10 Tips to GROW Your Business

                              10 Tips to GROW Your BUSINESS
Do YOU want to increase your income? Tis the SEASON to have a side job, turn your hobby into a business, start a part-time hustle into money making machine.

1.       You must stand out from the crowd. Create all of your marketing materials to have a lasting impression. Your business cards should contain a photo of you and your work. Authors should always include a copy of their book cover.

2.       People rarely keep flyers, create a business card that includes your product and or program, in addition to the website, email address and contact number.

3.       Leave your website address on your voicemail so that potential clients can access your information about your product or services while you’re out of the office.

4.       Procrastination is a form of personal Assassination. Set goals and deadlines on them. Then post your goal sheet where it can be viewed daily, for example, next to your computer; on your office wall, or on your bathroom mirror. Lastly, if your project is urgent carry your goal sheet in your purse, create as your screen saver, post it on your vehicle dash board and set as your daily alarm on your cell phone.

5.       Create give-a-ways with your logo, website address and contact number. These items should be based on daily use: note pad, pens, key chain, mini hand sanitizers, pocket size mints, and or sunglasses/eyeglass case.

6.       Volunteer to help an organization. BLESSINGS come from tiding your time. It’s an opportunity to learn something new, establish new friendship, and it is great networking.

7.       Entertainers, Authors, and Event Planners can increase their business 10% - 30% with vehicle advertising. Car magnets, window graphics or car wraps are great for marketing.

8.       Include testimonies from clients on your website, flyer's or postcards. People are impressed by others opinion. This also provides legitimacy of your work.

9.       Support other business owners. Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.

10.   Make money while promoting your business and other business’, find a sponsor for your website, monthly newsletter and or blog.

Don't forget to support Sandy's Land Christmas Party on Saturday, December 10, 2011 from

1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo, 176 Lakeside Dr., Detroit, MI 48207.

 Registration is $5. To find out more visit www.sandyslandfun.eventbrite.com. See you there!

Check out the video: http://youtu.be/VONgDjW-ADw

Bozo John John is one of our sponsors, in addition to Jerry's 4 Season Service, CherrySplash Clothing Design, and Doll's Sweet Treats.

Entertainment will include: Detroit Metropolitan Youth Ensemble Hand Bell Choir, Bozo John John will be doing balloon twisting, Santa Claus will perform a Magic Show with Live Animals, Deer Feeding, Arts and Craft Tables, Face Painting, Give-A-Ways, Book Launch of Girl Power Discover the Princess Within!, SWEET Refreshments and Tons of FUN!

Girl Power Discover the Princess Within

Girl Power Discover the Princess Within is written and illustrated by Sandra Epps. Cover design by Jason Phillips.

This is an inspirational interactive story/journal for Girls ages 6 - 11.

Step into Lavender's world and discover the meaning of friendship, self love, and how her fast feet save the day... and that every girl is a princess. Girls will love this book because it's filled with drama, humor and self help tips. Readers will be intrigued by the snobby, down- right mean girls, April, Nia and Tamyra to the sweet and silly, Kooky Keisha and Olivia. The Girls of Berry Lane will delight annoy and entertain children of all ages. In addition, children will learn how to combat negativity and turn up the volume on their personal power.

                           (Here's a sneak peek at part of Chapter 2 before final edit)

Time passed slowly as Ms. Thomas shared the assignments with the class. With the happiest gesture, waving her hands back and forth to get the students’ attention, Ms. Thomas announced, “I have decided to pair up students for the 3F, First Friday Field trip assignment. Both students must take good notes and write a paper on six interesting facts about the exhibition. Lavender, I want you and April to pair up for the Mummies Exhibition!”

Lavender quickly shouted, “NO WAY Ms. Thomas! That will never work!”

April chimed in, “For the first time, I totally agree with Blossom Girl!”

A few students burst into laughter.

Ms. Thomas said, “I think you girls will work great together.”

Nia and Olivia were partners. Tamyra was totally disgusted to have Kooky Keisha as a partner, so she folded her arms and pouted for the rest of the class period.

