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A WEBSITE FOR YOUR WEDDING Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/12/2011. How did your business begin?I have been designing websites for almost a decade. Some were for my own entrepreneurial ventures, others for small businesses who decided it was time to break into the world wide web. My “Wedding” website, (www.awebsiteforyourwedding.com) for which I won your Sites We Love - Daily Winner, is a subsidiary of my design business and is still relatively new.How has the business grown throughout the years?My design business - GEW designs - has grown slowly but surely. Like anything though with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but in addition to being a business, design is also my passion so it has also been a lot of personal fulfillment mixed with the odd challenge.I started out designing flyers in the early nineties. Back then I had a 32 megabyte computer, floppy discs, and worked in Microsoft Publisher. I even recall copying and pasting using an Exacto knife and paper glue. Once the text on my flyer was straight I would go down to Office Depot and make hundreds of copies on vibrant colored card stock. After about 4 months of peeling paper glue of my fingers and also narrowly avoiding slicing off my skin, someone introduced me to Quark Xpress… A God send. This software is a sophisticated page layout program that would eventually provide me with the tools needed to design a magazine format. I worked solely using this magazine template for almost 2 years before venturing into with Photoshop. With Photoshop I was able to truly unleash my creativity as a designer. Now I am able to create everything from Brochures and Business Cards to Explosions and Gold Leaf Text. The best thing since sliced bread in my business is Adobe Suite. Nowadays I can incorporate Adobe Flash into my website designs.In 2001 I designed my first website using another web builder and hosting company. This website was all ftp upload. Oh Boy! Talk about frustrating. The site looked good, but it was a real pain to work with. It was not too long after this that I stumbled across Homestead, I have since designed over 30 websites using Homestead/Intuit.What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?If you are planning on designing your own website, use Intuit. I love their WYSIWYG - Drag and drop. And with some practice you can create a real professional looking website. If you are a total novice, you can use one of their pre-designed templates. What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?That’s easy, for my own graphic/web design business to grow.Thanks for sharing your story with us, Gaynor! Check out the website at http://www.awebsiteforyourwedding.com

A WEBSITE FOR YOUR WEDDING

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/12/2011.


How did your business begin?
I have been designing websites for almost a decade. Some were for my own entrepreneurial ventures, others for small businesses who decided it was time to break into the world wide web. My “Wedding” website, (www.awebsiteforyourwedding.com) for which I won your Sites We Love - Daily Winner, is a subsidiary of my design business and is still relatively new.

How has the business grown throughout the years?
My design business - GEW designs - has grown slowly but surely. Like anything though with a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but in addition to being a business, design is also my passion so it has also been a lot of personal fulfillment mixed with the odd challenge.

I started out designing flyers in the early nineties. Back then I had a 32 megabyte computer, floppy discs, and worked in Microsoft Publisher. I even recall copying and pasting using an Exacto knife and paper glue. Once the text on my flyer was straight I would go down to Office Depot and make hundreds of copies on vibrant colored card stock. After about 4 months of peeling paper glue of my fingers and also narrowly avoiding slicing off my skin, someone introduced me to Quark Xpress… A God send. This software is a sophisticated page layout program that would eventually provide me with the tools needed to design a magazine format. I worked solely using this magazine template for almost 2 years before venturing into with Photoshop. With Photoshop I was able to truly unleash my creativity as a designer. Now I am able to create everything from Brochures and Business Cards to Explosions and Gold Leaf Text. The best thing since sliced bread in my business is Adobe Suite. Nowadays I can incorporate Adobe Flash into my website designs.

In 2001 I designed my first website using another web builder and hosting company. This website was all ftp upload. Oh Boy! Talk about frustrating. The site looked good, but it was a real pain to work with. It was not too long after this that I stumbled across Homestead, I have since designed over 30 websites using Homestead/Intuit.

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
If you are planning on designing your own website, use Intuit. I love their WYSIWYG - Drag and drop. And with some practice you can create a real professional looking website. If you are a total novice, you can use one of their pre-designed templates.

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
That’s easy, for my own graphic/web design business to grow.

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Gaynor!

