Cream of the Crop: CareerSYNC

Welcome to this week’s edition of Berries and Cream Blog Design’s Cream of the Crop series. We hope that you will enjoy today’s featured site, CareerSYNC.  With everything going on in the job market, I don’t think I could have chosen a better time to feature this site.

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Monique Betty, the founder and owner of CareerSYNC, is an exceptionally talented lady, and it was my pleasure to be able to interview her.

What is CareerSYNC all about?

CareerSYNC is a premiere coaching firm specializing in career and life coaching for professionals seeking fulfillment in their personal and professional endeavors.

What services do you offer?

We offer our global customers confidential and convenient career and life coaching via telephone. In addition, we offer virtual and live presentations or workshops on professional development.  [Ed. note: Visit CareerSYNC's Services page for more in-depth information.]

How long have you been a career coach?

I have been a certified career coach for almost three years.

What led you into that field?

As a business professional in several major corporations, I came to realize that there were far too many people dismayed and dissatisfied with the work they were doing. These negative perspectives of these individuals are like a virus in that they ‘break down the positive energy/momentum of others, including teams and work groups. To that end, as I set out to achieve balance between raising children and pursuing professional interests, I identified career coaching as a field where I could leverage my natural talents and bring the most value to the lives of others.

In this struggling economy when so many people’s jobs are in jeopardy, what is the best advice you have to offer?

First, have a realistic view of your finances in order to reduce stress and determine how you will manage your budget if faced with a job loss.

Second, be open to the notion that you may not secure the job of your dreams because job opportunities are limited right now.

Lastly, grow where you are planted! Whatever job opportunity you may have to settle for in order to make ends meet, recognize that this is only a temporary stepping stone along the life journey and make it the best experience you can.

All the while, if you have talents/skills that are underutilized during this challenging time, be certain to volunteer, seek continued education/training, and read to stay current in your knowledge base.

As a business owner, what is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Remember that you are in business to serve the needs of others – - strive for unparalleled customer satisfaction and the rewards will come back to you.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Live. Laugh. Love! And, when in South Florida be certain to join in the fun at one of the Adult Hip-Hop dance classes I teach!

Thank you, Monique, for your helpful answers.  If you are in need of career guidance, I recommend that you visit CareerSYNC and sign up for their free newsletter.

I’m certainly enjoying sharing outstanding businesses and blogs with you in this series.  If you have any recommendations or suggestions for future Cream of the Crop posts, please feel free to share them with me by either leaving a comment here or by contacting me directly.

Peggy (A Launch Party Sponsor) Lost Her Son

I was shocked and deeply saddened to find out that Peggy of Peg’s Play, one of our generous launch party sponors, lost her 22 year old son on Saturday.  I cannot imagine the depths of grief she is facing, but I can pray for her and her family.

I ask that you would do the same, too, and that you would leave her an encouraging comment.  We never know how much a kind word can help until we are in need of one ourselves.

God bless you, Peggy, and we will be praying.

Cream of the Crop: Little Ladybug Designs

Welcome to this week’s edition of Berries and Cream Blog Design’s Cream of the Crop series.  We hope that you will enjoy today’s featured site, Little Ladybug Designs.  We love it and think you will be delighted with both the quality and quantity of the products available there.

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Since I always find it interesting to learn the inspiration behind a site, I was delighted to have the opportunity to ask Kim a few questions about her business.  She graciously took the time to respond.

I’d like our readers to get to know you a bit better. Please share some background about yourself, Little Ladybug Designs, and anything else you’d like others to know about you.

I am a stay at home mom to my 3 year old daughter. I have been married 10 years to my college sweetheart. I have a Masters in Early Childhood Special Education.

How did Little Ladybug Designs come to be?

I designed my daughter’s 1st and 2nd birthday invitations and I was encouraged by family & friends to start a business designing announcements and invitations for others.

What will people find there?

Custom photo announcements and invitations for any occasion, business cards, personalized stationery, photo slideshows, and much more.

What is your favorite item in your store right now and why?

Trifold Birth Announcements. They are a beautiful way to announce the birth of your baby. There is enough room to share multiple photos of your new bundle of joy.

Can you share some products that you are planning to put in your store soon?

