Grand ReOpening and Launch Date

Happy Friday! So much progress is being made on my new website that I finally feel comfortable announcing the Grand ReOpening and Launch date for the new & improved Beth Hart Designs (drumroll please)... Monday, August 5, 2013!

In just about 2 weeks, I'll be launching my new logo, branding and website, and I'll be reopening for business! We'll be celebrating in a very special way, so stay tuned for the details. This will be my final blog post on this platform because my new website will have the blog built-in, and I'm so excited about all the goodness that will be shared there! Thank you so much for your patience with me during this time... I greatly appreciate your support and encouraging words!

Taking a Time Out

I'm not sure where the time goes, but here we are in late May... school's almost out for the summer, the lazy southern summer afternoons are beginning, and summer vacations are about to be in full swing! I love this time of the year - no matter how hot and humid it gets!

Here at Beth Hart Designs, I have decided it's time to take a little time out, but there will be plenty of work going on behind the scenes! Today is the last day to place orders until further notice in mid to late June. I'm working hard to catch up on current orders, and I'm building a better brand along with a new website that will better serve YOU - the most important part of my business! I'm also hard at work on a collaborative design project that I'll be excited to announce soon!

This "time-out" was actually a pretty difficult decision for me to make. In the 5 years I've been in business, I've never taken a break from customer orders (other than over the Christmas and New Year's holidays). I love working with my clients to design and create just the right paper products for their special occasions. But if I'm honest with myself and with you, I desperately need this time to catch up and rebuild the new and improved Beth Hart Designs. I've been promising myself for years that I'd take time to build a website that truly represents me and my business - a website that I can be 100% proud to show off. Now is the time to make this happen, and I truly appreciate your support and understanding!

Stay tuned for the exciting re-launch of the new Beth Hart Designs in mid to late June! You better believe we'll be throwing one heck of a party to celebrate!

Monday Motivation - Watch With Glittering Eyes

Good Monday Morning! My husband and I just returned from a long weekend in Charleston, South Carolina. It's one of our favorite places to visit for several reasons - delicious food, beautiful views, rich history, good shopping, and it's just oozing with true Southern Charm. We spent hours walking through Charleston's historic downtown taking in the amazing architecture and sophisticated gardens. I'm in love with those stately front porches, intricate iron gates, gas lanterns and beautiful courtyards.

I left Charleston with a renewed and refreshed spirit, motivational energy, and tons of inspiration for not only my business but also our lifestyle. So many days of my life I spend "in a hurry" - trying to cross things off the list without taking a moment to enjoy the Creator's beautiful masterpiece around me. Taking time out to explore the world around us and recharge our batteries is crucial to a well-balanced life. My friend and mentor, Whitney English, often reminds us that we need to allow for more "white space" in life, and I totally agree. The following quotation by Roald Dahl is an eloquently worded reminder that we must take time to watch the world around us with glittering eyes in search of the magic that lies in the most unlikely places.

I will be taking some time these next few weeks to complete and catch up on unfinished customer orders. I will also be using this time to finalize my new branding and website so that I can finally be 100% proud of the business I've built over these past 5 years. This Wednesday the 22nd will be the last day to place orders for the next few weeks. I hope you understand that I desperately need this time to recharge my batteries so that I can better serve you - the customer - the most important and appreciated part of my business! Thank you for your support, and stay tuned for the exciting re-launch of the new & improved Beth Hart Designs!

Monday Motivation - Discover New Oceans with Courage

Good Monday Morning! I know it's been a little quiet here on the blog, but I'm working hard behind the scenes on some very exciting projects. April is the birthday month for Beth Hart Designs - I can't believe my business is 5 years old! These past five years have been such a blessing and such a learning experience. I'm beyond thankful to my customers, family and friends for giving me the opportunity to do what I love.

Starting this journey five years ago took a leap of faith and a lot of courage. I've had several hills to climb but thankfully a whole lot of growth along the way - both professionally and personally. My business has gone through a good bit of change, and a good bit more is on the way. I've been blessed to have taken some amazing opportunities to work on my personal growth - including attending The Stationery Academy last summer and attending the Authenticate workshop last week. Both of these were led by Whitney English Kolb who is an amazing teacher and an inspiration for so many creative entrepreneurs. She has an abundance of knowledge, experience and courage from her own journey that she so graciously shares to inspire and encourage others. Thank you, Whitney!

I'm so anxious and excited to share my rebranding and new website with you in late May/early June! I feel like I'm finally going to be able to share the real Beth Hart. Without giving too much away, there will be a new element to Beth Hart Designs - something that I'm really passionate about and something I've never done professionally before. I'd be telling a fib if I said I wasn't nervous or scared about putting myself out there to begin this new chapter of Beth Hart Designs. But I'm determined to be courageous and follow my gut.

At some point, we all have to face decisions that require courage. In order to become the best we can be, we have to look fear in the face and move forward. We have the option to either let fear and uncertainty hold us back or to move onward with courage to discover new oceans and new lands of opportunity. I choose courage, and I hope you will too!

Monday Motivation - What You Were Made To Do

I've been neglecting my blog for several reasons - business is busy (I'm so thankful), winter makes me want to hibernate, and I'm rebranding Beth Hart Designs.

I can't wait to share the new and improved BHD with you in May! I've designed a new logo, established colors, patterns, and fonts for my brand... and most importantly I'm building a brand new website that I think will finally represent me, my business, my products, and my passions. I am truly thankful for my customers who continually put blind faith in me and my designs... because if you look at my current website, you'd think I was one of the most limited paper companies out there. It's been driving me crazy! So it's time to do something about it!