Check out the website at http://www.awebsiteforyourwedding.com

COMMONWEALTH SOCCER CLUB Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/14/2011. How did your business begin? The Commonwealth Soccer Club, a non-profit organization, was established in 2005 to bring superior training and play to the Central Kentucky area. The club was organized by a small group of volunteers, and began its inaugural season with only four teams. The club is modeled after several of the nation’s top club programs.How has the business grown throughout the years?From its start of only four teams, the club has grown to 26 teams and over 300 players in only 7 years. Some of these teams are now competing at the highest level of competition offered in the state and in the region. The club is in its third year of offering an under-9 youth academy, to focus on player development, which is managed by an exceptionally talented coaching staff. With help from sponsors, the club has also been able to offer scholarships to motivated youth in the Central Kentucky area, regardless of financial limitations.Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?When we fist considered soccer clubs for our own daughter, we asked if she could watch the practices of several clubs. The Commonwealth Soccer Club staff not only replied by permitting her to watch, but actually invited her to participate, to see what it was like. She was hooked from day 1.What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?The lessons learned during the club’s short existence included benefiting from maintaining the integrity of the sport - that sacrificing soccer fundamentals and player development for winning at all costs was not in the best interest of the club or the players. Creating a strong foundation has paid off in both in our teams’ achievements and in our players’ successful transition to playing soccer in high school and college. Another lesson was the importance of having dedicated volunteers with a shared vision to introduce continuous improvements and to keep things running smoothly.What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?The club hopes to continue to grow, while maintaining a consistent level of development opportunities and high quality play. It hopes to carry on the emphasis of being one club, rather than a compilation of individual teams. It also aims to continue to attract and retain the highest level of coaches and trainers available.Anything else? :)We’ve tried to design our web site to serve existing players and parents, as well as to attract and inform new players considering the move from recreational to select soccer. Intuit has provided us with a cost-effective tool to help us achieve this goal.Thanks for sharing your story, Pat! Check out his site at http://www.csc-ky.com

COMMONWEALTH SOCCER CLUB

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/14/2011.


How did your business begin?
The Commonwealth Soccer Club, a non-profit organization, was established in 2005 to bring superior training and play to the Central Kentucky area. The club was organized by a small group of volunteers, and began its inaugural season with only four teams. The club is modeled after several of the nation’s top club programs.

How has the business grown throughout the years?
From its start of only four teams, the club has grown to 26 teams and over 300 players in only 7 years. Some of these teams are now competing at the highest level of competition offered in the state and in the region. The club is in its third year of offering an under-9 youth academy, to focus on player development, which is managed by an exceptionally talented coaching staff. With help from sponsors, the club has also been able to offer scholarships to motivated youth in the Central Kentucky area, regardless of financial limitations.

Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?
When we fist considered soccer clubs for our own daughter, we asked if she could watch the practices of several clubs. The Commonwealth Soccer Club staff not only replied by permitting her to watch, but actually invited her to participate, to see what it was like. She was hooked from day 1.

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
The lessons learned during the club’s short existence included benefiting from maintaining the integrity of the sport - that sacrificing soccer fundamentals and player development for winning at all costs was not in the best interest of the club or the players. Creating a strong foundation has paid off in both in our teams’ achievements and in our players’ successful transition to playing soccer in high school and college. Another lesson was the importance of having dedicated volunteers with a shared vision to introduce continuous improvements and to keep things running smoothly.

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
The club hopes to continue to grow, while maintaining a consistent level of development opportunities and high quality play. It hopes to carry on the emphasis of being one club, rather than a compilation of individual teams. It also aims to continue to attract and retain the highest level of coaches and trainers available.

Anything else? :)
We’ve tried to design our web site to serve existing players and parents, as well as to attract and inform new players considering the move from recreational to select soccer. Intuit has provided us with a cost-effective tool to help us achieve this goal.

Thanks for sharing your story, Pat!

Check out his site at http://www.csc-ky.com

FENA DESIGNS, LLC. Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/15/2011. How did your business begin? feNa started to be in my thoughts 6-7 year ago - before, during and after studying to get my architecture license in California.  I had dedicated almost 15 years to that field when unfortunate times in the profession opened an opportunity in 2008 to follow my passion for handbag design.  Although I stumbled at the beginning, I’ve never looked back and have certainly never been happier!How has the company grown throughout the years?feNa just launched in March 2011 and the response so far is phenomenal!  Do you have an interesting story you can share with readers?A person I had interviewed with at an architecture firm right when I was ready to fully focus on the handbags ended up being one of my first customers!What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?Do a lot of research & networking before you begin. Trust your instincts and don’t ever let people discourage you from following your dreams - you will hear a lot of negativity - believe in yourself and your talent!What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?I’m a very positive, “think big” type of person - so I see huge things in store for feNa in the future.  While always expanding on the handbag designs/accessories - I’d love to launch a feNa perfume someday. I can already see it sitting on the shelves.  The absolute #1 top priority is happy, loyal customers - there is no feNa without them!Thanks for sharing your story, Kellyn! Check out the website at http://www.fenadesigns.com

FENA DESIGNS, LLC.

