Render Unto Caesar

Well, believe it or not, it is that time of the year again….Tax time. For the past several weeks I have done nothing but enter all data, gather receipts, bundle up all the books etc for my accountant. Tonight I’m tired but extremely pleased that all the paperwork is intact and reports created for the accountant to see on Monday. I’ve had several emails asking me if I am allright or why I have not released certain collections that I had talked about. Well… friends now you know. As the time is extremely close to my attending the Original Sewing and Quilt expo, and as I will definitely be going offline shortly, I am sorry for not releasing the Paisley Floral collection as planned. But, Uncle Sam takes precedence before everything at this time of year and now I can breathe a bit easier. The result…three years in a row holding steady, thanks to my friends around the world for their continued support.

This is the time of the year when I also make decisions regarding what type of designs to create and also how many collections would I release. Normally I release about six to eight collections a year. Even this number is quite enormous for me and last year I was and still am way behind in releasing several collections. This year will definitely be a catch-up year!

Last week I was talking on the phone with one of my dear friends who used to be my tester but now is making her debut in the world of digitizing. It is always such a good feeling when someone who has been close to me can take the step to start their own business. It was definitely a terrifying step for me in 2001. I had been sharing my creations as freebies on my website and more and more friends were suggesting for me to start selling. My very first public appearance in 2002 was an absolute fearful time for me. I had full expectations of everyone laughing at my stuff and passing me by…..not to mention meeting my heroes in the digitizing world face to face! I was at the AEC show in Boca Raton and sitting on a bench outside the hotel visiting with friends when someone introduced me to Ann Cobb. I was all AWE!!! I reached into my wallet to get out my business card for Ann when I happened upon a note that was placed there by my daughter without my knowledge. That note to this day still resides in my wallet. It was the first time that I had ever been away from my family and they knew how nervous I was about showcasing my designs. At first I could not believe how any child could have written such beautiful encouragement so I read the note out loud. That note led me to where I am today…. encouraging words from a teenager! Advice to newbies entering the digitizing world…take that bold step with full faith in yourself.

More advice that I would give to newcomers starting their business….be sure to register your business even if it is as a DBA (Doing Business As). It takes absolutely no time at all and your State’s Secretary of State website should give you all the documents you require. Make sure to keep all receipts of your purchases, all taxes paid for sale income etc. Document each and everything. Years ago, I purchased one of those accordian type folders. Each time I have a receipt or a sale, I place the paper in the respective month…it makes it so easier to pull out the papers by month and enter data. Now my dh has all these super duper programs that he has written up into which I simply enter the vendor name and if it is in the categories, it immediately assigns the proper category saving me the time…. One very important advice I would give to friends who accept credit cards. Be very diligent and place the information in extremely safe place. Do not ever store that information on a laptop or a computer. Over Christmas I received a phone call from my bank informing me that a vendor that I had used had my credit card information on their laptop and the laptop was stolen. If you are in sales….know that sensitive information like that can not only hurt someone but also jeapordize your business as banks will certainly penalise for such recklessness. Last but not least….breathe! LOL. Keep certain business hours and enjoy life.