a decent paying job to take the plunge into starting my own line.  It was a scary thing, because I knew the months and years ahead would be very difficult.  But I also knew it was something that I needed to do if I ever wanted to be successfully happy.  And plus, I never want to live with regrets and constant wondering if I could have done something I truly enjoyed doing.  I didn't want to be the person that's always complaining that I hated my current situation, without ever giving any real effort doing what I loved.  So I took the chance and quit the job that was "killing" me slowly to pursue my career in fashion and creating THE GREY BUTTON.  I have to admit that it has been very hard, and a true test.  Do I really want this? Or do I want to live comfortably only only to be miserable?  What?  NO!!!!  I have sacrificed so much to date and I believe I am on the right track.  I would be lying to you if I said that I don't get discouraged often, but who doesn't?  Anything worth having is not easy to obtain.  Sometimes we get caught up in what we see on television.  Instant success....hearing someone say, "they became an overnight success!"  But I don't believe that at all. Maybe it's not for a great story to hear that someone worked 10 years before things finally started to work in their favor.  But that's the story I want to hear, I need to hear.  Because it gives me hope, that with my continued hard work, I too can be placed into the category of successful.  Live your dreams in 2013-  But be prepared to put in WORK! 

TGB on the Radio

Yesterday was an amazing day!  I met a beautiful woman named Libby Mills who hosts a local radio show, Libby's Luncheonette, on WCHE 1520AM, in West Chester, PA.

Crazy how things work out!  Let me back up a moment and bring you up to speed with how I came to meet Libby.  My good friend, Heidi Bostelle, owner of HODGE PODGE Unique Boutique, and the exclusive carrier of THE GREY BUTTON in Pennsylvania, connected me to Libby.  You see, both Heidi and I share the same business model, "Success with the success of others," and she put her mission to practice the first opportunity she had.  Last week Heidi phoned me, informing me that she received a phone call from Libby who found her online.  Libby was extremely impressed with her mission statement as well, and wanted to feature her on her radio segment to showcase her store.  To my surprise Heidi immediately began talking about, guess who: THE GREY BUTTON.  Although the upcoming segment was on skin care, Heidi did not waste the chance to tell her all about the soft t-shirts and scarves that we carry.  And she's correct!  Our tee's are perfect to use when layering in the winter to protect against the harsh winter weather.  Next thing you know......I am at the radio station, in the cute city of West Chester, PA and sharing THE GREY BUTTON to the local community!   After I got to brag about THE GREY BUTTON,  I had lunch with Libby at Carlino's Specialty Foods and she took me by a few of the local boutiques.   Definitely a place I would love to revisit.  As a matter a fact, if you haven't been to West Chester, I would absolutely recommend spending an afternoon discovering this little gem. The town is quite adorable, offering up a nice helping of restaurants, boutiques and specialty stores.

And if you haven't already been to check out HODGE PODGE, please do!  Like I said earlier, the owner Heidi Bostelle is a wonderful person and a great new friend of mine!  She has one of a kind gifts just perfect for the holidays.  If you happen to be around on the last Friday of the month, you may just find me hanging with the ladies with a glass of wine enjoying the admirable atmosphere she has managed to create.  Tell her Nadia sent you!!

I Needed Sun!

So I have made it back to California and the work continues! Apparently all I needed was the sun to light a fire under me and get me moving in high speed. Being in the south and the east coast was doing nothing for my bubbly personality. Somehow the cheerful, laid back, and goofy me seemed to have faded. But not anymore! California is what I needed to get back in my life. You know, I really don't mind not having four distinct seasons. As a matter of fact I would love to live in sunshine 365 days a year. I know, call me strange, but if I never had to wear 4 layers of clothing and then a heavy winter coat ever again, that would be just fine with me. Again, California is what I needed. I'm running around like a chicken with his head cut off all while basking in the sun and I am having so much fun. Apparently I've been smiling a whole lot! I walked into the leather store and as soon as I stepped inside, a lady asked me why I was grinning so hard. I told her, "I'm just happy!" And that was exactly it. Happy to be back to what's familiar and most of all... SUN! No more overcast skies and gloomy faces because sunshine always makes for a brighter day!

I Love LA!

Just being in downtown LA makes me feel official. I missed all the days I used to scrape up my last dollar to go fabric shopping. So I made sure to make up for lost time. Literally spent almost every day walking the streets in search for the perfect fabric. So much fun! A trip not in vain.

Cloud 9

I walked into the airport on Easter Sunday ready to check in my bags and take to the air. My destination? LA. A designer’s playground. But the evil forces attempted to trample my enthusiasm by crippling me, or so they thought. A bank’s error turned into a improperly deactivated debit card, and my money held hostage. I admit, this one was tough. So, no access to MY money, unable to pick up the rental car as planned, and an insincere apology from the bank when told me it would not be another 6 business days until I could have a new card mailed to my home address (where I was not) was almost enough to send me over the edge. But I had a job to do. I was able to shake that evil monkey off my back after encouraging words from the people that love me and believe in my work. And a good thing I did because it would not have been fun carrying him and all the fabrics as I ran all around the garment district. Not even if it was a baby evil monkey…..I just wasn’t going to do it. The aftermath was a highly successful week. I found amazing fabrics and leather, met with manufacturers, trim vendors, my mentor Charlotte Tarantola, all before weeks end. Just had to stick in there! Now I'm riding on Cloud 9!

Shine

When it's beautiful outside go out and enjoy it. I feel different when the sun is out and I'm basking in its warmth. Maybe it's because I'm a true California girl at the heart. I'm more motivated, happy, and inspired to pursue whatever goals I've set. The point I'm trying to make is to seize the moment. When you wake up and feel like today's gonna be a good day, say it out loud and act accordingly. Well I guess you have to start with knowing what atmosphere allows your creativity to thrive the most? When you find out take advantage. For me it's the sun! So today I'm outside, fabric shopping for the collection, meetings with vendors, and people watching. The perfect day!