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/15/2011.


How did your business begin?
feNa started to be in my thoughts 6-7 year ago - before, during and after studying to get my architecture license in California.  I had dedicated almost 15 years to that field when unfortunate times in the profession opened an opportunity in 2008 to follow my passion for handbag design.  Although I stumbled at the beginning, I’ve never looked back and have certainly never been happier!

How has the company grown throughout the years?
feNa just launched in March 2011 and the response so far is phenomenal!  

Do you have an interesting story you can share with readers?
A person I had interviewed with at an architecture firm right when I was ready to fully focus on the handbags ended up being one of my first customers!

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
Do a lot of research & networking before you begin. Trust your instincts and don’t ever let people discourage you from following your dreams - you will hear a lot of negativity - believe in yourself and your talent!

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
I’m a very positive, “think big” type of person - so I see huge things in store for feNa in the future.  While always expanding on the handbag designs/accessories - I’d love to launch a feNa perfume someday. I can already see it sitting on the shelves.  

The absolute #1 top priority is happy, loyal customers - there is no feNa without them!

Thanks for sharing your story, Kellyn!

Check out the website at http://www.fenadesigns.com

LITTLE KELLIS PLAYHOUSE Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/16/2011. How did your business begin? Opening our program in 1997….. I knew that getting up on the web was important. A staff member and I spent a weekend designing a free website thru yahoo. It did the job…… for that time being. After the staff member moved out of state, I took over maintaining the website. I used Microsoft publisher……. And a local web hosting company…..Again the website did the job….. but I was never impressed with it. Frustrated with wanting an easy, affordable website design…… I began to look elsewhere. Upon finding the Homestead/ Intuit website and looking thru the templates…. I knew this is what I wanted: Control over the design to where I could still create and maintain the website, beautiful temps that were tailored to my business… and at price I could afford…….. (less than what I was doing with the other web hosting company with little or no tech support)….. It was one of the best business decisions I ever made!!!!!How has the business grown throughout the years?After switching to intuit our website got a lot more attention…….everyone who looked at the site loved it…… that gave me the courage to try new things on the website!!! Which got noticed thru intuit tech support who thought our website would be a good fit for your customer feedback section on the website. After that went live, Google caught on and we are now number one in goggle local search!!!!! We also got asked to do a story by Intuit to do a story on their small business site… I am ecstatic by all the attention the website gets!!!!! Finally I have a website I can be proud of. Having an intuit website, gives us a heads up on the competition. Most people look on line to find a quality program, and being top rated on Google local has brought a lot of customers to our site….. and that is all because of intuit!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?Parent always say that the website is informative and easy to use!!!! I know we get that call or email because of the website!!!What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?Always be professional…… even when you think you are right, customers will respect you for it!!!! What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?To keep holding on….. and do the very best I can do!!!!Anything else?I love Intuit……. From online payroll, to web designing……. Intuit had helped to make my small business a success!!!Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, Kelli! Check out the website at http://www.littlekellisplayhouse.com

LITTLE KELLIS PLAYHOUSE

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/16/2011.


How did your business begin?
Opening our program in 1997….. I knew that getting up on the web was important. A staff member and I spent a weekend designing a free website thru yahoo. It did the job…… for that time being. After the staff member moved out of state, I took over maintaining the website. I used Microsoft publisher……. And a local web hosting company…..Again the website did the job….. but I was never impressed with it. Frustrated with wanting an easy, affordable website design…… I began to look elsewhere. Upon finding the Homestead/ Intuit website and looking thru the templates…. I knew this is what I wanted: Control over the design to where I could still create and maintain the website, beautiful temps that were tailored to my business… and at price I could afford…….. (less than what I was doing with the other web hosting company with little or no tech support)….. It was one of the best business decisions I ever made!!!!!

