December 27, 2010

What do you want to learn in 2011?

Filed under: Time Management — lidia @ 9:06 am

Print by Laura Berger on etsy

At the start of 2010, instead of making a list of goals as I usually do, I made a list of things I want to learn (both business and personal).

After doing an end-of-year review of this year’s list, I’m pleased to see that I accomplished some items (learned how to increase traffic to my website, new ways to market my design biz) however I’m still working on others (how to really use Google Analytics, re-learning how to play guitar).

So, here’s this year’s list:

Things I want to learn in 2011

  • Best techniques for promoting my online greeting card shop
  • Creating a mobile app
  • Making the most of Google Analytics
  • Keeping my email inbox tidy
  • Effectively using my marketing calendar
  • Creating eBooks and forms in Adobe InDesign
  • Baking bread
  • Tricks for growing hibiscus

What do you want to learn in 2011?

December 18, 2010

Pantone 2011 color of the year: Honeysuckle

Filed under: Design & Art — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 11:52 am

It’s official: the 2011 color of the year from Pantone, the leading color experts, is a reddish-pink called honeysuckle.

The latest color trend: colors inspired by nature

Having attended a recent Pantone webinar on color, I noticed that many of their color picks were nature-inspired—making a gardener like me very happy. As I observe the colorful blooms on my balcony in the warm months, I can’t help but be inspired by the vibrant and unexpected color palettes created by nature.

How do you feel about next year’s top color pick?

See a floral-inspired honeysuckle and spring green palette in one of our 2011 Quick Peek Calendars available from our greeting card shop.

December 14, 2010

‘Tis the season for giving

Filed under: Community Outreach,Local (Chicago) — Tags: , , , — lidia @ 8:29 am

"Hope" gift box from GothamChick on Etsy

With charitable giving taking a hit in the current economy, local and national organizations need all the help they can get. This is a great time of year to reflect on your good fortune and share what you can with others.

I have several friends and clients at local nonprofit organizations, so they are first on my list for giving. Over the years, I’ve seen how these organizations help the community so I willingly do my part to help out.

Ideas for holiday giving

  • Your local food pantry
  • An organization that supports a cause close to your heart or family
  • American Red Cross or other aid organization
  • Organizations that provide housing or care to the homeless
  • An organization that connects with your personal interests. Love music? Support your local music conservatory.

GuideStar.org is a good place to start your research: search by name, location or type of nonprofit organization.

Donating without writing a check

You don’t have to limit yourself to cash donations. Here in Chicago, there is an organization called Leave it for Love that takes unused gifts and “re-gifts” them to a local charity. During this time of year, you can also usually find organizations (or retail stores) that collect donations of coats, eyeglasses or shoes and donate them appropriately.

Do you have other ideas for giving during the holidays? Leave them in the comments!

December 9, 2010

2011 calendars added to our online shop!

Filed under: Featured Projects,Goods & Wares,Small Business,Workspace — lidia @ 11:16 am

Fresh new colors for 2011!

2011 Quick Peek Calendars are now available in our business greetings online shop.

Small enough to fit in a laptop bag or on an office wall, but large enough to see a year at-a-glance. Great for planning vacations. Buy a couple and share with your office mates.

NEW for 2011: color palettes inspired by Pantone 2011 color trends, including one of my personal favorites: turquoise and terracotta.

Free shipping via first-class mail on Quick Peek Calendars!

Follow the Greetings by Lidia Varesco Design RSS feed or twitter page to see the latest designs.

December 7, 2010

More kindness in business, please

Filed under: Small Business — Tags: , — lidia @ 1:48 pm

Rob's Really Good "positively life changing" organic drinks

I recently listened to an episode of “Talk Story with Jeni” featuring “instigator” (and friend) Dyana Valentine.

The ladies brought up a point about kindness in business and it got me thinking: yes, there should be more kindness in business.

Now, I know there are challenges when running a business, but finding the moments where we can share a positive thought or action can really make a difference to someone (and even improve your own business). Whether it’s donating time to an organization or helping out a client when they’re in a bind, being nice goes a long way.

In fact, I started writing this blog with the perspective of sharing positive thoughts in small business (thus the name, the bright spot). In my opinion, why not focus on the good stuff—in life AND business.

A product that seems to be following this trend is Rob’s Really Good, a line of natural drinks. I picked up a bottle at my local coffee shop and was pleasantly surprised to see “Rob’s Secret of Life” on the bottle—a brief positive affirmation printed on each label. It’s a small gesture, but it makes me think (and smile) each time I see it. And now I find myself reaching for this drink over another brand.

How can you incorporate kindness into your daily business life?