We CAN Make a Difference!!!

Breaking News!!!
The CPSIA has been suspended for one year, due to take effect on February 10, 2010!!

Here is a snippet of the press release...

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.

The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.

The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/breaking-news-the-cpsia-mandatory-testing-certification-has--3347/#comment-65790

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While we're still not completely in the clear, this at least gives the government time to amend the poorly written law and to take into account items previously overlooked.

Thank you to all those of you who protested, blogged and wrote to your congressmen. We did it!!!

Unintended Consequences of CPSIA

As parents and concerned citizens, I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association, Businessweek and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.


To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.
What can you do?
Contact the CPSC at the link listed above.
Contact your local representatives.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Change can only be made when you make it happen.

Big Business (Part 3)

What's the Plan, Stan?

Business plan, that is.

You've heard how important it is to come up with a business plan in the early stages, right? But why is it so important and what is it?
A business plan is a plan of action. Where you are, where you want to be and how you'll get there. Here are some tips and pointers in writing one...

1. In once sentence describe what you do. Be as specific as possible so that when you tell someone, they aren't confused. "I sell clothing" isn't near as specific as "I hand paint clothing for adults and children."
2. In detail, describe what you sell and what makes it special, or sets you apart from your competition. Is it more of a luxury, less expensive, custom, etc? Why buy from you?
   
3. Who are your customers? It's important to really think about this one. Be very specific. Everyone can't be your customer, so who are you selling to? Senior citizens? Teenagers? Moms of twins? Where does your ideal customer usually shop/frequent? If you don't know where to find them, how will you market to them?
4. Realistically look at your start up costs. Do you need a loan or are you fronting all of the money yourself? All of the little things can add up quickly, make sure you know what you're getting into before heading unknowingly into debt.
5. Make sure to include copies of your Fictitious Name Statement and publication documentation.

Leave room for growth. It's a good idea to revisit your plan in a year to see if you're still on track or if you need to make any adjustments.

Big Business (Part 2)

What the heck is a trademark?

and other legalities...

Ah yes, the boring side of business, otherwise known as "the I'll get to it later" stuff. However, the longer you procrastinate, the more likely you'll end up hurting yourself. For instance, did you know that once you come up with your oh-s0-brilliant company name, it's up for grabs to anyone until you file a "Fictitious Name Statement" otherwise known to the government, as a DBA (Doing Business As)? After you've selected your name, you need to head on down to the county clerk's office and search through their list of names on record. Once you're in the clear, go ahead and register the name for $10-$15. Then, you still need to have your dba name published in a recognized periodical. Go with a local newspaper for cost effectiveness.

When do I need the following?...
Trademark: you need one for your logo. This prohibits others from using any likeness to it, including colors, style and verbiage.
Copyright: for use if you're an author of literature, music, drama or other works that can be published.
Patent: for use if you've invented something tangible or a process. These can take YEARS to secure. Once the paperwork is filed, you can label as "patent pending."

Big Business

"You're not the boss of me!!!"

Aside from loving the movie from the 80's (Bette Midler is fabulous!), I'm starting a series of posts as I start reading a book about becoming my own boss and taking an online course for starting my own business. I'm hoping it will not only be educational for me, but you may take something away from it too. Knowledge is power, so let's go power trippin'! :o)


The book I am reading is called "The Boss of You" by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears. Throughout the book are small exercises that will help you formulate a business plan (where you want to go, how to get there, measures of success, etc). It's geared toward the female entrepreneur and it focuses on starting and running a small business as opposed to a large scale operation. This is me and if it's you, you may find this book helpful also. I borrowed it from the library (hello, I'm not making any money yet. :oP ) so you may want to check your local library as a resource. Unless you live in Washington County, OR, because I want to keep my copy for a while. :oP


First Chapter Exercises... (you may want to answer these for yourself)

"What's my business goal?"
I would like to be able to work from home and make a small income so I feel like I'm contributing to our household income and enjoy what I'm doing at the same time. No more micro-managing accounting biotches or catty co-workers who have nothing better to do that talk smack on everyone else. Imagine how much more work they'd get done if they shut their yappers for five minutes? But I digress..... :oP I want to love my boss and look forward to work every day. Life's too short to do something you hate for someone you like even less.

"Personal Measures of Success..."
I enjoy what I do and the workload is manageable. One sale a day would be ideal. I look forward to work and the things I create are enjoyed by my customers who will hopefully be back.

"Skills, Strengths and Passions..."
I'm best at designing and creating. I don't enjoy it, but I can manage the books (lots of experience there). I'm really bad at promoting and marketing. I'm not a big phone person either and prefer all correspondence through email, so it looks like I need a secretary.

Feeling Overwhelmed!

If you're like me, and you sell crafts, you've probably searched the internet over for the perfect venues to feature you're items. Oi vey! One click will lead to ten others and before you know it, you're buried in "Welcome to..." emails! I'm convinced that there has got to be a better way to do this. On the bright side, I have a lot of "Have You Tried" ideas. I will post the ones that seem to work better than others. Let me be your internet marketing guinea pig. :oP
We shall wade through the muddy water together.