How has the business grown throughout the years?
After switching to intuit our website got a lot more attention…….everyone who looked at the site loved it…… that gave me the courage to try new things on the website!!! Which got noticed thru intuit tech support who thought our website would be a good fit for your customer feedback section on the website. After that went live, Google caught on and we are now number one in goggle local search!!!!! We also got asked to do a story by Intuit to do a story on their small business site… I am ecstatic by all the attention the website gets!!!!! Finally I have a website I can be proud of. Having an intuit website, gives us a heads up on the competition. Most people look on line to find a quality program, and being top rated on Google local has brought a lot of customers to our site….. and that is all because of intuit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?
Parent always say that the website is informative and easy to use!!!! I know we get that call or email because of the website!!!

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
Always be professional…… even when you think you are right, customers will respect you for it!!!!

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
To keep holding on….. and do the very best I can do!!!!

Anything else?
I love Intuit……. From online payroll, to web designing……. Intuit had helped to make my small business a success!!!

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, Kelli!

Check out the website at http://www.littlekellisplayhouse.com

EVERSLIM USA Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/18/2011. How did your business begin?My business began 8 months after giving birth to my first child. Losing the pregnancy weight became a struggle that frankly, I really wasn’t expecting. Despite making dietary changes and exercising the weight was not coming off. My husband mentioned that some co-workers had dramatic weight loss over a period of just a few months, knowing my struggle he started asking questions to seek their advice. This was the first I had ever heard about these products so I did research on all the ingredients to ensure they were natural and safe.  I began taking them and immediately noticed significant changes. I had more energy, the cravings dissipated, and my appetite changed. Without making any major changes to my lifestyle the excess weight quickly began to drop off.  I found that access to the products, information about the ingredients, and information about how to use the products were very limited and I was determined to provide easier access to the products that changed my life!  That is when I became an Independent Distributor.How has the business grown throughout the years?The company has grown locally by word of mouth from people who have had success with the products and people who have witnessed family and friends reach their health goals.  Now that I started the website, it is easier to reach people throughout the United States and provide them with valuable information about the products.Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?I had a customer that was having trouble with weight and other problems related to her health.  I provided her with a consultation and gave her the details and information she needed to help her meet her goals.  Months later she emailed me to thank me.  She was half way to her weight loss goal, her blood pressure was back within a normal range, and she said she finally had energy to play with her kids without being fatigued.  It’s an amazing feeling to know that you have made a difference in someone’s life!What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?The main lesson I have learned since starting my business is how to get customers that can benefit from the products.  The best and fastest way to get loyal customers is word of mouth.  Being confident and knowledgeable about what you are selling is very important because the customer will become confident with what you are selling them and they will naturally start telling people about their great experience and how it benefited them.  Also with online advertising, it is important to research the best ways to advertise since search engines pull up thousands of sites and it is easy to get lost with all the sites that sell similar services or products.  There are many services that give you a trial period to test out how successful the advertising is and this really helped me get customers from other states.What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?My future goals are to make my products available to people throughout the USA and ensure that they have the proper information to feel confident about their knowledge of the products and to ensure that they meet all of their health goals.Anything else? :)I would also like to say that one of my best business decisions was to use Intuit website services.  It not only saved me money while building the site, but they also have a very helpful and knowledgeable staff.  They are willing to answer questions, call you to ensure you don’t need help with the site builder, and help you pick the best services for your business’s needs.  I also had questions about the merchant services process and my Help Ticket was quickly sent to the developers to see if they could incorporate my idea in their software.  This was amazing considering most companies would just say they are sorry and that the feature was not available.  I like the features the site has to offer and it is nice to be able to keep track of your website traffic and trends.Thanks for sharing your story, Katrina! Check out the website at http://www.everslimusa.com

EVERSLIM USA

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/18/2011.


How did your business begin?
My business began 8 months after giving birth to my first child. Losing the pregnancy weight became a struggle that frankly, I really wasn’t expecting. Despite making dietary changes and exercising the weight was not coming off. My husband mentioned that some co-workers had dramatic weight loss over a period of just a few months, knowing my struggle he started asking questions to seek their advice. This was the first I had ever heard about these products so I did research on all the ingredients to ensure they were natural and safe.  I began taking them and immediately noticed significant changes. I had more energy, the cravings dissipated, and my appetite changed. Without making any major changes to my lifestyle the excess weight quickly began to drop off.  I found that access to the products, information about the ingredients, and information about how to use the products were very limited and I was determined to provide easier access to the products that changed my life!  That is when I became an Independent Distributor.

