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Have you considered selling a product at an event/ or festival? Well, below we discuss the top ten must have items you’ll need at your next event.

1. Pop-Up Tent- Events/festivals happen year-round rain or shine. Make sure you purchase a sturdy tent that will shield you from the sun or rain. We purchased our 10’x10’ tent from Home Depot. It came with a cover bag with wheels that made it easier to transport.
2. Change $$$- We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have extra change to break bills. Yes, we live in a world where people swipe, swipe, swipe but some people still carry money! I know it’s hard to believe. Make sure you have extra ones, fives, tens, and twenties. We set our prices as whole numbers, so we only have to exchange bills. Could you imagine digging for change? That would be a nightmare!
3. Cashbox- You have to have a place to store your money, right? Our very first event we kept our money in a pouch. It never crossed our minds to purchase a cashbox. Well we quickly figured it out. The cashbox allowed for separation of bills which allowed us to exchange monies quickly and more efficiently. So, whatever you do purchase a cashbox!
4. Snacks-I mentioned earlier that events can call for a rather long day. You get there early to set up, there’s the actual event, and lastly you have to break down your display. It can easily be an 8-hour day. So, it’s very important to bring light snacks and drinks. It can be challenging to leave your booth for a bite to eat. You don’t want to miss a sale and you don’t want to leave your merchandise unattended. So, remember to pack something that you can munch on throughout the day
5. Business cards- I believe this item is a hit or miss. You can purchase business cards relatively cheap. In the past we have purchased our cards from Vistaprint. Don’t want to purchase business cards? Another option is to print all your business information on card stock and display it on your table with a sign that says, “Snap a pic of our business card”. Business cards get lost in the shuffle. Consumers can scroll through their phone at a later date and see a pic of your business card. That's a potential sale!
6. Business Sign/Banner-Typically this is the first thing consumers see when approaching your booth. It is very important to grab the consumers attention. There are various styles for signs and banners. You can choose from floor standups, table runners or vinyl banners. Currently we have a vinyl banner that we can tie across our table or tent. Depending on what type of sign you purchase they can be relatively inexpensive. We didn’t pay any more than fifty dollars for ours. My suggestion is to purchase a small sign in the beginning. You can always upgrade later.
7. Free activity or Free sample- Who doesn’t love the word FREE. There have been numerous events where we offer children a free bookmark. We allow children to color a bookmark of their choice. This is a great opportunity to pull the parents in and discuss our product. Don’t have a product or sample? No worries set a bowl of candy at your table and I promise consumers will gravitate towards you.
8. Card Reader- You cannot be a vendor without a card reader. Fortunately, you can get a card reader for free. Typically, you’re only charge when you swipe a card. The fee is low between 2.75%-3.75%. There are various card readers you can choose from. You can google card reader and choose which is best for your small business. It usually ships to your home within 3-5 business days. Deposits are usually made to your bank account within 1 business day. You download the app and insert the card reader into your phone. Then, it’s ready to use. So easy!
9. Phone charger- Keep your phone charged with a portable phone charger. Your battery life can get low quickly. You’re using your phone to swipe debit/cc and your taking tons of pics to post on social media. So, save yourself a headache and bring a portable charger, just in case.
10. Wagon- Last but not least! I believe it wasn’t until our fourth event that we decided to purchase a wagon to transport our inventory. This is probably my favorite item on the list. Usually we can pack most of our items in the wagon. This saves so much time! I purchased our wagon from Target in the camping section for about $60. Trust me it is worth the money. Save time and get a wagon……. you can thank me later.

I hope this list will be beneficial to you. Being a vendor is a wonder experience. You meet great people and get a chance to network with other small business owners.  Happy vending!

I don’t know about you guys but I struggle with effective discipline with my kids. There are some days when I feel like my kids are out of control. They are not bad kids, but they are starting to develop some sass and defiance that I have not been feeling lately. So I started asking myself, am I doing enough to show them that these behaviors won’t be tolerated? 

At times a part of me wants to discipline my kids differently than how I was disciplined, you know that good ole whoopin’. But the way that it is going, I’m starting to feel like these alternative methods are not gonna cut it. 

My Alternative Methods Have Consisted of:

1: Talking/Yelling 

2: Redirection 

3: Room Isolation

4: No Tablet/TV

5: No Snacks or Treats

6: Punishment

1: Talking/Yelling

I’m yelling all day, everyday. “Stop it”, “Cut it out”, “Be Nice”, etc. That has yet to be proven to be successful. When I give them that look that means I’m not playing I can usually get them to stop at least for a temporary time. 

