BE CONSISTENT

This tip is very closely related to last week's tip: Follow Through. Your customers, vendors & employees should know what to expect from you at all times.

This concept should work it's way through every part of your business. You should always have the same tone & wording in your emails. You should always ship out packages on the same days. You should always deliver the same level of quality.

This idea was outlined in my favorite entrepreneur book of all time, The E-Myth. (by the way, if you haven't read it, please do so) In The E-Myth, the author makes this point by asking why people go to McDonald's. It surely isn't their superior food, so what is it? He contends that it is because people know what to expect. You always get the same thing when you walk into any McDonald's across the country (or world). Now, what you get may not be the best hamburger ever, but that isn't the point here. The point is that you want your customers to feel the same way about you & your product, hopefully with warm fuzzy feelings. You want them to think "I always get a carefully packaged, well-designed, high-quality product when I order from Avie Designs. I always receive a confirmation email the day I place the order with a proof and the order always ships within 3 days."

This is why you must stay consistent across all aspects of your business. This helps you build your brand and identity. The easiest way to this is to set up systems. This is also from The E-Myth and is a topic I will expand on next week. When you have systems in place, it makes it a no-brainer to stay consistent.

Now, this does not mean that you cannot make changes, grow or evolve your company. You must do this to survive. But growing and changing cannot take place every time a customer places an order. You have to carefully decide on changes and implement them for a certain amount of time before moving on to the next improvement. You must also make sure that the change is consistent with your brand & identity. Making sure it is still in line with your core values and ideals is important so that the customer still feels like it's you.

Stay tuned for next week's Smart Biz Tips when I will explore a systems based company.
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*If you have a tip or a business question that you think I should feature in this section, please contact me at avie.designs@gmail.com with the subject: blog.smart biz

GIFT BAGS

There are too many adorable Valentine's Day items out there this year. Wouldn't these bags by Tramontana be so cute for your kids' candy exchange? I just love the heart cut out and the sewn edge. Order now, they come all the way from Italy with free shipping.

FYI: I am out of town until Friday due to a family emergency, so please be patient with my responses. Posts will go on as usual.

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*If you have a product that you think I should feature in this section, please contact me at avie.designs@gmail.com with the subject: blog.find

GARLIC BREAD 2 WAYS

Here is another recipe that I think we be a hit at your Super Bowl Party this weekend. I originally had this garlic bread at a friend's house and just had to try it for myself. Who doesn't love garlic bread? Especially garlic bread with cheese on it. Serve this bread with marinara dipping sauce and you'll have a great finger food for the party.

Garlic Bread with Asiago Cheese:

french bread
1 garlic clove
asiago cheese
fresh parsley
black pepper

1. Cut the bread on the diagonal into 1 inch thick slices.

2. Cut the garlic clove open and rub the cut side on each slice of bread. Arrange them onto a baking sheet.

3. Grate the asiago cheese and sprinkle each slice with cheese. Chop the parsley finely and sprinkle each slice with parsley.

4. Sprinkle each slice with freshly ground black pepper.

5. Put the bread under the broiler for about 20 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Notes: If you would like a more robust garlic taste, and I mean really robust, mix finely chopped garlic with the cheese, parsley, salt & pepper in a bowl before you sprinkle on the bread. You can also use grated parmesan cheese instead of asiago, but I find that asiago is usually cheaper.

Now, if you want to try and make garlic bread a little healthier, you can make this next recipe originally adapted from here.

Garlic Bread with Spinach:

2 cups fresh spinach, stemmed
2 garlic cloves, cracked from skin
2 tbsp softened butter
salt & freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 loaf french bread

1. Cut the bread on the diagonal into 1 inch thick slices.

2. Place the garlic, spinach, butter, cheese, salt & pepper in a food processor and process until finely chopped and spreadable. Arrange the bread onto a baking sheet.

3. Spread your spinach mixture on each slice of bread and place under the broiler for about 20 minutes or until the bread is crispy.

Vegan swap out: Omit the cheese and use Earth Balance or your favorite butter substitute. Then you may want to bump up the salt a touch. This is the way I make it and it's awesome.

