The Pit Stop

We will be the first to admit that we can get a bit overboard with the women empowerment thing here at BA HQ.  So if there is ever a time to quiet our inner goddesses and embrace all the men in our lives, Father’s Day is the time.

If we don’t say it enough, we are beyond grateful for the support, love, and feedback (whether solicited or not:-) that we receive from the special men in our lives.  And what is better than beginning to see BlueAvocado sightings of men sporting their gro-paks around town. While many are wearing the solid line pride, we have to give a big shout out to those men who can where our bright signature avocados (especially the raspberry) with as much pride.  And lets be clear - there are alot:-)

But it is with a heavy heart, that this day also reminds us of the men that are no longer with us. Whether a father, an uncle, a brother, a grandfather, boyfriend, or friend, we hold your memories deep in our hearts.  We remember you in the smallest ways be it a childhood trip to the coffee shop for donuts, or teaching us to dive for the first time, or inspiring an entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success that we may not have realized at the time you were here.  You are in our hearts and we believe you would be so proud.

So on this Father’s Day 2009, lets celebrate ALL the men in our lives. To all of you - We Heart You!!

ps. thanks to Alan, father of 4 for sharing his BlueAvocado luv in the above picture:-) Lookin’ good Alan!

There is no question, we have the best customers ever! We really like to call them family (in fact many of them are:-).  From the random citings we see of savvy sisters sporting their BlueAvocado gro-pak around town, to the honest feedback we have received on how to improve our product line and processes,  we got some SERIOUS luv to give. In fact, our solid line was in large part inspired by the men in our lives who so clearly expressed that “we do the shopping too.”

So when we received the following testimonial from one of our new BlueAvocado family members, we knew we must be doing something right to inspire such a hilarious and honest take of a day in the life of a gro-pak. Yes, she wrote in the voice of the raspberry gro.  We always had a dream of personifying our bags, and thanks to this creative and lovable take, we may just have to revisit. Please keep in mind that this is simply one of four emails we received. We will keep you updated.  The “Raspberry Gro Chronicles,” may just be a new staple here on The Pit Stop!  Thanks to “Rosie” for making us laugh and inspiring us.

Dear Missy, Paige and Amy:

I would like to tell you the story about my arrival.  It seems as though “my family” had suitcases packed and placed at the door and were walking out to get in the car and proceed to the airport when I arrived with the UPS man.  I was certainly surprised when Rosie opened my package, said, “Oh, that is soooo exciting!  John, I am going to take this wonderful tote to the beach!”  Well, she kind of carefully placed me in a small zipper compartment of her suitcase.  I might say I was just a little frightened wondering where we were going.  I was here to help with the groceries for heaven’s sake.  I had no idea what she had in mind for me.

I rumbled around in the suitcase and you won’t believe who I ran into.  I was in the same suitcase as pod! Now, not just any ole pod… but the halloween pod that she bought in October.  OMG  we had a great reunion.  She told me that she is always in Rosie’s purse and used so often that she even goes on vacations, etc.  She was very glad to see me and we have had so much fun.

I am sending you a picture of us at the beach.  As you can see, we were used to carry toys, etc.  We were beach bags and have been hanging out together all day.  I just love my new home.  I will write you more later…I an so busy holding sea shells, goggles, sunscreen, crocs and valuable things like cameras.  I am very important to the family and feel so good about myself.

Thank you for sending me here.  I will write more later.

Love, Raspberry Gro

In the midst of moving offices, forecasting  sales goals, gaining customer traction, fulfilling orders, pursuing press, creating new products/patterns, etc, (big sigh), we managed to squeeze in some time to get our new space in check through a Feng Shui Consultation.

While there were many insights that have had an immediate shift in our environment and personal energy levels, we have created a new ritual over here at BlueAvocado HQ.  It is basically an appreciation wall. Under the advisement of our Feng Shui Consultant and our obsession with sticky notes (which we recycle), we have created  3 simple steps to our “BlueAvocado Stick It Theory” that allows us to celebrate and in some cases recalibrate after a frustrating situation.

1. Take a moment of pause
2. Feel the luv
3. Stick It! (with a sticky of course).

This theory can be used to express to others or just to share a moment (ie. I am grateful we are on Amazon, I am glad that Ruby (Missy’s daughter) did not stick a tortilla up her nose this morning, I am grateful for my family, etc.))

We have also found that this can be a great tool when we are feeling frustrated with either each other or someone else. For example if by chance we may be having an issue, we take a pause, try to see at least one glimmer of good, and stick it!   So for all of us who so easily can get wrapped up in victim of our own circumstance, may we suggest a good ole’ “Stick It!!”