2: Redirection

Explaining calmly why their behavior is not acceptable and redirecting them to do something positive. Usually this never works. This method usually comes with them whining and crying about why they can’t stop what they are doing or why they can’t do something differently. 

3: Room Isolation

Sitting in a room alone in the quiet with nothing to do. I only do this with my 6 year old because my 4 year old doesn’t grasp the concept of staying in the room, she will give me every excuse why she has to come out, smh.

4: No TV/Tablets

Taking away TV or Tablets, I have to do this ALL the time. Although this method is effective, once my kids get the tablet or TV back their bad habits/behaviors slowly slip back to how they were, maybe I’m not taking it away for long enough for them to truly correct their behavior.

5: No Snacks or Treats

This is usually my key weapon. Like most kids,   my kids love snacks and treats, candy, chips, ice cream, etc. When I threaten them with losing this privilege I can usually get them to do right.

6: Punishment

Multiple days without anything remotely fun, no tv, no tablet, no snacks or treats. Punishment comes when they have done something disrespectful or just plain wrong. I don’t do it often but I will say it works during the “punishment period” because I will threaten to prolong their punishment if they are misbehaving and they don’t want that. 

I think part of the problem is sometimes related to my lack of consistency. I lack disciplinary action at times because I just don’t feel like dealing with tears and attitude and so I’m sure that contributes to them feeling as though they can get away with some things. 

At the end of the day, I do realize that kids will be kids. I know that they are not going to be these perfect robot kids that do what I ask every time but I do want respectful, well rounded, well mannered kids.

Every kid is different, but if you have any successful methods to correct children’s behavior I would love to hear it!!!! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!!! 

Ugh! The dreaded question that has haunted all of us at one point of time. What to cook for dinner?

My answer: I DON’T KNOW. Usually my dinners are created in the 9^th hour. I open my fridge, stare, go into my pantry and stare some more. This last for a couple of minutes until the dinner fairy comes and blesses me with a quick, easy, semi-healthy dinner idea.

Now before I had my daughter it wasn’t uncommon for me to eat a bowl of cereal for dinner. When I was in twenties I could afford to eat sugary goodness as a meal supplement. I mean yes, I did cook but we’ve all had those days when a bowl of Frosted Flakes will satisfy anyone’s hunger. Nowadays my daughter expects to pick through a full course meal and devour dessert on a nightly basis.

I’ve tried to plan my meals for the week but usually that goes downhill at the planning part. I’m pretty good at thinking of at least two weekly meals. The struggle is real coming up with ideas for the rest of the week.

We all have busy lives. Whether you work or stay at home, there is always something to do. My weekday consists of working eight-hour days, picking my daughter up from school, chauffeuring her to some activity, homework, dinner, and prepping for the next day. 

To alleviate my stress, I often peruse Pinterest for meal ideas. Once I find a few recipes I want to try, I make a grocery list. Seems simple enough right? I then embark on my weekly adventure to the grocery store. Get to the store and guess what? I forget the damn list at home.  Now I haven’t a clue of what I need to make these immaculate dishes Pinterest swears will only take 30 minutes. Tagging along is my dramatic 6-year-old who distracts me with her whining, asks (1,000 times) to drive the cart and moans and groans at whatever it is I select. I somehow manage to purchase a cart full of groceries. I get home only to be too tired to cook whatever it is that I bought. Anyone else have this problem?

Nonetheless, dinner is created every night!

So tonight, tomorrow, or any day that you’re racking your brain thinking of what to cook for dinner. Just know I’m right there with ya!

I recently went on a family vacation to Ocho Rios, Jamaica with my husband and 2 daughters (4 and 6 years old). I was originally planning to make this a "baecation" and leave the kids with their Aunt but I decided it would be nice for all of us to go together. In the back of my mind however, I was praying that I made the right decision. This was going to be the first trip out of the country with my little ones and I was nervous and excited all at the same time. Although the trip was amazing overall, there was definitely some stressful moments. There are ways that stress can be minimized during family vacations, but ultimately you have to be prepared to ride the waves and make the best out of your family time.

I want to share with you some of the "wins and woes" of our vacation and my tips for keeping your stress level low.

Tip #1-Overpack

So let me start off by saying that I started packing for this trip a month in advance. I've been on several trips with my kids and I know that it requires a lot of effort to pack for them, so I wanted to make sure that we had everything and anything we might possibly need.

When traveling to the Caribbean you should definitely plan to change clothes at least once per day due to the humidity and heat. We also showered and changed clothes after the pool and the beach. So plan to bring plenty of outfits. We flew with Southwest Airlines and thankfully had more than enough free luggage for the 4 of us. In my opinion the more the better, so overpacking for me was a WIN.