Little Ladybug Designs will soon be offering personalized character stationery and graduation announcements.

As a business owner, what is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Never give up. Hard work pays off.

Is there anything else you’d like to highlight or share with our readers?

Share Little Ladybug Designs with your family & friends. Visit my blog and follow me on Twitter – @lldesigns.

Thank you, Kim, for taking the time to answer my questions.

If you haven’t stopped by Little Ladybug Designs, you really should.  Kim creates beautiful designs that anyone would be proud to use.  She takes great care of her customers and does everything in her power to make sure that you are happy with your order.

Completed Projects: Stacey’s VA Services

Recent Blog Designs

I have installed, set up, and designed a lot of blog designs, specifically WordPress designs, recently and will be adding them to our Gallery shortly.  Over the upcoming weeks, I will be telling you more about individual projects in posts like this one.

Stacey contacted me to create her new site, Stacey’s VA Services.  She needed a complete WordPress design, including upgrading her host’s version of WordPress, creating a custom theme and design, choosing and installing appropriate plugins, and adding content to her pages.

Special Features in this Blog Design

Here are some of the special features we included in her blogsite:

• 2-section header so that I could put the newsletter signup on the right for maximum visibility and results
• Custom home page sections with graphics to best promote her services
• Buttons linking to her Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn profiles, making use of social media sites to create more contacts
• Contact page providing several ways, including a contact form, for visitors to contact her
• Request for Services page allowing people to send her specific services requests directly from her website

Stacey was very happy with her new blogsite, and I’d be thrilled to be able to help you, too.

Get Your Own Custom Blog Design

If you have similar needs, you may want to order our Berries and Cream Decadence blog design package which includes up to 10 design elements of your choosing.  NOTE: This package does not include installing or upgrading the WordPress or installing any plugins.  You can however, purchase WordPress installation and WP plug-in installation separately.

Another option would be to order the WP e-Commerce Boutique blog design package which does include installation of the WordPress platform and plugins.

Cream of the Crop: The Dusty Attic

Welcome to our very first Cream of the Crop feature here at Berries and Cream Blog Design.  Formerly named In the Spotlight, this series spotlights fantastic blogs, businesses, and anything else we think is worthy of sharing with you.

Today’s featured site is The Dusty Attic where Lizzie sells varied items.  She has some neat items, like her hand knit “upcycled” wool flower pins and her alphabet photography.

I asked Lizzie a few questions so she could share with our readers a bit about herself.

I’d like our readers to get to know you a bit better. Please share some background about yourself, A Dusty Frame, and anything else you’d like others to know about you.

I grew up in a Pastor’s home and had a pretty much normal life. I married my husband 10 years ago and thought I was set for happily everafter–at least a happily everafter with the normal hard stuff of life.  I really never imagined I’d be blogging about prison and parole officers and the fight for my marriage.

Other than that, I’m a single for now Mom who stays very busy homeschooling her son and selling online.

How did The Dusty Attic come to be?

Several of my customers wanted to know how they could help me out and mentioned that they’d buy things from me online if they could. Revka helped me set up my shop and it’s gone from there.

What will people find there?

An eclectic mix of unclaimed treasures.. Books, handknit items, misc. pretties.

What is your favorite item in your store right now and why?

My alphabet photography. (Although I like everything in there) I just think they’re cool!

As a business owner, what is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Sell what your customers want to buy. See what the market in your area or niche needs and go for it. Listen to people who have been there before you. Yes there is much to be said for an idea and enthusiasm, but really really listen to business owners and take their advice. At the very least, if a business owner tells you something research it and apply it to your business. Don’t automatically discount it because you know your idea is going to be different.
Owning a business is a LOT of hard work and you don’t want to be promoting and marketing a bad idea.

Is there anything else you’d like me to share with out readers?

I’d like to invite everyone to visit my blog. I enjoy interacting with people from around the world and sharing the story of God’s working in our life even in difficulties.

I hope that you do take the time to stop by both The Dusty Attic and A Dusty Frame.  Lizzie has been such a source of encouragement and blessing to me through her blog, and I love the items she has for sell.  Her sites truly deserve to be called Cream of the Crop.

