Name: Stefanie Mercado
Business Name: DesignPress Unlimited©
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://designpressunlimited.com
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/DesignPressUnlimited

How would you describe yourself?
I would describe myself as being creative, outgoing, professional, punctual and personable.

How long have you been involved in your business?
3 years

Why did you choose your particular business?
I have been inspired by art my whole life. I love the way I feel when I create something new and being a graphic designer gives me a creative outlet that helps others promote their brands, products, blogs, companies and more while also giving me a sense of accomplishment.

What keeps you motivated?
Being able to create something new and different with each order. Using new colors, designs and working with people across the world is very exciting for me.

Tell us a little about your family.
I am a 30 something year old wife to my wonderful husband of 12 years. Together we have three beautiful children that all have special needs to some degree and are the light of our lives.

How do you prioritize family and your business?
Of course family is always first but I also love my job and am incredibly thankful for it! I work while my children are at school or sleeping. My life is my family and my work…I wouldn’t trade either one for anything!

How do you relax?
This sounds funny but to relax I work. Nothing relaxes me more than sitting down at the computer and creating something new, fun and different. If I am to the point of exhaustion then I chill by watching a movie with my family or going out with a friend for coffee and window shopping.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years I see myself doing the same thing…I love it so why change?

Biggest life lesson learned?
Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. Each of us is blessed with a special gift and by being yourself you will find it faster and enjoy it more.

What is your secret to success?
By not being a typical business owner. I love creating new friendships with clients. Really talking to and understanding my clients personalities helps me better design something that they will love for a long time.

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours?
By spending time with my family. They have the ability to take my mind off of the bad parts and make me realize that nothing is bad enough to ruin my day/year/life. I chalk up bad days to excellent learning experiences and I move on.

What was your sweetest success story?
Opening my own business from home and watching it grow. After my daughter was born I dropped out of college and decided to be a stay at home mom. Years later I opened my first design business from home and started going back to school slowly but most of what I do is self taught. I am now a successful web designer and I love it!!!

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass….it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Is there anything else you would like to add?
As a designer I am there for my clients from start to finish and then some. If a client has questions or problems the first day, during the design process or 2 years after the project has been completed I am there 100% to help! There is no question, order or problem that I won’t help you with!

Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information? No, but I do update my facebook with news, discounts, new completed orders and more!

If you are a blogger, business, or a community and you would like to be featured, please click here.

Name: Wendy Salazar
Business Name: Stars Above Balloons
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: http://twitter.com/WendyStarsabove
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/starsaboveballoons
Blog Address: www.starsaboveballoons.blogspot.com

How would you describe yourself?
I am a mom, wife, business owner and good friend. I love to help people plan their perfect party or event! Giving them the wow their guests deserve for an affordable price in décor.

How long have you been involved in your business?
I been involved in balloons for 5 years and a business for 2 years now.

Why did you choose your particular business?
First contact with balloons was from family. Then I proceeded to make it my own with more creative designs and designs people would not expect of balloons.

What keeps you motivated?
Seeing the smile on peoples face when I they see the designs we created for their special events. We believe balloons shouldn’t be ordinary, like all parties, they are unique in their own way!

Tell us a little about your family.
I have a two and a half year old little girl and married to a wonderful husband for six years now.

How do you prioritize family and your business?
My priority is family 1st and business next.

How do you relax?
My husand and I have a nice dinner every week which we both concentrate on each others needs, including talking about business strategies.

Where do you see yourself in 5yrs?
I see myself in a store front studio giving consults to clients and displaying what designs we can create for them.

Biggest life lesson learned?
Be professional in all settings. – under stress, in a joyous situation you always have to keep calm, concentrate and document!

What is your secret to success?
Always ask for help! Do not feel like you are doing things on your own, even though it is your business doesn’t mean you don’t have a support system. If it wasn’t for my husband and family I would be here where I am at now.

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours?
I vent to myself I have a black journal that I document my “Bad Days” and I find always a solution on how I could of done things differently. then when I look back it wasn’t so bad after all. And I always look at my portfolio to reassure that im a ROCKSTAR of balloons and the beautiful creations I have done in the past.

