More on names, collaboration and fun ideas...

The $99 investment in a professionally designed name was a flop. >Insert deep sigh here.< I am disappointed. I will probably go with something very basic, simple and descriptive, like: "Daryl's Grooming Studio."

Meanwhile, progress is being made. I got a good estimate on how much my tools will cost me, and we have applied for a home equity loan to cover the construction and purchases. People are joining in to help me... one niece has offered to help design business cards and fliers. Another is helping tweak my floor plan. A long time friend is going to design and paint my sign for me, and another friend is working on designing a logo. The collaboration is fun, uplifting and exciting!

I was supposed to attend a class on marketing today, and was quite looking forward to it, but it has been postponed due to weather. Luckily, they are holding it on Monday, and I've reserved a spot. I think I will very much enjoy learning about how to best market my self and my new business.

I want my new space to be very lean and spare looking. I am planning to have a funky, old cabinet to store tools in, so that things are all in one space, and the work area is clean and uncluttered. I had a fun idea this week. Groomers have lots of little tools... small brushes, combs, trimmers, etc. They tend to take up a lot of room. I decided I am going to get a clear shoe organizer, the kind you hang from a closet door, and hang that inside my cabinet door. It will hold a LOT of small things, and keep them organized and easy to see/find. Kind of like this:

Planning details like this is exhilarating!