I have been in this business going on 4 years. My actual anniversary for being in business is September 6, 2006. With each gifting I have done, it has always felt like the first one all over again. I truly love what I do and truly love and respect all the companies that I have had the pleasure to work with over the course of my years here. There have been some major bumps in the road for me personally and professionally, but somehow I have held my head up high, have been grateful for these amazing opportunities and have always been true to myself and to my clients. I have been burned, as we all have at one point or another and I have dusted myself off, regained my focus, and pushed ahead and I am so glad that I did and that I never once caved in and gave up. So many times we question our business, our abilities, and we come so close to throwing in the towel. While we are always looking for the bottom line, sometimes you have to look at your appreciation. Is greed driving you or is true passion and love for what you are doing driving you? While I am not making millions of dollars over here at Baby Swags headquarters, I feel as if I am the richest woman on the planet. I have an amazing husband who, may not always say it the way I’d like to hear it, or express it the way he had planned, he is always there for me when I need him, and he is proud of all I have done. I have 3 children who are beautiful and amazingly talented in their own ways, who simply put, adore me. I have a family who loves me and is excited to see me get excited when I receive calls from Hollywood. I have a network of women *and men* who I completely respect and am honored to know. And, I have a growing and thriving business that I truly love and get excited for every day. While things may seem to take a long time to process and get together, like the boutique and the magazine…I know in my heart that with all this love and dedication it will all come together and be a huge success! After all, I am “building my empire” as I tell my children!

There will be some changes made at Baby Swags, from individual giftings, to pre & post gifting procedures, to levels of participation, and exclusivity. We are finally adding our magazine, Tots To Teens Magazine to our family of businesses and I am excited to share the guide with you. Baby Swags, The Mommy Mentor and Tots To Teens Magazine is currently entering a whole new world and the adventure with the three is just beginning. I am so happy to have you all be a part of my new adventures.

I’ve always said that if you surround yourself with the right team of people, anything is possible. I honestly believe that, which is why I am so grateful you have stuck with me over the course of my business journey. It’s amazing to me how I still have clients that have stuck by me since the very first gifting close to 4 years ago! All I can say to you all is thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for allowing me into your business journey. I hope that as the days, months and years go by we can all be appreciative in knowing that all good things come with time…and patience.

This may not seem like a big deal to some, but it should. The choices we make today effect the children of today and tomorrow. By cutting back teacher salaries, eliminating teachers from our schools, removing extracurricular activities such as art, music and gym programs, decreasing bus routes, cutting sports programs, and foreign programs, it only means we aren’t fighting hard enough to keep them in tact. Our class rooms are already over-populated with each one having approximately 30 students to one teacher, so if you think the quality of their education isn’t hurting now, wait until you see mixed aged classes, or rooms with 30-45 students to one teacher. Mixed-aged classes are what they are planning to do with a select number of students from the third and forth grade in my childrens school. They are going to mix them together for specific classes to help with the budget recovery process. As a parent, no, I am not happy about this type of learning. Students need individual attention, they need to be able to connect personally with their educators, they need to have gym class (especially with childhood obesity at its highest), they need to have their souls nurtured with creativity, art and music, and they need it all to succeed in the 21st century and to help keep America competitive.

Thank you for speaking up on our behalf!

The good news is that an education amendment has been added to the pending jobs bill in Congress, which will help schools avoid such drastic cuts. I am asking that you help me get the word out. We need to be one voice telling Congress to pass the Education Jobs Fund. We must let our congressional representatives know how we feel about children’s education as well as support our teachers! Ask your community to take action now because next week maybe too late! Have them go to http://www.capwiz.com/nea/issues/alert/?alertid=15045411&type=co to forward a letter directly to their representative to have their voices heard. More information on this important legislation can be found at http://www.educationvotes.nea.org.

It’s time to fight for the educational experience that our children deserve!

Check this out:

• Reality TV mom KRIS JENNER to join as Life & Style’s advice columnist
• EVA LA RUE’s wedding diary
• WENDY WILLIAMS’ new column “Wendy Williams Gets the Last Word”

Englewood Cliffs, NJ (April 7, 2010) —  Life & Style Weekly today announces the launch of three celebrity columns in its latest issue, on newsstands now.

