The Throne Of Agony

I'll come right out and say it - I really love Sally Hogshead!  I don't hand my love out indiscriminately.  I like reading Seth Godin and Guy Kawasaki, among others. As a matter of fact, Guy wrote this insight that helped polarize our thoughts about what we wanted our store to be about:  "Stop selling stuff. When Steve Jobs first started the Apple Store he did not ask the question, 'How will we grow our market share from 5 to 10 percent?'  Instead he asked, 'How do we enrich people’s lives?'  Think about your vision. If you were to examine the business model for most brands and retailers and develop a vision around it, the vision would be to “sell more stuff.” A vision based on selling stuff isn’t very inspiring..."  And WFS' founding thought principal was validated.

But along comes Sally Hogshead with her take on "fascination" and blows just about everyone else out of the water.  She does this by being a powerful woman who isn't afraid to show her vulnerable side.  You don't see much of that from the other players in the field - they're your typical, rough and ready pundits ready to roll out inspiration-speak at the drop of the hat.  Not that that's a bad thing, but to reach the thousands of female entrepreneurs in today's world, you must show that you've got actual skin in the game.  I believe that Sally does.

In regard to creativity - and I equate redefining a retail store that's been in the community for eons with creativity - Sally's got an infographic she fashioned about the process, naming the various stages.  You can find the entire post on her blog here.

I can so relate to these stages, both professionally from my experiences with the store, and from writing jobs I do on the side.  I recently wrote an article about the newest social media sensation, Pinterest, that was just published in Giftbeat Magazine (a members-only national retail industry group), and yes, I went through exactly this process.  Luckily, I completed the article without stabbing my eyes out!  The good news about this process, and what I believe Sally meant by publishing her article and graphic, is that there will be an epiphany in your creative processes and you will have the opportunity to finesse them.  Too many of us creative types get bogged down in the agony stage (and boy, can I tell you about that!), so to have encouragement is a fine thing indeed.  Thank you to Sally Hogshead, she of the uncommon moniker, who advises us all to fascinate! 

In store news this week, we have Fancy Food Truck Fridays resuming on May 11th (that's this Friday).  Along with the six food trucks coming, WFS is hosting a reception for local artist Kate Carvellas.  Kate is a fabulous assemblage artist, who says of her work: "I love the challenge of creating work that brings together the disparate and often discarded things of this world, be they images or objects, and creating a new and cohesive whole; giving them new life and meaning.  Hmmmm....sounds like a familiar process, yes?  Come join us on Friday from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm for some great art, conversation, wine and goodies (and oh yeah....the food trucks)!  Our next wine pairing event with OddBallGrape.com will be on Saturday, May 19th - watch our announcement on Facebook and in your email (you are opted into our newsletters, right?  If not, you can find the opt-in forms on our website, on Facebook, or in the store).

Have a wonderful and productive week ahead, friends, and we'll talk next week!

Lori and Scott

Visioning Altadena

As you've most likely heard, Altadena is embroiled in the monumental task of deciding its future.  We have a chance to rewrite our outdated Community Standards and we have attended the two visioning meetings held thus far.  Our local newsblogs have covered the meetings nicely, and have open threads to discuss and present ideas, which are coming in thick and fast.

Altadena Town And Country Club - Prospect Park Publishers

The purpose of this post is not to argue which of the ideas are better than the other.  It's not to even set forth my own ideas, although you can reference many of them in my prior posts.  What I'd like to do is point out that what most people want are sustainable, viable business areas in Altadena.  What I don't see much of are people pointing out what is already good and available to us here, right now.  Just along upper North Lake Avenue, you have two businesses offering printing services, a photographer, two different clothing and accessory shops, salons, chiropractic services, a dance studio, an exercise studio, a martial arts center, two sit-down restaurants, two fast food eateries, two pharmacies, a deli, two liquor stores, a bar, a smoke shop, a grocery store, a health food/organic produce/vitamin store, two thrift stores, two bakeries, and us.

Pine Street Products Natural Soaps

Are people even aware what these businesses offer?  Speaking with Sean Manning, of Manning's Press, I learned that they've been losing a large share of business to internet printers.  Their prices are competitive with internet printers, but where is the business?  Printing is not the only thing these good folks do, they also do vinyl lettering for business and clothing, like t-shirts.  Do people know that Walt's Photography can help restore vintage and antique photos, or take passport photos?  How many people know they can take a thumb drive to Ms. Dragon printing and get copies made?  How many of you local people know that the place for fashion is Winsome's Pretty Woman (shoes, too!) and Ritzy Rags? 

