The Graduate: Here’s to You – Ms. Robinson

If you’ve ever contacted, applied, worked with or ordered from Sugarluxe, chances are – you’ve communicated with Lindsay. If you haven’t met her…please allow me to introduce you to someone who is wonderfully precious to me – Lindsay Robinson.

But first things first…whenever I have publicly spoken so highly of someone, I immediately invite poachers. I understand that. It’s really no different than the chance I take every time I share a new piece of art or a recent illustration. If I put it out there, it could be stolen. But I can’t spend my time worrying about the people who do that kind of thing. I want to share…my work, my passion and most of all, my appreciation for people I adore.

Lindsay is one of those people.

Graduating in May and wise beyond her 22 years, she is so smart, caring and devoted. Every day that she is at work, she is a burst of sunshine and add to that, she is never late, never gripes and comes in with a can-do attitude, I feel blessed that this wonderful human being is in my life.

Sure, I don’t sound like a normal boss. That’s probably because I’m not. I don’t subscribe to traditional bossery. I know that respecting your staff, welcoming their ideas, allowing them to fail and encouraging them to succeed creates loyalty and a cohesive team.

I can’t take credit for Lindsay being so ultimately fabulous…she is just that way. Her parents are as charming as any parents could ever be, her boyfriend, Andy (studying abroad in Barcelona right now) is a doll and her friends love her endlessly. She is just a gem, no doubt about it.

So is it all about luck of the draw?

Well, sorta.

But my guy friends say it this way: GAME RECOGNIZES GAME!

It’s true. Plus girls need to talk more about being tight and bringing ‘game’. So, I’m saying it here…in all my girly A-Game glory, that’s what it’s about.

I dread sounding preachy. I am not one to tell people how to do anything, really. That’s how it works in our studio anyway. It’s different on a blog because I can’t pack everyone into the studio to prove it. But mostly, I don’t tell — I just do. And it’s through my actions that I hope to inspire and attract like-minded people.

Might I possibly be too attached? Always.

But I have a long list of wonderful friends who started out working with or for me over the years. I spend more time at work than any other place in my life…so when someone is going to get that close and I get to choose, they have to be someone I will adore.

Lindsay: you are uniquely special to me. I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve learned. I couldn’t be happier than to start each day with your drive – a perfect match for my determination. It takes guts to step into the amount of responsibility you’ve taken on – but you’ve got what it takes. You will always succeed at whatever you set your mind to.

With Love & Octiwinkles,

C

Supply & Demand: The Economics of Appreciation

For almost three years, I have been trying to figure out the key to keeping my manufacturing in-house, while somehow meeting the demands of retail accounts (around the world now) who want everything FAST & AFFORDABLE. I don’t want to source overseas…but my supply & demand issues are overwhelming.

When I get bogged down trying to figure out what to do, I procrastinate. My mind starts drifting and I completely get off task.

Today is no different. My biggest urge to paint happens when I have to do something else entirely.

But it’s in that moment — I realize I am not the only one with a major supply and demand problem. We all have this issue in one way or another…

Like the endless supply of people demanding your time. Or, the constant demand to do more, but a lacking supply of appreciation when you do so.

If you really want to know a super easy secret for success — it’s very simple.

I’ve found that the words – I appreciate you – can make all the difference!

If someone takes the time to interview me for an article, blog on my work, or write something about Sugarluxe in their publication, I always try to write to them and tell them how much I appreciate it! I don’t expect this fabulous feedback, I don’t feel entitled to it and I don’t pay for it. I am just thankful when people discover what it is I am trying to do…and if they dig it, that’s the BEST!

These are some of my fun favorites! Check out these little lovelies:

The Makeup Divas

See Pretty Things

Wedding By Color

Indie Lust

iGO Women’s Accessories

and a NEW fav who named Sugarluxe as January’s ROCKSTAR of the MONTH:

The Notebook

Everyone likes knowing that their contributions matter…and I try to let people know how much they make a difference in my life. We often don’t think to do these really easy things because they weren’t ever done to or for us. Trust me, I know. I’ve worked a lot of thankless jobs.

But it has to start somewhere. It’s a global situation and we have a depleted supply of gratitude. Help me replenish it…

And by the way, when you do, please know this — “You are most definitely appreciated!”