Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Join My New Blog






My blog has moved!

I now have two blogs - one for Theresa Rose Designs where I communicate important information regarding my jewelry business, such as new products, giveaways, press information. That blog can be found on my website:
TheresaRoseDesigns.com/blog

My new blog is ThisRedesignedLife.com
I started this new blog to discuss and share with other women the idea that we can redesign our life to fit our dreams - at any time in our life. I'm really excited to grow this blog and I hope you join me.


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

5 Surprising Things I Learned After Quitting My Corporate Job One Year Ago

WorkAtHome

I left the corporate world over a year ago - October 13, 2013 to be exact. I had a great career in the software industry for 25 years, starting out in aerospace in the early 90's, golf throughout the 2000's, and finally high-tech for the last 7 years. It was a rewarding phase of my life and I wouldn't trade the valuable learning experience and people I've met for anything. However......

I became quite dissatisfied with my career over the last few years. I'm a bit idealistic and play a terrible game of politics, so it stood to reason that I was easily hurt by typical work place theatrics. Also, I'm an entrepreneur at heart and fiercely independent - two qualities not normally valued when trying to move up in the corporate world.
I started making jewelry 7 years ago just as a hobby and then started selling on Etsy for 'fun'. Little did I know when I listed that first handmade piece, I'd be hooked on the concept of running my own business. Once I realized that this was my true passion, I spent far too many hours calculating in my head how many pieces of jewelry I would need to sell to match my corporate income. I was literally obsessed.

After 6 years and many tears, I did quit my job. And I haven't looked back - not once.
Here are the 5  most surprising things I've learned in the past year.

1. I'm not alone.
When you live in the corporate world, you don't see how many people are living the entrepreneur life. Once I started attending networking events and perusing internet sites related to business topics, I was amazed how many different businesses there are being run by people just like me. It truly opened my eyes that this independent lifestyle that I had craved for so long was right in front of me the whole time. There are countless industries that support solo and small business owners.
Once the cat was out of the bag and I started telling people that I quit my stable, secure income for jewelry making, I was shocked how many people gazed at me with a dreamy look and admitted that they wished they could do the same thing! I thought I would receive the dreaded blank look and a silent, sympathetic nod, but instead I heard story after story from people that had the same dream I had - mostly from my fellow corporate colleagues.

2. My journey has changed from my initial plans.
I really thought all I wanted was to hang out at home, make jewelry, and live a relaxing, simple life. After all, wasn't that the whole reason to leave the corporate rat race? But now I dream about hiring employees, growing the business to the next level (and then the next level, and so on). My creative juices have now morphed into photography, blog writing, marketing, SEO, etc. I devour business books and podcasts. While I still really enjoy designing new jewelry pieces, I have been so surprised that my real passion is now more in running my business rather than making jewelry and hanging out in my backyard reading a good book whenever it suits me.

3. My lifestyle hasn't changed even though I make far less money.
My income has definitely taken a nose-dive since leaving my job. I was a software manager making 6 figures. But, for some reason, I still live the same lifestyle and I'm saving money. How is that?  Well, my husband and I were able to refinance our house and rental property to save a significant amount of money. That helped a lot. But, I think the main reason is that my expectations have changed so my lifestyle changed without me realizing it. I no longer need 'shop therapy', pedicures, take-out food, and weekend getaways - all previously needed so I could endure the coming Monday 9-to-5 blues. I am so happy with my life now that my needs are simpler. I also don't need stuff like I did before. Weekly Target trips are now reduced to once every 3 months.

4. It's not necessary to go too far out of your comfort zone to be successful.
One piece of advice you hear over and over is that you have to go out of your comfort zone to be successful. I agree with this - to a point. However, taking this advice too literally can lead to burnout and unhappiness. After all, I left the corporate world to live a more comfortable life - not to stress myself out even more. I'm an introvert by nature, so I tend to enjoy my alone time and feel the most productive in a quieter environment. I also enjoy selling my jewelry on-line for this very reason - I'm not cut out for the type of business where I would feel the need to call on potential customers and knock on doors to get my jewelry sold. I once followed a piece of advice about attending a specific networking event - I was told this was absolutely necessary for me to 'grow' as a business. That was the most miserable event of the last year! I was completely out of my comfort zone and unprepared for the type of networking that I needed to conduct. Not only was it an absolute failure, I didn't enjoy the event and I'm sure it showed to anyone I spoke to. So, I went back to my home and now only run my business in the way that I enjoy, and therefore, have more success (and fun!). While it's great to stretch your limits, saying no to conducting business that is not in your true nature is okay too!