Earl's Gone Wild Barbeque Sauce

It makes me wonder how many people in town are aware of what WFS is and does.  Do they know that we offer products from many Altadena Urban Farmer's Market vendors?  That we represent and carry over 50 area artists' products, ranging from books, artwork both original and printed, holistic medicinal and body products, natural soaps and gourmet food mixes and sauces?  That we carry fair trade fashion accessories, leather goods and decor?  Did you know that we host monthly wine tastings, highlighting seasonal varietals with food from area restaurants?  How about Fancy Food Truck Fridays, or our soon to be continued Social Media For Business seminars?

Jabberwocky Smooth Jerk

HomeBody Botanicals

For all those folks on the blogs who ask for more relevant businesses in Altadena, I can answer that we are striving to meet your needs.  I'd love to talk with you more about what we can do together to build this community.  I'll be at the next visioning meeting, working hard with our neighbors to figure this all out - come find me and we'll talk!

Have a great week!

Lori and Scott

Rain, Wine and Trouble In Altadena

April showers may bring May flowers, but they also brought disappointment last Friday night, as the torrential downpour forecast for that day resulted in the cancellation of Altadena's first Food Truck Friday of the season.  Not to worry, though, as the trucks will be back next month, and we've got our monthly wine pairing event scheduled for this Saturday.  Not just a wine pairing - although Mike Holland and Anne Bannon of OddBallGrape.com sure make them enjoyable - but a reception for local artist Fei Liu, too!  Be sure to mark your calendar so you won't miss this fun evening of great wine, food and art!

Starting at 4:00 pm, we'll be tasting some fine Italian white wines with goodies prepared by local restaurant Amy's Patio Cafe.  Anne and Mike will run down the basics and the not-so-basics on the varietals we'll be trying, while we all indulge in Caprese skewers and stuffed mushrooms caps.  Stay for the reception for Fei and admire her whimsically beautiful creations - we'll even pour some Italian bubbly for the occasion.  The store will be staying open until 7:30 pm Saturday night so this will be an easy starter to your weekend festivities....don't miss it!

In other news, there's been some scary stuff happening in Altadena during the past few days.  Gun shots, robberies and now a burning body found on the sidewalk of Windsor Drive - what are we all to think?  Happening at a time when Altadena is coming together to discuss major quality of life issues, I'm hoping that these incidents bring us closer together as a community.  Know that our hearts go out to all of our friends who live in the neighborhood, whose serenity was so harshly impacted.  Our prayers go out to the unnamed man whose life was so horribly cut short, and to his family, whomever they are.  Things like that shouldn't happen anywhere, let alone in Altadena - it's not what we're about and it's not what we want to be known for.  Let's all work toward making our town safe and prosperous for all by attending the Altadena Visioning Meetings, the next of which is on Wednesday, April 25th at Loma Alta Park's gymnasium.

Enjoy your week, friends, and we'll talk again in two weeks (we're taking an end of tax week no blogging holiday)!

Lori and Scott

April in Altadena

"In April, we cannot see sunflowers in France, so we might say the sunflowers do not exist. But the local farmers have already planted thousands of seeds, and when they look at the bare hills, they may be able to see the sunflowers already. The sunflowers are there. They lack only the conditions of sun, heat, rain and July. Just because we cannot see them does not mean that they do not exist."
-  Thich Nhat Hanh

Poppies05 By Fei Liu

2012's spring season is in full swing now - you can smell it in the air and feel it in the sunlight on your face.  Ah, warmth, even if only for a fleeting moment or two, the feeling is there and it is welcome!  When we speak of spring, thoughts of renewal come to mind - renewal of the earth and of ourselves.  With Easter and Passover just days away, I also want to remind you local readers to think also of the renewal of our town.

On April 4th, the Altadena Visioning meetings commence at Loma Alta Park.  If you haven't heard about these meetings, or seen the flyers, or received the postcard mailed to everyone, click here to learn about it.  Please make it a point to come because this is our chance to help improve the standard of living in Altadena - join us and be heard!

Mr. Bunny Brings WFS Cheer!

