Do You Have a Data Disaster Recovery Plan?

The Department of Trade and Industry has found that 70 percent of small businesses suffering a major data loss are out of business within 18 months. Could that be you or your company? My Dad always told me that "failing to plan, was planning to fail". In the case of lost data, this is critical.

Any business owner, regardless of the size of their business, should have a disaster recovery plan in place. Data loss can occur in any number of ways. From human error or viruses, to hardware or system malfunction. If you've ever experienced the "blue screen of death", you know the disbelief and the feeling of PANIC that shortly follows. I recently experienced a blue screen moment and can testify to the panic that ensues. Our main computer suffered a virus that locked up every program on our system. In a heartbeat we were unable to access

• Customer databases
• Supplier details
• Inventory data
• Financial documents
• Marketing materials, including a huge data base of pictures and video tutorials
• Employee Records
• ... and list goes on...

Thankfully, we had a solid recovery plan in place and we're able to call in the right people to resolve our worst nightmare within a few hours. BUT... what if we had not protected ourselves with a data recovery plan? Certainly, we would not be in business today. Our recovery plan was implemented when I first started my company. I contacted a local IT firm to provide managed IT services. It's been a God-send in every sense of the word. Yes, I do have to pay a monthly fee for this service, however, should anything fail, malfunction, or need service, I just pick up the phone and help is on the way. In a nutshell, I have transferred the day-to-day technology management responsibilities to a team of professionals. They host all of our business software and provide support for us 24/7.

I understand that not all businesses are in a position to employ the services of an IT company. However, you can still protect your data by having a good back-up program in place. Whether you use your own back-up device or an online back-up service, you need to make sure your data is protected EVERY SINGLE DAY. You've worked too hard to make your business a success. Why would you jeopardize all that hard work? Here are a few links that will provide information or services that can help you to better manage your business data.

http://www.ccr1.com/

http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2288745,00.asp

The At&T Saga Continues

Our voice phone line has not been in service for nearly two weeks. We recently decided to consolidate our land lines. We asked for one line to be disconnected. AT&T disconnected two lines; one of those being the voice line for GoPlanet.

There are no words to describe the amount of anger I have experienced in dealing with AT&T about these issues. Two weeks later, after contact with 20 AT&T employees, encountering numerous disconnect transferred calls that ended with a recording "If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and dial again", I'm pissed! Sorry to be so frank, but that's the honest truth.

This has DEFINITELY been a learning experience in customer service and AT&T's customer service is not one I want my employees to mimic. I am even more frustrated that part of disconnecting these land lines was to implement a iPhone cell line which is only available through AT&T. If I wasn't angry enough, I've just added misery to misery.

I'm not sure when or if we will get our land line reinstalled. At this point, I am considering disconnecting all AT&T lines and starting from scratch. I apologize for all this inconvenience. If you need to contact us, you will currently have to do so via our fax number or by email.

Our Phone Line went on Vacation

Quick post to notify you that our voice line is not working at this time. Our apologies. AT&T was doing some work in revamping our voice land lines. There was a BIG OOPS on their end and they mistakenly disconnected our main voice line. We aren't happy about it, but we are at the mercy of their service department to get it repaired.

Yes, we are still in business!!! We're just having some phone issues that need to be resolved.

If you need to contact us, please use our fax line (which thankfully, is still working) or email.

FACEBOOK SUNDAY SPECIAL was just posted. Don't miss out. To qualify, all you need to do is "LIKE" our page. Remember, your order must be received today, Sunday May 16 to qualify. We will take the discount (manually) once your order is received. Just another way we're helping you save.

Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/2euae2x

A Night of Magic & Illusions

Today is a special day. I am taking my 7-year old grandson to see his first magic show. The most exciting part is it's not just any magic, it's the magic of David Copperfield. My little guy has no concept of how grand this show will be. In his child-like mind, he is thinking card tricks and rabbits popping out of a hat. I can't wait to see his reaction to Mr. Copperfield's incredible illusions and magic.

As I write this post, I am working from home catching up on GoPlanet paperwork. THEN, it's off to a seafood dinner with my grandson and an evening of magical fun. As my grandson is quick to point out, this is "his special day". No other siblings are invited which make this day even grander in his mind.

My husband and I do "it's your special day" events with each grandchild every few months. It makes them feel important when they recieve our undivided attention for an entire day. Hopefully, we are creating memories for years to come.