5. Friends, Family, and Fans don't necessarily overlap.
This was the most painful lesson I learned. I have received so much support from people that I don't know very well and a lack of support (at least visibly) from some friends and family that I thought would be cheering me on the most. Over the last year I've learned to not take it personally - business and friends don't always mix. I know my friends and family all want the best for me and are probably cheering me on from the side lines, they just don't share my obsession (haha!). Just because some of my good friends aren't fans on my Facebook business page, doesn't mean they don't support me - they're just in a different mindset and don't realize that for me, business and pleasure are now intimately intertwined. I admit it was painful at first and my feelings were definitely bruised. But, I'm now happier than I've ever been in my life and my relationships are better because of it.

This has been a tremendous year of growth, both personally and professionally. I look forward to getting up everyday and living the dream that I used to think was out of reach. I would love to hear from you - have you quit your day job or still dreaming about it?

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

February Birthstone - Amethyst

FebruaryBirthstone

Amethyst - February Birthstone

Amethyst is the birth stone for February. The Amethyst meaning is spiritual growth and protection. This gemstone is known to bring you calmness, inner peace, and strengthens your imagination and intuition. It helps in the assimilation of new ideas, putting thought into action, and brings projects to fruition. It is a talisman of focus and success.
If you were born in February, the amethyst powers for healing will vibrate more strongly for you. This is especially true as you hold an amethyst in your hand or wear a piece of amethyst jewelery.

Amethyst As a Protector and Healer

The name Amethyst is derived from the Greek work ametusthos which translates to 'not intoxicated'. In ancient times, goblets that were purple in color or made of amethyst were meant to keep away drunkenness. Today, amethysts are the stones of choice by some natural healing practitioners for reducing common addictions.
Used in healing, amethyst is said to relieve pain and swelling throughout the body by calming the nervous system. It is also used to ward off insomnia and nightmares.
Amethyst is a stone of spirituality and contentment, known for its metaphysical abilities to still the mind and inspire an enhanced meditative state. Many people use Amethyst in meditation to relieve stress and anxiety.
Used in protection, the energy in Amethyst repels negative energy and attracts positive energy. It is used to provide protection for those who are regularly in contact with the spirit world.

amethystmeaning

Thursday, January 22, 2015

5 Reasons I Buy CAbi Clothes



I look forward to the new CAbi collection that comes out each year. I am not a consultant for the company and I don't have any family members or even any good friends that are consultants, but I am crazy for their clothes!

Here are the top 5 reasons why I continue to purchase CAbi clothes each season (almost exclusively):

1. Their clothes coordinate very well together - season after season.

This is my number one reason why I buy CAbi. I started out buying their clothes about 4 years ago, just a few items here and there while attending shows. I soon learned that the blue pants I purchased at my first party still match CAbi clothes I'm buying today. And even better, those blue pants still look brand new, even though they've been washed over and over. In spring 2014, they had a coral pair of jeans that I absolutely had to have.  With CAbi, I easily justified buying them because I was also able to purchase 4 blouses that matched and I see there are items in the 2015 spring line that will also wear well with these pants. I love that a color doesn't go out of style and I am building up my wardrobe over the years.

CAbi Spring 2015

2. My CAbi consultant is experienced.

I only learned recently that all CAbi consultants have to go through specialized training and attend CAbi conferences before they are allowed to open for business. Most network marketing companies just sign you up, get their money, and have no concerns how you are selling their products. CAbi has a lot of stringent rules in place in order to insure their consultants are top-notch. So when I'm shopping at my consultant's house, I'm getting an experienced fashion consultant that helps me look my best. She knows how the clothes need to fit, what size I should wear. I've never had to return a single item yet due to wrong sizing or low quality. Plus, I always learn new ways to coordinate my outfits. She helps me put together colors and pieces that I would never have thought of on my own.

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3. I hate shopping.

