Tag Archives: good business practices

Love Them, Support Them

Leave a comment

“We are an independent business first and foremost. …” ~ Erik Monge

I know we have possibly never met, but, I probably know something about you already! You favor the unique, your sites are set on something a little different, you tend to gravitate toward people who form their own opinions. How do I know? You are visiting this blogsite, aren’t you? We are all about independent, thought, words and views! 

Since we think alike, I thought I would share with you something that is taking our communities by storm! It is called Indie Bound. It is a community of people who are working to “strengthen the health of Main Street all across America.” You can find and locate businesses across the U.S. that have the same independent spirit that you have. You can find hardware stores, gift stores, specialty food stores, pet stores and more at the click of this link http://www.indiebound.org/indie-store-finder. 

We are all in this country together. I don’t know about you, or perhaps I do, but I want America to continue to exert her independence and thrive! That is why maintaining the cornerstone principles of our country are so important! It is also why an American fulfillment company specializing in e-commerce and e-marketing for independent publishers was born!  

E-Commerce has it’s advantages and it serves a purpose, there is no doubt about that. But still – get out, support all kinds of independent businesses and support what you and I believe in – our country’s Main Streets!  

See you downtown! 

 My indie view – Weston, VT is the prettiest little town around! Don’t know if this store is Indie Bound but it is a worth a visit!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Write or Wrong?

Leave a comment

Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” ~ John Jakes

Writers, have you taken the test? It is called I Write Like.

It goes like this – you enter a short chapter of your unfinished book, several paragraphs of your blog writing, an entry from your journal, a comment you wrote in response to a blog or perhaps, a short letter to an editor. In other words, submit a sample of your writing to http://iwl.me. 

What happens next? Within a matter of moments, your writing is analyzed in terms of your writing style and your word choice.

 How do you get the result? You receive an on-line ‘badge” which indicates which famous author your writing compares with.

 My result?  My writing compares with the writing of Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight Series! Yeah, right!

 Personally, I think it is only a test to see how many foolish people, like me take it! That’s all!

 What do you think of this test?

Is it a gimmick that leads to false hope for writers?

Does it encourage writers to press on and to continue to hone their craft?

Can statistical analysis based on a sample writing of a few paragraphs be a valid way to assess talent and ability?

Can this writing test really forecast whether or not you have a chance at becoming an accomplished writer like the author your writing has been compared to?

 We would like to hear from you!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Trusting Trenches

2 Comments

“Leaders should visit all parts of the office, not just those they pass through regularly.” ~ Unknown

Are you a recent college graduate who has had to accept a less than ideal position? My first job out of college was at a condominium resort. Most of the units were in the rental pool, and the  property was run like a hotel. My job was to serve continental breakfast to the guests in the morning and help the housekeeping department, in the laundry room, in the afternoon. Not at all what I had anticipated my first job out of college would be. But, I needed income right away to fulfill my financial obligations and I was determined to live in a gorgeous resort town.

By the time summer was over, the General Manager of the property recognized my hardwork, my ability to work well with others and found me to be a pleasant communicator with the guests. My reward? A move to the front lines as front office clerk (customer service representative) and reservations clerk.

As I began working in the front office, I quickly learned that working “in the trenches” served a purpose besides as a stepping stone to my new position. I had established a great rapport with a department that was so important to the overall efficiency of the entire operation. When I called from the front office to ask the housekeepers to place special priority on cleaning a unit or take extra towels to a guest, the housekeeping department responded rapidly and kindly to my request.

Moral to the story – trust the trenches, for they serve a purpose in life, too! Prove yourself first, and the rewards will come along the way.

P.S. I also learned a life long skill of how to correctly fold those pesky fitted sheets so they will lie neat and tidy on the linen closet shelf. There are lessons to be learned from all experiences in life, if we recognize them!

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Bouncing Off Ideas

Leave a comment

“All the arts we practice are apprenticeship. The big art is our life” ~ M.C. Richards

My mind has wandered off this day as to why people reside in the places they do, and how location plays a part in inspiring artists in their work. Many artists attribute their creativity to majestic landscapes found in mountainous areas and seashore vistas. A wish to be continually be awed by nature is the very basic reason why many artists choose to settle in environments such as these. But, colonies of artists are found in all places across this continent, some expected and some unexpected.

