I’m so excited to announce my latest venture… the Pecos Valley Mall. It’s my hope that this virtual mall will provide a safe online shopping experience for all the Internet users out there. I’ve heard so many stories about people getting “taken” online. This mall will only list people who I know personally are reputable sellers with a good track record. I already have several businesses listed including Grill Charms™ (a really cool little product you need for your next grilled meal!), Stardust Lullaby (an incredible CD by my friends Cher and Gene Klosner), and Red Thread Confections (wonderful chocolates that also provide an incredible service). Take a look at their websites and buy from them. They are all owned and created by friends of mine I met in the Mompreneurs® community. I’m hoping to list even more Mompreneurs’® sites in the coming days.
If you have a site you’d like to get listed, let me know! I’m looking for new and exciting retailers. Prices are very low and are a flat-rate for your listing. 
So now…go go go! Take a look at the Pecos River Mall. Have fun shopping and let them know how you found them!
posted by Lorie at 6:14 pm
This new tool is great for business owners. How do you use it effectively? Here are a few ideas:
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Purpose as a business owner: Create yourself as an EXPERT in your field.
Best tool to help you utilize Twitter effectively: Twhirl (http://www.twhirl.org) - Twhirl is a Twitter client that works similar to an instant messenger in that it stays in your task bar. You can do quick updates using Twhirl and you also receive others’ updates with little messages on your desktop as you are working.
How to use Twitter:
As you are working with clients, customers, software, etc. post little blurbs promoting that software or offering a tip for effective use. For instance, as a web designer, I offer little tips or software to help customers, clients, and Tweets with their websites or promoting their websites. I don’t give enough information to give away the business, but enough to show I’m an expert in my field. Yesterday I posted the following Tweet:
“Working on customizing a SiteBuilder template for my client. I love love love OptionCart and SiteBuilder! http://www.optioncart.com”
It promoted a product I LOVE and use, and let people know that I know how to use it effectively to create THEIR e-commerce website.
Twitter is also a good place to ask a question and get immediate feedback. A Tweet of mine posted this yesterday:
“Tweets looking for an online web design course…”
I responded with: “@Tweets I’m teaching one at our community college online this fall. It will be a full semester and you will have a website done at the end”
I have several programmers on my list and can ask a quick programming question and get several answers in a matter of seconds.
This is one tool I’m actually falling in love with. If you want to play with it, feel free to add me (mwdslorie) to your list.
posted by Lorie at 2:28 pm
Once upon a time, about 9 years ago, I started Mitchell Web Design Services after I had stopped working at the local public library. I was at home with my then-baby and we needed some additional income. I slowly picked up clients, and by the time I gave the business to another entrepreneur who was wanting to stay home with her children, I had around 50 active clients and had added such services as web hosting, domain names, e-commerce, print design, and more. I absolutely LOVED what I did, but I need health insurance for my family as my husband’s firm didn’t provide it, so I found a job at our local community college, where I had been teaching for a semester as a part-time instructor. I’ve now been at the college for four years and have loved it. I am the Coordinator of Instructional Technology there, but I work part-time now. So I thought it’s the premium time to start MWDS back up again. I love doing web design and I think it’s time to show my clients what all I’ve learned in my new job at the college. I’ve expanded my technology knowledge and can now add educational design to my list of services. I now have a Master’s Degree in Instruction and Curriculum, too. I’m so excited to open my virtual doors again and connect with my old clients and find new ones.
As I travel down this new road of life, I plan to journal what I’ve done that works and what doesn’t work. Maybe it will help some young mom who wants to start a new business but just doesn’t have the confidence to leap out there. As always, I’m an open book. If you want to know about me, just ask. I hope and pray my business will not only thrive, but also that I’ll meet all my clients’ needs and desires. Thank you for this opportunity!
posted by Lorie at 5:22 pm