Peony Lane Designs

Re-love, Re-imagine, Restore, Reuse, Relax

A Review of Leap Frog: The New Revolution For Women Entrepreneurs

I just finished listening to the audiobook of Leap Frog: The New Revolution For Women Entrepreneurs by Natalie Molina Nina.  I prefer to consume business books on audio. As an author myself I prefer the books to be read by

Leap Frog: The New Revolution For Women Entrepreneurs
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the author, which this was because I believe that only the author can convey the nuances of their books the way they should be told.  Makes sense, I mean they wrote the book – they should be the most passionate about their topic.

Leap Frog: The New Revolution For Women Entrepreneurs is THE book for Female Entrepreneurs.  I’m not saying that to be sales-ee. I’m saying that because I devour books including business books and this is the first “business” book that has made me pick up my pen and furiously scribble notes more than once.  Unlike other business books that are thinly veiled self-help feel good books presented with the underlying message of just work harder and you’ll get through, Leap Frog offers practical advice for jumping over the obstacles (hence Leap Frog) and using the resources you have as a woman to get to the top of your field. Without a nest egg to back you or the right connections.

While there was plenty to feel inspired by in this book, it was more about feeling energized to take the next steps in my business and to figure out what I could do to overcome the hurdles I’ve been facing in my own business.  Believe me there has been a lot.

Leap Frog: The New Revolution For Women Entrepreneurs is More Than Inspiration

But Natalie didn’t leave me just inspired.  After reading Leap Frog I had filled five pages with notes. My brain was flooded with ideas on what the next steps should be.  That has never happened to me when reading a business book before. That’s why I feel like this is THE book for Female Entrepreneurs because Natalie spoke to me as a woman on what my strengths would be and how I could leverage them to make my business more successful.

I’m not saying this will automatically make my business a success because I still have to do the work.  There’s no magic formula that comes with just reading the pages. But at least I have some ideas. I think I need to give the book a second listen just to be sure I caught everything.  I frequently had to stop the audio book when I realized I was making notes. The paper copy will probably make it’s way into my library so I can have it as a reference guide. 

If you’re in business, starting a business, or want to start a business this is your must read book.  You’ll probably find yourself scribbling notes too. If you do read this book please comment down below and let me know your thoughts.  I would love to talk to others who have read it.

If you want inspiration on promoting your Etsy shop read this post HERE!

Many Blessings to you!

~S

Why We Buy – A Review

Okay, so admitting I just powered through a book about selling is a little embarrassing but if you want to go into a retail business (which I am in) and be a success you HAVE to read this book. Why We Buy The Science of Shopping (I bought the updated and Revised Audio edition) by Paco Underhill has been a perennial seller for a very good reason.

why we buy// girlboss book // reading review // book review // business tip // selling // retail sales tips // boutique market // sales tips retail //retail business //retail life // retail tips // retail store // retail shop
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Going into the book I knew about things like most people turn to the right when they enter a store in America. I had heard that one before but I didn’t know about things like the runway, or the butt brush. Let me tell you these two little facts from the book made me sit up and take notice. My space in the retails store I’m in had both of these issues, which I realize might be why my sales took a noticeable dip when I switched booth spaces. Lucky for me Paco had advice on how to fix that issues I was having and my sales are starting to turn around.

I will definitely be listening to this audiobook again. It was packed with so much information that It was hard to glean it all in one reading. I did latch on to some key factors that helped me right away with improving my sales but I think I need to hear it again and take better notes so I can really get a grasp on what makes shoppers stop and browse.

Who knew that there was a whole industry dedicated to figuring this stuff out. Paco revealed that you could be observed and studied without you even noticing.

Unlocking the key to why people buy is essential for anyone who has a retail space. Get a copy of this book and read it with a notebook in hand. Start applying the principals in this book immediately especially if you’re struggling with sales. The fix could be as simple as adding a large mirror or shiny objects to your space. No lie. I added a mirror as suggested in the book and it drew people into my space immediately. Why? Because people like to see themselves in mirrors. That the only spoiler I’m giving you from this book because I think it’s too valuable to just get the cliff notes version.

Tip: If you’re getting a used copy make sure it’s a recent edition used copy so you get all of Paco’s wisdom on selling online as well. You don’t want to get a dated copy with outdated advice.

