Members: Let's Get To Know One Another!! This Is The "SHARING" Thread!!

[Aprilee/ OSM Admin]

This is a discussion where members, new & old can introduce themselves and discuss just about anything they would like. Please do not utilize this thread for SPAMMING! Aprilee

[Rebecca D. Dillon]

Hello, everyone. I'm a new member. I make handmade soaps that I sell online and at my local city market under the name Rebecca's Soap Delicatessen. I have a BA in fine art and started out in retail. I then sort of fell into soapmaking while taking some time off as a stay at home mom when I was diagnosed with agoraphobia.

I am 33 and will be married 8 years in June. My husband is a computer programmer. A month ago he created a new site for handmade artists to promote their work called ByHand.me. The site is entirely non-profit with all ad revenue going back into ads to support the community. We've donated a lot of our own money to purchase a server and to run additional ads as well to help bring in buyers for the members of ByHand. I've spent more time promoting member shops lately than I have my own, but the goal is to try to help everyone be successful.

Personally I like to read and enjoy paranormal fiction and historical fiction the most. I also like television dramas and paranormal based shows. I was really sad to see Moonlight go. I am a big fan of HBO's True Blood though - and have long been an avid reader of Charlaine Harris' books - and Showtime's The Tudors and US of Tara.

[Kathy Adams, OSM Admin.]

Hi. I'm a "oldie but goodie" here. I'm currently between businesses, hopefully will be getting my newest venture, an online bird supply store, up and running in the next couple of months. I'm married for the 2nd time around and live in northeast Florida. I have 2 grown kids who are on their own, 12 dogs, 1 cat and 3 birds. I love everything to do with nature and the outdoors. I also love horror movies and books - Stephen King is my favorite! And like Rebecca, became a huge fan of True Blood. Can't wait for this summer and Season 2!

[Aprilee/ OSM Admin]

Rebecca, If you like the paranormal, go to whofortedblog.com, you'll LOVE it!!

[Maureen Daniels-OSM Creator]

HI Everyone,
I'm Maureen, the creator of our Mall network. It's great to see how the mall has eveolved and grwon with all teh new members. And it's also great to see members participating and gettign to know each other.

I'm a work at home mom to 2 year old triplets and before I was a mom had my own customing and art business. I also did a lot of community work, fundraising and party organizing and planning. I started to look for businesse be involved in form home and so I created Online Shopping Boutique which is a online shopping and resource website for wahms. I also run an online travel and recreation booking business with my Mom called MarLee Travel.

I love to go to the theatre, movies, museums. Love to read, being outdos, paint and I love music and art. I think I love some of the same things that Rebecca like actually-the paranormal and I'm also a huge fan of True Blood. Can't wait to see the new series. I love the HBO Elizabeth I series and if I had Showtime I'm sure I would watch The Tudors.

Also I love my family and family time and I love to mentor my business friends whether they are online or offline. Looking ward to learnign more about everyone else here.

Maureen :)

[Aprilee/ OSM Admin]

(I'm sorry Maureen, I can't resist)! Have you been drinking & typing again! LOL!!!

[UsborneNC Mom]

Hello all;) I'm Teresa, mom of 3, been married for almost 30 yrs to a trucker. I love the outdoors,gardening,animals and doing things around the house. I have learned there is nothing that I can't do when I have no other choice. hehehe. I run my own biz with Usborne Books, work 4 days a week as a photographer in the birthing center and also do some merchandising, along with helping my college daughter with her jewelry biz. Some weeks are busier than others, as if they could get that way!

[Aprilee/ OSM Admin]

You're one busy lady, Teresa!!! Kathy Adam's husband is also a trucker!

[Melanie Edman-Osmer]

Hey all, Melanie here! Sometimes known as "Moni", a nickname my sister gave me when I was born... I am a work-at-home Mom of two teen-age boys, married for the second time around since 2003. We live in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas where it snows just enough to make you like it! I have worked from home or for myself most of my adult life and before that was a radio news reporter in Indiana and California's central valley. I did own a brick and mortar store for a brief time in the late 90's where I sold a gazillion Beanie Babies and designed about as many balloon bouquets, complete with curlie balloons...ahh, I miss the balloons, but helium has gone through the roof...pun somewhat intended...