What was your sweetest success story?
Every week I have a success story… when clients take the time out of their busy schedule just days after their party they email me with appreciation on what we have done for them. That’s a Success Story on its own.

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
“Balloons inspired through smiles and smiles is what we inspire to do” –Stars Above Balloons

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Lots of people have a speculation that balloon decorations are very expensive and they cannot afford it – but once they talk to me they find out that it’s affordable at any budget!

Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information? No at this time, follow me on Facebook!

Name: Marissa Mullen
Business Name: Merry Mailbox
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.etsy.com/shop/MerryMailbox
Twitter: www.twitter.com/merrymailbox
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/merrymailbox
Blog Address: www.themerrymailbox.com

How would you describe yourself?
I’m pretty quirky and curious. I think it would be really fun to be a detective. I love making people smile and am always looking for ways to be inspired.

How long have you been involved in your business?
The planning phase took about a month and I’ve been officially open for one week!

Why did you choose your particular business?
I’ve always been fascinated with the mail. As a child, I wrote letters on a regular basis to friends that I had met during ballet summer programs. One year, I received a letter from Santa Claus. My mom had secretly written to him and told him all about me. When I read the letter I was amazed at how personal it was. I’ve never forgotten the feeling of joy that I got from that one letter, so I decided to start Merry Mailbox and spread the joy around!

What keeps you motivated?
Hearing the positive responses to my letters. The pictures of happy, smiling children holding my letters are a big motivator.

Tell us a little about your family.
My husband and I have been married for eight years. We met in college and moved to San Diego so that I could join a ballet company. After a couple of years, we decided to start our family. We have two beautiful children, “Bean”(4 1/2) and “Pinga” (9 months).

How do you prioritize family and your business?
My family means everything to me, so they definitely come first. When the kids go to bed is when I really have time to devote to my business. My family is very supportive and even gives me good ideas sometimes!

How do you relax?
By reading, watching a movie or playing the piano.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully running a successful business with my happy family by my side.

Biggest life lesson learned?
I’m pretty much useless without a good night’s sleep

What is your secret to success?
Getting enough sleep!

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours?
I remain positive and try to learn from it, so that next time I can do better

What was your sweetest success story?
One mom took a picture of her child holding her letter that I had written. The pure, innocent joy of her beaming smile made all the hard work that I’ve put into my business worth it.

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called present. (Not sure who wrote it, but it’s in the movie Kung Fu Panda!)

Is there anything else you would like to add? Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?
I don’t have a monthly newsletter as of right now. You can visit my blog or Etsy shop for more info, join me on Facebook or send an email.

If you are a blogger, business, or a community and you would like to be featured, please click here.

Name: Melissa Badour
Business Name: Creative Travel Mugs
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.CreativeTravelMugs.com
Contact #: 760-448-6331
Twitter: CreativeTravMug
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/CreativeTravelMugs
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/company/creative-travel-mugs

How would you describe yourself?

Oh, gosh….where to begin? A few words that come to mind are Type A, hardworking, determined to succeed, generous and a loving mom and wife….whether or not some of these are good or bad, depends on who you ask! lol

How long have you been involved in your business?

3 years

Why did you choose your particular business?

It all started when I wanted to find a particular Father’s Day gift for my dad. He was a first time grandpa and I wanted to send him a mug with pictures of his grandson all over it. I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted, so I decided to make it myself. There was such a great response from people when he was using the mug in public – people absolutely loving it, or wanting one for themselves – that I decided to start the business!

What keeps you motivated?

My love and passion for the products that I sell and the amazing smiles that spread across a customer’s face when I show them their personalized mug for the first time. It is an awesome feeling to know that I, personally, created that smile.

Tell us a little about your family.

My husband, Dave, and I have been married for 6 years and have two beautiful children- Jeremy (4 ½ yrs old) and Sarah (1yr old) We are originally from Michigan and (when I was 3 months pregnant with our son) we fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved to San Diego.

How do you prioritize family and your business?

Family always comes first for me. I can always be found waking up early and staying up late to get work done. In between I am a stay at home mom and LOVE every minute of it!

How do you relax?

With a glass of wine and a good book!

