Showing posts with label Local Business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Local Business. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

So Glad We Made It!


I am so pleased to tell you that the major bits of our renovation are complete! It's been a long road getting from there to here...

There is so much to see...I made the blinds myself with fabric purchased at Tonic Living, all the goodies were baked in my new kitchen! There were Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes, Lemon Cupcakes, Mocha Cupcakes, Mini Oreo Cheesecakes (I think these were the favourite!), Oatmeal Nutmeg Scones, Buttertart Muffins and Almond Poppyseed Muffins. Yum!
This is me with a representative with Community Care...we filled 2 baskets with donated toys! Fantastic! I will drop those off later this week for them to share with children in need in our area.We had more than 50 people join us for the event...we talked, enjoyed treats and did crafts! Everyone loved the Shrink Art! That is Grama CB sitting at the table with all of the kids. We couldn't have done it without her!
Our special guests, The Acts of Sweetness Team! These ladies were so lovely, we are so happy they could join us for such a sweet occasion!
Little Miss CB took this photo...

Peace out ladies!

Enjoy!
Heather



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Small Business, Big Impact!

I wrote to you last week...telling you that we are stuck. Well, we are still stuck but things are looking a little better. We have worked through some of the requirements with the town and found a way to reclassify ourselves so that these requirements are minimized but still focused on safety. Such a relief!

In the meantime, there is a contest...I heard about it through a friend and well, after the response I got last week, I think it applies to me. The contest is being run by Scotiabank and it is focused on how small businesses make a big impact in their communities. I believe that I am one of those businesses. I also believe that my community isn't just Beamsville/Grimsby and the rest of Lincoln but that it includes my on-line community as well. I know that some of you follow me for inspiration and others follow me to keep up with the happenings here at our house...

So, I am asking you to help...go vote, leave a comment, 'like' my page. I am not judged on votes alone so while the numbers look great (there are higher ones out there), I am certain that your comments and 'likes' will help too. So please take a moment and vote, or take more time and vote daily, hourly, whatever you can do is great!

Some moments I want to share with you...I love my sign. I am so proud of my business...and I wouldn't be here if it weren't for many of you. Help me stay here!
Everyone knows I love Shrink Art...here are some girls watching their charms shrink!
From our Creative Science Camp, we are ready for our hover craft races!From Fashion Camp...what a fun day we had!
This is a family business through and through...our children enjoy it as much as I do...
They make me so happy...but every child who walks in my door and gets excited about being a part of Creative Bug makes me happy.
I am so blessed to have all of you and have the opportunity to work with so many children. In 2 years we have had more than 40 birthday parties, we have made over 60 cakes...that's a lot of smiles!

Please take a moment and vote for me http://www.scotiachallenge.projects.fm/entry/4104805-Creative-Bug.

Enjoy!
Heather

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

This post is brought to you by...

Little Bull. You see I started planning Mr. CB's 40th birthday sometime ago. This post is written by and the photos are edited by Little Bull's owner Ann Marie.

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Little Bull starts with me, Ann Marie Torello-Arnott: designer, Mom, wife, mompreneur extrordonaire! I am a stay at home mom of two boys, living in Beamsville. My family, especially my kids, are my inspiration, my joy, my life-- Little Bull Designs is my passion.

I began designing for a family company, including brochures, business cards, company website, etc. Since then, I’ve designed both marketing and apparel designs, both through custom requests, as well as through my online stores.

The designs began as fun and sometimes whimsical for children and adolescent apparel and have since expanded to humorous adult wear and food allergy awareness apparel and accessories and many other genres.

I got into the food allergy awareness designs because both friends and family were suffering with food allergies. I believe the more we are aware of these issues in others, the more accessible the needs of our friends and family will become. Awareness is the first step.

Inspiration comes from all facets of my life-- children, friends, family, a funny shirt I see someone else wearing... And I think how can I make these events or things I see into a design others would love to share with me and the world?!? Now, depending if I’m designing for myself and my portfolio or a client, I handle the design process slightly differently. Every client is different. Some prefer me to go with their initial input and run with that idea; some prefer hands on designing with me along the way. Either way, I thoroughly enjoy the creation process. Creation begins with the client’s first meeting. We discuss what you are looking for-- not only design-wise, but also what products you are looking to design. Each product has different size specs and depending on what I’m designing, the more/less input I need from the client: including any research that may be needed to complete the project at hand. After the initial meet, either research begins or the design process begins. If the client requests, multiple design concepts can be initialized. Proofs are then created and can be presented to the client, either through e-mail or in another meeting. Once the proof is approved, the product is either created or ordered, if need be. Depending if the items need to be ordered, the production time can vary between 1-4 weeks. Delivery times also vary according to quantities that are ordered. Several delivery options are available, although my favourite is hand delivery-- my selfish choice-- because I love to see my client’s reactions when they view their ordered for the first time! It’s like watching a child open a gift at Christmas for me--wonder, awe and sweet delight.

Little Bull Designs are available several ways. As of November 18th, my products will be available through Willy’s FLowers and Gifts in Beamsville. But you can also purchase predesigned items through either of my online stores: www.cafepress.ca/littlebull or www.zazzle.ca/littlebulldesigns. For custom designs, you can contact me at littlebulldesigns@gmail.com. Thanks so much for supporting a local mompreneur! Thanks so much to Heather too, not only for supporting my company as an awesome client, but also allowing me this opportunity to share with you about my passion-- Little Bull Designs.

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So, take a minute and check out her work. You might just find something that suits you!

Enjoy!

Heather