Keeping up with the Kardashians’ matriarch Kris Jenner will join Life & Style as the magazine’s advice columnist.  In her column, “Ask Kris”, the reality TV star and mom of six will tackle readers toughest questions about life, love, family and more! Also debuting in this week’s issue, CSI: Miami’s Eva La Rue shares her journey to the alter with her weekly wedding diary; and veteran columnist Wendy Williams is back – and bigger than ever – with her new full-page column, “Wendy Williams Gets the Last Word.”

A look at Life & Style’s new columns:

·       ASK KRIS: Kris Jenner, America’s favorite mom and star of Keeping up with the Kardashians, debuts her new advice column, “Ask Kris.”  The mom of six will bring her life experiences –  raising the Kardashian clan and guiding Kim, Khloé and Kourtney’s careers – to the pages of Life & Style as she weighs in on readers toughest problems about life, love, relationships, family and more. This week in “Ask Kris,” Kris Jenner gives her advice about chatty ex-boyfriends and shares her preventative skin care tips.

·       EVA’S WEDDING DIARY: CSI: Miami actress and bride-to-be Eva La Rue is getting married and bringing Life & Style readers along every step of the way!  Eva will share each magical moment in her weekly wedding diary as she plans her big day – from dress shopping and picking out her cake to inside her bridal shower and beachy destination wedding.

·       WENDY WILLIAMS GETS THE LAST WORD: Life & Style “Side Dish” columnist Wendy Williams is back – and bigger than ever – with her new weekly column, “Wendy Williams Gets The Last Word.” Host of the nationally syndicated program, The Wendy Williams Show, Wendy shares her no-holds-barred insider perspective on the biggest celebrity news stories of the week beginning with her five point plan to save Sandra Bullock! The column will be packed with her outspoken opinions, behind-the-scenes scoop from her hit talk show and Wendy’s juiciest run-ins with the stars!

I personally can’t wait to see what all three have to say every week!  Life & Style’s new columns debut in this week’s issue, on stands now!

Source: Life & Style

People often wonder why companies send celebrities products when they clearly make enough money to purchase it themselves. When it comes to celebrities, one thing is for certain; they draw media attention. When companies send products to celebrities they aren’t thinking about how much the product costs and whether or not they can afford to by it, they are thinking about the results that the media attention will bring to their company when the celebrity is seen, either on video or in a photograph with or wearing their product.

With each celebrity gifting option, there are different types, styles and costs to be involved, along with different results you can expect. It is best to do your homework and be sure you are comfortable with the company you are working with, this type of marketing campaign, and results you can expect before you even put your foot in the door.

Swag Bags: Swag Bags can generally be the least costly way to send celebrities your product, ranging anywhere from $50 to $800 for each gift bag promotion. A swag bag will typically consist of merchandise that is distributed to celebrities, musicians, media, or other high profile members of society and corporate America. You may be familiar with the Swag Bags given to celebrities for the Oscars, The Emmys, ESPY awards and many other celebrity awards ceremonies. Swag bags can be sent to one celebrity or a group of celebrities for many different occasions, so it is best to know the theme and the quantity of products needed before you agree to any gift bag promotion.

Gift Suites or Lounges: Usually with this option, the cost to be involved is in the thousands and numbers of products requested are in the hundreds. However, gift suites give you direct access to the invited celebrities, agents, stylists and media. Most are set up like trade shows. You will receive your table and draping, chairs, and will be allowed to have two representatives at your booth. You design your gift suite spot as you would your trade show booth with attractive displays, catchy signage and a charming personality behind the table. Be prepared to take your own pictures so don’t forget your camera!

Results: Swag Bags and Gift Suites are to be used as a form of marketing and advertising. People should not go into participating in luxury lounges or donating products to gift bags and expect many immediate returns. You should consider it to be part of you’re advertising campaign. Just like any other form of advertising, it takes time, patience, quality products or services, persistence and determination to promote your business. Some times advertising campaigns are an over night success, others take more time; some unfortunately don’t work at all. You need to find what works best for you and your company. While not all celebrities respond to gifts received, others will provide you with a quote, thank you note, or other communication that provides you with another way to gain coverage and credibility for your product or service.

