The Tin Shingle Blog

If I had a dollar for every small business I encouraged to create a blog, I'd be getting myself a little "high five" in the form of this sassy little puppy.  But alas, I personally feel like all too often I see companies that aren't taking advantage of this powerful, free and brand-directed business tool.  Don't get me wrong, I, like many of you, feel that if you're not going to do a good job at something you best not do it, and I know that lack of time often makes you think you won't be able to create a blog for your company and run it well.  That said, I believe in business we make time for what is important, a priority and what could bring our company great ROI.  I think for many of you, a blog is one of those things.  As part of my campaign to get you to begin thinking strategically and creatively about a possible blog (or more stratetgic use of your blog if you already have one) I've laid out a few -  well eight reasons (plus bonus one 'cause I love ya) - blogs are one of my favorite buzz building business tools.

What’s the point of having a blog as a business?

1. You can create quality and shareable content that can be passed along to social media, customers and more.
2. You have the power to drive traffic to different parts of your company’s website that you want to give attention to.
3. Having a company or personal blog lets you control and maintain your image.
4. A blog lets companies "pull back the curtain" and show people about who they are.  People love seeing the face or team behind the brand - that can keep them passionate about your business and mission like you won't believe!
5. Helps you improve brand awareness and engagement with current and future customers and clients.
6. Helps new customers & clients find you through key word searches. BAM! That means you're getting buzz while you sleep! Literally!
7. Experts can prove they are valuable source of information. 
8. Newsworthy interviews or content on your blog can lead to pick up in other blogs and media outlets, further growing your brand's visibility, traffic and name recognition!

Bonus idea? You can make content work double time and turn the tips you created for your blog into a service/expert based pitch!  Both ways of sharing your knowledge show you are an industry leader!

I hope I've planted the seed - blogs can be your sercret weapon for public relations, SEO, sales and more! I'm so geeked out about them I'll be back to share more reasons soon along with some of my favorite examples of small business owners like you putting their blog ideas into action.
 

A life-changing experience and an enduring love of family led Liz Emery to start her clothing line, Liz & Ett.  While caring for her grandmothers and watching their dignity wither away with physical challenges, Liz decided to bring style to women with limited mobility. She learned the ropes of the clothing design business, with the good fortune of being in the heart of New York City's Garment District as her playground. Today, Liz & Ett brings stylish clothing choices to mothers and grandmothers and anyone with limited mobility, with her smartly designed SmockFrock™ , a chic version of an adult bib for those who are prone to messes at mealtime, the hair salon, and even during painting class in a retirement home. With a new line of designs on the horizon, a SmockFrock™ for men, Liz is busier than ever. But with a business that comes from the heart, there is no end to this labor of love!

We chatted with Liz about how she started her business:

What inspired you to get started?
After being a caregiver for my grandmothers, I saw so many ways in which we could have improved the caregiving experience.  It was life-changing for me, and the indignities that I witnessed while doing hands-on care stuck with me long after my grandmothers passed away.  I was inspired to start designing and the rest is history!   

What was your background? Was it in what you are doing now?
I was on a completely different path before starting my business!  I studied microbiology in undergrad, did my master’s in public health, and then went on to med school.  My plan was to specialize in Infectious Disease and then work for the CDC investigating disease outbreaks.  I had always wanted to be part of the Epidemic Intelligence Service!  But life had a different plan for me.  Being a caregiver was a life-changing experience and set me on a different trajectory.     

What challenge have you had to face that led to a big growth for your company?
One of the biggest challenges for me has been learning how to take a design from idea to reality.  The services available in the NY Garment Center have been instrumental in allowing me to get my business off the ground.  I utilized the Garment Industry Development Corporation (GIDC) consulting services and local sourcing showcases through FIT and the Save the Garment Center (STGC) movement to find the right manufacturers, and source my materials.  This is a steep learning curve for me, but being able to be here in NYC and manage operations hands-on, make adjustments to my designs with the pattern makers in person, etc. has made it all possible.    

What do you have going on in your business right now that you're excited about?
We’re about to launch a new design – our first design for men!  It’s a masculine version of the SmockFrock, made of techy material, and it is designed to look like a vest. 

The SmockFrock™ is fashionable and functional, it’s perfect for the woman who has everything, who has downsized, or who is facing a health challenge.  It’s something she can use daily and be reminded of how much she is loved.

