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!

Extending the little break...

Hi there! Well, here it is - late June - and my website is not yet ready to be launched. I've learned a lot about myself over the past month... I have a hard time saying a very short & small word, "No."

I absolutely love working with my customers, and I love designing custom paper goods for them. But I also know with all my heart that I'll be able to help my customers so much more with a new and improved website. Usually summer is a slower time for my little business, but I've been amazed at the number of orders you've so kindly entrusted to me! Thank you so very much.

I've had to extend my little break until late July, and I've put up an automatic away message in my email to hold myself accountable. I'm so sorry that I won't be able to work on your orders for another month, but trust me, the best is yet to come! Thank you for your support and encouragement, and be sure to check back in a month to see the brand new Beth Hart Designs website - it's looking oh so good!

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!