In early 2001, when a single mother, I closed the brick and mortar to devote myself full-time to my then-elementary-school-aged boys and my e-commerce site, www.thetreasurebox.net. About a year later, I added Italian charms to that site and after difficulty in getting inventory from my suppliers, determined to make my own. I started the Moni Originals hand painted charm line (which now includes silver jewelry). I was the first person to hand paint charms and have developed a process which makes each one a long-lasting individual piece of art...

In the midst of this, I was also designing my own web sites. In 2005, as the charm business was slowing down (I was painting 100 charms a day before that...), I began devoting more and more time to web design. When I switched hosting companies, my new host asked me why I was not designing sites for others. "You and my Mom!" I said...but that was enough to push me in that direction. I have continued to learn and develop my skills and offer affordable web design services through www.wehaveasite.com.

I am sometimes serious, sometimes wacky, sometimes completely irreverent and a bit "cheeky", but always a good listener...and always, always evolving. My business name for the balloon business - which I have maintained along with Meleo Enterprises and We Have A Site (yes, a very "busy" business license!) - is "Sky's the Limit"...and it truly is!

[UsborneNC Mom]

I sure am;) Yea, Kathy and me are suppose to change places...hehe... she misses the cold weather! It was beautiful here the first of the week 80. Now today it is about 47, so who knows what tomorrow will be!

[Nanc Johnson]

Hello Everyone

I am Nanc Johnson I live in the Beautiful Oregon Coast Range we have 2 boys, raise and train German Shepherd dogs and have a beagle and 5 sheps right now. I work PT at a low income dental clinic helping disadvantage people.

I admit it I am a chat a holic but it is just how I roll. Live Networking is the BEST Networking. That is my story and I am sticking to it.

I have been online for 10 years helping and supporting others was a leader at ivillage.com the woman network for a couple years. Then some Friends and myself launched the Small Business Referral Network Co-op to share our experience with each other and others and work together to grown new business. After that we started accepting Outside members to help the Co-op grow. We started out just with chats but soon added Live Sales event (we where one of the first) unique personal business pages for members, and advertising and became a full fledged business co-op working with others.

We are not like many groups that want to be exclusive we know from experience that people like choices and not everyone will want the same person for a reps or a partner. Like any Chamber of Commerce that does not say we will have ONLY 1 Barber, Bakers or Gas Station SBRN is also Not every going to be exclusive. We believe that Together Everyone Achieves more.

Visit our About us Page and learn our Mission.


If you want to visit your welcome at any of our chats and and Mixers for days and time visit http://expo-connector.com/chat.htm at our Event Center and Sister Site.
Networking is always Open to everyone.

Nanc Johnson
Director

[Cindy Powers]

Hi, everyone! I'm Cindy Powers in Connecticut. I've been homeschooling my 4 children for 11 years now - they are 9, 12, 17, and almost 19 years of age.

I started BRAIN-athon Emporium in January of 2008. I was kinda "forced" into opening my own business when The Critical Thinking Company closed their direct sales division called Bright Minds. I was in the top 3 of their sales force and was invited to become a reseller because of my product knowledge. The catch was, I had to open my own company. Since then, my kids and I have researched other educational products that claim to challenge minds and help kids succeed by making them better THINKERS. There are a LOT of products that claim to, but don't. We have tested EVERY product on our website for FUN, engagement, and effectiveness.

It is a true family business. My children LOVE every product in our store (although some they have grown out of). My 17yo daughter accompanies me on all of my out-of-state events, my boys help with the more local ones. They help show prospective customers how to play the games and challenge them to solve the brainteasers. They really enjoy that! Now that my husband's business is slow, he has stepped in and helped a lot, too! there are pictures of all of us hard at work on my website (About Us).

I'm excited about this network - I see some familiar faces, but many more that I don't recognize - that means more people with whom to network. Wooohoooo!

Cindy Powers
Owner, BRAIN-athon Emporium

[Michelle Howard - Reviyve]

Hi-

I'm new here. I appreciate Kathleen from Gabbriella's Closet for inviting me!
A little about me: I started my business a little over a year ago. My husband and I have 3 e-commerce stores offering handmade natural skin care and bath/body products, stress relief & alternative health products, and gourmet coffee.

I am working hard to move my business forward but struggle with website design and images. I'm getting better though and I look forward to any feedback.

In my free time I LOVE to write, read, attend church and spend time with my children. I have 3. A boy 21, girl 14 and another boy 8. My 8 year old has cerebral palsy and epilepsy so he's my biggest reason for starting my business.


Thanks,
Michelle