Where would you love to see your business in 5 years?
I’d love to see my designs in large high end retail stores so that caregivers have access to quality, dignified products.  This niche market is so neglected – once you reach a certain age or need help with certain activities of daily living, you fall off into the land of the bland and generic.  Right now, there are more sophisticated options out there for babies and pets than there are for those with limited mobility!  My ultimate goal is for Liz & Ett to be a lifestyle brand that makes caregiving more palatable for all involved – for aging loved ones, patients in the hospital, on hospice, etc. and their families/caregivers – so that this ‘labor of love’ can be a much more dignified experience.  I want to transform the industry!

Great Gatsby fever gripped the nation long before Baz Luhrmann's movie hit theaters this month, giving us all an excuse to turn up the dial on our spring style choices and get all "Gatsby Glamourous".  This era is one of my favorites in terms of style and aesthetic because really, what's not to love?  The romance-glamour-vintage-fabulous vibe makes me giddy!  Know what else gets me giddy?  Small Biz Style of course!

In the spirit of F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, we're going to help you with your hunt for Gatsby-worthy style pieces you can wear, carry and accessorize your home with all spring and summer long!  As always, they remind us that small business are big on style!

Accessorize in true twenties style with pieces including (clockwise):
Manic Trout's Forever, For Now bracelet, Peggy Li Creations Knots & Pearls Necklace, SolEscapes Raffia Convertible Cap/Visor (hello two hats in one!),  Bella Dawn Gold Mosaic Bracelet, Bella Dawn Filigree Earrings, Christine Mighion Gold & Aquamarine Ring.

Wear it as a necklace, wrap bracelet or a headband, it's Gatsby all the way with this convertible sunflower piece by Emily Elizabeth Jewelry.  Add on Layla Joy's Kris Champagne earrings, Jacqueline Kimberly Jewelry's Gardenia Ring one one hand and Christine Mighion's Wrap Around Rainbow Moonstone Ring on the other.  Keep your feet happy with these deco-inspired rollable flats by Footzyfolds and you're good to go!

Rainy spring days are no excuse not to be fabulous.  Thanks to SolEscapes purple ombre umbrella we've literally got you covered.  Keep hair Gatsby gorgeous with these bow headbands from Bella Dawn. Nikki Baker's earrings were so perfect (I can completely picture them adoring Carey Mulligan) we couldn't pick just one between her Pink Topaz and Pave Diamond Bean earrings so we're sharing them both with you!  Finally, don't leave out your home when thinking Gatsby-style.  Pillows are easy ways to amp up style.  Just snag a throw pillow cover like this Rhodes gold filigree style from Nine Space and you're on your way!

1920's and 1930's sartotial savvy can be easy achieve thanks to these  ideas from small business owners and entrepreneurs!  Best of all, as always, buying small business gives you "rewards points" in your heart!

Read more Small Biz Style posts here!

Celebrities: whether they be from the big or small screen, the world of sports, musicians, dancers, models, big name bloggers or (yikes) reality stars, they aren't just pretty faces.  No, these days celebrities can be brandmakers, propelling businesses big and small into the national spotlight with the mere mention of their name (or being spotted with their product).

Like it or not, we all know that highly visible influencers can lead to press, increased sales, retail opportunities, and social media buzz, but not everyone knows how to turn those potential opportunities into a reality.  Until now!

At Tin Shingle one of our main missions and passions is helping entrepreneurs and small business owners of all kinds get the word out about their businesses and helping them get to celebrities is part of the deal!  That's why we called on the founders of  Haute House PR, Jordan Landes-Brenman and Kelly Kepner (PR celebrities in their own right) to compile a list packed with the Do's and Don'ts of working with celebrities.  Well, the ladies did more than deliver, they made two lists filled with inside scoop on creating and growing relationships with celebrities that is so big we've broken it into two articles that every business owner should read, print out and hang over their desk!

• Top 10 Do's - How to Get Your Products on Celebrities
  
• Top 10 Don'ts  - How to Get Your Product on Celebrities

Don't waste another second wondering why some companies have celebrities singing their praises and yours doesn't, head right on over to Jordan and Kelly's tips and find out what you should (and shouldn't) be doing to make it happen for you!