Some artists thrive on city life, where galleries and art exhibitions are readily available and frequenting them are a large part of every day life. Through daily collaboration with like-minded individuals, many artists find great source of inspiration and connectivity in the art world.

Temporarily living and working in artist retreat environments can also be a great way to grow and be nurtured as an Artist. Artist retreats combined with beautiful, inspiring settings can found in many states across America. The Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont is a perfect example. Classes in creative writing, poetry, the visual arts, theatre and more are offered on a year round basis. The Vermont Studio Center provides an escape for city-based artists to experience a quieter, serene way of living and learning. For more information, please visit http://www.vermontstudiocenter.org.

Whether you are an artist from the cornfields of Iowa, the Ozarks of the Mississippi or hale from the Keystone State of Pennsylvania, a change of scenery will give you a whole new perspective on your art. This summer or fall, get out there and travel as far as your pocketbook will allow. It will do your heart and soul good too!

This blog brought to you by http://www.cornerstonefulfillmentservice.com.

.

Revealing Revelations

Leave a comment

“The number one thing leaders can do to facilitate balance is to support flexibility and understand the needs of your people” ~ Jim Mitchell

I have a confession to make! No longer will I be viewing art with such tunnel vision.I so enjoyed my visit to the National Museum of Visionary Art, that my range of vision has been expanded. When someone asks me “What genre of art do you most enjoy?” I will refrain from saying representational paintings. I will deliberately challenge what I have held most dear, and open my mind more widely to all kinds of art. It would be very easy to continue to repeat, time and time again, the same answer when asked this simple question. But, incorporation of new information about art means having the ability to see the whole picture – being able to understand why different kinds of art inspires different types of people.

I suspect my determination to open my eyes to a broader spectrum of art is similar to those who are interested in attending inter-denominational faith group events. It provides an opportunity to learn more about religion as a whole and why different faiths appeal to different people. The family of man can be inclusive of many, many denominations!

In my lifetime I have attended a Presbyterian Church, a Congregational Church and a Methodist Church. I sent our son, who was baptized in the Presbyterian Church, to a Catholic College. If I can be accepting of the differences in these faiths, I should be able find a little inspiration in all different kinds of art.

And that’s the truth!

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Striking Gold

2 Comments

“The two hardest things to handle in life are failure & success.“ ~   Anonymous

I was so disappointed last night not to find on TV, the National team’s baseball game. I wanted to watch first draft pick Stephen Strasburg, make his debut as a major league pitcher. I love all stories about finding personal fulfillment in life and career paths. And Americans have had as many stories about finding success and satisfaction in our personal gifts as you could find anywhere else. It is the land of opportunity and the freedoms we enjoy in this country provide a stage on which to rise to heights unknown if you are willing to work for it.

Many immigrants have come to this country pursuing their dreams. I am always in awe of those who have left their native land behind in search for more. It is not an easy thing to do. A suitcase full of determination, vision, good work ethics, dreams and focused aspirations is what is needed for the good life in America. Demanding that all legal immigrants pack living by the laws of our Constitution in their bags, is not too much to ask, is it?

Our country’s pastures, green with opportunity, will remain healthy and productive if our laws protect the freedoms that we enjoy. Do you have a Made It in America story you can share through independent publishing?

This blog brought to you by http://www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

A Sweet First!

3 Comments

“Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes the farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare” ~ Dale Carnegie

Today, June 1st, 2010 is a very special day and reason for celebration! It is the first time, in all my years of living, that I do not  have to share a birthday with someone else! I can finally claim a birthday all my own. You see, being a twin I have never had a birthday to call my own!

Today is not the birthday of my natural birth, however. One year ago today, I became the author of this website. How sweet it is! It has been an extremely rewarding year of communicating with writers, artists, filmmakers, musicians and others all across the globe who believe in fulfilling their dreams through independent publishing.

Every once in a while, like today, for instance, my thoughts and writings have journeyed into other independent, fulfilling territories. Far away from the intent of this blogsite. Today – I’ll once again exercise my right to independent thought. No one has a say in how I spend this birthday! I don’t even have to share my birthday cake with anyone! I can even blow out the candles all on my own!

