Saturday we visited the Strawberry Festival at The Produce Place on Murphy Road.  The Ross family are long time supporters of The Produce Place and it was fun to get a few friends together and walk down to sample some locally made treats.

One local company that got my attention was Moose Head Kettle Corn owned and operated by Jack and Carol MacDowall.  The company name stuck out because my father grew up in a small community called Moosehead on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia – and you know how it’s easier to remember a name when you can associated it to something important in your life.  The popcorn stuck out because of the huge variety of yummy flavors (including dill pickle) as well as the fun colors.  My daughter really enjoyed the rainbow color bag.

Ask us about using locally made popcorn in your next Tennessee Gift Basket or stand alone gift tins! 

For more information on Moose Head Kettle Corn please check out their website.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

Disasters, such as the recent flooding in Nashville, have a far reaching economic impact.  As we find ourselves in recovery mode some business owners are asking themselves when and if they can re-open.  With issues ranging from the physical loss of property or product to loss of vendors and customers the U.S. Department of Labor says that over 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster.

So many circumstances are beyond our control as business owners, but one thing we can do it plan.  Contingency plans or disaster plans can be scary to think about because we are planning for something we hope will never happen.  It isn’t a plan B, it’s a worse case scenario.

As a department Assistant Manager in a bank in an international port town maintaining a Contingency Plan was part of my responsibility and part of it actually went into effect on the morning of 9/11.

Recovery after a disaster can take many avenues depending of the size of your organization but I will focus on the Small Business Owner.

1.  You’ll need to assess your damage.  Everything from minor to total loss should be documented.  Having a comprehensive inventory of your office plus any product loss will help expedite insurance and federal aid and will be important when claiming the loss on your taxes.

2.  Overall finances can take a serious hit during a disaster, especially in circumstances where both the home and the office have been lost.  Naturally you will take that into consideration when planning to re-open your business, however I must note that the work from home business can be such, that as soon as you have a computer and a cell phone you are back in business.  Since time is of the essence this may be good news for your business when faced with a city or state wide problem.

3.  Creating a plan and executing isn’t always easy when there are so many other irons in the fire.  Here are a few tips from Patmos Consulting in Nashville that may help: Tips for Creating a Plan and Working The Plan to Help Your Business Recover.

My Contingency Plan is a file folder with the following information:

a.  Important Contact Numbers – Emergency Personal, Closest Business Partners, Vendors, and Regular customers (If you have employees they should be on your contact list)

b.  Office equipment list and photos as well as a list of what I’d need to be operational

c.  List of software

d.  List of online tools and passwords to access them

e.  Back up hard drive of all my files.  – Technology is such that if you have data that if lost would ruin your business off site storage and retrieval systems are becoming more affordable for the small business owner.

f.  Copy of the business plan.

g.  A check list of what I need to do to get up and running in case I experience a total lost

NOTE: A copy of this folder is also kept off site at an out of town family members home.

I know it can seem like a bit too much, but once it’s done it’s just a matter of reviewing it every year and hoping you never have to use it.  Anything from a complete computer crash to a natural disaster can shut a business down.  Being prepared can help get you in to action mode and help you make sound decisions  on the future of your business.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

Thistle Farms

These amazing products are hand made by the woman who will directly benefit by their purchase.  Thistle Farms, founded in 1997 in Nashville TN, is a non-profit business run by woman who have survived violence, prostitution and abuse.

Either on their own or as a gift basket, the bath teas, hand poured candles and hand lotions will make a wonderful mother’s day gift that represents, supports and lifts up the spirit of woman.

Thistle Farms products are available in four wonderful scents:Lavender, Citrus Vanilla, Tea Tree Mint, and Tuscan Earth.

For more information on the woman running Thistle Farms please check out the voices of thistle farms blog.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

2010 Administrative Professionals Day is Wednesday April 21st!!!

In a few weeks we’ll be celebrating one of the largest workplace observances… the Administrative Professional! In the United States alone there are 8.9 million (U.S. Department of Labor) Administrative Professionals. That is an excited number for gift basket and gift companies!

Administrative Professional gift ideas can be fun for the custom gift giver. From desk accessories and funny office survival strategy gifts to gourmet treats and mini baskets preparation is key.  To ensure product availability and on time delivery there is no such thing as ordering too early.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

I love watching the rankings come out every year!

I discovered The Original Basket Boutique through complete serendipity.  In the early months of 2007 I was flipping through the Entrepreneur magazine looking at businesses.  I had this idea that I wanted to do something to promote Nashville and the Music City Brand.  I wasn’t exactly sure how I could do that, but I knew I needed to do it part time and within a company that could respect the responsibilities of family.

As luck or maybe fate would have it I spent the summers of 2005 and 2006 giving ghost tours and in doing so met amazing people from all over the country and the world, most of whom would ask me after the tour where they could find some local treats to take home.  A few nights of research and I had a list of not only candy, but nut mixes, sauces, cakes and just about anything you could want made if not in Nashville right here in Tennessee that I could share with my guests.

So back to the winter of 2007 when I’m researching business ideas and found OBB ranked at #494 in the Franchise 500 Rank.  It was in my price range and really peaked my interest… but it wasn’t two days and my good friend Sarah Beth was calling me to tell me about a great business opportunity her friend in Florida was thriving with… OBB!

So here we are 3 years later!  I’m promoting TN products and the art of giving with custom gift baskets and The Original Basket Boutique is ranked #369 in the Franchise 500 Rank!!!

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

Are you interested in owning a business that promotes appreciation?  Please contact me for information.