Tonight is April 29, 2010, exactly five months ago, I had my first boutique for my business at a local synagogue. It was a little scary, but exciting at the same time. It was a great learning experience. I did not know what to expect, but I made 8 sales, so I was happy. It was a fun evening and I was thrilled about my business launching the very next day.

On November 30th, 2010 I launched, www.startingoutsmall.com and have been busy ever since. There is so much involved in starting your own business, but I am loving it. I enjoy choosing the products for my boutique, dealing with the customers, marketing myself, social networking and of course, making the sales. It is a learning process and sometimes you can get frustrated, but I never want to give up! And, anyone else reading this who is in the same situation hang in, believe in yourself and you can do it!

I have learned many things along the way, some good and some not so good, but it is all part of business. One thing I discovered recently is that it is SO easy for people out there to try and scam you. PROTECT YOURSELF and your business! How? By learning what to do and not to do.  My husband works in computers and knows a LOT about all the scams people and companies try to pull on innocent individuals and businesses. So, he is constantly teaching me what to avoid and what to do if something seems “fishy”. For example, the other night, I received an email in my inbox about my verizon wireless bill, something about not being able to process my current payment. I thought it seemed strange and the email it came from, so I checked my bank account and say that I had PAID that bill, so that was already a clue that something didn’t seem correct; it turns out, my hubby told me that they were “fishing”, a term where people try to get your important information such as passwords to access your accounts and then drain your money from your account. It is so vicious! But, it can happen at the click of a button, literally. So, you need to know what to do. IF EVER, you receive an email from “one of your accounts” whether it be your phone company, your credit card companies, etc. NEVER NEVER click on anything they send you in the email, such as a URL, GO STRAIGHT to the actual website and if it is something legitimate, you will have mail waiting for you in your actual account. Or, call your company directly. I have had this happen as well over the phone. These terrible people want you to get scammed and call THEIR phony number and then they have all the info they need on you to access your important bank accounts, etc. I was lucky and I have a knowledgeable husband on these topics, but many people have no clue and need to learn to protect themselves. Take my advice and NEVER open any documents, attachments or links in an email that you feel seems strange. It could contain a virus or it could be someone trying to get a hold of very personal information. GOOD LUCK!

Lastly, enjoy some of these photos of my almost 16 month old baby girl. She is “coloring”, the first time she is drawing with crayons. She is so happy to use her crayons, of course, usually after a few moments, she puts them in her mouth and I have to say “NO” and take it away, that does not make her too happy. But, doesn’t she look so happy here in these few pictures? Capturing these moments are part of what I enjoy about being a mother; sitting back and enjoying the little things that our kids do and getting them in action…priceless memories!

Have a great weekend and thank you to all my loyal customers and new customers. We love to hear feedback, so email or call with any questions, comments or requests. We try our very best to accommodate our customers. 

Take care,

Rebecca Barkai/CEO

www.startingoutsmall.com

info@startingoutsmall.com