How has the business grown throughout the years?
The company has grown locally by word of mouth from people who have had success with the products and people who have witnessed family and friends reach their health goals.  Now that I started the website, it is easier to reach people throughout the United States and provide them with valuable information about the products.

Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?
I had a customer that was having trouble with weight and other problems related to her health.  I provided her with a consultation and gave her the details and information she needed to help her meet her goals.  Months later she emailed me to thank me.  She was half way to her weight loss goal, her blood pressure was back within a normal range, and she said she finally had energy to play with her kids without being fatigued.  It’s an amazing feeling to know that you have made a difference in someone’s life!

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
The main lesson I have learned since starting my business is how to get customers that can benefit from the products.  The best and fastest way to get loyal customers is word of mouth.  Being confident and knowledgeable about what you are selling is very important because the customer will become confident with what you are selling them and they will naturally start telling people about their great experience and how it benefited them.  Also with online advertising, it is important to research the best ways to advertise since search engines pull up thousands of sites and it is easy to get lost with all the sites that sell similar services or products.  There are many services that give you a trial period to test out how successful the advertising is and this really helped me get customers from other states.

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
My future goals are to make my products available to people throughout the USA and ensure that they have the proper information to feel confident about their knowledge of the products and to ensure that they meet all of their health goals.

Anything else? :)
I would also like to say that one of my best business decisions was to use Intuit website services.  It not only saved me money while building the site, but they also have a very helpful and knowledgeable staff.  They are willing to answer questions, call you to ensure you don’t need help with the site builder, and help you pick the best services for your business’s needs.  I also had questions about the merchant services process and my Help Ticket was quickly sent to the developers to see if they could incorporate my idea in their software.  This was amazing considering most companies would just say they are sorry and that the feature was not available.  I like the features the site has to offer and it is nice to be able to keep track of your website traffic and trends.

Thanks for sharing your story, Katrina!

Check out the website at http://www.everslimusa.com

DONNCHADNA NEWFOUNDLANDS Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/20/2011. How did your business begin?  I just began our website last month. We decided to build our site out of the love of our Newfoundland dogs. We receive so many questions and compliments on our dogs that we wanted to share our knowledge and love of the breed with as many people as we can.We also wanted a site to showcase their accomplishments of the past and in the future.It has also already proven to be a great way to meet others who share the same passionHow has the business grown throughout the years? Our site has only been around for a month, but we can not wait to see it grow in the years to come.Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?The day after we had our site up, we had our first call from a gentleman wanting to find out more information about Sherman and Leroy. We have since met the person, and now have a new business partner and friend for life! What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up? We are a new business and are living and learning as we go. There has been some trial and error but never without a good lesson learned!What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?To grow and grow.Anything else? :)I As a newcomer to our business I have a lot to learn, but one of the most important lessons that I have learned so far is to just be myself. My personality and attitude is key.Thank you for chosing our site for the Sites We Love daily winner, I am so excited!Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jen! Check out the website at http://www.donnchadhanewfoundlands.com

DONNCHADNA NEWFOUNDLANDS

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/20/2011.


How did your business begin?  
I just began our website last month. We decided to build our site out of the love of our Newfoundland dogs. We receive so many questions and compliments on our dogs that we wanted to share our knowledge and love of the breed with as many people as we can.

We also wanted a site to showcase their accomplishments of the past and in the future.

It has also already proven to be a great way to meet others who share the same passion

How has the business grown throughout the years?
Our site has only been around for a month, but we can not wait to see it grow in the years to come.

Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?
The day after we had our site up, we had our first call from a gentleman wanting to find out more information about Sherman and Leroy. We have since met the person, and now have a new business partner and friend for life!

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
We are a new business and are living and learning as we go. There has been some trial and error but never without a good lesson learned!

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
To grow and grow.

Anything else? :)
I As a newcomer to our business I have a lot to learn, but one of the most important lessons that I have learned so far is to just be myself. My personality and attitude is key.

Thank you for chosing our site for the Sites We Love daily winner, I am so excited!

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jen!

