March newsletter 2008

Email Newsletter Archive - March 2008

Absolute Living Today Newsletter

Your Challenges,
Our Solutions,
Your Happiness
March 2008

Dear Teresa,
Happy Holidays again! The holidays are always fast approaching. Spring is just around the corner.
Where do the days and months go? I hope your new year has started off with happy times and will continue. Spring projects, in which you make changes to your home, always brightens the mood as well.

Some changes are taking place here, read on....

Change is Always Good

Update on Decorating Programs

Bi-Monthly Newsletters

My Opinion of Slipcovers

Who is Absolute Living Today?

Update on Decorating Programs

I discontinued offering 20-30 minute discovery interviews for half the rate as of January 1, 2008. I decided to begin our process by offering an
"Idea Session" as the first meeting, for a set hourly rate. This arrangement has been more effective since you now have the opportunity to "pick" my brain for a whole hour or more if you have a lot of questions.

The half hour session was really just an opportunity to get to know one another and understand the scope of the project and I may have offered one decorating tip, with the intent that if you needed more time than it can turn into an Idea Session for an hourly rate. In most cases it turned into an Idea Session.

But now you and I will have the opportunity to get to know one another and understand the project, but also walk away with many ideas you can implement yourself and have a plan. Unless of course you decide you really like my ideas and don't have the time to implement, then we can sign a contract and move forward as a team, at that time I can get into more detail about how we can move forward since every project is different and requires different plans.

I decided to make this change since the discovery interview usually turned into idea sessions because most people want ideas, but it was costing the client a half hour fee plus an additional hour so it was only fair to adjust it so everyone wins, particularly the customer.

This approach has been very successful over the last two months and I felt it was the right time to make it a permanent program.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I am always trying to come up with ways to make the process less stressful financially for my clients.

Bi-Monthy Newsletter

As most of you know, when I opened my business back in 2005, I began sending newsletters out immediately on a monthly basis. As my business grows, and time becomes even more valuable, I have decided to offer the newsletter on a bi-monthly basis. Especially since it gets difficult to come up with new and interesting articles to write which keep your attention, plus my time is being stretched so much now with business, I need to stay focused on getting your projects done.
I hope you still stay tuned and if I find there is a month that a special edition needs to go out I will send a short note.

Also, if there is anything in particular you want to read or learn about, send me an email and I will include it in my next newsletter. My email is teresa@absolutelivingtoday.com.

Thanks for reading.

My Opinion of Slipcovers

Many clients have asked me what I think about purchasing slipcovers. They offer a realitvely inexpensive way to change the look of a piece of furniture which has an impact on the rest of the room.

When searching for the right look, you need to pay attention to the size, many sofa's today are oversized and unless it comes with one or two extra slipcovers you will have a challenge finding a ready-made one that fits comfortably and neatly. If you consider having one custom-made I would suggest you compare having one made to reupholstering the furniture, you will find, it will in most cases, cost as much as reupholstering the piece.

In this case your budget will influence the decision.

Today reupholstering sometimes is more expensive then purchasing a new piece. I always tell my clients, with the way furniture is made today, if you have an old and good solid piece of furniture that needs a new look, reinvest in reupholstering. If it lasted you this long, it will last a lot longer.

I'm not saying to stay away from slipcovers, just make sure you do your homework. Some people prefer the baggy look, most prefer the slipcover fitting tightly, it's your preference and ready-mades are a challenge to find with the right size, colors and style to fit the rest of your decor.

In 2006 I opened a food-service division in honor of my deceased mother. My goal was to take two of her recipes and sell them to caterers and restaurants. Early 2007 I had eight caterers interested in offering them on their menus, however when the Spring rush of weddings came, no orders were received. Sadly one or two restaurants took my mom's recipe and made it their own, therefore not purchasing the product from me, but reaping the rewards. I became discouraged, but I didn't want to give up and I'm not going too, however I need to come up with a new strategy and right now my Interior Decorating business is my main focus since it is my primary business which is keeping me very busy. Therefore, Absolutely Appetizing, LLC is on hold for now.

I want to thank those of you that did purchase some olives from me on occassion, however the cost of making them in small quantities is cost prohibitive.
When things change, I will let you know. I may still offer some recipes on my website periodically, so stay posted. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Teresa Tocco
Absolute Living Today