Tip #2-Snacks, Snacks and More Snacks

One thing I know about kids is that they love snacks. Snacks can satisfy a kid and occupy them in many situations. Knowing this, I made sure to pack lots of snacks for our travel time. I had a whole snack bag full of grapes, pretzels, graham crackers, granola bars fruit snacks, candy etc. What I did not anticipate is that my kids would run through all of the snacks on the way there and during our vacation. I failed to re-up with snacks prior to our departure home which made the trip more stressful. I ended up buying costly snacks at the airport which sucked but it kept them quiet so it was worth it. 

Normally I limit the snacks that my kids can have throughout the day but when we travel I make an exception in order to keep them quiet and satisfied and to give me peace of mind! So don't be stingy with the snacks during vacay!

 Tip #3 Have Patience and Be Kind

After a long ride from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios we waited in a long line at the customer service desk to check-in. We had been traveling all day, the kids were irritable and hungry and we just wanted to settle into our room. When it was finally our turn to check-in, I was told that my kids had not been registered properly through the travel agent so I would have to pay an additional 580.00 in order to get my room key... can you imagine my outrage and frustration at that very moment!?! I wanted to curse everyone behind the counter out! But I was patient and through my anger I was calm. After a lot of back and forth and phone calls I ended up having to pay the money in order to get my key, NOT how I wanted to start my vacation. But in that moment I truly felt like me getting mad at the lady behind the desk, doing her job or the lady on the phone trying to make sense of the situation was not going to help anything. It was late in the evening and nothing would be solved until the next business day. I thought, better to pay the money and get my family into the room rather than keep arguing and still have to pay the money. I got my money refunded the next day and I was so proud that I handled it the way that I did.  

Not only did I maintain patience through this situation but I did throughout our entire trip and it really made such a difference. I tried not to fuss at my kids and get frustrated and I let them be free and really enjoy themselves. Win-Win.

Tip #4- Mobile Passport

On our way back from Jamaica my husband downloaded the Mobile Passport App which was so awesome! The process for registering for the mobile passport was super easy, he entered our passport info and took a picture of each of us with his phone through the App. By using the Mobile Passport on our way back home we were able to bypass the line and ease right though US customs with no delays. After a long day of traveling with two hungry fussy kids this was a LIFESAVER! I would highly recommend downloading prior to international travel. Another WIN!

This trip was the best family trip we have had thus far, even though their were stressors we made the most out of each moment and made many memories. I am looking forward to our next trip together.

I hope that my tips can help you in planning your next family vacation!

Remember it's all about cherishing the moments and making memories.

Peace

When I was a little girl I loved watching Video Soul. Now I know what you’re thinking. I like thousands of black women were captivated by Donnie Simpson’s mesmerizing eyes. Nope. I loved the view behind the guest couch. Remember? It was a night view of the city and I dreamed of living in a city with those same views. I’m from a small town and we didn’t have buildings so tall they touched the blue skies. In fact, I think we only had one tall building in downtown Toledo.

Like millions of black homes, Essence, Ebony and Jet Magazine were a staple in our household. My sister and I were not allowed to read any magazine until my mom combed through each page. When she was done she would lay the magazine on our steps leading to our bedrooms. To me these magazines signified the Professional Black Woman. Each magazine kept me updated with black Hollywood, the latest fashion, black innovation, and of course my horoscope. These three holy books were an encyclopedia on how to become a successful black business woman. They taught you how to buy a home, how to budget and how to find a fine ass black husband.

Seeing black women soar through corporate America, unapologetically, was everything that I wanted to be. Once I closed the pages of the magazine I quickly came back to reality. There was no way this midwestern girl would ever run her own business. My fantasy was just that, a dream that came in the mail once a month. Luckily, I always had a passion for science and the human body. Nursing came natural to me, and to me it was attainable. So I pursued my bachelor’s degree in nursing.  After college, I moved out west (another dream of mine) and started a career as a registered nurse.

Here I am in my twenties, I have a successful career and I am happier than ever. Then I enter my thirties. I begin to self-reflect my career and personal life. A part of me reflects on being my own boss, just like that little girl who would indulge each page of Essence magazine. But how would I be my own boss and what would I be doing? I didn’t know at the time, but I felt a spark inside me flair. I had the ambition of an entrepreneur but didn’t know what to do with it. I decided to step out on faith and together with Felicia, Kids Coloring Co was born.

