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Vend Raleigh Group Leaders

I’m not sure we can say the word community enough here at Vend Raleigh. Vend Raleigh is a unique example of a Raleigh small business community. We partner, cross promote, educate and celebrate one another. One way that we make Vend Raleigh just a little smaller and a lot more relevant is our sub-groups, our Facebook groups that are specific …

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Small Business Marketing | A Community of Events

One of the top concerns of a small business is marketing. I see often in Facebook groups, conferences, etc. questions regarding different ideas on what a business could do to market their small business with little to no cost involved. As a Vend Raleigh Directory Member, your opportunity to promote your business and the events you plan to attend (or …

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Product Lighting | How to Make a Product Image Pop

My one year “Etsy-aversary” has just passed. Yes, this is a real word. It’s been an interesting year on Etsy…..I’ve learned a ton, I’m constantly tweaking my shop, and oh yes—I can’t forget the actual production of my product. When I first got the idea to sell my jewelry, I thought, “This will be great! I love making jewelry, I’ll …

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Embroidery and Sewing Studio

Raleigh Etsy Shop Owner Welcome to my Embroidery and Sewing Studio! My business started out in a very small 10 x 12 foot spare bedroom and soon overflowed into the dining room.  I worried about sticky fingers on my client’s precious fabric and errant feet on my sewing machine’s gas pedal. After 6 months of jockeying for space, my husband …

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Vend Raleigh Etsy Treasury For April

April’s Product Parade of Raleigh Etsy shop owners is a perfectly paired pallet of pretty Spring colors! Lisa Lisson of Esther’sHeritage Gifts.  Has put together a collection of colorful Spring items.  The items are all from Vend Raleigh Members and 14 of them are Directory Members.  Please take a minute to check out all these Spring colored items in the “Spring is …

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Welcome Your 2014 Illuminate Committee

Who is motivated and ready for this year’s Illuminate conference!?!  I can say without a doubt that your 2014 Illuminate committee is ready! We are so excited about this year’s conference that not only have we already been working hard, we had to bring on additional people just to make sure it is a big hit! Many on the 2013 …

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10 Quick and Dirty iPhone Photography Tips

The best thing since sliced bread … the iPhoneology. Can I get an Amen for Apple? I’ve got three tiny kids and am always running around like a crazy lady. As a child and family photographer, I also love my Canon 7D camera. But …. there are times when bringing my 4th baby (my Canon) just won’t do. I am …

Marketing 101: Back to Basics

You’ve taken a big step to follow your dreams and pursue your passion of photography, blogging or maybe even direct sales. For some, their business is an extension of their passion or hobby, but when it’s time to make a profit; it’s time to get down to business. Marketing is more than a business buzzword; it’s the nutrients your business …

Raleigh Bloggers, What They Wished They Had Known

We talk a lot about blogging for business. I know it seems daunting for some of you, but I know that once you start, you’ll find your writer’s voice and you’ll enjoy the connection you make with your followers. And the big pay off is a larger audience, more fans!  So how can I encourage you to start blogging? I …

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Behind the Scenes Etsy Feature, Michelle Bertoncino of Five Bees

That’s me sewing at my kitchen table.  I also painted, cut, planned, and created everything for my shop at that table; sometimes I even took over the kitchen counters.  When I first started out, and my children napped several times a day for several hours it worked. (They were also little and I could easily keep them out of my …