Spring also means the return of Fancy Food Truck Friday, which is scheduled for April 13th.  We'll be celebrating at WFS on that day by having our annual Spring Open House!  We'll be announcing the winners of our Spring Coloring Raffle - be sure to come by the store to pick up a coloring page for your kids to complete. Turn the pages in before Friday the 13th of April and your child's artwork will help decorate the store, and they'll be eligible to win one of three exciting prizes!  WFS is also hosting a reception that evening for local artist Fei Liu and her wonderful creations.  Fei's whimsically beautiful watercolors evoke pleasure and smiles, you must come and see her work for yourself, and what better time than at our gourmet food truck event?  Rumor has it that those fantabulous folks at Jabberwocky Jerk Sauce might be present, too, handing out samples of their most divine marinade & sauce (we'll update you next week)!

The Shops At Webster's Hugely Popular Fancy Food Truck Fridays

As always, have a great week, my friends!

Lori and Scott

Another Rainy Night

It's been a chilly, rainy day here in Southern California and our internet service at home was interrupted due to the storm.  At this late hour, we've just got the internet back up and running, so this will be a short post tonight.

There are many events coming up at WFS in the next few weeks.  Our annual Spring Holiday Coloring Contest starts tomorrow, so bring your kids in to pick out their favorite scene to color and return for a chance at winning one of three special prizes.  The artwork will be displayed in store for all to admire!  Prizes will be awarded at our traditional Spring Open House in April, so be sure to look for our event notification.  Fancy Food Truck Friday makes its return on April 13th, with the following gourmet food truck line up:

Komodo
GreenzonWheelz
Nom Nom Truck
AuntiesFryBreadTacos
Bool BBQ
Sweet E's "the mini bake shop"

More later on events yet to be scheduled next week - until then, have a great week and wish for sun tomorrow!

Lori and Scott

Not A Ghost Of A Chance....

Photo Credit: Dan Abendschein

Many people refer to the land around the old Cobb Estate in Altadena as "The Haunted Forest".  Located  on the east side of the street at the top of Lake Avenue, the iron gates to the estate still stand.  Further in lies the remains of the old foundation of the property and the steps eerily leading to nowhere.  You can see it in this video, made by erstwhile "ghost hunters", here , and there are several more at that link.

I lived up there, smack dab in the middle of the Las Flores Canyon, for many years and never realized I was living in ghost country.  I never "felt" anything weird up there, nor did anyone else who came up there, but here you have some documented evidence of paranormal activity going on.  I've hiked the trail up to Echo Mountain a lot, but I'll tell you, I didn't do it at night.  It's probably a good thing I didn't - I don't want to personally verify these ghost hunter videos.

Photo Credit: smarteranimals.blogspot.com

Altadena is a pretty interesting place, whether you're looking for ghosts, hiking, great gelato or wonderful shops.  It's not a place that's easy to forget.....kind of like us.  Drop by sometime soon, we've got new artists added to our mix and we'd love to show you their creations!  Remember, Fancy Food Truck Friday begins its monthly appearance on April 13th - maybe we'll arrange a ghost sighting for you.

Have a great week, friends, and we'll talk next week!

Lori and Scott

Which Way Did He Go, George?

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t want to go but ought to be." — Rosalynn Carter, First Lady

I ran across this post yesterday while going through my email and loved it so much, I thought we'd talk about it tonight.

Sure, a leader will take people where they want to go - they're whom we follow most eagerly.  What happens, though, when someone challenges the status quo, who makes people think and maybe become a bit uncomfortable doing so?  Are they followed as eagerly as the leader taking people where they want to go?

Of course they're not.  But think about this quote for a moment, I beg, and see how it applies to your life.  To take a phrase that's overused greatly these days, are you thinking outside the box?  Now apply this quote to your community.  Do you know someone who's thinking outside that box, working toward something that's not so easy or popular?  I'll bet you do.

On that note, I'd like to tell you that community visioning meetings are coming up as a part of the re-designing of our Community Standards here in Altadena.  Information about these meetings will be found in our local news blog soon.  I recommend watching for the information, making plans to attend, and giving us your ideas.  Ideas are good, even if they make some uncomfortable.

Have a wonderful week, friends, we'll talk next week!

Lori and Scott

Signs Of Spring!

Leprechauns Shop Here!