It’s my party, and I’ll write what I want to,

Write what I want to,

You would write too, if it happened to you!

I may be alone in my blogging today, but never lonely. Thanks to readers like you! It is because of your interest in this site and your interest in fulfilling things from the independent publishing world, I am kept motivated and engaged in my livelihood!

In honor of my blogging birthday, over the next few days I will be taking a break to take in some art and culture. A change in scenery and a break from the everyday, is good for the soul and for the writer. See you soon!This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Do You Know How to Grab Them?

1 Comment

“When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.” ~ George Washington Carver

Not all small business owners, and that includes many independent publishers, are able to hire a public relations firm. There is a basic PR tool that every entrepreneur, speaker, author, CEO or other business professional should know how to use,  and how to write. It is the staple of the PR industry and it is referred to as a news or press release.

If you do not know how to write a press release, there are many articles on the internet that are valuable and free. You can learn how to write a press release that is compelling, how not to turn off the media by being too self promotional, why writing a good headline matters and why size counts. For more information, please visit http://bit.ly/bqeTi5.

For authors, speakers, CEOs and entrepreneurs who handle their own public relations, there is a wealth of information available in Pam Lontos’ and Andrea Brunais’ book “I See Your Name Everywhere.”  This terrific resource is concise, easy to understand and is filled with tips on how to get your name and your product out there, through newspapers, magazines, radio appearances and television. To order this softcover book, and to read about the credentials of these two seasoned public relations professionals who have written this book, please visit www.ISeeYourNameEverywhere.com.

Isn’t it time you used the media to your advantage to jumpstart your sales, your career and attention to your product? Learn how!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Struggle No More!

Leave a comment

“The pleasantest things in the world are pleasant thoughts; and the great art of  life is to have as many of them as possible.” ~ Montaigne

Yesterday, this blogsite addressed the issue of artists finding fulfillment in the creative work they do. Finding satisfaction in the work we do and the lives we live is not unique to artists, it applies to people in all walks of life.

I have found employment throughout the years in many different industries. In each job, I have found satisfaction, even in the most menial. I look back at my first “real job” as a cashier/clerk in a drugstore, when I was in high school. There were skills that I learned that prepared me for subsequent jobs. It was then that I learned to run a cash register, be accurate in handling money, and give change. My customer service skills were put to the test by helping shoppers find what they were looking for in the store.

Very early on in my working years, I decided that my attitude towards each job, could either make or break me. My own attitudes toward work (and life) and my success or failure was entirely up to me. My conclusions about life and and work, were this:

  • I decided to be accountable to myself in doing the best I can, each and every day.
  • Working is necessary, so, I may as well find happiness in it.
  • Taking the glass half full, not empty approach made sense, no matter what.
  • I decided I would learn something from each job I have held.
  • Putting my best foot forward felt much better than having a “who cares attitude.”
  • I could at least be proud of myself, even if no one else noticed.

When it comes down to it, our attitudes in life, often account for our happiness or lack thereof. They affect our health, our stress levels, our experience with others and with life, in general. For information on how  happiness affects health, please visit http://bit.ly/al0Qll.

Count the blessings instead of the shortcomings in your life. Challenge yourself to wake up each day with a positive thought and to end the day with a positive thought. It can make a huge difference – life is meant to be lived with joy, not struggle!

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com.

Artists, Is it all about fulfillment?

Leave a comment

“Your work is to discover your world, and then with all your heart give yourself to it.” ~ Buddha

Artists are inspired in all different ways and by all different things. The imagination, everyday life, seeing works of other artists and art in other forms such as books, films or music might inspire an artist to create. Something as simple as a color or shape might set in motion, the creativity of an artist.

Most artists are led by their hearts and emotions rather than being led  by  market trends,  but market research never hurts. Looking at the practical side of things, the goal of most artists is to sell their work.  Even placing art work in galleries appropriate to the genre of art that an artist offers, can mean the difference between selling the work or not.

Artists – what do you think? Is it worth giving up personal fulfillment to paint only what the art market wants ?Or do you paint only what inspires and delights you? We would like to hear what leads you to your subject?

This blog brought to you by www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com