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*If you have a recipe that you think I should feature in this section, or you want to let me know how yours turned out, please contact me at avie.designs@gmail.com with the subject: blog.recipe

NONPAREIL MAGAZINE

I've been a little under the weather this week so I'm going to have to rely on my friends to help me out with a Do-It-Yourself post. This one comes from Nonpareil Magazine that launched their first issue this week. Frankly, if you haven't heard of it yet you may want to check and see if you're living under a rock.

I am showcasing this boutonniere but there are tons of projects with full instructions. You have to check out this site! I love the new concept it's presenting and I am so excited to witness the birth of a new way forward for magazines. Actually, my man, Seth Godin wrote a post about the moving on of technology. I just love everything he has to say. Okay, enough gushing about other people for the day. I need to go lie down.

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* If you have a Do-It-Yourself project that you think I should feature in this section, please contact me at avie.designs@gmail.com with the subject: blog.DIY Please attach images to be used.

ONLY 8 MORE

That's right, I only need for 8 more people to pick up a calendar to reach my Haiti donation goal of $500. This will be my last plea because I really hate begging. So tell 8 people to stop by my shop and do their part. Thanks.

Also, you may have noticed that I have added a "join our mailing list" button. You may be asking yourself "what are the benefits to joining the mailing list?" So here is the deal, if you submit your email address & name, that's all it takes to join, you will be getting an Avie Designs Newsletter once a month. But the really exciting part is that once or twice a month you will also receive a coupon for Avie Designs merchandise or services. These offers are only for my return customers and the people on the mailing list. So don't be scared, sign up!

FOLLOW THROUGH

In life, we all make promises and we all know that sometimes we make promises we just can't keep. I think that it is crucial in business to always keep your promises OR always make promises you can keep. For example, if a customer asks me to print on two sides of a business card, I could tell them yes, but it simply isn't true. I could struggle for a few hours trying to make it "kind of" work but ay the end of the day, the customer will be unhappy with the result and I will probably have to refund their money. So after all the work, I am out of time, money & maybe a return customer. It just isn't worth it.

I truly believe that you should do everything in your power to give the customer what they want. If a customer asks me if I can do something that I have never done before, I let them know that I am trying to work out the details & costs before I promise something I may or may not be able to deliver on. Then, when I have found out the realities of making that happen, I contact the customer and let them know. This way, if the costs or time are prohibitive for the customer, they have the power to walk away and if it ends up being impossible for me to accomplish, they know that as well.

You may think that just saying yes to a customer will make them happy, but the follow through is what ultimately makes a customer happy. Sometimes you just have to say no so as not to sully your name & your products or services.

When you promise a customer something, you must follow through with it. Even if it's as simple as emailing them back when you said you would. Customers are just like friends & family. We all have that member of the family that is perpetually late. And you know that you cannot count on them to be there when you expect them. If your customers see you that way, they won't remain your customer for very long. Follow through on each and every promise you make to a customer no matter how big or small.

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*If you have a tip or a business question that you think I should feature in this section, please contact me at avie.designs@gmail.com with the subject: blog.smart biz

BLOG FEATURE & GIVEAWAY

Head over to Little Venice Designs to read my interview and enter to win a set of calling cards. Thanks Jessica!

SNARKY VALENTINE

How funny & beautiful is this laser cut valentine by Owly Shadow Puppets? They have a few others, so please go check them out. They ship in a lovely glassine envelope with a red bow printed on it.

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*If you have a product that you think I should feature in this section, please contact me at avie.designs@gmail.com with the subject: blog.find

BLACK BEAN EMPANADAS

The Super Bowl is coming up and I thought this recipe would be great finger food for a party for someone that wants to serve something a little different than wings & chips. This recipe couldn't be quicker & you can fill these will anything you can think of. This is just my favorite.

Ingredients:

Goya discos, thawed (10 come to a packet & they are in the freezer section at my grocery store next to the kosher section)
1 can black beans
1/4 white onion
1 chipotle in adobo
2 tbs butter, melted
Goya, sazon seasoning packet
salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain the beans and place in a food processor along with the onion & the chipotle. Season with salt & pepper. Process until smooth.

