Part of my dream has come true at last. I can honestly say that I am surprised simply because I did have doubts that I would own and run my own business even though I was and am determined to see it succeed. Now is the time for you to take a look at my future. Go to the link in this post and please check it out. Feel free to do some shopping while you are there.
You know.....Mother's Day and Father's Day is right around the corner. Now would be the time to get a jump start on your search for the right gift for Mom and Dad. I know I will be. I have also put in links for a couple other sites you could check out. Take care and have a glorious day.
www.sandersgifts.com
www.redenvelope.com
www.zazzle.com
HAPPY SHOPPING!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Background of Sanders Gifts
Sanders Gifts started out as a dream of mine. I am Mary Sanders, CEO. I live in West Salem, Wisconsin with my husband, my 19 year old son and my 25 year old step son--oh and of course the 2 cats Sadie and Tabatha and my dog, Joey.
First I want to give you a little explanation of why I decided to start my own business.
In 1998 at the age of 32, I started having extreme medical problems that caused me to quit a wonderful job that I was advancing in my position every year. At that time, I loved my job--I was a screen printer for a local company creating stickers, emblems, signs, labels, etc. To be a little more specific about my medical problem, which wasn't diagnosed until 2004, I have BPPV=Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. This condition caused me to lose my balance, my focus(vision), concentration, equilibrium, light headed, dizzy, scared--it sometimes gets to the point where I feel like I'm having a stroke. When things are at their worst I can't walk with out having someone hold my hand, use a cane or hang on to the wall, I shouldn't get behind the wheel of my truck, etc. I was a danger to myself when this would happen.
Since then, 1998, I have not been able to hold down any type of job. I tried to go back to screen printing, but the constant head movements, up and down and side to side and constantly bending over, caused the BPPV to come back. Everytime I tried a new type of job, even housekeeping in a hotel, the same thing would happen and I would have to quit or get told they were going to let me go because I wasnt able to do my job and I was missing work. Well, you can't raise a 5 year old with no salary. In 2000, my son and I moved into low-income housing with the only money coming in was child support and that was hard to live on, as well, considering the "amount" we received. I also worked in other positions over the past decade that have provoked the BPPV: daycare, sales associate, people greeter, dishwasher. This is the main reason I decided to start my own business. The other reason is because I have not had good luck with my past supervisors--NOT the employers, but the staff/management. We always had issues with each other which made coming to work difficult.
The one thing that makes me passionate about my business is "gifts" always make people smile. I love to see people happy, smile, laugh or cry happy tears. There is enough stress and unhappiness in the world and I want to be someone that can bring some joy to others. In addition, the gifts that are available in my online store are very unique and very inexpensive compared to the competition. I want everyone to be able to find something for that person they are shopping for and be able to afford it. The economy has been hard enough on all of us and again--I want to change that thought in people when they go shopping online. Eventually, my husband and I will be opening an on-site store so people in the area can come and get the item they want instead of waiting for it to be shipped to them.
In closing, I would just like to say that this dream of mine is a means to an end. I will no longer have to worry about missing work or what will happen when my position vertigo "strikes again" or anything like that. But most of all, I will be able to provide for my family.
Go ahead and take a look at my dream come true. www.sandersgifts.com
Have a wonderful and glorious day! Don't forget to make someone smile--it's the best feeling. :)
First I want to give you a little explanation of why I decided to start my own business.
In 1998 at the age of 32, I started having extreme medical problems that caused me to quit a wonderful job that I was advancing in my position every year. At that time, I loved my job--I was a screen printer for a local company creating stickers, emblems, signs, labels, etc. To be a little more specific about my medical problem, which wasn't diagnosed until 2004, I have BPPV=Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. This condition caused me to lose my balance, my focus(vision), concentration, equilibrium, light headed, dizzy, scared--it sometimes gets to the point where I feel like I'm having a stroke. When things are at their worst I can't walk with out having someone hold my hand, use a cane or hang on to the wall, I shouldn't get behind the wheel of my truck, etc. I was a danger to myself when this would happen.
Since then, 1998, I have not been able to hold down any type of job. I tried to go back to screen printing, but the constant head movements, up and down and side to side and constantly bending over, caused the BPPV to come back. Everytime I tried a new type of job, even housekeeping in a hotel, the same thing would happen and I would have to quit or get told they were going to let me go because I wasnt able to do my job and I was missing work. Well, you can't raise a 5 year old with no salary. In 2000, my son and I moved into low-income housing with the only money coming in was child support and that was hard to live on, as well, considering the "amount" we received. I also worked in other positions over the past decade that have provoked the BPPV: daycare, sales associate, people greeter, dishwasher. This is the main reason I decided to start my own business. The other reason is because I have not had good luck with my past supervisors--NOT the employers, but the staff/management. We always had issues with each other which made coming to work difficult.