Check out the website at http://www.donnchadhanewfoundlands.com

BY THE BARREL, MN Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/21/2011. How did your business begin?My wife and I had just purchased our first house and wanted a rain barrel (but not one of those bright blue plastic ones!). We looked around and couldn’t find any that we liked that were affordable. One thing led to another and before I knew it I had a semi-full of recycled wine barrels at our door. The rest is history. We got my parents involved as partners. My dad is very creative and a skilled woodworker, so he helped us create new product ideas. My wife and I brought the products to market. And thus was the birth of By The Barrel!How has the business grown throughout the years?Our company is only 9 months old, but we have seen great growth in that time. We started just using Craigslist and word of mouth. Over time we have expanded to selling our products through local garden centers and have even begun expanding into neighboring states with some great partners. Our website has played a key role in our growth. It has allowed us to spotlight out mission and products, as well as give our garden center partners a source of traffic. When a customer finds us they have the option of purchasing directly from us or to follow a link to their local garden center and purchase their items there.Do you have a fun customer story that you can share?Selling used wine barrels in Minnesota in and of itself attracts a very diverse and unique customer base! One of our most memorable experiences actually comes from a neighbor of ours. She had taken a pottery class and made a unique fountain head as her first project. She had it for a while and didn’t know what to do with it. When she saw our wine barrel planters the gears started spinning. Overnight she turned one of our planters into a beautiful fountain using her hand-made pottery piece. It is that level of creativity and inginuity that excites us the most!What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?Starting a small business is hard work! It is amazing how fast the little projects pile up. Currently this is a part time project for us, so it has been a challenge balancing our day jobs with our responsibilities with our company. However, we make it work and have a lot of fun doing it! It has been a great way to provide some extra income for our family and gives us a reason to get together more.What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?We plan to expand our distribution network to include garden centers and hardware stores across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. We also plan to add a lot more content and products to our website. Once we are able to get higher rankings on the search engines, we hope to experiment with shipping our products nationwide!Anything else? :)Although running our business is a huge time commitment, it is also very rewarding. I don’t mean to put a cheesy plug in for Intuit, since this is their blog, but I have to say that without the ease of Sitebuilder and the help of their online customer service team, we would not be where we are today. We were able to get a beautiful website up and running in days. Going through a web development firm would have cost a fortune and would not be as flexible. We are always adding products and new partners, so having the flexibility to go into Sitebuilder and have my changes made and published in a half hour is just amazing!Thanks for sharing your story with us, Anthony! Check out the website at http://www.bythebarrelmn.com

BY THE BARREL, MN

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/21/2011.


How did your business begin?
My wife and I had just purchased our first house and wanted a rain barrel (but not one of those bright blue plastic ones!). We looked around and couldn’t find any that we liked that were affordable. One thing led to another and before I knew it I had a semi-full of recycled wine barrels at our door. The rest is history. We got my parents involved as partners. My dad is very creative and a skilled woodworker, so he helped us create new product ideas. My wife and I brought the products to market. And thus was the birth of By The Barrel!

How has the business grown throughout the years?
Our company is only 9 months old, but we have seen great growth in that time. We started just using Craigslist and word of mouth. Over time we have expanded to selling our products through local garden centers and have even begun expanding into neighboring states with some great partners. Our website has played a key role in our growth. It has allowed us to spotlight out mission and products, as well as give our garden center partners a source of traffic. When a customer finds us they have the option of purchasing directly from us or to follow a link to their local garden center and purchase their items there.

Do you have a fun customer story that you can share?
Selling used wine barrels in Minnesota in and of itself attracts a very diverse and unique customer base! One of our most memorable experiences actually comes from a neighbor of ours. She had taken a pottery class and made a unique fountain head as her first project. She had it for a while and didn’t know what to do with it. When she saw our wine barrel planters the gears started spinning. Overnight she turned one of our planters into a beautiful fountain using her hand-made pottery piece. It is that level of creativity and inginuity that excites us the most!

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
Starting a small business is hard work! It is amazing how fast the little projects pile up. Currently this is a part time project for us, so it has been a challenge balancing our day jobs with our responsibilities with our company. However, we make it work and have a lot of fun doing it! It has been a great way to provide some extra income for our family and gives us a reason to get together more.

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
We plan to expand our distribution network to include garden centers and hardware stores across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. We also plan to add a lot more content and products to our website. Once we are able to get higher rankings on the search engines, we hope to experiment with shipping our products nationwide!