Lavender’s walk home from school that day seemed like an eternity. She lived only three blocks away from her Blue Ribbon School. The ten-minute walk home for her took a total of thirty minutes.

April and her grandparents lived next door to Lavender’s family home and bakery, Sweet Delights. April’s grandmother, Ms. Margaret, was sweet, but her job was to spoil April rotten.

“So why does she need a birthday party? Ms. Margaret showers her with gifts almost every day.” Lavender felt horrible as she continued to mumble to herself. “She is such a goodie-two-shoes!”

Olivia walked slowly beside her and said, “Lavender, who are you talking to?”

“No one, just wondering why some mean people can have all the luck! That April makes me SICK! She’s nothing but a show off!”

“So you’re still upset about her pulling your chair from underneath you in class last week, huh?” Olivia reminded her again of the cruel joke.

“No, I had forgotten about that, but thanks for reminding me, comedian Olivia!”

“Lavender, it was funny, but I do understand that it was not cool at all. And the wise crack today with her calling you Blossom Girl was awful, too.” Olivia quietly snickered. “April is just jealous because you ace every test. You get the best grades in the entire school! If you noticed, she did not complain much about having you as a partner either. She will definitely get a better grade with your help.”

“Olivia, thanks for the compliment, but I’m not happy to have the Princess Wicked Witch Girl as a partner for 3F!” Lavender smacked her lips and rolled her eyes.

“I don’t trust that Princess goodie-two-shoes, April!”

            Book Release Party and Metro Detroit Mini Book Tour dates are COMING Soon!

Life's Simple Pleasure Has Big Rewards!

 

Reading to a child at infancy aid in their brain development. This also increase the emotional bond between parent and child. Simple page turning in front of a baby will fine tune their motor and cognitive skills along with increase eye muscles.

 
 Reading Has Great Rewards:

•  It Builds SELF-ESTEEM because the more KNOWLEDGE you gain the more CONFIDENT you become.
• It improves your CREATIVITY because you become more INNOVATIVE.
• It helps with problem solving, spark new life interest and reduces bordem.
• It reduces stress because it easily distract a person from their problem.
• It increase vocabulary, improves spelling and writing skills.
• It gives you the opportunity to explore other parts of the world and various cultures.
• It introduces YOU to something NEW!

Research show that children who begin reading at an early age make better life decisions.
 

Five great books your child will LOVE:

 The Adventures of Princess Zaria by Cheryl Lynn Pope

Who I Am Not What I am by Tara Michener
My Future is Bright Because by Jabril Muhammad
How Tuya Loves Herself by Kenya Harper
The Magic Pencil by Karen Dabney

 

Sandra Epps reads her first children's book, "Imani Has The Most Exciting Dream! at Ladels Children's Book Boutique, Authors Book Fair in 2009.

Halloween Mask verse Face Painting...

Often times when children wear costumes during Halloween their mask can be a hindrance. If a child is playing with a mask on his or her face, any sudden movement can create an obstruction of their view. The Halloween Mask eye holes can shift causing a child to trip and or even fall. We must remember Halloween Mask are made for one size fits most. Every child and adult head size differ and Halloween Mask are created to fit standard sizes: child, youth and or adult whatever measurement that is, ((ugh)).

 Frontal mask are made with elastic band or two string tie on back to hold mask in place or a full hood mask that slips over the entire head. When children are out traveling on foot in the dark wearing a mask may distort their peripheral vision. Majority mask will only allow an individual to see what is directly in front of them. So a person would need to turn their head in the director they to get the best view, consequently, Trick or Treating can become dangerous if a child can not use their peripheral vision. This may cause a serious problem with children who are crossing the street, walking pass an alley, or haphazardly stumble on debris. 

Face Painting can make your child's Halloween experience FUN and SAFE. You can go to your local Arts & Craft store to get paints to create a face painting for your child. ALWAYS use paints made for the Body that are FDA approved. NEVER use ACRYLIC Paints on the body. Practice your designs in advance or contact a professional to do your Halloween make up, its worth your child's safety. For Cheek Art tips go to www.youtube.com/sandysland1 or visit www.sandysland.com to hire a face painter.

