The Pit Stop

It is back to school week here in Texas, and for us, that means the opportunity to start anew! Missy started exercising for the first time in 3 years, Amy took a much well deserved couple of days off in honor of her birthday:-), and I have managed to find a bit of time to tap into some vintage inspiration.

But more importantly, as we prepare for our one year anniversary (and the launch of our new winter/spring line which we think you wil luv!!), we are reminded of the core values and our vision in creating BlueAvocado.  One of the key components of that vision is to create an impact  - “where the act of one effect the lives of many.”

And so, as a reminder to ourselves, we wanted to mark a day to consciously start “paying it forward.” Clearly pay it forward is nothing new.   Movies have been made. Studies have been conducted proving that kindness strengthens our immune system. Our favorite talk show hosts (ie. Ellen Degeneres) and self help gurus have conducted social experiments. And now, even iPhone apps are available.

So we are taking it down to basics with our first “Pay It Forward Friday.”  This is simply a step we can take together to collectively set the intention to do good!

We also want to support you in your effort to “Pay It Forward.”  For every 5th person who shares how they get the good on via Facebook and every 20th person who RT our  ”Pay It Forward Friday” message on Twitter, we will provide a free bag for yourself or to pass on to a friend in need of some plastic bag detox.

There are no rules as to how you pay it forward - it could be a donation to your favorite charity, reaching out to a long lost friend or loved one, giving a bigger tip at your favorite eatery, helping a homeless person, letting someone in fron of you in traffic, or flashing a spectacular smile at a stranger. The possibilities are endless and we can’t wait for the sharing to begin!

Look for our reminder Friday on Facebook and Twitter. Here is to ripples that make waves.  As always, thanks for joining the journey!

Editor’s Note: The following opinions are explicitly representative of Paige only. Missy and Amy (thankfully) would never be caught dead coming clean with such confessions below.

I remember the day clearly. Earth Day – 2008. We had just completed the first official version of our business plan and begun to circulate it amongst potential angel investors. I was home channel surfing and found myself in a green programming dream. As a stereotypical “thirty-something female LOHAS consumer” I was a sucker for how this new wave of sustainability had taken on a sudden hip new theme as 30 Rock, Oprah, and other media outlets embraced a new approach to green messaging. Suddenly I found myself on HSN – my heart stopped. Not only had it looked as if they had gone through a new re-branding effort that immediately caught my eye, but I saw that some of my favorite brands were scheduled to be featured.  It was at that moment, deep in my core, I knew – BlueAvocado MUST be on HSN. 

Now first you may ask why would I even recognize that HSN has re-branded? Well, I can’t hide it anymore – I HEART HSN. Perhaps it is the genetic obsession with infomercials we watched while growing up (I am convinced that my father is the first man ever to purchase exercise equipment from TV almost 20 years ago – the Nordic Track), or maybe it is the fact that I am sucker for some good ole’ innovation and the unique spirit of all things entrepreurial. Regardless – I am fascinated and hooked.

It took a period of incubation and some amazing tenacity on the sales front, but a few months later our sales rep had called and the initial first contact at HSN had been made – and there was interest!!

Fast forward almost a year and half after that first “green” HSN moment in my living room, and our dream has manifested into a reality. So as we make our debut on HSN today, I am beyond excited to absorb every aspect of this fascinating subculture of American consumerism. We are joining a long legacy of entrepreneurs and inventors, and we are humbled to be part of this new family.  Check our twitter feed for the latest updates and join us as we all “OUT OUR INNER HSN”!!

In the early stages of dreaming up BlueAvocado, before our mission of “Do Good. Get It Done” became our battlecry, we came together as 3 women with completely different styles and sensibilities.  We have grown and learned about one another in ways we could have never imagined. And just when we thought we knew each other the best, we were faced with our first gift show.

Below are a few highlights. Now let me preface that the following portrayal is from my (paige) perspective.  And let me just put it out there that as a Jew at a trade show (with a little bit of princess in her), I was so far outside of my comfort zone that the anxiousness building up to this show was almost unbearable.  But I embraced the adventure and recognized that Mercury was in retrograde and headed in, faith first!

While the initial departure was a little shaky beginning with me crashing my passenger side mirror exiting my garage, we experienced some immediate big moments. Missy specifically conquered her fear of I35 corridors as she drove the UHaul the entire way from Austin to Dallas. Granted she was white knuckling it and in cold sweat the entire time, but SHE DID IT!

While we did in fact re-design our booth at least 3 times (thanks to some helpful feedback from our neighbors), it was clear Missy and I needed some support in reeling in customers.  For whatever reason, the smell of fresh baked cookies via Tiff’s Treats didn’t close the deals on their own.  Lucky for us, Amy arrived soon after and in no time we were all closing deals and literally getting it done! Then the rest of the team came swooping in, and it was clear – BlueAvocado had made its mark on Dallas Market ’09!

As the show comes to a close, we are humbled by the moments of sheer delirium coupled with unexpected successes that created a roller coaster ride we will all remember.   There were many lessons learned and amazing connections made.  Having achieved the goals and metrics we set forth, we step back in a moment of gratitude for an amazing team and spirited customers that helped to make our first gift show a success. The Dallas Gift Show has fueled a new BlueAvocado spirit that will propel us onward to future trade show success. Expo West – here we GRO!!!