Champaigne & orange juice - simple,
Puff & Pastries bringing samples of amazing treats - good.
What more is needed? - chocolate!
Yes, Puff has chocolate within their enveloped diaphanous layers of cream, fluff, & buttery folds. And still chocolate.....
10 am Earth Alley will see who the Mamosa crowd is...
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
saved 2,800 hundred plastic bags
Since opening on 9/1/07, Earth Alley, has saved 2,800 hundred plastic bags! about 80% of customers - any arm twisting, nah?)
Monday, December 15, 2008
'Tis The Season
Wow, I am EXHAUSTED - 8 events, 1 each day for over a week. I didn't even unpack my Earth Alley samples. There were a times when I wasn't sure where I was going. Then I am made a complete ass of myself!
So why did my sweet husband laugh at me for about an hour? After one long intense day at an event, I was driving home and noticed all AND every car whizzing by me on the highway. I looked down to see the speed odometer read over 100. I called my husband crying: it finally happened - I was losing my mind. I was really spooked when a ghostlike old guy gave me the dirtiest look I had ever seen when leaving the exit ramp. 2 days later and after almost committing myself, I realized that I switched the odometer to kimometers. Dah$#%%&&&* - and I lived in Europe.
What come of it...Well...I made up for all the over-spending I did for the store this fall during the retail economy melt-down, I was interviewed for a spot on comcast on-demand's local channel (coming out in late Jan.) & I got a glimpse at what it would really be like to be INSANE!!!!
So why did my sweet husband laugh at me for about an hour? After one long intense day at an event, I was driving home and noticed all AND every car whizzing by me on the highway. I looked down to see the speed odometer read over 100. I called my husband crying: it finally happened - I was losing my mind. I was really spooked when a ghostlike old guy gave me the dirtiest look I had ever seen when leaving the exit ramp. 2 days later and after almost committing myself, I realized that I switched the odometer to kimometers. Dah$#%%&&&* - and I lived in Europe.
What come of it...Well...I made up for all the over-spending I did for the store this fall during the retail economy melt-down, I was interviewed for a spot on comcast on-demand's local channel (coming out in late Jan.) & I got a glimpse at what it would really be like to be INSANE!!!!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
This Day Leaves an Indelible Mark
I want to shout out a big fat THANK YOU to Rick!
Not only is he the primary bring-home-the-bacon man as I try to make a go of retail. He helped when I worked about 100 hours a week in a day job & the store to kick this baby off the ground for its first 6 months; he helped when I decided to quit the day job to do this full time.
After working about 50 hours a week for little pay at a non-profit with a 1.5 hour commute, he works another 20 hours in the store. He does the maintenance, the financial analysis, helps with quality control, traded carpentry in exchange for store help and - when I really corner him - he'll do some networking and marketing - when I just can't get my list done.
Hey, what the hell do I do?
But today like a few other times he is a volunteer. Now in York County, PA where he is urging last minute voters to get their asses to the polls as he did at 7 am in order to be on the road in time. Why, because it is so important this day - Nov. 4th 2008. Change I can feel it!
Not only is he the primary bring-home-the-bacon man as I try to make a go of retail. He helped when I worked about 100 hours a week in a day job & the store to kick this baby off the ground for its first 6 months; he helped when I decided to quit the day job to do this full time.
After working about 50 hours a week for little pay at a non-profit with a 1.5 hour commute, he works another 20 hours in the store. He does the maintenance, the financial analysis, helps with quality control, traded carpentry in exchange for store help and - when I really corner him - he'll do some networking and marketing - when I just can't get my list done.
Hey, what the hell do I do?
But today like a few other times he is a volunteer. Now in York County, PA where he is urging last minute voters to get their asses to the polls as he did at 7 am in order to be on the road in time. Why, because it is so important this day - Nov. 4th 2008. Change I can feel it!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
This stupid economy
Wow I thought last year was stressful (ok - shear terror) of stepping into completely new territory just opening Earth Alley. And man, this takes it to another level. You hear people talking about it, the presidential candidates are saying how the economy is hitting small business but, man, to experience it day to day...
So I stepped up my game. I.E., my week - 2 federal building gigs that obtains extra money (for what, not sure, I ask no questions) by charging people like me a small fee to display items in the hopes of a few sales, a new customer or to advertise. It is similar to cold calling - only difference is you get, first-hand rejection, suggestions and sometimes the friendly purchase. I am getting tougher. The last gig I was body searched while going through a security check point with at least 6 guards (who were sweet), nothing compared though to the tough cookie womaning the parking lot, Hand over your keys, pay up & a grin that also said no attitude, all before 8:30 am. Next week is mellow, I think....
So I stepped up my game. I.E., my week - 2 federal building gigs that obtains extra money (for what, not sure, I ask no questions) by charging people like me a small fee to display items in the hopes of a few sales, a new customer or to advertise. It is similar to cold calling - only difference is you get, first-hand rejection, suggestions and sometimes the friendly purchase. I am getting tougher. The last gig I was body searched while going through a security check point with at least 6 guards (who were sweet), nothing compared though to the tough cookie womaning the parking lot, Hand over your keys, pay up & a grin that also said no attitude, all before 8:30 am. Next week is mellow, I think....
Monday, September 8, 2008
1 Year Anniversary Celebration
Well, we did it! One year this past Fri. Lots of mistakes, lots of looooooooooong days, weeks & months like Jan - March when I really thought we weren't going to make it. Several part-time jobs to buy more inventory and countless - 1000s I think - emails, promotions, festivals, discounts, flyers, coupons, articles, reminders!
And we received many accolades and great support from the press: Best Eco Gifts from Baltimore Mag, 2008, MPT featured Earth Alley on August 28th's "Your Business and Your Money", Baltimore Magazine's article on best modern cars (I was photographed with a Smart Car)Sept, 2008, & in May The Sun featured us on an article on alternatives to plastic bags. The Urbanite & Style mentioned our South African wire bowls in '07 and we've presented our items at 2 farmer markets, Pride Festival, the International Festival in Columbia and the Social Security building's market day. This Sat. will be an eco-lounge at Hampden Festival. What I crazy year! And here we go again!
And we received many accolades and great support from the press: Best Eco Gifts from Baltimore Mag, 2008, MPT featured Earth Alley on August 28th's "Your Business and Your Money", Baltimore Magazine's article on best modern cars (I was photographed with a Smart Car)Sept, 2008, & in May The Sun featured us on an article on alternatives to plastic bags. The Urbanite & Style mentioned our South African wire bowls in '07 and we've presented our items at 2 farmer markets, Pride Festival, the International Festival in Columbia and the Social Security building's market day. This Sat. will be an eco-lounge at Hampden Festival. What I crazy year! And here we go again!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance Happy Hour
Last Monday, Earth Alley hosted the Chespeake Sustainable Alliance's monthly happy hour. Over 60 people came - wow - I never knew so many people could fit in this space - well they didn't really. Our great neighbors loaned us their parking space. We had wine from Spoutwood Farm and great treats from Grano's - people looked like they had a great time. I had to take a picture to remember this many people.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