Copyright © Phyllis Pometta: Phyllis Pometta is the founder and President of Baby Swags and Unforgettable PR. Baby Swags specializes in marketing and promoting juvenile related products to celebrity moms and their babies. Baby Swags parent company, Unforgettable PR offers gifting services for business carrying products for tween/teens and adults. Previous gifting events resulted in the gifted products being seen on A-List celebrity babies, features in national celebrity and business publications, and media interviews. There are many options to celebrity gifting and as a company that provides this service to its clients, we can see the value and credibility it places on our clients businesses and their products. For additional information visit www.babyswags.com or www.unforgettablepr.com ]]> http://babyswags.com/blog/2009/10/14/getting-your-products-to-celebrities/feed/ 2 http://babyswags.com/blog/2009/07/03/inside-out-oreos/ http://babyswags.com/blog/2009/07/03/inside-out-oreos/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:34:39 +0000 Editor http://babyswagspr.wordpress.com/?p=1085 At first I thought this was going to taste nasty but after tasting just one, they have become my new found friend. I was always a huge fan of the Double Stuffed Oreo, but now that I have this new recipe, I can’t but be torn between the two.

Here it goes…I swear you will love them! Please try them and tweet me back with what you think! @Babyswags

One package of regular Oreo cookies
One 8oz package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
One bag of white chocolate chips

Grind the Oreo cookies into a powdery form with your food processor. (or in a bag and rolling pin)
Let the cream cheese soften.

Blend those two together to form one big ugly black ball of doughy substance.

Put the big ball into the fridge and let it get cold. Once it is firm (not super glue hard, but just enough so it doesn’t fall apart. You want to make little tiny balls about the size of a medium gumball.

Heat up your white chocolate chips. Place them in the microwave but be careful not to over cook it or it will just turn solid as a rock. I separated them into three sections and heated on defrost for 1 minute or so and stirred until it was all melted.

Dip the medium sized ball into the white chocolate and let it cool on wax paper or alum. foil.

From there, once you are done and they are all cooled, place in a container and stick in the fridge.

OMG, they are SO moist and delish! I just know you will love them! In fact, I think I am going to grab a couple right now! YUM!!!

Your First Layer consists of blending the cream cheese and sugar together. Fold in the Cool Whip topping. Spread mixture evenly over cooled crust. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Your second layer consists of dissolving the strawberry Jello in 2 cups boiling water. Then add frozen strawberries and allow to jell slightly. Pour the mixture on top of cream cheese mixture. Blend it and refrigerate.

Whala! It’s done and is the Bestest ever!!! Happy Birthday and Happy 4th!

As you know Baby Swags has been very productive over the last few years and all my hard work is finally starting to pay off. Whether you have been with me since day one or you just joined the group, you know or soon will know, that I take what I do very seriously. Some (being my family) may say I am a bit of a work-a-holic, and yes, it is probably true, even though I don’t really see it that way. The way I see it is, I am building my business and to do so, it takes a lot of time, energy and patience. After being in business for myself for a long time now, there is one thing that some people don’t really understand and that is the power of word of mouth advertising. Baby Swags has been built on nothing more than word of mouth. Why is Baby Swags a leading gifting company for small businesses and more so for work at home mom based businesses? It is because I am down to earth, I am personable, I am honest, I am straight forward, and better yet, I do my job and I do it well. Granted it may take a bit longer to reply to emails and things of that nature, but I am still here doing my business by myself and it does get hard at times to keep up with the day to day tasks which is why I am considering taking on some help. I am simply running out of time in the day to get what I need to get done, done. I am reaching a point in my business where I feel confident in where I stand in the market place. To be receiving referrals from clients as well as celebrities is an amazing feeling when you know you have put everything you possibly have into your business, and you sincerely love and enjoy what you do. The results are priceless.

