Grand Opening!

I think since I last blogged, we were busily trying to get the last minute things done to open up our online boutique (www.etsy.com/shop/cranberriesontheside).  Our goal was to open in time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  We managed to do that and had three sales before the end of the weekend!  Woohoo!!!  Naturally, we aren’t able to retire from our day jobs and run COTS full time but, let me tell you, dreams of cranberries were dancing in our heads.

Of course we’re still working on some major details such as getting our main website up and running - yeesh what a nightmare for the tech challenged.  Once the dust settles, we’re hoping to have our online boutique, blog and website in one location.  Keep your fingers crossed that happens soon.

In the meantime, we just love this time of year and never think there’s enough hours in the day to get it all done.  I have half of the Christmas decorating done, baking still to do and, of course, filling all the COTS orders we’re getting either online or in-person.  If you’re local to the Phoenix Valley, we’ll be back at the Central Farmers Market on Saturday 12/1, 12/8 and 12/15.  We have the BEST $20 and under gifts for everyone on your list so check us out and tell a friend.

Through all the holiday hustle and bustle take time to enjoy each other and the sights and smell of the season. 

Merry Christmas!

Brenda and Julie

Countdown

     Oh my goodness there is so much to do to get a business up and running!  There’s test marketing to find out which products sell, licenses, website, photos, blogging, social networking . . . of course you can’t have a business if you don’t have a product and I know I have must have forgotten something. Luckily, I’m not doing this alone and have a fabulous business partner.  Brenda and I are like most of you, we both have demanding jobs and family (not implying that our families are demanding, well not all the time) and we both have our own successful business.  Why in the world would we take on this endeavor known as Cranberries on the Side?  We just love and believe what COTS is all about.  It’s about life’s little accessories that puts a little special something to what you and/or your children are wearing or have around your home while still making it all look effortless.  Will things always be perfect?  We’d like to think so but there is only one of us and just 24 hours in a day, and besides, the universe (specifically our husbands) can only deal with one invisible crown wearing perfectionists at a time.  Therefore, we may not blog as often or have our fabulous products in as many boutiques (although our towels are currently in three locations thanks to Brenda) our promise to you is that we will never ever skimp on quality or passion that we have for COTS!  So we invite you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, pin all our cute accessories on Pinterest because although Brenda and I have each other, we can’t do it without you.  That’s right, we’re counting on you to tell your friends where you got that great COTS bag, tea towel with the cute saying, one-of-a-kind wine stop and coasters or precious baby onesie . . . just to name a few of our great items.  You know what I find exciting about this whole endeavor, is that like fine wine, it will only get better with time.

     Brenda and I send our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected on the East Coast by Hurricane Sandy.