March 3, 2012

Dear Friends of WFS, The sun is staying out later and later these days - are you anticipatingthe spring season as much as we are? Goodbye to achingly cold weather and hello to beautiful skies and fluffy white clouds, flowers in the  yard and, of course, the return of outdoor fun and activities! Daylight Savings starts on March 11th this year and  that gives us plenty of reasons to  celebrate. Read on to find out what's on our calendar these next few weeks so  you won't miss these fun-filled events!
Up and Coming Real Irish at WFS! Put A Fork In Hunger
Real Irish At WFS! On Friday, March 9th, WFS is pulling all the stops out for an early celebration of St. Patrick's Day!  Join us for our monthly  wine pairing event, hosted by  OddBallGrape.com's Michael Holland.    Starting at 4:30 pm, taste some lovely  Chardonnays with Irish-inspired finger foods.                  At 5:30 pm, local authors Anne Bannon,  wife of Michael Holland, and Petrea Burchard, of Pasadena Daily Photo Blog ,will read selec- tions of Irish and Celtic literature.  You won't want to miss this humorous and  lightly ribald collection of prose and poetry, read by two of our area's most fascinating ladies!   Anne is  pictured above left with her husband, Michael, and that's Petrea next to them on the right. Following the reading, we'll stay and welcome local artist Scot Schneir and his art, newly exhibited on our walls.  WFS will stay open until 8:00 pm, so feel free to come by and say hello, have a glass of wine, delight in the Irish readings, sample some tasty appetizers, and view some amazing art!
Follow-up Links Quick Link 1 Quick Link 2 Quick Link 3	Visit Us On Facebook!
Put The Fork In Hunger Food Drive For Union Station   Great Music and Food For A Cause  Food drive 8:00am to 10:00pm, Wednesday, March 7, 2012  Fundraiser starts at 6:00pm The infamous Fork In The Road Gang are up to  great things again. In conjunction with THE Magazine and THE Weekly Insider, thisgrassroots volunteer group is hosting a day-long fundraiser and canned food drive on Wednesday, March 7th with the theme,"Put The Fork In Hunger."   The community is being asked to donate canned food that day in front of Eden Garden Restaurant on Holly Street in Old  Pasadenabetween 8 AM and 6 PM.  Following the food drive a fundraiser will take place inside Eden Garden. Tickets for this special event including Mediterranean dishes, desserts and special live entertainment from just released bands, are $25.  *Space is limited. We encourage you to purchase  tickets in advance. (see link) WFS will be collecting food for this event - please drop your canned or  packaged food donations into the box at the rear entrance of the store and receive a 10% discount off all purchases made at the store.  If you have any questions, please ask a WFS crew member! Read More Fancy Food Truck Friday Returns! Be sure to mark your calendars for the return of our hugely popular Fancy Food Truck Fridays at 5:00 pm on April 13th! Webster's Community Pharmacy, Webster's Liquor and WFS collaborate to bring you this community centered monthly event where the emphasis is on fun, food and friends!  Visit one of several gourmet food trucks that prepare the freshest, most critically acclaimed dishes in town - but save room for dessert! We've had the Grilled Cheese Truck, The Nom Nom Truck, Sweet-Es, The Border Grill Truck, The No Reservations Truck and Greenz On Wheelz - let us know your favorite and we'll see if we can get them here! Look for the trucks on every 2nd Friday of the month through December, 2012 and watch our Facebook page to find out which trucks are coming! This  is the latest WFS newsletter - we hope you enjoy it!  We have many  more events and items of interest on the horizon - stay tuned for news of  our April wine pairing, a multi-artist reception and our next seminar  tentatively called "Business Websites, Social Media and You"!   That's all for now - have a great week, friends! Lori and Scott

Mob Rule

Back in the 5th century, Greek historian Herodotus said, "There is nothing more foolish, nothing more given to outrage than a useless mob."  Normally, we would agree with that, seeing all the damage done throughout history by mobs.  The word "mob" itself holds all these negative connotations and is used, like in Herodotus' quote, in a disparaging way. 


What if we could take that word and turn its meaning into something different?  Make it something not so sinister and menacing, but happier - joyous, even!  Reaching across centuries of abhorrent use, people are now using it for an altruistic purpose.  The news stories have been buzzing lately about groups of people organizing what they term a "cash mob" in order to bring much needed trade to flagging local businesses.  The story here in the International Business Times gives the basic story, and there's even a blog here about how to organize one.

We were the grateful recipients of a cash mob today.  Organized by some wonderful friends, old and new, here in Altadena, they came in starting a bit after noon.  When the day was over, we had Sunday totals that hadn't been seen since the holidays!  We are touched deeply by being "mobbed" and we'd like to make sure that everyone who participated, and all of those people who weren't part of it but got in the spirit with everyone, know how very thankful we are.  Not just for the sales, although that's a wonderful thing, but for the good will and the thought behind the "mobbing"!  I can't say it enough - thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!