Today’s topic on word of mouth advertising was selected because I received a few great comments this week and with out word of mouth, I, in all honesty probably would not be where I am at today. I have been told by various people that they have heard of Baby Swags from different networks, from their home town friends and acquaintances, from overhearing conversations, etc… I myself, even heard two girls talking at poolside when I was in Vegas about Baby Swags so I know that I am doing what I should be doing, that I have without a doubt, found my passion. My last note to you is never under estimate the power of one compliment.

When you are feeling down, take a look around you. Remember the day you decided to go into business for yourself and how it made you feel. Pull out your first testimonial of how good your product is. I know you still have it! Look at and read your about us page. It is when you least expect it, that signs of success are at your door. It is your job now to keep the door open and let it all in.

Why would I think that in an economy like we have today? Why would I think of it in that way with many people not working, businesses failing, and the threats of what CPSIA will do to many, many more small businesses. I will tell you why. I believe. Plain and simple. I believe. I am a dreamer yes, but I am also a realist. I know that times are hard, but you have to change YOUR mindset to know that THIS is YOUR time to shine. It is time for you to re-invent yourself. It is an opportunity to make those changes in your business that just aren’t working for you, set up a new plan and market yourself like crazy! It honestly does not take a lot of money to do that, just time, and patience. You have to take advantage of the situation and really put yourself to the test. Can you do it? Do you believe in yourself, or in your product? Because I know that I believe in your business and products. If you have been with me for a while, you know that is the honest to goodness truth. Those that just recently joined, after you get to know me (more on a personal level), you will come to see that I really do love working with who I’ve come to call, “My girls”, just ask any of them, they’ll tell ya!

Now what I want you to do is, stop thinking about the “What If’s” and replace that with “No matter what, I will succeed”. You and you alone have the power to change how your business is going. If you don’t like something, change it. If you want more retailers, go get them. If you don’t know how to do something, ask someone who does. YOU have the power. Don’t let the news, the media, the papers, the magazines dictate how you run your business. You have invested too much to just throw it all to the dogs. Put yourself out there. Make yourself heard. Make yourself seen.

For instance, I know that there are other gifting companies out there. It just goes to prove that there is a market for what I am doing. I am ok with the competition. It just makes life more interesting. It allows me to reinvent myself all the time. Bring in new things, test things out, get rid of things that don’t work for the companies I represent. I never was one for long term contracts because I don’t like to tie people in Baby Swags unless they want to be here. I have built my business just as you all have. I have spent countless hours up at night researching, making contacts, taking pictures of product, writing press releases, reaching out to companies for support, strumming up media, and I won’t stop. I am up at 7am, running around with three kids all day and night, then when they are all in bed, I work until 3am. I don’t do this a few nights, I do this EVERY night. I am constantly reaching out to people whether it be on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, ning networks, email networks, my network, I reach out and make myself available to my clients, my contacts, my friends. With everything I do, I put at least 200% into it. I have built my business by providing the best customer service and have developed a great following. I have become well known in the entrepreneurial community and I am extremely proud of all my accomplishments and for the fact that I have been able to do my job and have received many positive results. I don’t like failing and I certainly do not like giving up on my dreams. Like the Trump man says, quitting makes you a loser and I am not a loser, nor are you.

So you see, I have the same exact work ethics as you do. I work hard, I put my best foot forward and I keep on movin towards my goals. I am not giving up, not now, not ever and nor should you. Do not let this economic situation make you a victim. Stand tall, stand strong and you will see, when this becomes a distant memory, YOU will still be standing!

——————–

Well, I hope you have found this to be inspiring and I hope that you are all up to date with what is going on with Baby Swags. It is an exciting time, please take advantage of any opportunities you can. I promise to do my best at getting you the recognition you truly deserve. Your hard work and dedication will certainly not go unnoticed!

Don’t forget- follow me on Twitter!

Have a great, fun-filled weekend! Email me if you need me!

Sincerely,

Phyllis Pometta
BabySwags.com
www.twitter.com/Babyswags
info@babyswags.com
Find me on Facebook & Myspace by searching for – BabySwags

With that said, *holding up my glass*, cheers to 2009! May you bring us many new opportunities, unlimited growth and exposure for all!

To see more about what Baby Swags does, visit our main website at babyswags.com