Credit: Pumpkin Face Painting done by Sandra Epps

7 Simple and Affordable Tips to Make your Child's Birthday Special!

7 Simple and AffordableTIPS to Make your Child's Birthday Special!
Things you will need:

Fabric Paint
Pillow Case
Tee Shirt
Cake/Cookie Icing in a tube
Easy Bake Cookies
Cake Decorating Supplies
Face Paint

1. Purchase fabric markers and or fabric paints in squeeze bottles. Take the tee shirt in child size and have friends and family create (write or draw) special message to child on shirt, let dry and present to child. This is a favorite when a special relative to the child participates with this personal wearable art Gift to Birthday Child. This same idea can be done with by decorating a pillow case. Glow-in-the- dark paint is great! Small children really enjoy reading their inspirational messages on their pillow case as they drift off to sleep. GREAT collaborative project!

Decorating the tee shirt or pillow case can be done during the party. This is a great party activity for guest. Make sure wax paper or card board is placed in the center of shirt or pillow case to stop the paint from soaking through to opposite side.

2. Purchase a small face paint kit from local arts & craft store and let children paint one another. Or hire professional face painter to turn children into wearable art. www.sandysland.com

3. Hire children's author to come read their book and to do arts & craft project with children. For example, each child can decorate a picture frame. Then take a group photo of party guest and make copies to give to each guest for their personalized picture frame keep-sake.

4. After singing happy birthday to the child have each guest to say what they like most about the child, and end with applauds and or hip hip hooray to ______ (Birthday Child).

5. Have child's best friend and or special family members (grandparents, aunt, uncle or cousin) decorate birthday cake for the child as a surprise. So then there are two cakes one for the guest and the smaller cake decorated/personalized just for the birthday child.

6. Bake cookies and have each guest to decorate cookies and exchange amongst one another or give to birthday child.

7. As a parting gift to guest include a copy of the Birthday Child's favorite book signed by them and the author.

For your child's party needs contact Sandy's Land at info@sandysland.com

Chocolate Treats!

Chocolate is always a favorite for children and adults. This recipe below is good for holiday gifts, a party activity for children, bake sale items or just to have as a delicious snack. Chocolate covered Apples, Pretzels and Cookies are easy and fun to make. Here's what you need to provide treats for a few friends and family  during the Holiday.

INGREDIENTS:

2 - 3 bags of Candy Melts or Baking Chocolate
1 bag of granulated peanuts
1 box of graham crackers
1  large pack of oreo cookies
1 bag of large pretzels
1 roll of wax paper
5 - 12 apples
12 candy or popsicle sticks for apples


Clean apples with water and baking soda or fruits/vegetable cleaner from your local food market. Make sure apples are dry and place stick in center of stem in each apple. On clean table top, cover area with wax paper. Crush 5 - 10 graham crackers in bowl and set a side with large spoon to sprinkle as topping over dipped items. Place granulated peanuts in separate bowl with spoon. Take 5 to 10 oreo cookies, remove icing from center, crush, then place in separate bowl with spoon. Place chocolate in non stick pan on low until chocolate has melted. If you are using white and dark chocolate you  need two separate cooking pans. Make sure all food items are on wax paper and toppings (sprinkles) are in separate bowls. IMPORTANT: you will have to work fast because the chocolate dries fast. Children will need supervision.

After chocolate has melted begin to stick items in chocolate and immediately sprinkle or dip into crushed graham crackers, oreo cookie or granulated peanuts. Do not stick sprinkled items back into the chocolate if you missed a spot, use a spoon to cover area. Let items cool on wax paper and cover with clear plastic wrap and tie with bow and personalize message for an extra added touch. This recipe will delight all of your guest, friends and family GUARANTEED!

If you would like to host a Chocolate Factory Party find out more by visiting www.sandysland.com and click on Party Packages.