This is an action-packed grandkids weekend. Tomorrow we have a dual birthday party for Carson and Miss O. They will be celebrating their 7th and 4th birthdays. Hope your having a great weekend and making some magical moments with family and friends.

I'll be back to business as usual on Monday!

Don't Miss This Mold Special!!!!!!

It isn't often we offer a buy like this!

Buy two 18-Bar Rectangle Grid Slab Trays and get one FREE (B2GO). For a limited time, we are offering these top-selling molds at the incredible price of $13.30 when purchasing two. Considering this mold retails for $19.95>>>>>>>it would DEFINITELY be the time to round up other soaping friends and split the cost.

LIMITED OFFER, so don't delay. You must use the above link to receive this special pricing.

Melt & Pour Soap Making: Realistic Ice Cream Soap Tutorial

I was finally able to wrap up the 3-D ice cream soap tutorial. My staff and grandkids walked out the door with these soaps before I even had a chance to take photos of the cones with our new "Mixed Jimmie Sprinkles". The multi-colored sprinkles are a great addition to Mold Market's cupcake and ice cream molds. Hope you enjoy the tutorial!

 

 

 

Our new "Jimmie Sprinkles"...

Mother's Day Reflections

Today my grandson had a soccer game. It was COLD, COLD, COLD!!! It's supposedly Spring here in Michigan but today it was windy and in the mid 40's. That 40 degree temp felt more like 32. Being the smart gal that I am, I opted to not attend the game and sent my honey-man to be the cheerleader. The soccer field is within walking distance of our home. Within a short time I heard my husband bounding into the house digging through closets for Winter garb.


My grandson's cheering section was freezing and my honey was searching for warm gear to stop the fans from shivering. While digging through the closets we happened upon the quilt that is pictured here. It's a blue jean quilt made by my Great-Grandma Duley. These aren't just any blue jeans, oh no! These are the blue jeans that were worn by the farmhands and family members who worked in the cotton fields of my great-grandparents farm in the South.

This was a quilt gifted to me by my Grandma just before she passed away. I had forgotten about it and when my husband pulled it out of the closet, an overwhelming sense of loss enveloped me. In this quilt was family history. In this quilt was the blood, sweat and tears of family that toiled in the fields. In this quilt was the nimble hands of my great-grandmother who cut, pieced and stitched this humble work of art.

It brought back memories of summers I spent on my great-grandma's farm. I remember picking cotton to take back home for show and tell in grade school. I remember making doll clothes from scraps of left-over fabric. I remember picking giant sunflowers that grew in the garden next to the house and the chickens that wandered around the yard not knowing they might be the evening meal.

Seeing that blue jean quilt caused me to reflect upon the woman I am today. In just that instance, I realized that part of who I am has been shaped by the women in my past. It was from these great women that I learn to sew, cook, paint, create, design, write and most importantly, how to be a good mother. Today, that blue jean quilt means the world to me. It may be tattered, torn, and soiled, but, it's a reminder that my past and family history are an inherit part of "me".

This weekend, I salute all the women who have given guidance, counsel, quiet shelter, and a beacon of light in the changing scenes of life. The blue jean quilt tells me I belong. Yes, I belong to my past, and that past helps me find my way in the future. I hope you have something or someone that speaks to the greatness you have within yourself.

Happy Mother's Day to each of you!

Soap Molds: Mold Markets Tiled Square & Polka Dots

Mold Market's new Tiled Square and Polka Dot molds make pouring mulitple colors a breeze. We used the injector tool from the PJ Professional Tool Kit to fill the dots and squares. It was a snap!

The color possibilites are endless.

Soap Colorant Tips Now in Stock

We have received repeated requested to bring back the dropper tips for our colorant bottles. We discontinued these tips last year in lieu of raising colorant prices. We are now offering the tips as an option. They are sold in 12 count packages. You can order the tips here. They retail for $3.75 a package.

Ice Cream, Ice Cream, We all Scream Ice Cream SOAP

You would have thought my grandkids had died and gone to heaven when they spotted this soap sitting on the kitchen island. I wondered how long it would take them to notice it. It wasn't more than 20 seconds and they were fighting over who was going to get the soaps.

Over the weekend, I whipped up a batch of soap frosting to see how it would fair as ice cream. It was colored with Rock Me Raspberry soap colorant and scented with Strawberry. The strawberry scent smells just like strawberry ice cream and definitely lended authenticity to the soap cone.



