Happy Anniversary!

Saturday October 4 was the 23rd anniversary for Grace McNamara Inc. Yes, we're 23 years old and getting better with age. The company - and the magazine - have changed dramatically over the years, and there's more positive change coming up real soon - in November of this year. Starting in November, "Window Fashions" will have a new VISION of our industry, and we're excited about all that's about to happen. Watch for it.

Bruce

Seasons of Change

Summer's officially ended, even though the weather here in SE Minnesota doesn't feel like it. We are hanging on to every minute of summer weather that we can get. I don't think my figs will ripen though - they got started too late to mature thanks to a late, cold spring. Oh well. Look for more changes coming up soon: A new WFCP logo has been designed, and along with that a new look towards Style School. We will also be re-designing our www.wfcppro.com website to make it more user friendly for members and non-members alike. On top of that, another HUGE change will take place in November - but I can't spill the beans on that yet!

Happy Autumn!

Bruce

West Coast Show

I just returned from our West Coast Interiors: Window on the West show in beautiful sunny San Diego, CA. San Diego is the perfect place to have a trade show - the weather is perfect, the view of the bay from the terrace of the convention center is stunning, the tall ships were coming into port - and - typical of a trade show - we didn't have time to enjoy any of it! I'm not complaining - we were there producing the show and making sure it ran smoothly - and it did. We had over 500 attendees who took seminars and met with exhibitors. We did a pricing panel using four industry experts - Dian Garbarini WFCP Specialist, Joan Willis WFCP Expert, Rita Orland IFDA and Judith Clark IFDA - and we had a lively discussion with great audience participation. Grace McNamara held a focus group and shared some "secret stuff" with her group. I'd tell you more about that but you didn't sign the confidentiality agreement! Watch for more on this at a later date when I can spill some of the beans!

Bruce

Up, Up and Away!

I was sitting on our patio the other evening minding my own business when I heard voices. From above. No, not the same kind of "voices" Joan of Arc claimed she heard. This voice said "hey buddy, can you toss a beer up?" To my surprise, three colorful hot-air balloons were sailing over the house at roof top level. The neighbor kids were delighted, and it made us smile, too. They hovered over our yard for a few minutes, then rose again and moved off to Wisconsin. I hope they had a great trip. I have never been in a hot-air balloon, and it's not on my list of things to do before I go, but I can appreciate that others find it desireable, and I'm sure it's a whole new look at the neighborhood, from a new perspective. We all need to change our points of view from time to time, but I prefer doing it with my feet planted firmly on terra firma.

Bruce

Lazy Summer Days

I can't believe it's already August! Where did the summer go??? I know, it officially doesn't end until mid September, but it seems like it's a downhill slide from here, as the days get shorter. When you live in Minnesota, you always know that Old Man Winter is just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Makes my teeth hurt!

So it's time to enjoy those hot August days and fresh tomatoes from the garden, not to mention all the wonderful blossoming flowers in our yard. I hope your summer is going well and that you have time to sit and relax and smell the flowers.

Bruce

Don't Put It Off - Do It!

It's been a very emotional two weeks for me. My older brother passed away after fighting cancer for the last 8 months, and the family gathered in Michigan to say goodbye. No sooner did we get home and get our suits cleaned when another friend of many years passed away from cancer, after fighting it since last August. We promptely went to Iowa to pay our respects and support our friends.

We had a trip to Italy planned for this fall, taking my brother and sister-in-law - a trip that will never happen now. We have great memories of previous trips with them to Italy and France, but this one was going to be special, and the hope of that trip was keeping my brother going as long as he could.

Why do we put things off? I've been asking myself that question now for quite a while. We could have gone last spring. We could have gone last fall. We didn't, and now it's too late for that special trip that he so would have enjoyed. Lesson learned - whether it's a business decision, or a personal one, if there's something you want to do, and can do it, go for it. Don't wait until it's too late or unavailable. If you do put it off, and then you can't have it for whatever reason, it hurts all the more.

Earn WFCP Credits from home

Are you familiar with our Pocket CEUs?

Pocket CEU articles are a perfect way to gain knowledge about a particular subject and earn 1 WFCP credit (and .2 CEU if you need them) without having to leave your home or attend a seminar. Each article comes with a short questionnaire which when completed and returned to GMI provides you with the credits. If you’re close to the next level of certification it’s a quick and easy way to get there without having to wait for a show or seminar. Take a look at the variety of subjects at http://secure.gracemcnamarainc.com/shops/. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn and earn.

For more information contact me at bruce@gracemcnamarainc.com.

Webinars are another great way to learn, all within the privacy and comfort of your home or office. Grace McNamara Inc. offers a variety of educational webinars, presented by industry icon Deb Barrett. Subjects vary from couture techniques to historical style to business sense. To see a list of upcoming webinars click on the webinar button on this page. Invitations to register are sent via e-mail, so if you haven’t been receiving them and would like to, contact me at bruce@gracemcnamarainc.com . Webinars are also economical – they only cost $25 for Advanced Window Fashions Certified Professionals, and $35 for all others including Basic WFCP members. Each webinar also provides WFCP members with 1 WFCP credit towards certification. It’s an easy way to learn and earn without having to spend your hard-earned dollars on gas. Take a look at what’s coming up, and join us!

Too Many Toys!

We have a new member in our household – a small, black toy poodle we named Bijou. He’s 16 weeks old and weighs less than 4 pounds. He’s a bundle of energy and fun. It seems everyone has brought him a new toy – he has several balls, chew bones, fuzzy critters that squeak, and a chocolate covered plastic donut that he loves to chase when we roll it. (It also squeaks.) As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also taken possession of our cat’s toys. We try to keep the toys corralled in a basket on the floor, but he’s already learned how to tip it over and grab his stash.

Watching him play with his toys is always entertaining – he can’t decide which one to play with so he tries to play with them all – he’ll run from one to another in a frantic effort to get them all, and, in the end, gets confused and exhausted and goes to his kennel to regroup.

I think there’s a lesson to learn here from the little guy. Some days I feel the same way as I try to juggle work, family, play time, and personal time. It can get confusing and it is exhausting. We could all stand some “kennel time” to regroup. Thanks for the lesson, Bijou! What do you do to regroup? SpeakOut!

Passionate about Plum!

Those of you who know me know that I get passionate about color. Almost any color. Right now, I’m passionate about plum, and I’m not the only one. American Express rolled out its plum card last year and it’s been a very successful launch. Google “color plum” and see how many products show up – it’s overwhelming. From high-end to discounters, hair color to lipstick to shoes, plum products are out there big time. Even the New York Times has recognized that this color is popular. Read what they have to say at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/business/media/18adco.html
What color are you passionate about? And why? SpeakOut!

What are YOU doing?

We’re hearing it everywhere – times are tough for some in the industry and you can’t do business today like you did last year and expect the same results. And, you can’t give up. Not an option. Nope. You need to keep marketing your services, but maybe differently from what you did before. You need to keep on top of what’s happening in your industry through education, seminars, webinars, and networking events. You need to keep a positive attitude – not always easy to do, but necessary. Tell us – and your peers – what you’re doing to grow your business in these difficult times for our industry. SpeakOut!

Welcome To Our New Blog

Welcome to our new WFCP Blog, Speak Out! As moderator, it’s my goal to post timely items of interest to our WF Community, and my hope that not only will you read it, but also respond to topics that you feel strongly about, or just want your comments seen and your voice heard.

There’s a lot going on in our industry, so check back frequently to see what’s being posted, and what your peers are saying. Speak Out!

Bruce Knott CMG
Director WFCP/Media Relations
Grace McNamara Inc.