Grateful to Feel Better and For Others!

The last quote was shared with me by my dear friend, Traci Zeller. Traci is also a designer from Charlotte and one of my Mastermind Peers. Traci was the winner of the High Point Market Style Spotter Contest last year. She did not participate in a contest like the current one I am in with 14 other finalist vying for spot #9 on Olioboard, but rather was chosen by the market for the panel. She won the contest on Pinterestwhich is the next step of the competition should I actually win a spot on the panel. The competition we are currently having is the first of it’s kind. The Market along with Olioboard graciously decided to grow the original panel of 8 to 9 style spotter. Since this was the first time they have done the contest we have all been trying to figure out what to do and how to win votes. I hope we haven’t over stepped our boundaries with any of you. If so, it was not intentional. There are only 4 more days left after today, so if you would like to cast your votes for the final four days, we would love your votes! All the finalist in the contest are really wonderful and talented people. My friend Jennifer Reynolds, whom I have been neck to neck with the entire contest, is one of my dearest friends. Denise McGaha is a designer from Dallas and another dear friend from Mastermind. Holly Phillips is a designer friend also from Charlotte. Throughout the contest, I have had a chance to virtually meet most of the finalist and they are all so nice. All are top notch professionals! I hope it hasn’t been too much of a chore to vote daily. I know I can speak for the rest of the finalist in saying , we really appreciate your support over the past few weeks. Anyone of the finalist in the contest would make a great #9.

My hope is you will go on Olioboard for more than just voting though. If not before after the contest go play around, get to know the product. It is amazing! I use it in my work all the time. If you aren’t a designer you could use it for your own house or for entertainment. If you are a manufacture or furniture store, this is a great way to show how your products look in a room. It’s a dream come true for bloggers! You can create anything you want! So who was the mastermind behind such a awesome tool?

The creator of Olioboard is a whiz named Sheilah MacSporren. You can read more about Sheilah by clicking on the link. She has an extensive background for someone so young. The first day of the contest, I had problems getting on and she called to get things worked out in nano seconds of my issues.

Olioboard also has Leslie Carothers, Founder of The Kaliedoscope Project which is a social media agency working with them. Leslie is amazing! When I wake up she is tweeting and Facebooking with people across the country, about every current topic imaginable and when I go to bed she is still at it! I have never seen anyone work harder. I think she knows everyone in the industry. If you keep up with Leslie on tweeter or Facebook, you will be introduced to current happenings and many fabulous people. We actually have the opportunity to hear her speak at the Oct. Market. I am so excited to finally meet her in person! If you are in the designer, manufacturer, e-tailer, or retailer, you need to know Leslie. She gets the job done.

We don’t want to forget:

Cheminne Taylor-Smith, Vice President of Marketing for High Point Market.

Cheminne has over 20 yrs of experience in the home furnishings industry in trade media, Pubic Relations and Marketing. Her last job before coming to work for the High Point Market two years ago, was Public Relations for Elle Decor. She is another amazing woman! She has a huge job yet handles it so flawlessly. She is always available and responsive. High Point Market is does such an incredible job of making the market such a wonderful experience for everyone who attends. As a designer, I look forward to attending every April and October. I know there will always be wonderful speakers who are specialist in their fields who I can hear. There are also many social events to help us connect with people in the industry. Everything is so well planned. Thank You Chemmine for the many hours you put into making the market not just work but also informative and fun.

All in all, it’s been busy but fun contest! I thank Olioboard and High Point Market for giving me the opportunity for exposure. I am not sure what I will do when it’s over but I know I won’t be running for political office. It is too much work! When our local Senator Bob Rucho, whom I have campaigned for when he was running for office, voted for me I wrote him on Facebook and said, “Bob, I didn’t think I would ever be thanking you for a vote”! I am sure he found that funny! Anyway, I will leave you with this thought…