2. Take the dough and roll out each disco a little bit. About an inch or so bigger than it used to be. Don't freak out about rolling out dough, I don't have a rolling pin so I just use a wine bottle. You don't even need flour.

3. Place 1-2 tablespoons of the filling in each disco. Fold over the dough and crimp using the end of a fork. I have read recipes that use a little bit of water inside to help seal the dough and that would probably help. Using a fork, poke holes in each empanada.

5. Mix the seasoning packet with the melted butter and brush on each empanada. Put in the oven for about 20-30 minutes until crispy.

6. Serve with guacamole, salsa & lettuce.

Notes:

I'm sure these would be wonderful with some white mexican cheese, so please add it if you like.

Like I said before, you can fill these with anything. I've had chicken, beef, spinach and mushroom empanadas. The possibilities are endless.

What would you put in yours?

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*If you have a recipe that you think I should feature in this section, or you want to let me know how yours turned out, please contact me at avie.designs@gmail.com with the subject: blog.recipe

DOILY VALENTINES

This is an incredibly easy Do-It-Yourself project and cheap, I got my doily from the grocery store in a set of 10 for like $1.29. I'm going to walk you through all 3 projects, so get ready!

Supplies: (for all three projects)

2 Circular Doily (mine are 12" in diameter)
A2 cards & envelopes
knife w/ sharp blade
ruler
cutting board
Aleene's tacky glue
1 sheet printer paper

Instructions:

First up, we're going to make a cutout doily valentine which is the one with the pink card above.

Step 1: You need to poke out the shapes of the doily that did not get fully separated when it was machine cut. This can be easily done by holding down the shape with your knife and gently pulling the rest of the doily away. Do this on a cutting board as you may have to actually do a little cutting.

Step 2: Turn the doily over so that the underside is facing up and place your card in the middle of the doily.

Step 3: Using your ruler with the card as your guide, mark with a pencil where you want to cut. Cut along your guides, you could even use scissors if you like. Save the scraps for the next project.

Step 4: Now, fold the sides over the card so that you can see where you want to cut off the design. Usually the doily design will help you make this decision. Go ahead and cut with your knife to reveal the design you want. Make sure to leave yourself enough room for a loving note.

Step 5: Starting with the back, glue the doily to the card. Now, it will be nearly impossible to glue every piece down, but you really just need to concentrate on the edges and the middle. Glue the doily and then lay the card inside of it. Flip over so that the doily is on top of the card and take your printer paper and lay it on top. Rub your fingers over the card & doily & paper to make sure that the doily is adhered to the card. This will ensure that you don't get glue all over yourself. Then glue the sides to the front of the card and rub to secure using the printer paper. Let the card dry & you're done! (you can press these between books while they dry if you like)


Next up, we're going to make this white on ivory card made with the scraps of the last valentine.

Step 1: Take the scrap from the last card make sure all the holes are poked out.

Step 2: Center your card in the doily scrap

Step 3: Fold the sides up

Step 4: Glue the doily to the card just like the last one. And there you go! I used an ivory card with the white doily on this one because I love the way the 2 colors look together and I think this ones looks like lace.


Lastly, I'm going to show you how easy it is to line an envelope with a doily.

Step 1: Poke out all the holes in a full doily and lay it over the envelope with the center of the doily positioned just under the adhesive of the tip of the envelope with the wrong side up.

Step 2: Using your ruler and a pencil, mark where you will cut. If you are using the same size materials as I did, it will be easy since you only have to make the 2 cuts. The bottom will not need trimming. Go ahead and cut along your lines.

Step 3: Slide your cutout into the envelope to make sure it fits and fold it down along the crease of the envelope. Glue your doily inside your envelope. Put glue on the lower half first and slide inside the envelope and make sure it is secure. Then glue the top part and secure it using the printer paper.

In no time, you've made 3 valentines!

IN THE SHOP

My Papel Picado Valentines are now for sale in my shop! $20 for 4 cards with corresponding envelopes. You get the four colors you see above. Get some for your friends & family!

Stay tuned because I have another Do-It-Yourself valentine for tomorrow.