One Word: Core

In September, I posted about a book called One Word that inspired me to choose the word RESET as my focus for the remainder of the year.  Since that went so well, I'm choosing a new word for the new year.

My word for 2018 is CORE.

My RESET was successful even though it manifested itself in a way I did not anticipate.  I'm no longer working with the fun, fabulous ladies at Knack.  Our split was a mutual decision that was both amicable and drama free.  It did involve some sadness, but no ill will.  I'm very fond of everyone there, I learned a lot and will remain their biggest cheerleader.

My new career chapter is with Diverse Marketing.  The flavor of the line package is a slight detour from the lane I have traveled for so many years, and I'm already learning about new product categories (to me) and new markets (licensed products).  I'm thrilled that I'm also assuming new sales territory (with the addition of West Virginia) and will get to expand my family of retailers.  I'm a little out of my element at the moment, but that was the whole point of my RESET.  Be careful what you ask for, right?

The transition is what inspired me to choose CORE as my new word.

CORE was a clear choice because the concept provides continuity when you encounter changes, and its components are all connected and apply to different areas of life - personal, physical, spiritual and professional.

I'm easily overwhelmed by change - especially when it entails learning lots of new information in a short span of time - but my core principles remain the same and smooth out the insecurity that accompanies a big transition.

This move to Diverse offers the chance to meet new people, gain more knowledge and integrate my core business (retailers with whom I have built relationships over the years) with my new business.  It's a new adventure that allows me to both strengthen my core and build an even stronger business.

In so many ways, 2017 was a very good year for me, and 2018 looks really promising.  Thank you to everyone who has been part of my business in the past, and welcome to everyone who will be part of my business in the future.  Now it's time for us to jump head first into the new year and make it another successful one!

Time for the next chapter

That photo may have you expecting one of those end-of-year posts, but it's really just announcing a new chapter in my professional life - as your new sales guy for Diverse Marketing.

You're not familiar with Diverse Marketing?  It's my new mission to change that in 2018 by presenting you exciting, fresh new merchandise for your shop.

You can preview the exciting line offerings in the sidebar to the right (with website links) - and notice there are quite a few included.  Diverse specializes in toys and fun gifts, so you can expect our meetings to be entertaining.

Now, I know retailers don't want to hear from me this week leading up to Christmas so I'm spending the down time learning new products and new processes so when we resume business after the holidays I will be ready for you.

In even more exciting news, Diverse maintains a showroom at Americasmart in Atlanta where we can meet, you can put your heavy bag down for a little while, have a glass of wine and spend some of your open-to-buy.  The showroom is perfectly located at the top of the escalator on the 14th floor of building 2.

You'll also notice that I am still your sales rep for many of the lines we've worked together on for years, so please don't wonder if I have abandoned you.  I'll still be bugging you for orders on those lines.

Oh....and you can expect my end-of-year musings next week.