The one thing that makes me passionate about my business is "gifts" always make people smile. I love to see people happy, smile, laugh or cry happy tears. There is enough stress and unhappiness in the world and I want to be someone that can bring some joy to others. In addition, the gifts that are available in my online store are very unique and very inexpensive compared to the competition. I want everyone to be able to find something for that person they are shopping for and be able to afford it. The economy has been hard enough on all of us and again--I want to change that thought in people when they go shopping online. Eventually, my husband and I will be opening an on-site store so people in the area can come and get the item they want instead of waiting for it to be shipped to them.
In closing, I would just like to say that this dream of mine is a means to an end. I will no longer have to worry about missing work or what will happen when my position vertigo "strikes again" or anything like that. But most of all, I will be able to provide for my family.
Go ahead and take a look at my dream come true. www.sandersgifts.com
Have a wonderful and glorious day! Don't forget to make someone smile--it's the best feeling. :)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
"Just Because"
Do you know what it's like to have someone do something for you out of kindness and you want to do something or gift them something in return for that action? Or even if that person is just so nice or you care for them and want to do something nice for them? Well, that--in my mind--is called a "just because" gift. Many times have I given a friend, family member, even an acquaintance a "gift" of some kind. I'll give a couple of examples so you can see what I'm talking about.
I met a young man named Steve my very first semester in college. He was very funny, friendly, a little older than my son, (about 21) and (slightly) physically handicapped because of a horrific car accident 3 years prior. Steve could not drive anymore because of this so he always brought the bus to school. Now, Steve lived in Holmen at the time so this wasn't a regular city bus. Anyway, one day Steve forgot an assignment that was due that day and desperately needed to get home to get it or he was going to get a zero from the teacher. Since Steve and I were in that same class together and we had about hour before class started I offered to give him a ride from La Crosse to Holmen to his house to get his assignment. I was so happy to help Steve. He is a good kid/young man and I enjoy his company while we are between classes.
I did this for a few reasons: First, "just because" he couldn't get ahold of his parents to take him or bring it too him, Second "just because" I new the troubles he was having in this class and finally "JUST BECAUSE" we had become friends.
Now this wasn't a tangible item that he could hold or put on a shelf, but it was something that made him feel good.
Have you ever given a "just because" gift? Leave me a comment and tell me something you did. Think about it--you may have and don't even know it. Have a glorious day.
I met a young man named Steve my very first semester in college. He was very funny, friendly, a little older than my son, (about 21) and (slightly) physically handicapped because of a horrific car accident 3 years prior. Steve could not drive anymore because of this so he always brought the bus to school. Now, Steve lived in Holmen at the time so this wasn't a regular city bus. Anyway, one day Steve forgot an assignment that was due that day and desperately needed to get home to get it or he was going to get a zero from the teacher. Since Steve and I were in that same class together and we had about hour before class started I offered to give him a ride from La Crosse to Holmen to his house to get his assignment. I was so happy to help Steve. He is a good kid/young man and I enjoy his company while we are between classes.
I did this for a few reasons: First, "just because" he couldn't get ahold of his parents to take him or bring it too him, Second "just because" I new the troubles he was having in this class and finally "JUST BECAUSE" we had become friends.
Now this wasn't a tangible item that he could hold or put on a shelf, but it was something that made him feel good.
Have you ever given a "just because" gift? Leave me a comment and tell me something you did. Think about it--you may have and don't even know it. Have a glorious day.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
How do you define it?
What is your definition of a "gift". The following are a few that I feel should be thought of daily by all, because a gift isn't necessarily a tangible item but more of what's inside oneself. Think about it...
A friend is a gift you give yourself.
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.
A hug is a great gift – one size fits all, and it’s easy to exchange.
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”
Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.
If a person gives you his time, he can give you no more precious gift.
Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.
No matter how anyone defines a "gift" it should be appreciated and valued in whatever form it comes in.
Have a Glorious Day and Thank YOU for stopping by and Please leave me a comment or your opinion of this or anything else you want to share. Thanks again.
*Gift quotes were from http://www.coolnsmart.com/gift_quotes/
A friend is a gift you give yourself.
Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.
A hug is a great gift – one size fits all, and it’s easy to exchange.
God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”
Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.
If a person gives you his time, he can give you no more precious gift.
Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.
No matter how anyone defines a "gift" it should be appreciated and valued in whatever form it comes in.
Have a Glorious Day and Thank YOU for stopping by and Please leave me a comment or your opinion of this or anything else you want to share. Thanks again.
*Gift quotes were from http://www.coolnsmart.com/gift_quotes/
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