Really? Whining is out...

My poor neglected blog. The holiday shopping season from November through December kicked my ass and the first part of this month has been nothing but cleaning up, checking inventory, designing new stuff, photographing the new stuff, taxes, orders, reading a few books during some blocks of free time.....I'm out of breath!
And then I see that my last two posts on this neglected blog are about....whining. I hate whining. Sometimes I get it but in general, I really can't stand it and especially when it's for the sake of getting people to say "oh, poor thing!" and sympathy votes. That really wasn't my intention.
So, let me start fresh in 2011 and break the "whining" cycle. New posts, more of them, and the stuff that can only happen to me...good and not so good.
~Victoria

Another hangup...what else is new.

Been awhile but that's got to change. I'll be back more because I've got too much on my mind and got to get it out. But I have to vent my latest business hangup...

Professionalism...my perspective and opinion.

If you are going to own your own business, you might want to consider being at least a little professional and respectful with your customers, your retailers you wholesale to, your Twitter fans, your Facebook Likers, and pretty much anyone that might be reading what your posting and listening to what you are saying. Make absolutely sure you have all of your facts straight before making libelous and slanderous comments and posts in regard to another company offering similar products. Just because those similar products (and I don't mean copying designs or copyright stuff) are offered doesn't necessarily make that company a copycat and a thief. And before I forget, your version may not be the absolute best out there. Confidence is one thing. Arrogance and narcissism are another. You want to make water bottles? Go for it. Want to start carrying lunchboxes? Have at it. Think you want to get into stationery? Start printing. Remember to respect your fellow designers' work (which is a whole other post!) but nothing says you can't. It's why companies sell these items as blanks. You get to buy them and dress them up with your own designs.

My point is this. Spinning, manipulating and altering reality to make yourself look like the honest, sweet, innocent victim is ridiculous. There's a professional way to handle those situations and you might be surprised how many people will appreciate that attitude. You may not care if you offend someone by making mean-spirited, immature, unprofessional, rude and bullying comments, but not all publicity is good publicity. And just because you scream the loudest that you were stolen from won't make it true if it's really a crock in the first place. But something to consider...having a handful of like-minded, rabid and delusional people cheer you on doesn't make it alright. The immature reactions are a little pathetic.

This rant is my reaction to some information a dear friend shared with me. She was absolutely flabbergasted by a slew of comments on someone's certain social media business page that she is a huge, HUGE fan of. My friend is one of those people that calls 'em like she sees 'em and won't blow a bunch of smoke up your butt. You screw up, she'll tell you. So I asked her what part of it bothered her the most and she said...."a grown woman posted that stuff. My fault for thinking that grown meant mature. It's so high school". From what my disappointed friend and I are gathering, there's a serious lack of maturity there and that's a shame.

I own a business. I think a little professionalism, decency and respect go a long way. I think no one is perfect and sometimes you've got to deal with certain things. Grow up. Remember the Golden Rule. Karma is a bitch.

~Victoria

Just 30 minutes more...a moment to whine.

It's cold out this morning and it was my turn for take-kid-to-school duty. So when I was awakened just a tad earlier than I needed to be, I wasn't thrilled. Instead of waking up to the beep, beep of the alarm clock, I woke up to "what can I wear to school?!?!?!" Now, let me explain. Her dresser is full of jeans, khakis, capris, tshirts, tops, socks, etc. She is not in need of anything, trust me. I'm not sure what the problem was. Just pick something. Sheesh.
But there I was, awake too early saying to myself 'just 30 minutes more'. Our morning routine is simple and we live, literally, five minutes from the school. There was no reason to be up a full hour before needing to leave the house. No reason....whatsoever.
So, now it's still cold out this morning. I've been awake now for a little over two hours and I'm still saying just 30 minutes more. I hope this hasn't set the tone for the day. Fortunately, waking up on the wrong side of the bed doesn't always apply to me, but I have to confess that it applies more than I care to admit.
I think it will help to make this morning productive and make sure a bunch of these orders get shoveled out the door. I guess the positive is that I can get 30 minutes more work done, right? Done whining for today. Time to move on!
P.S.- And, to add that dash of 'that's just great', I meant to stop at Starbucks for a hot latte and didn't.
~Victoria

A metamorphosis. A reincarnation. A new start.