Anything else? :)
Although running our business is a huge time commitment, it is also very rewarding. I don’t mean to put a cheesy plug in for Intuit, since this is their blog, but I have to say that without the ease of Sitebuilder and the help of their online customer service team, we would not be where we are today. We were able to get a beautiful website up and running in days. Going through a web development firm would have cost a fortune and would not be as flexible. We are always adding products and new partners, so having the flexibility to go into Sitebuilder and have my changes made and published in a half hour is just amazing!

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Anthony!

Check out the website at http://www.bythebarrelmn.com

URBAN SURVIVAL GEAR USA Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/22/2011. How did your business begin? My line of jewelry has been in the works for over a year now…Just within the last six months, I have turned it into a full time career.  I am currently in the process of placing wholesale gift showroom representation in major gift marts across the country.What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?Patience is vital…Take each challenge in bite size pieces and never ever lose sight of the big picture. Enjoy your accomplishments and celebrate each small victory.What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?National Sales Representation and Gift Trade shows this year… I am also looking forward to expanding my line to include gifts and small home decor etc..Anything else? :)Intuit has been instrumental in my success. From Site Builder to Go Pay the whole process has been very supportive and enjoyable. The customer service and support has been nothing short of “Outstanding”. You can’t help but feel that Homestead/Intuit want’s your success as much as you do. Thanks for sharing your story, Michael! DCheck out the website at http://www.urbansurvivalgearusa.com

URBAN SURVIVAL GEAR USA

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/22/2011.


How did your business begin?
My line of jewelry has been in the works for over a year now…Just within the last six months, I have turned it into a full time career.  I am currently in the process of placing wholesale gift showroom representation in major gift marts across the country.

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
Patience is vital…Take each challenge in bite size pieces and never ever lose sight of the big picture. Enjoy your accomplishments and celebrate each small victory.

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
National Sales Representation and Gift Trade shows this year… I am also looking forward to expanding my line to include gifts and small home decor etc..

Anything else? :)
Intuit has been instrumental in my success. From Site Builder to Go Pay the whole process has been very supportive and enjoyable. The customer service and support has been nothing short of “Outstanding”. You can’t help but feel that Homestead/Intuit want’s your success as much as you do.

Thanks for sharing your story, Michael! D

Check out the website at http://www.urbansurvivalgearusa.com

INTERALIA DESIGN Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/23/2011 and 04/24/2011. How did your business begin?I founded Interalia Design in hopes of utilizing my previous work experience with other companies into my own.  I feel it is will be mutually beneficial for both my clients & I having a one on one relationship.How has the business grown throughout the years?Just Launched my website on 04-11-2011. I was working on my own for about 2 years and was getting business by word of mouth. So I decided to launch my own company after a lot of thoughts and encouragement from all around me.Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?One time I designed a little girls room, she was 2 1/2 years old at the time. After her room was done her Mom said Serina (the little girl) doesn’t want to leave her room. It felt great reaching to the young ones.What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?I know it’s scary at the beginning but you just have be persistent, honest, and loyal to your customer and have fun while doing it. After all that’s what most clients look for.What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?Hoping to open an Interior design Studio in Down Town San Diego and have my own furniture line in it.  After all I believe everyone needs an Interior Designer in their life that fulfills their external human needs.Thanks for sharing your story, Mervat! Check out the website at http://interaliadesign.com

INTERALIA DESIGN

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/23/2011 and 04/24/2011.


How did your business begin?
I founded Interalia Design in hopes of utilizing my previous work experience with other companies into my own.  I feel it is will be mutually beneficial for both my clients & I having a one on one relationship.

How has the business grown throughout the years?
Just Launched my website on 04-11-2011. I was working on my own for about 2 years and was getting business by word of mouth. So I decided to launch my own company after a lot of thoughts and encouragement from all around me.

Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?
One time I designed a little girls room, she was 2 1/2 years old at the time. After her room was done her Mom said Serina (the little girl) doesn’t want to leave her room. It felt great reaching to the young ones.

What lessons did you learn along the way that can help new businesses just starting up?
I know it’s scary at the beginning but you just have be persistent, honest, and loyal to your customer and have fun while doing it. After all that’s what most clients look for.

What goals do you have in store for the future of your business?
Hoping to open an Interior design Studio in Down Town San Diego and have my own furniture line in it.  After all I believe everyone needs an Interior Designer in their life that fulfills their external human needs.