Winners for Personalized Confetti, Mommy Card, 501 Quilt Blocks, and 2 Children’s Books

It got very busy last week, and I am just now announcing the winners for these prizes.

Here is the winner of the Personalized Confetti from The Pink Poodle Boutique.

The winner is commenter 25, Tanyetta.

tanyetta on Sun, 1st Mar 2009 7:15 pm

“I am following Revka on twitter! Thank you for a chance of winning this awesome prize ”

Tanyetta has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

Here is the winner of the Mommy Card from Little Ladybug Designs.

The winner is commenter 29, Alexis, who seemed to know exactly which contests to enter.

Alexis on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 8:20 pm

“And I follow Linda”

Alexis has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

Here is the winner of 501 Quilt Blocks from Sunny Island Breezes.

The winner is commenter 25, Cindy B. from Montana.

Cindy B. in Montana…now in Oklahoma on Thu, 5th Mar 2009 5:31 pm

“I have your button on my blog, left sidebar…”

Cindy has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

Here is the winner of 2 Children’s Books from CPA Mom.

The winner is commenter 35, Kim.

kim v on Wed, 4th Mar 2009 9:50 pm

“Thanks for the giveaway!”

Kim has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

Thank you to everyone who partipated in our launch party.  You made it fun for us.

Winner for the VeggieTales Prize Pack

(Don’t forget that you can enter to win prizes all the way through Saturday)

Here is the winner of the VeggieTales Prize Pack from Thrifty Mommy.

The winner is commenter 40, Alexis.

Alexis on Wed, 25th Feb 2009 7:14 pm

“I have your button on my sidebar!”

Alexis has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

The following contests are still open:

1. Personalized Confetti – enter TODAY
2. A Mommy Card – enter no later than Thursday
3. A Better Homes and Gardens book – 501 Quilt Blocks – enter no later than Friday
4. 2 children’s books: Night’s Nice and The Beginner’s Guide to Bears – enter no later than Saturday

Winner for $10 Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway

We’re winding down the giveaways, but it’s not too late to enter some of them.

Here is the winner of the much-coveted $10 Starbucks gift card from Seeryus Mama.

The winner is commenter 53, Shelly.

Shelly on Wed, 25th Feb 2009 12:21 pm
“Subscribe to newsletter”

Shelly has been notified and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

The following contests are still open:

1. VeggieTales Jonah pack – enter TODAY
2. Personalized Confetti – enter no later than Wednesday
3. A Mommy Card – enter no later than Thursday
4. A Better Homes and Gardens book – 501 Quilt Blocks – enter no later than Friday
5. 2 children’s books: Night’s Nice and The Beginner’s Guide to Bears – enter no later than Saturday

Winners for Wool Socks, $15 Target Gift Card, and Quick Change Pouch

I hope you all had a good weekend.  Mine was busy – out of town on Friday and Saturday and then church morning and night on Sunday (as usual).

Here are the winners:

Hand-made Wool Socks from Shady Side Farm

The winner is commenter 55, Jackie.

Jackie on Sun, 22nd Feb 2009 10:47 am

“I am a subscriber”

Jackie has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

$15 Target Gift Card from Sisterly Savings

The winner is commenter 17, Jamie.

Jamie on Sat, 21st Feb 2009 10:56 pm

“I love Sisterly Savings! It’s nice that all the posts are easy “anyone can do them” money saving tips!”

Jamie has been contacted and has 48 hours to claim her prize.

Baby Star Quick Change (Spring) from Doodlebug & Peanut Creations

The winner is commenter 6, Alexis.

Alexis on Mon, 23rd Feb 2009 12:06 am

“I am already a subscriber.”

Alexis has been contacted and has 48 hours to respond.

Don’t forget that several giveaways are still open for entries:

1. $10 Starbucks gift card – enter no later than Monday
2. VeggieTales Jonah pack – enter no later than Tuesday
3. Personalized Confetti – enter no later than Wednesday
4. A Mommy Card – enter no later than Thursday
5. A Better Homes and Gardens book – 501 Quilt Blocks – enter no later than Friday
6. 2 children’s books: Night’s Nice and The Beginner’s Guide to Bears – enter no later than Saturday