Where do you see yourself in 5yrs?

Continuing to raise happy, healthy, successful children and running a thriving business! I’m kind of hoping that some things won’t actually change. lol

Biggest life lesson learned?

NOTHING comes easy in life….at least, for me, it doesn’t.

What is your secret to success?

Hard work and a great support system.

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours?

I just roll with it. I know nothing is perfect, so I don’t expect it to be. That makes dealing with it that much easier.

What was your sweetest success story?

So far, I would probably say the day I got my first international order. It was from Iceland. That, to me, was an awesome feeling of success!

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” – Wayne Gretzky

Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?

No mailing list at this time. For info please visit our website, join us on Facebook, or send me an email!

Name: Nickie Smith
Business Name: Thirty-One Gifts
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mythirtyone.com/nickiesmith
Contact #: 662-640-1958
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/nofse
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/31byNickie
Blog Address: http://www.nofse.com

How would you describe yourself?

I am honest and dedicated; trustworthy and reliable; and fun in a sometimes irritating way! I am outgoing and a bit opinionated, but always professional when the situation warrants. (And I know when to back down or keep my mouth shut!)

How long have you been involved in your business?

Since February 4^th of this year (2011)

Why did you choose your particular business?

I loved the products, loved that the company is faith based and how it came to be named, and loved that it is not a known company in my state.

What keeps you motivated?

My main motivation is my family; they are the reason I do everything I do. Other than family, I am motivated by wanting my business to grow and thrive!

Tell us a little about your family.

I have an amazing husband who has been my best friend for 23 years now. We have five great kids—ages 21, 19, 16, 13, and 6. And we will add a daughter-in-law to the family in March of 2012.

How do you prioritize family and your business?

Family always comes first. I do my monthly schedule usually a couple weeks in advance and always work my appointments and parties around family activities.

How do you relax?

Ahh, relaxation! One of my favorite things is to sit outside after sunset and look at the stars. There is something extremely calming about gazing into the darkness and watching the stars twinkle!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years, I will be a Senior Executive Director with an amazing team of leaders under me. Outside of business, I’ll spend my time with the hubby tending to our horse ranch and traveling with the family.

Biggest life lesson learned?

I think I’m still learning life lessons and will continue to as long as I am breathing. However, the biggest one at this point would have to be that everyone has their own opinion, and it’s better to agree to disagree than argue. Arguing gets you nowhere fast.

What is your secret to success?

I really don’t think I have any secrets per se. I just try to be as honest as I can, offer great customer service, and share my excitement about the company and products I represent.

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours?

I take a step back on the bad days… step away from the business for a little while; spend time with the kids to take my mind off things, and spend time in prayer and meditation.

What was your sweetest success story?

My sweetest success story isn’t a business success— it is my success (if you want to call it that) as a mother. It’s really the greatest “job” on earth and my children are my greatest success (and blessings!).

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:

I have two…  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV

“Minds are like parachutes; they only function when open.” Thomas Dewar

Do you send out a monthly newsletter?  How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?

Yes, on the first of every month I have a great newsletter that goes out. You can contact me by email or on Facebook to be added to the mailing list!

Name: Kimberly Gauthier
Business Name: Kimberly Gauthier Photography
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.kimberlygauthier.com
Contact #: (425) 299-0901
Twitter: kg_photography
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/ThroughTheLens.KG
Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlygauthier
Blog Address: http://www.kimberlygauthier.com

How would you describe yourself?
Positive, bubbly, happy, creative, funny

How long have you been involved in your business?
I bounced around from one photography niche to another for nearly two years before I chose in January 2011 to focus on photography blogging, writing photography eBooks, and portrait photography.

Why did you choose your particular business?
In 2009, I saw a picture of a pet rabbit taken by a professional photographer. Before that, I had never heard of a pet photographer. I was sold and quickly traded in my point and shoot for my first DSLR camera. Being a professional photographer always seemed like an unattainable dream, but checking out that photographer’s work gave me the push I needed to follow that dream.

What keeps you motivated?
Taking pictures of unusual things, looking at the photography of others, and learning that something I wrote or a picture I took inspired someone.

