Sunday, October 9, 2011

Living Life at Race Pace!

WOW, My blog!! I had almost forgotten how to access it. It's been so long since I've made a post. That's good news and bad news. We've been so busy that I've barely had a moment to breathe. My training has suffered more than anything. But I guess we have to make choices, there are only so many hours in a day.
So since I last checked in we've been to New Jersey twice, Philly, Columbia Maryland, D.C., Nashville and Lake Lanier Island (near Atlanta, GA.) All for Triathlon Expos with the exception of Nashville which was the Women's half Marathon. Too many hours in the car. But all the Expos were great and very successful for Milestones Jewelry.

When I started this Blog it was to be about my Journey of starting a new business. I've strayed quite a bit away from that and unfortunately not recorded many things I wish I had. But the bottom line is that we are growing leaps and bounds.  As they say "You've come a long way Baby!" Especially since our first event with one little table and our yellow table cloth, no logos, no signs, no tents, no grid walls, no displays, etc. 
We now have a Fantastic Set up with two tents, Logo'd table clothes, Banners and signs, Awesome Displays, a full line of Apparel, Sporty Bands, Our own Custom Cast Silver and Pewter designed Jewelry, and we continue to grow. Our website has been redesigned and is being Optimized to create  a higher placement on all search engines; resulting in higher Internet sales for us. We have also built a great data base of core customers.  We can now communicate with over 7,000 Runners and Triathletes.

It never ceases to amaze me, the stories I hear, the people I meet at expos and through the website, on the phone and emails. They all inspire me and make me proud to have a business that touches so many people's lives. 
 
We are working with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to set up a category on our website for a special Line of Jewelry where all purchases will have a percentage donated to LLS. We are working with several other organizations to do the same thing. Many of you know that I ran my first Marathon 6 years ago for LLS with Team in Training, so they will always hold a special place in my heart.    

We are also currently working on several custom Sterling Silver pieces for two different Triathlon clubs and have tons of inquires from Race Directors and Organizations for us to create custom pieces for them.

We are also buying an Engraving machine! YEAH!!! We currently have to send all our engraved pieces to a third party and this will allow us to create some awesome Customized pieces and we hope to be able to bring the engraver to events where we can do custom engraving right on the spot!!

We are also working on a HUGE (Secret) project that I can not currently talk about. But believe me it will take this business to the next level and I think all our customers will LOVE IT!! Stayed tuned for the big announcement!! 

Another big change.....We have purchased a home in St. Petersburg, FL which will allow us to spend Winters in Florida and Summers in  North Carolina. The best of both Worlds.   
So times are a changing!! I just hope I can keep up.

I'm in the second week of my 18 week Marathon Journey to Miami, FL on Jan. 29th. So I'll try my best to balance all that's on my plate!!

Thank you again to my friends and Family who have always believed in me and supported even my craziest ventures. And to all my customers, many whom have become my friends.
It's so wonderful to have your work be your passion!!
And I leave you with this:
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~Attributed to Howard Thurman