You have to work fast when using the soap frosting so that it doesn't harden too fast. I made all the scoops first and then attached them to the cone base. I'll have a tutorial out soon that outlines how it was done.

Once I had all the ice cream (soap) scoops ready, I had a brainstorm. Why not place one in a small ceramic dish and drizzle with chocolate colored soap. It turned out exactly as I envisioned.

Facebook Sunday Special

Don't miss out on this week's Facebook special. Here's how you can cash in on the special: Visit our Facebook page and LIKE IT (formerly BECOME A FAN). Once you've done that, you're eligible for the posted special. Remember, you only have today to cash in on the special offer.

How'd You Get That Color?

That's the question being emailed to me over the last few weeks. When we first posted this Mold Market ice cream cone, many wanted to know how to duplicate the cone color pictured. Well.... we're gonna share! This is how is was done and it's easy, easy, easy.

To make two 3-D cones (pictured top):

• Melt 12.7 ounces clear soap base
• 1.9 ounces white soap base
• Gently stir the two soap bases together once they have melted.
• Add 1 drop of yellow oxide liquid gel color and 1 drop orange oxide liquid gel color
• Add fragrance; we added 2 teapoons
• Pour into the cone halves and allow to set up
• Once firm, release soap from the mold
• Melt a small amount of clear glycerine OR if you have any of the cone color soap left, us that.
• Carefully spoon the melted soap onto one half of the cone. Line up the other cone half and press the two halves together firmly. Hold in place until the two pieces adhere to . Be sure to use enough soap between the two halfs so they stay intact.

In the near future, I'll be showing you how to put an ice cream scoop on top of the 3-D cone.

Announcing Facebook Sunday Special

Announcing our new Facebook "Sunday Special". Just visit our Facebook page and "Like" our site. Then check out the Sunday Special listed. Add the posted item or items to your shopping cart and we'll apply the discount once the order is received. It's that simple.

Our Facebook page will keep you up-to-date about any changes to our site, new products, product information, special offers, and promotional offers you won't find on our web site. You'll want to visit our Facebook page regularly so you don't miss out on valuable savings.

Sunday: A Time of Worship & Reflection

I always look forward to my Sunday mornings. It's my personal time to regroup from a hectic work week and enjoy time with family. It's also a day of worship and self-reflection. Each of us refeul differently and attending my local church is the best refueling station for me. It feeds my spiritual side, encourages, inspires, and allows me to focus on life's greater picture. It's a day to look back on the successes and shortcomings of the past week. For me, self reflection empowers me and allows me to gain a sense of responsibility about my own life. It shapes my behavior. So clearly making time to evaluate who we are and where we are going is the path to take to move us forward.



This morning I refelected on how an event can forever change our life. This hit home yesterday as I was packing a very large order requiring special attention. As I pulled a sheet of packing paper from the roll dispenser, one end of the dispensing stand dislodged and the entire stand, including 20# of paper, went gliding off the counter. As my hands reached to catch it, the paper cutting blade sliced one of my fingers and a bloodbath ensued. The initial pain was excruciating and I wasn't able to determine the degree of the injury due to the bleeding.

The Paper Dispenser

Once I got the bleeding under control and had a look-see, I breathed a sigh of relief. The cut was deep, but if I could keep the wound closed, stitches may not be necessary. I was reminded how life can change in a split second. A serious injury, a terminal health diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a lost job, a failed business, or even something as joyful as winning the lottery can change our life forever. What if I had lost my finger by the paper cutting blade? Certainly that would have change my life and how I work.

The Cutting Blade

I can prepare, plan, forecast and make wise choices but still be caught off guard when that "one little event" changes everything. When it comes right down to it, I have very little control over much of what happens in my life. I can't control the outcome of certain events or those unforeseen events that will happen (like the dispensing roll slicing my finger). Bottom line: I can't control everything. As the Scripture says, "Be anxious for nothing". This Sunday's self-reflection brought this to the forefront. This week, I will try to be anxious for nothing. I hope you can, too.

PostScript: If you see a bandaged finger in one of my tutorial videos, you will know why.

And Why Did I Take a Vacation??

My honey-man and I took an extended weekend vacation to the Florida last week. We left on Wednesay afternoon and returned Sunday. The weather was sunny, warm and the blue skies and ocean made me forget about work. It was a much earned and deserved retreat.