Tell us a little about your family.
My boyfriend and I live together with two cats and two dogs in our dream house on 5 acres. My boyfriend is a deputy sheriff, the funniest guy I know and my best friend. We spend a lot of time laughing.

How do you prioritize family and your business?
Both of us are working full time as well as building a small business, so priority is important. We’ve agreed to two non-business days a week. This isn’t set in stone, so if something needs to be scheduled on one of those days, we’re flexible, but we quickly recognized the need to make time for ourselves, even if it’s just tossing a ball in the yard and talking about our day.

Where do you see yourself in 5yrs?
In 5 years, I’ll be a full time photography blogger and portrait photographer and several photography books under my belt.

Biggest life lesson learned?
One of my favorite quotes is “Life isn’t happening to you; life is responding to you.” By Rhonda Byrne. I truly believe that what energy we put out is exactly what we will get back, shaped in the events of our lives. I can trace nearly every negative experience back to my own bad attitude. Today, I make a point of looking at everything through a positive filter and as a result, I have a fantastic life!

Biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
I learned not to give things away for free. I had the great idea to offer free photography to gain the experience and build my portfolio, but people rarely respected my time. Once I started charging, I gained more respect.  My eBook is “free,” but only if you Like my Facebook page. I may not be getting cash, but I am gaining exposure with every person who Likes and interacts with me.

What is your secret to success?
It’s important that I have fun. A quote I heard last year that really resonated with me is “if it’s work, it doesn’t work.” That is so true. Once all of this becomes a chore that I resent, then I won’t succeed. As long as I’m having fun, then nothing can stop me.

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours?
I take a break, I watch a movie, I read a book, I play with our dogs, and I meditate. Every “bad day” is an opportunity to learn something. Had a bad give me a horrible critique – they were 2 hours late, they didn’t know what they wanted, and they waste a lot of time goofing off. And they hated their pictures. My heart was broken, but it was a valuable lesson. Next time, I’ll give someone 30 minutes to make their appointment. I now do consultations so that we’re on the same page. If I don’t think a session will work, I don’t take the business.

What was your sweetest success story?
Recently, I was quoted in Redbook Magazine on a story about photographs uploaded to Facebook. I was on top of the world.

How do you relax?
Family, Movies, Reading, Photography

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
“Life isn’t happening to you; life is responding to you.” By Rhonda Byrne

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Your idea may not be original, but you are. There are loads of amateur photography bloggers and professional portrait photographers out there – but there’s only one me. As long as you focus on you most valuable asset (your originality) then you can’t fail.

Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?
At this time, I do not offer a newsletter.

Name: Shane Shaps
Business Name: 520 East Brands
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://520eastbrands.com
Contact #: 502.292.3045
Twitter: @520eastbrands
Facebook: 520 East Brands
Blog Address: http://520eastbrands.com/blog

How would you describe yourself?
Enthusiastic

How long have you been involved in your business?
3 years

Why did you choose your particular business?
Circumstances allowed me to migrate my business this direction… and it stuck.

What keeps you motivated?
My amazing clients

Tell us a little about your family.
Husband, daughter age 7, son age 4 1/2, Yellow Lab, 8

How do you prioritize family and your business?
I’m in constant motion.

Where do you see yourself in 5yrs?
Still trying to figure out where I’ll be in 5 minutes

Biggest life lesson learned?
It’s ok to evolve.

Biggest lesson you have learned in business?
Ditto

What is your secret to success?
Time management and working out at 5 am.

All Entrepreneurs encounter bad days. How do you handle yours?
I have a supportive husband.

What was your sweetest success story?
When I first started doing social media marketing, I met someone for coffee. We were introduced by a mutual friend. I thought we were just two working women meeting for coffee. She brought along her business partner. By the end of the hour, I had a client. That woman has led me to most of my other clients.

How do you relax?
Vacation – a couple times a year.

Share your favorite quote or inspirational thought:
Would love to… but it’s Friday night. I’m tired.

Do you send out a monthly newsletter? How can we get on your mailing list if we are interested in more information?
No – I focus on my clients, leaves very little time for my own business. My blog is where I post news. My newsletters go specifically to clients only.