"It Will Never Happen"

by Mary Jane Newlon
(Durant, Oklahoma)

I want to begin by saying that I have tried everything from balloons to making ribbon flowers. Nothing ever worked because I jumped right in thinking that I will make a fortune.

"People will be knocking down my door to buy from me." That was a joke. I bought all kinds of supplies, never thinking it would not sell.

The last big thing I did was making balloon bouquets. That was a failure. I spent almost $2,000 just for the machine and what went in the bags.

I now am trying to do jewelry with my best friend. We have made over 400 items.

I thought it would be so easy going trade shows, advertising, having parties, selling to friends, getting on the internet, making a website.

Now, I am realizing that you have to believe in what you are doing, but also realize that knowing your product, what people want, and how to get it to them in an inexpensive way.

Everything has rules and done in a logical order, and that takes time.

I now know it takes a lot of work, mistakes will be made, and problems will arise. Yet, I am not going to give up.

This is our dream and we have so much fun making the items, and trying to get ideas to make things different than anyone else.

I have learned that a lot of research has to be done, but it is a whole new learning experience that is well worth the wait.

I know we will succeed, because we have faith in our product that it is something women would really want to have, but yet not have to spend a lot of money to get it.

We are learning about incentives to people, discounts, what the public wants, what we can do to make someone smile including us.

Mary Jane Newlon