Thanks for sharing your story, Mervat!

Check out the website at http://interaliadesign.com

BIKING FOR BASEBALL Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/27/2011. How did your business begin?Biking for Baseball has been around as an idea for years but hadn’t started to become something tangible until January of this year when we decided that it was too important of a cause and too exciting of an opportunity to let slip by. As individuals we have been coaching and mentoring youth in different capacities for years. We are very aware of the impact a good role model and a good team environment can have on developing youth. We are also very aware of the stunning lack of both fiscal and leadership resources in underprivileged areas. It’s been said that we’re losing the battle for our youth and we strongly believe that one of the best ways to make a difference is through youth sports. Its the believe that ”Every Kid Needs a Coach” that has motivated us to start this organization and embark on this ambitious endeavor.During the summer of 2012 we will bicycle throughout the country raising money, resources, and engaging the community about the importance of youth sports. We will catch a home game at each of the 30 major league ballparks where we will have a youth-event. All in all the trip will span 160 days and over 10,000 miles. With a whole lot of work and a little luck along the way we hope to raise 500,000 to help build healthy youth baseball and softball programs within this countries greatest cities.How has the business grown throughout the years?Between now and opening day next season we have boatloads of work to do and the website is going to be the center of just about all of it. We realized when we began that a sharp website is the only way we will be able to engage all sorts of different communities and get their support. During the process of gathering support we will reach out to the biking, baseball, coaching, and non-profit communities through a mix of marketing tools. Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, email marketing, and SEO are all tools that we are using to target specific users who we think can help us achieve success with the project. If there is one piece of advice I’ve learned through the process is that a web project is not be taken lightly. Before you make an investment of your time and resources online its important to understand who your audience is and what its going to take to reach them. Always consult people who have more experience than you, and take the time to plan out the scope of the project.Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?Some of the neatest experiences with the project thus far have been emails I get from people all across the country that have stumbled into the website and just wanted to send a message of support and encouragement. Its a great feeling to know not only that people are support the project, but also that our online marketing is working and people are hearing about us!Thanks for sharing your story, Rex! Check out the website at http://www.bikingforbaseball.com

BIKING FOR BASEBALL

Meet our Sites We Love winner for 04/27/2011.

How did your business begin?
Biking for Baseball has been around as an idea for years but hadn’t started to become something tangible until January of this year when we decided that it was too important of a cause and too exciting of an opportunity to let slip by. As individuals we have been coaching and mentoring youth in different capacities for years. We are very aware of the impact a good role model and a good team environment can have on developing youth. We are also very aware of the stunning lack of both fiscal and leadership resources in underprivileged areas. It’s been said that we’re losing the battle for our youth and we strongly believe that one of the best ways to make a difference is through youth sports. Its the believe that ”Every Kid Needs a Coach” that has motivated us to start this organization and embark on this ambitious endeavor.

During the summer of 2012 we will bicycle throughout the country raising money, resources, and engaging the community about the importance of youth sports. We will catch a home game at each of the 30 major league ballparks where we will have a youth-event. All in all the trip will span 160 days and over 10,000 miles. With a whole lot of work and a little luck along the way we hope to raise 500,000 to help build healthy youth baseball and softball programs within this countries greatest cities.

How has the business grown throughout the years?
Between now and opening day next season we have boatloads of work to do and the website is going to be the center of just about all of it. We realized when we began that a sharp website is the only way we will be able to engage all sorts of different communities and get their support. During the process of gathering support we will reach out to the biking, baseball, coaching, and non-profit communities through a mix of marketing tools. Twitter, Facebook, Blogging, email marketing, and SEO are all tools that we are using to target specific users who we think can help us achieve success with the project. If there is one piece of advice I’ve learned through the process is that a web project is not be taken lightly. Before you make an investment of your time and resources online its important to understand who your audience is and what its going to take to reach them. Always consult people who have more experience than you, and take the time to plan out the scope of the project.

Do you have an interesting story to share with readers?
Some of the neatest experiences with the project thus far have been emails I get from people all across the country that have stumbled into the website and just wanted to send a message of support and encouragement. Its a great feeling to know not only that people are support the project, but also that our online marketing is working and people are hearing about us!

Thanks for sharing your story, Rex!

Check out the website at http://www.bikingforbaseball.com

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