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Recent postsBillets récents
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Dot & Lil + BIGARADE
April 04, 2016 bypar Anne D.
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big news: adventure time!
November 07, 2012 bypar Anne D.
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dot & lil by the sea
September 11, 2012 bypar Anne D.
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what I've learned this year: uncertainty & mistakes
July 10, 2012 bypar Dot and Lil
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studio reno chaos: behind the scenes
May 28, 2012 bypar Dot and Lil
notes
notes › entrepreneurship
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I used to post a lot more small business related posts, about the fears and stretching and growing and skill-learning that go along with being an entrepreneur or giving it all to one project or idea. It's not that I have less to say on the matter, it's just that the posts don't seem to flow on this subject the way they used to. I've found myself wondering this week why they are happening less...
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So anyone who follows me on twitter or facebook or has been around me this spring already knows that the studio underwent a renovation and transformation in April and May. This has been generally referred to as #renochaos. Now I'm definitely late with this post, as the official unveiling of the new studio was our open house on May 12th. But it's been busy over here at Dot & Lil, so forgive me!
My...
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This has been one of those months that seem to jump by at warp speed. And yet, it seems sometimes that time is barely ticking forward, that progress in my small business is happening in inches when I'd rather jump miles . I am at once completely enchanted by the possibilities that are emerging for Dot & Lil and for me, and terrified at what they might bring. Sometimes there's so much to do that...
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An inspiring talk from Gayle Tzemach Lemmon on women and entrepreneurship. The highlights for me?"When we change the way we see ourselves, others will follow. And it is time for all of us to think bigger.""We are not a special interest group. We are the majority."Enjoy!
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I love my city. I love walking in it, and I love that is a walkable city. I love looking up at the distinctive rooftops of my neighborhood. I love that although it is busy, and urban, and a city, Montreal has an unmistakable small town feel. Parts of Montreal sleep, in a way that larger cities never do. Parts of Montreal breathe, too, in a way that I notice when I...
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I am working hard this month, getting ready for the spring edition of the Montreal Gift Show at the beginning of March. Press kits, prices, new exciting product developments (start getting excited, there's really cute stuff on the way for spring!) and planning a new booth design.
As much as I love doing craft shows, wholesale shows like the Gift show are nice too-- they give me the unique...
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In a strange twist of trying to inspire myself today, while brainstorming design ideas for a new product line, I came upon the odd question of what animal would represent Dot & Lil, if we had one. This led me to much time wasting searching through lovely vintage images, of course. One of my favorite pastimes. All the images in this post are from The Graphics Fairy, a great blog for any kind of...
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It has been a very crazy year. New clients, new shows, new approaches. I quit my job to work on Dot & Lil full time. I moved Dot & Lil out of my house and into a separate studio. All in all, the biggest year ever for my little company. And right now in the midst of crazy holiday rush, with new challenges and new projects, I am at once terrified and overjoyed. It's that thrilling feeling, that I...
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It seems like everything has changed in such a short time! Tomorrow will be my first work and production day from my new Dot & Lil studio. And that changes just about everything! For the first time in the almost 4 years that I have worked on this business with all that I have, it will be separate from my home and, really, separate from me. I have worked so hard and there have been so many...
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A handy little list of what shows and events Dot & Lil will be participating in this fall and winter! Lots of other great handmade, handcrafted, local artisans too. I know where I'll do MY holiday shopping!
Boite de Noël annual holiday sale
Thursday October 13th 6-9 p.m
Friday October 14th 10 a.m. to 9 p.m
Saturday October 15th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday October 16th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Royal St Lawrence...
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It has been on my mind lately that what I’m building here at Dot & Lil can be thought of in many ways. Back when I was reading E-Myth, I thought and wrote a lot about building a business as a system. I still consider that a lot, as I go about the work of building Dot & Lil. Lately though, I find myself thinking about businesses versus jobs. After Seth Godin posted about ita few weeks ago, I gave...
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If you have $25 to spare, and let's be honest here you probably do when it really comes down to it, please head over to the Dot & Lil Kiva team and loan an entrepreneur somewhere in the world some money to give them a leg up. How little will you miss it, how much will they appreciate it.
Lend a hand, please!
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Yesterday, I launched a project here at Dot & Lil that I've been thinking about for a long time. I've known for a while now that I want to increase the ways in which my small business contributes. In fact, I want trying and contributing and helping to be tied right into the business model. And so I'm excited to launch what I hope becomes a permanent and successful project at Dot & Lil: the Dot &...
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Until July 31st, you can vote for me once a day in the FuEl Awards, a contest that celebrates Canada's future entrepreneurial leaders. It's easy to voteand easy to comment, and I would be grateful! Even though you guys have shown awesome support so far and there are some great comments that made me feel all shy and melty, there are a few people KICKING MY BUTT so far in this competition! So PLEASE...
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What's coming for Dot & Lil in 2011? As I sit down and plan it I can't help but feel like I have so, so far to go. But it makes me realize how far I've come! In 2010 I added 9 retailers. I attended over 30 shows (no wonder I needed a rest this week!). I formulated and launched 2 new products and 5 new scents. I participated in my longest show ever. I redesigned my labels and changed my print...
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I know I've talked about Seth Godin before, but...wow. Did this post ever just speak directly to me, in terms of what I'm feeling with my business these days.
"If your business or your music or your art or your project is truly worth your energy and your passion, then don't sell it short by putting its future into a lottery ticket.", he says. And I see what he means. It's easy, sometimes, to get a...
above: Jane Heller magnet set. 
Recent postsBillets récents
-
Dot & Lil + BIGARADE
April 04, 2016 bypar Anne D.
-
big news: adventure time!
November 07, 2012 bypar Anne D.
-
dot & lil by the sea
September 11, 2012 bypar Anne D.
-
what I've learned this year: uncertainty & mistakes
July 10, 2012 bypar Dot and Lil
-
studio reno chaos: behind the scenes
May 28, 2012 bypar Dot and Lil