My mother always told me “God will give you anything you ask for as long as it is not in vain.” It took a while but today I believe this more than ever. As a teenager I dreamed about taking on the simple task of caring for the sick. Sarcasm note: Caring for the sick is ANYTHING but simple.  Not only do I excel in nursing, but I can hold my urine for 12 hours, eat an entire lunch in 10 seconds flat, and manage to conquer that one family member who wants to compare their degree in Google to my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I wanted to live in a big city because I felt there were more opportunities. And now today I live in a big city. Okay maybe I live 30 minutes away, but you get the point.  Early on, I knew how important it was for black people to have their own and I yearned to be a part of that evolution. I envision myself sitting behind a desk wearing a pencil skirt and silk blouse. Today, I co-run a business in yoga pants laying across my bed. The office and pencil skirt will come later.  

See, God has given me EVERYTHING that I have asked for. My destiny was aligned the entire time. Even when I stopped envisioning owning my own business the stars were forming in my favor. My path has already been written. Now it is my time to pursue it, to live my story. I have found my purpose.

Blessings

Have you ever said to yourself “I’ll do that tomorrow” and never get around to it?  Yeah, me too, I have two rambunctious girls, one is 6 years old and the other is 4. After having children and witnessing how fast the years pass by, I quickly realized the importance of spending quality time with them. 

As a Mom of two with a full-time, Monday-Friday job, time feels scarce. Prior to starting my business I understood the value of spending quality time with them, but I was not as successful in making it happen as frequently as I would have liked. I always had these thoughts of wanting to go on lots of trips with my kids, take them to events, and just spend much needed day to day quality time. Unfortunately, those thoughts were getting overrun by the overwhelming challenges of day to day life. My weekday routine usually consists of getting home from work, making dinner, cleaning up, getting ready for work, getting the kids ready for bed and sleeping, only to do it all over again. My weekends are full of laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping paying bills, etc., etc. I put off the trips, I put off the activities and more importantly, I put off the day to day quality time with my kids because in my mind “I had so much to do”.

After collaborating with my friend, Taundra Dunbar to create Kids Coloring Co, this new business venture has actually created an avenue for me to spend more quality time with my girls. Not only have I been able to spend time with my kids experimenting with recipes but I have also been more successful with incorporating trips and activities into our lives because I know that there is no better time like the present time. 

Kids Coloring Co’s mission is to spark creativity and literacy in young children but also to help inspire families to spend quality time with their young ones. I have brought this vision to life starting within my own home. 

So I said all that to say, the time is now!  We are all busy with day to day life, but what we must remember is that the memories we make now will last a lifetime and help to shape our kids into the people they will become in the future. 

I remember when I first became a nurse. I was excited and scared all at the same time. I couldn't wait to put on scrubs and wear that stethoscope around my neck. I was excited to learn from seasoned nurses and veteran doctors. My first day as a nurse.....I fainted in a patient's room. We were doing leech therapy on a patient who accidently cut off the tip of his finger with a saw. I didn't faint from seeing the leeches, I fainted from standing too long on an empty stomach. No one told me that nurses rarely sat down

Everyday for the first year of nursing I contemplated if I made the right career decision. I was 23 and I was responsible for 5 lives, 12 hours a shift, 3 days a week! Did I mention that I had just moved from my parents home? I could hardly take care of myself let only FIVE other people. However, I have always been determined. I became a nurse because I truly cared for people. I exceled at understanding the body, diseases, and any other medical jargon. I got this! 

My passion for nursing has led me to a career that I am extremely proud.

Thirteen years later my passion for nursing is starting to fade. Although, I still practice as a nurse and I still give my patients 150%, I'm looking for more.

The same excitement and fear I felt as a baby nurse I am reliving as a novice entrepreneur. Will people like our coloring books? Will people buy our coloring books? Do we have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur?

YES! Yes, to all of the above. Why? Because I have full confidence in us! I believe in our vision. Everyday, I learn something new about running a small business. It's quite overwhelming to be honest. But just like in nursing school I soak up all the knowledge I can and am eager to use it.

Will success happen overnight? Absolutely not! In fact I don't want it too. If we don't make any mistakes we wouldn't have room to grow. I want to fall down 5 times to get back up 6. Thank goodness I'm a nurse so I can tend to my wounds

This week we finalized our proof for the coloring book. We shouted to the roof tops of every social media outlet. We have read books, articles and even earned a degree from the University of YouTube. We are at the starting line ready for take off. Will these novice entrepreneurs be ready? Stay tuned...........

                                                                                       Written By 

                                                                                        Taundra Dunbar