Ugh, I have so many other ways I'd rather spend my day than shopping. There was a time when shopping was fun and I could literally spend the entire day at the mall. Not any more. Plus, wading through piles of clothes, not finding my size when I actually find something I like, waiting for a dressing room, and then wondering where the clothes have been that I'm purchasing have been before - yuck!
If you want to get really grossed out, read this article about how Victoria Secret's resells returned, dirty underwear:
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/news/a34545/stores-selling-used-underwear/

crowded-mall

4. I always have something to wear.

Seriously, I no longer look in my closet and say to myself that I have nothing to wear! What a concept. Truthfully, I now look in my closet and ask myself what do I want to wear today. With less choices (because I finally got rid of the clothes I never wear!), and with all my CAbi clothes made to wear together, I have so many more options than I used to have when I would buy separates from different stores at the mall.

5. I actually save money buying CAbi.

I have never had a CAbi party (although I keep toying with the idea). I buy my CAbi clothes at retail, which is not something I do very often. But for me, it's worth it to go shopping once, pick out the clothes I want, and then budget over the span of a couple of months to receive my new items. Because I'm no longer aimlessly walking around the mall, picking up clothes here and there, I save quite a bit of money by purchasing my go-to outfits from one designer. As I mentioned above, the clothes all coordinate so I always have lots to wear for any occasion and I no longer need to run to the store to pick up an outfit for a special occasion (which I always end up with something I don't really like and never wear twice).

I honestly do not have any financial interest in this company. I truly love their style, enjoy shopping with my CAbi consultant, and am a loyal customer. Here is their website to check out yourself:
http://www.cabionline.com/

Monday, January 12, 2015

Affordable Fashion - Marsala - Pantone Color of the Year







I'm absolutely in love with Pantone's color of the year - Marsala. It's rich, deep color is dramatic, earthy, and sophisticated, all in one. It's also very close to the color Garnet, which is January's birthstone. To me, this color embodies winter and would be perfectly paired with an ivory for a wedding theme.


You will be seeing Marsala all over the fashion scene this year.

For example, American Eagle has a number of affordable sweaters featuring the rich, warm Marsala color. This waffle raglan sweater is currently on sale for $18.50.
http://www.ae.com/web/browse/product.jsp?productId=0348_6477_126&catId=cat90090


 These boots at http://www.shoedazzle.com/ 

are only $39.95:






Even Sephora is getting into the act -  http://www.sephora.com/marsala



Of course jewelry is a perfect match for this color and I have enjoyed creating my own designs. An added bonus is that it is so similar to the Garnet color so can be used for January birthday gifts or Valentine's day.

To see all my 'Marsala' jewelry offerings:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheresaRose/search?search_query=garnet&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search




Wednesday, January 7, 2015

How To Determine Your Correct Bangle Size - It Isn't All In the Wrist

How To Determine Your Correct Bangle Size - It Isn't All In the Wrist




My sterling silver and gold filled bangles are very popular and I get a lot of questions about sizing.

Since bangles slip over your hand, the size is not determined by your wrist. I happen to have very small wrists, but still wear a size medium because my hands are a little larger.

I've created a YouTube video that gives a complete explanation about sizing for my bangles. A visual is so much easier to follow than a written explanation!





Friday, January 2, 2015

January Birthstone - Garnet



So often we give birthstones as gifts to our loved ones, but did you know there is a story behind each stone?

January’s birthstone, the garnet, symbolizes a light heart, loyalty and enduring affections.

Garnet is the modern birthstone for January. It is the Zodiac birthstones for Aquarius, and an alternate for Capricorn. Garnets are given on the 2nd and 6th anniversary.

There are many myths and legends surrounding the garnet. One Biblical legend is that Noah hung this gem on the ark to light his way through the dark and stormy nights of God's wrath. The stone is said to have the power to ensure good health and protect its owner during travel. Therefore, a gift of garnet is thought to be symbolic of love and the desire for a loved one's safe travel and speedy homecoming.

One glance at the deep red seeds nestled inside of a pomegranate fruit explains why the word "garnet" comes from the Latin word "granatus," meaning "grain" or "seed." This name was given to the garnet because of its close resemblance to the succulent pomegranate seed. First mined in Sri Lanka over 2,500 years ago, the garnet is also found in Africa, Australia, India, Russia, South America; and in the United States, in Arizona and Idaho.

Bangles are extremely popular these days. I offer both a sterling silver filled and gold filled version with the swarovski garnet crystal.

Silver Bangle

Gold Bangle