So here's the deal. I've been so wrapped up in my business for the last few months that I forgot something. I forgot me. I do that a lot. We all do it. It's inevitable with the ebb and flow of marriage, parenthood, making a living and just, well, living.
I started Victoria P. Zurcher Designs almost seven years ago. Since then it's been reshaped, redesigned, adjusted and readjusted, overhauled and revamped. Today it is no more. I tell most people that I just changed the name of my business, but it was much more than that. In my mind, I killed it and for good reason. Despite the fact that the business name WAS my name, it really didn't reflect me. My business is a somewhat selfish venture that fulfills my desire to create and design. The fact that it is successful is just gravy.
So, My Lucky Wish was born. A new website emerged. And a truer reflection of me was created. With all of that came a lot of social media, marketing, and preparation for the inevitable metamorphosis, reincarnation from Victoria P. Zurcher Designs to My Lucky Wish. With all of that also came a halt to a little "Me" time and a place to share my stories and observations which is this lovely little blog.
Now, I have my business website, my business blog attached to it and also this sweet little place to really let loose, maybe not always be so professional with only the occasional promotion of My Lucky Wish.
It's a new start and I'm thinking I'm going to enjoy getting back into it. For me.
~Victoria

I really do work sometimes.....

I realized my last post was about our beach vacation and now I'm posting about our couple of days at the lake. Really, I do get some work done but I also like to share my "free" time with you, too!

Short and sweet......

My in-laws live on the lake so when we go up, Sydney hangs out with them and really doesn't care if I'm around or not. Don't worry, this doesn't hurt my feelings. Honestly, it's great for them and lets me spend in my absolutely favorite spot in their whole place....the porch swing. I take my sudoku and crossword puzzles, swing, enjoy this view and occassionally doze off. No matter how hot it is outside, that porch has the best breeze coming through.

Sydney loves riding the jetski so she can usually con somebody to take her out. Her daddy started doing 360s with her on it and she looooooved it. I think we have speeding tickets in our future.

When her cousin, Scott, took her out he took it one step further and she looooooved that even more. Was I a little nervous? Yes, but she loves it and has a blast.

She loves her cousins and they love her. I hope they'll be close despite their age differences. Those boys are the best.

So just to prove to you that I have been working.....I've added some fabulous new lunchbox designs and will be adding quite a few more. I've also got a great new product that I think you'll love...coming soon!

Don't forget to 'Become A Fan' on our Facebook page to stay up to date with any new products, discounts, contests and giveaways.

Have a great rest of the weekend!!

~Victoria

I'm back...

I'm back from vacation and still trying to get my groove back. I think we all have that special talent of jumping right into "vacation" mode, but how many of us have the talent of quickly jumping into "work" mode when we get back home? I don't have that gift. Unfortunately.

We had such a great time at Discovery Cove and swimming with the dolphins. I highly recommend it and simply don't have the words to describe how amazing it is to actually touch them. Just so fun!

The rest of my vacation days were spent by the pool, in the ocean, napping on the sofa and eating way too much. MyT had fun, too, until her daddy came home. She was so sad so I gave in and changed our tickets to come home a couple of days early. I wasn't ready to come home, but what do you do?

So, yes, back in "work" mode. I'll be finishing up some fab new lunchbox and water bottle designs and just in time for the back to school season. I'll post the goods when I get them done!

~Victoria

That long?

Has it been that long since my last post? That's not very nice of me....
It's been busy, busy around here getting orders turned around and dreaming of vacation next week. We are so excited because the first part of the trip will be a day at Discovery Cove and swimming with the dolphins. How cool is that? MyT's face lights up when we even mention it.
MyT's last day of kindergarten is tomorrow..unbelievable. No more on that or I'll start crying. Our partnership with Beau coup has been fantastic so far which is a complete thrill. I've also been busy creating a new group of lunchbox designs for the back-to-school season which will be ready by the end of June!
OK, back to work! More to come soon...plenty to jab about.
~Victoria