AND THEN comes Monday. As I walked into the office my first words were, "Why did I take a vacation?". I spent the entire 2 1/2 hour return flight responding to emails, yet I was still buried alive in work on Monday morning. It was easily a 16 hour day. Today wasn't any better. I started the day on 5 hours of sleep, and it was evident from the get-go that this was going to be a day that Murphy's law reigned. Our server went down, UPS software went on it's own vacation and crashed, a warehouse shelf lost a wheel and sent hundreds of molds flying from here to kingdom come (oh, and the list could go on!) and here it is after 11 PM and I'm still at it. There's definitely something wrong with this scenario.

I have incredible staff who took charge while I was away, but there are many things requiring my attention; they can't be delegated. Sadly, there were no little fairies or elves that worked through the night taking care of business. So, the infamous words we all seem to speak after taking time off from work

"And, why did I take a vacation?"

Wine Cork Bath Mat~ I've Got Corks Up the Wazoo

My husband, Chris, is in the wine biz and has a disposition that compels him to collect all things wine related. It drives me insane. In our second garage attic are two gigantic boxes filled to the brim with wine corks. In one of the closets in our house is a box filled with cork pulls from various suppliers around the world. Why? That's a question only my man can answer. In my mind none of these objects serve any useful purpose. He insists that the wine corks will be extinct in the next decade as wineries move to screw top caps. As for the corkpulls... if wine corks become extinct, why do you need a corkpull?

In an effort to rid my attic of his cork collection, I emailed my honey the above picture on how to make this wine cork bath mat. I believe he needs a distraction from the "RED TABLE" ordeal and this just might appeal to his geeky wine persona and set his mind on a new path. Sadly, his return email stated that he had enough wine corks to make a house mat. Now, that is scarin' me! Does this mean we might have a gigantic wine cork floor rug in front of our new sofa sectional? Will he be making these "corky" things for future Christmas gifts? This could prove to be my worst nightmare. When he comes home with 400 bags of glue sticks and an automatic glue gun I will know I'm in serious trouble.

NEW Mold Market Soap Molds Have Arrived

Mold Market just released 8 new soap mold designs and GoPlanetEarth is stocking them all. Way cool stuff! Once I return from a short Southern trip (yes, even I need to take extended weekends now and then!!), I will be working with these new molds to see what fun things can be done with them.


This two-piece doughnut mold has great potential. The options for decorating the finished soap are endless.

Can't wait to see what we can do with this soft serve ice cream cone.... hmmmm... I'm thinking about a scoop of soap frosting. It comes 4 cones to a sheet so you can easily make a full size 3-D cone.

This tiled square mold will easily accept dual color pours. Think Rubik's cube! To veiw all the new molds click here.

Personal Life: The "RED" Table Ordeal

My honey-man and I recently purchased a new sectional sofa and Bistro Pub table/bar stools for our great room. I have been trying to add accent pieces as I find them. The main color palette in the room is chocolate brown, deep red, beige/cream colors. Here is the ordeal....

I purchased this red sofa console table which I love! My honey man thinks it's the ugliest thing he has ever seen. He has spared no words in expressing how hideous it looks. The table has a few distressed areas on the tabletop which, again, I like. What to do? That's my dilemma. Do I return the table or not?

I so wanted to have a red table to provide a nice accent color to the room. As you will see from the photos, the color compliments the wall decor and pillows.



Because my honey dislikes the red table so much, I will be returning it. I have to live with my husband way longer than the red table. In our personal life, just like our business life, we often have to pick and choose our battles. There are those times we need to take a backseat to what WE like, what WE believe is best, what WE want... and listen to the other person's opinion and view. In many ways, I am married to my customers. Sounds strange, but it's so true. Customer's opinions count and listening and being attentive to them is what forges an ongoing relationship and secures repeat business.



So, in the end, the "RED TABLE" is history in our household. It will be returned and my honey and I will jointly shop for a new sofa table.

Before & After Cancer Surgery Pics

For those of you who follow my blog on a regular basis, you will remember the post about my Mom's cancer surgery. Below is a photo of my Mom the day after the surgery.

Here is a follow up photo 2 months later. AMAZING!!! My Mom is still somewhat dismayed that her nose is now a different shape. Other than that, she's happy to HAVE a nose. It will be several more months before the nose is totally healed. Eectrolysis will be necessary to remove stray hairs that keep popping up on the nose. This is because the flap of skin used for reconstruction was close to the hairline and some hair follicles have transplanted themselves onto the tip of the nose.

My 79-year young mom.