My journey with Beth Hart Designs has been wonderful, but I know that I haven't fulfilled my purpose or reached my potential. At the Stationery Academy, we learned that it's so very important to put our best work out there that represents us as designers and creative entrepreneurs so that we can attract our ideal clients. I'm in the process of defining my ideal client so that I can reach out to her. I'll be sharing that definition with you soon.... I'm so excited about the possibilities that will come from my efforts to represent the real Beth Hart!

Everyone has a purpose and potential. The key to fulfilling your purpose and reaching your potential is believing that you are fully capable. Our Father has designed us to do great things, and He will help us along the way. I'm learning to throw my "agenda" onto His shoulders because I know He has far greater things in store for me than I can ever hope for. "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..." (Ephesians 3:20).

It's Monday - a fresh start to a new week! Believe with all of your heart that you will do what you were made to do!

What's Happening - Three Blind Vines

Happy Wednesday! I wanted to take a little time on my lunch break to share with you a pretty big project on which I've been working... Three Blind Vines. I'm a board member of The Next Generation Heritage Foundation in Franklin and Williamson County. Our annual fundraiser is Three Blind Vines - a fabulous wine tasting event with a silent auction, delicious food from local vendors, and live music.

The theme in the past has revolved around the fashion trends from the Roaring 1920's. This year, the board decided to adopt a new theme based on styles from the late 1950's and early 1960's. The hit TV show Mad Men on ABC was where most of the inspiration came from along with the film Catch Me if You Can and the original Ocean's 11 featuring the Rat Pack. As a Graphic Designer, I volunteered to take on the role of Branding the event.... everything from establishing the logo to designing ads, posters, flyers, brochures, programs and more! I've had the privilege of taking a small ownership in this event that our board has worked many hours to make a reality.

Three Blind Vines is this Friday night, February 22nd from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. I encourage you to come taste the great wines, eat delicious food, and enjoy live music all to benefit the amazing Franklin Theatre. For more information and to purchase your tickets, please visit the website.

The inspiration board and event branding designs are below... Hope to see you this Friday night! Cheers!

Monday Motivation - Trust The Creator

Good morning! I wanted to share a bit of motivation and encouragement for those who may be feeling a little unsure of what lies ahead. Of course, none of us really know what the future holds, but there are definitely times when you feel stuck in "waiting mode." It may seem that you're held hostage by the "in-between," and you're anxious to know what the next stage in life will hold.

I have been in these places before, and I feel that way now sometimes. My business has grown leaps and bounds over the past few years (thanks to my amazing and loyal customers), but I still feel like I'm on the verge of something new and exciting! I have plans to launch my new branding and new website this Spring, and that may be the stepping stone I need. But for now, I'm in the "in-between." I'm not afraid of this stage, and I'm willing to be patient for what lies ahead. I trust The Creator because He knows what He's doing.

Business and careers are not the only places where we can feel stuck in "waiting mode." Some people may be waiting for the miracle of life to arrive like an expecting friend of mine here in Nashville. Some people may be waiting for a previous house to sell so they can find the home of their dreams. Some people may be waiting for a cure to the dreadful disease that has affected a loved one. Life is full of these "waiting" moments.

When I've been in these places before, it's amazing to look back and see how God directed my path. He put everything in place and worked out every little detail that led me to far better opportunities and circumstances than I could have ever dreamed for myself. Because of His faithfulness in the past, I'm not afraid of what lies ahead. I trust that He knows what's best for me and for those who trust in Him. So cast your cares upon Him, and embrace the "in-between" because He is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine!

Monday Motivation - Be Yourself

It's the last week in January - hooray! I love January for the new beginnings and fresh starts, but I'll be honest - I'm never sad to see it go. I love sunshine and warm weather, and January makes Spring seem so far away. So come on, February!

I'm in the midst of rebranding and launching a new website for Beth Hart Designs. I learned from the Stationery Academy that I need to first define who I am and what I value - then build my business to reflect just that. It's easy to compare myself and my design style to other professionals, but I ultimately want to set myself apart from the rest. What makes BHD different from any other paper design company? It's me, Beth Hart. I need to be myself and the rest will fall into place. I know that I'm doing what I love, and I have faith that my Father will help me reach my full potential.

It's not always easy to be yourself or stand out in a crowd... sometimes it's just easier to blend in and be like everyone else. But I think we were all created to let our own unique light shine. We all have a purpose which can't be fulfilled by being like everyone else. So go be YOU, and shine brightly!

What's Happening Wednesday - Brand Inspiration

I'm using my lunch break on this rainy day to brighten, refresh and better define my brand. With the start of this new year, I've naturally been doing a little personal and professional soul searching. I've asked myself numerous questions that essentially get to this point:

Why am I in this paper design business and how does it answer to my higher calling?

I absolutely love what I do, and Beth Hart Designs is such a large part of me and my life. I'm proud of the hard work I've put into BHD, but I know there is plenty of room for improvement! The about page on my website helps to define a little more about me and why I'm in business. But I ultimately want all aspects of my brand to reflect the love I have for Southern style and the faith I have in my heavenly Father.

So I'm ready to get to work and give Beth Hart Designs a fresh new look. My current website is terribly outdated, and there are oodles of designs and products I offer that no one even knows about. Shame on me! So I'm building a sparkly new website, editing my logo a little, establishing my collections of products and designs, and making sure that BHD represents everything that I value and hold close to my heart. It's so exciting!

If you follow me on Pinterest, you'll see that I've been busy pinning many ideas for color and pattern inspiration on this board. To sum it up, I've included my favorite pictures below:

I can't wait to share the finished product with you this Spring - don't you think Spring is the perfect time to launch a new beginning and have a fresh start? I better get back to work! Happy Wednesday!