If you are looking to support a cause this holiday season, in your name or as a gift for a loved one, please consider supporting my sister in her Run for Hope:

http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/TR/Events/runninghope?px=1508622&pg=fund&fr_id=1000

I haven’t abandoned this, make no mistake. The new company line has been taking over my time. I’ve been trying to organize my thoughts between products, marketing opportunities, and which direction to take the business now. As you might imagine all of these things can add up very fast and without my trusty notebook I might forget more than a few ideas.

Yesterday I had a chance to get back into the trenches of the new work though, which is great. Every time I actually get to produce something I get empowered and motivated to keep going. The master plan keeps growing without end (good thing?), but what it really comes down to is each product I design, produce, and add to the inventory.

This upcoming weekend I get to hit the streets and try marketing in person on a very small level. Time will tell what comes of it, but I’m hopeful.

I have a Prosper update coming up in a few days, was going to include it here but the site is currently down for maintenance.  :\

I’ve been talking for a few weeks about this new project I’ve been gearing up for. Well the day has finally come and I have begun working in a new market. Currently all sales take place on http://sprocketbox.etsy.com but I expect to start custom orders soon as well. I will be specializing in custom auto decals and vinyl wall graphics. The shops offerings are a bit thin currently, but I’m just getting started and filling up the inventory more each day.

I was a bit aprehensive about starting this and have been wondering how it will go. After having two sales on my first day, I’m quite pleased already and am looking forward to larger projects (and sales).

I know withoutexcess has been lacking for a few days, and its all a result of this. I think this will add another dimension to what I know about finances, and learning more tends to be positive for everyone.

This week my new tools and supplies have come in, so it has been a very exciting week. I keep catching myself from getting ahead of myself in all of the possible plans. Part of me wants to rush out and buy tons of supplies and set up websites etc. That would probably just result in me ending up with a bunch of unnecessary stuff lying around, which completely negates how I have been pushing myself to live and in this case, work.

For now I need to take my time and really understand what it is I am doing and learn some new software. Tonight was the first test and it was a moderate success. I can tell I already have a lot to learn but am also excited that I have the chance. Once I feel comfortable enough about what I am doing and really plan to start selling, I will have more detailed and *revealing* announcement.

This goes with what I have said before about doing your research before you rush into things. Taking the time to make a smart decision can create a higher chance of success and reduce decision remorse.

After a few weeks of searching for loans and getting outbid at times, I finally completed my initial prosper campaign. I have 3 loans currently each withing my desired credit grades: AA, A, and B. My average interest rate for these three loans is a decent 15.6% annually. As long as they follow through and pay back on time, it certainly beats the pants of a lame 3.75% CD at your local bank. Once I am able to sell off some of my household unnecessaries, I plan to begin Prosper Loans - Round 2.