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Like She Owns The Place – A Review

Like She Owns The Place made me sit up and take notice the instant I saw the cover. Cara Alwill Leyba is on the cover with her shock of pink hair and literally power posing the most glamorous way I’ve ever seen.

The book was a lot of we can do this pep talk with a heaping of no-nonsense get your shit together girl. What else can you expect when the subtitle is Give Yourself The Gift of Confidence and Ignite Your Inner Magic.

I enjoyed the book so much I actually joined the Slay Baby Collective on Facebook and found an extraordinarily group of women who abide by the rules of supporting each other not tearing one another down.

This is so refreshing for me. I’ve never much cared for the cattiness of women. I’ve never understood why someone else’s success meant she had to be torn down systematically and callously.

Why can women celebrate each other’s successes without feeling like less of a success ourselves?

Like She Owns the Place was probably the first of the books I decided to binge on my business improvement journey, because of the subtitle of Give Yourself the Gift of Confidence and Ignite Your Inner Magic and I lacked in the confidence department for a while, so it was what needed in that moment.

I’ve not read any of Cara’s other books but reading Like She Owns the Place might make me look into them.

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Learning From The Best Entrepreneurs

Since my goals for 2019 all revolve around improving my business one of steps toward that goal is educating myself.

Learning from the Best EntrepreneursThroughout this year I will continue to take classes and workshops on improving my skill in all areas of running a business.

Let’s face it most creatives fall down in the business area. I think the only reason my business has stayed afloat as long as it has without a clear direction is due to the years I spent as an accountant.

I’ve always had a curiosity and a passion to learn, so I’ve been binge reading books I think might help me improve my business. I want to share with you as I go in case you are also on a journey to get your business up to speed.

There are so many that I am powering through.  I will be sharing the best with you here and the results I achieve by applying the techniques. Let’s call it an experiment. Y’all know I love to experiment! Let’s see where this advice takes Peony Lane Designs this year.  Come with me!

Many blessing to you all!

~S

Embracing the Imperfect

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There are those who want showroom perfect and those of us who know that what’s rough and worn in a piece we love tells a story.

Even before I started Peony Lane Designs I lived in thrift stores and vintage shops seeking out unique pieces to fill my home.  On occasion, I would find a piece taken off a furniture shops showroom floor that was still pristine.  It’s like finding a unicorn in the wild but they are out there.  Still, they don’t appeal to me much.

For my whole life, I’ve been drawn to pieces that have rough spots.  Places where a previous owner had brushed against it so much the finish has worn off or a ding in the wood where the piece had been hit by something heavy.

Some people don’t want to see this perceived “flaws”. They will walk past any piece of furniture that is not showroom perfect.  It’s ironic to me that the new design trend is “Farmhouse Chic” (thanks [amazon_textlink asin=’006282015X’ text=’Joanna Gaines’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’1512′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’cea1d49a-5781-11e8-82d2-55d82f08cd4d’]), but the people who are embracing this trend don’t actually want to buy a rusty, dusty piece from a farm.  They want Pottery Barn or Anthropologies to create faux rust for them and factory battered furniture.

Believe it or not, I once was paid to beat up furniture.  I worked at a medium-sized furniture manufacturer in the Twin Cities who literally paid me to take chains, screwdrivers, heavy objects, and sandpaper and curate a distressed finish on their furniture.  To this day that baffles me.  I kept wondering why people didn’t simply buy a used piece of furniture if they wanted it to look worn?

Intellectually, I know the answer so you don’t need to chime in to educate me. It’s all good and to each their own, but I would encourage you to embrace the imperfections.  Find inspiration from designers like [amazon_textlink asin=’1501135686′ text=’Junk Gypsy ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’1512′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7e531571-577e-11e8-aee1-1b320acca85c’]and [amazon_textlink asin=’1907563598′ text=’Rachel Ashwell ‘ template=’ProductLink’ store=’1512′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9be8c864-577e-11e8-a117-b3a107eadf92′]whose design philosophies are both economical and eco-friendly.  Read their books and find out how to embrace your unique style and not a big box stores.  Find re-loved pieces on Etsy that are completely renewed and unique.  Embrace life’s little imperfections and find the soul of your home.