Have a great week, friends!  It's Girl Scout Cookie time - we've made a donation to our local Girl Scout troop (crew member Megan's little sister Kiera, who looked adorable in her Daisy Scout smock!) and are serving your favorites along with our fresh coffee and tea (or lemonade, depending on the weather), so come on by and see us soon!  There's a shipment of new toys in store, some fabulous new fashion accessories, a new shipment of home office essentials (multi-color pen sets, binder & paper clips in an array of colors, envelopes (still available by the each!) and some very nice report covers and portfolios in stock now.  Hope to see you at WFS!

Lori & Scott



 

Retail Sees Presidential Support As The Economy Recovers

Former President Bill Clinton Speaking At The New York Gift Show - photo credit NRF

January is the month for all the retail gift shows and the biggest of those is the Big Show in New York.  Held at the Javits Center, there were 25,500 participants representing 85 countries and over 400 vendors.  That's amazing!  Matthew Shay, with the National Retail Federation, says that the companies showing product would occupy the equivalent of 4 football fields!

The Show's keynote speaker this year was former President Bill Clinton.  This was the very first time a President of the United States, current or former, attended a retail show.  To me, this proves that we are paying attention to the importance of retail and what it means to our economy.  A large portion of our country's population works in retail, whether corporate or independent. 

President Clinton mentioned in his speech that before he took off on a career in politics, he worked at a grocery store.  He said he was "morose" when the Borders bookstore chain succumbed to the pressures of on-line competitors and the down economy.  "I could have been one of you", he told the crowd.

On this President's Day weekend, I'm glad that I can talk about a contemporary President and celebrate the fact that Bill Clinton validated the retail industry as a major job creator.  What enriches this country and makes it run are the myriad small businesses owned by people like us and I'm proud to be a part of it.

Have a great week, friends, we'll talk again next Sunday!

Lori and Scott

Champagne, Chocolate and L O V E Spells Magic!

This last Friday was our Valentine's Day wine pairing and poetry event, Champagne, Chocolate and LOVE.  We think the discovery aspect of our wine pairings combined with the unexpectedness of live readings of prose and poetry can be unparallelled.  Such was our experience Friday evening!

Naturally, our locally made gourmet chocolate was an exciting hit that went perfectly with our Champagne choices, but it was the poetry that thrilled and touched us all.  Aldonia Bailey, Altadena artist and poet, brought poets Heather Hilliard-Bonds and Brian Miles, and magic ensued.  From audience participation in Brian's poems to Aldonia's heartfelt musings and Heather's song-infused offerings, it was truly an enjoyable night!  Listen to this little video clip I recorded of Heather reading and singing - who knew that Whitney Houston would pass away the very next day.  Thus poetry and song celebrates, albeit unintentionally, the life of one of the greatest songstresses of our time.

Have a great week ahead, my friends - it's Valentine's Day on Tuesday!  Drop by the store and see how we can help you find something for your sweetheart!

Lori & Scott

Where Everyone Knows Your Name

Every once in awhile, an article in our local newsblogs generate many responses.  Two such articles in Altadena's Patch.com have done that this week and I think they're worthy of your time to check out.  Of course, if you're not local, you might think that it's really not something you're interested in.  I say, au contraire, mon ami - all of us need to be concerned about our local independent businesses these days.

The first of these posts was written by friend Karin Bugge.  I love her style and what she has to say.  You'll find this article here.  It's called Unoccupied Lake Street, and the comments are very interesting.

The second article, written by Patch editor Dan Abendschein, is short in length and about a local restaurant closing down.  Again, comments are interesting.  You'll find that article here.

In stark contrast, here's an article from NBC Today Show's Mike Leonard about the value of an old-fashioned business' wonderful customer service.  I think you'll enjoy the accompanying video - my goodness, the entrance from the back alley sure looks a lot like Steve's Bikes!  You'll find a lot of correlation, I believe, with many independent businesses in your area....I'm sure you know of one or two without thinking about it much.  View this video here.

All this to say (briefly, because I know it's Superbowl Sunday) that there is something inherently valuable in local businesses.  They're like a love-letter to your community......go out and experience one today!

Have a wonderful week, my friends, and enjoy!

Lori and Scott