Update from 2017!

Update Time!!

          I know its been a while since you heard from me and we are already 2 months into 2018, but the last 14 months have been exciting, stressful, scary, happy, sad, and so much more!  Even though there have been some low times, I continue to TRY to focus on the positives...I know, NOT always easy!  

          First off, 2017 started the beginning steps of my real teaching career! I started substitute teaching and got the chance to be in ton of different school and teach different grades.  Sooo for 5 months I was a substitute teacher and was hoping to start a full time job with my own classroom in the fall.  

          Over the summer I worked a day camp for the 7th year getting to work with kids outside of the classroom.  I was continuing to search and hoping to get a teaching job, but after applying for a handful of jobs, nothing seemed to pan out, so I decided I would just continue subbing for the next year.  Then I could get more experience and meet more people to get my name out there more in the education world.

          While subbing and then during the summer, I also really focused on my business....creating new products, getting my business name out there, and even finding new ways to sell my products. 

These two journeys have really developed and had coinciding progress over the years.

          At the end of the summer I finally felt like I was ready to change things up! And that I had enough inventory to try a Craft Fair! I wanted to be more than just a social media page that people sometimes look at from time to time.  I wanted to get out to meet and talk to potential customers.  

          In September, I finally did it! I participated in my first CRAFT FAIR!!  And I gotta say I was impressed with all the interest, even if there weren't as many people there as I hoped.  But this experience really validated that people liked what I was making and it was exciting seeing my products bring joy to others.

          The week before this craft fair my life took an unexpected turn and I was offered and accepted my first full time teaching job!!  And it couldn't have been a better fit for me...teaching title I math in 2 elementary schools I get to teach ONLY MATH and still get to teach the younger kiddos.  I couldn't believe both my business and my teacher career were both finally taking off!

          By the end of October I decided to do another Craft Fair and literally the next weekend in November I did my third!  It was crazy how quickly things were growing....unfortunately, life happened, work got busier, and other things were going on so LexPDesigns had to take a backseat to other things.

          But then the year was coming to an end and I reflected on all the resolutions and goals (see my last blog post) I accomplished during 2017 and I knew things needed to change!  I was losing sight of the goals I had been working towards for so long.  I decided that teaching and LexPDesigns were what made me happy!!  I enrolled in classes to start my masters in January and spent more time researching and advertising LexPDesigns more.  

          I also focused on sanding, painting, and staining whenever I got stressed or overwhelmed.  It has really been the best thing for me (along with MUSIC) to escape from the stress and problems in life....whether it is with work, friends, or family....MUSIC and ART are my escapes!

          So far this year, I have focused on LexPDesigns and furthering my education more.  There has been a lot of stress recently from all the education issues in WV over the last few weeks.  I am so glad I have had this business to spend time building when other parts of my life are just out of my control.

          For 2018, I really want to take LexPDesigns to the next level and get it closer to where I've always seen it going!

          I know that I wouldn't have been able to get where I am without the support and help from my parents throughout my different journeys.

          And I also want to THANK all those customers that have helped me get to this point in my entrepreneur journey because without customers businesses wouldn't be anything!

I can't believe how much this business has already grown in just a little over 2 years!

Looking forward to continue to grow this business and make sure to check out my Instagram and Facebook pages (search LexPDesigns) to check out products available and keep up to date with whats happening in the world of LexPDesigns! 

My 52 Resolutions for 2017!

New Years Resolutions made easy!

          When a new year rolls around everyone seems to decide that they are going to be making some changes in their life for the coming year....Guilty!! 

          And if you're anything like me, most of those "New Years Resolutions" go out the window within days, weeks, or if you're lucky months.

          This year I decided not to make "A" New Years Resolution, but instead I'm going to make 52 Resolutions in 2017!  I know this sounds crazy! However, I'm tired of setting huge goals to better myself and then failing or giving up on those goals after some time...so let me explain this idea!

          Instead of having 1 Ultimate Resolution that's most likely going to be a distant memory by the end of the year, I'm going to be making 52 short term goals in 2017.  Each week I'm going to make a resolution/goal for myself to try to accomplish that week.  Some may take longer than a week, but each week I'm going to decide on a new goal to work towards.

Not exactly sure how this is going to work, but why not give it a try?

          Some resolutions may be small things I want to make sure I try to do that week, or even steps towards a bigger goal I want to accomplish.  Either way, they'll need to be realistic short term goals.  Once I accomplish my weekly goal/resolution I'm going to write it down and and add it to my 2017 Resolutions Jar.  And also throughout the year I'm going to add any other accomplishments to my jar as well.

          By doing this at the end of the year I should have a Jar full of Goals/Resolutions, I can read through of all the things I was able to accomplish throughout 2017!

Hope this helps anyone else that struggles with New Years Resolutions!

Let me know if you try this and how it's going throughout the year!

Here is to a GREAT 2017 and to accomplishing all your goals!

From the motivated/artist/teacher/business woman,

@LexPDesigns

Looking back at the first year...

The last year of LexPDesigns...

          So I started this business adventure about a year ago and a lot has changed personally and for the business over the last year.  I think the biggest change would be that I am now a college graduate as of December 10th! So I'm one step closer to being a teacher.  

          With college being over, I have a lot more free time on my hands to do things that I want to do.  And the first thing is to build LexPDesigns! For most of the past year I've had to hold off on a lot of the ideas I had for the business, because I just didn't have the time...School was my #1 priority!! However, with that checked off my bucket list (and yes I have an actual bucket list I check off) I can now focus more time on my dream of what LexPDesigns can become.

          In the last year I began some advertisements for LexPDesigns on Instagram, but in the last couple weeks I was able to expand to a Facebook page as well.  I have also tried to be more active on my social media accounts for LexPDesigns.  Social media is what people look at everyday, so why not take advantage of that to bring more awareness for my business?  And I think it is actually working!  I'm trying to grow slow so all progress is exciting at this point in the journey.  I have made 3 sales this year, and I know that doesn't seem like much, but it's a start!  I've celebrated each one as another step in the direction I want to take this business.  And I have been able to bring joy to more than 3 people already with my sales, which is my biggest motivation.  The business is for the customers! I want them to enjoy my projects.  I love to make people happy, so if my projects can do just that, then LexPDesigns has a purpose.

          I want to say thank you to all the customers and fan I've had this year. To help build this business I need to continue to make signs, so I've decided to step out of my comfort zone and create a few different types of signs, coming soon!  However, to create these signs and be able to make a lot more signs, I'm going to be trading in my sander block (well not completely, but for the most part) for a brand new hand held electric sander to make prep work a little easier and a lot faster.  I also brought a reciprocating saw because even though my dad has been sweet enough to cut my materials over the last, it is going to be more convenient to be able to cut things on my own when I need them.  This will also give me more options of what I can make.  And I can be more independent with my business, doing all the work myself.

          I've had this plan for a business for a long time and it's hard to believe it's already been a year since I began this journey of LexPDesigns.

          Although it has been a tough journey so far, I know that there's a bright future for this dream of mine as long as I stay motivated and work hard to continue to grow LexPDesigns.  

          Sometimes things don't always work out the way we plan, but if we don't give up we create a wonderful story of faith, hard work, and perseverance.

          So, I'm happy with what the year had brought for LexPDesigns and I'm excited to see what I can make it become in 2017.

Best of wishes to everyone and I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season.

From the college graduate/artist/business woman/teacher/writer/handy woman/designer/dreamer
@LexPDesigns

          P.S. I hope that you continue to enjoy my blogs and my little business.  Remember to check out my Instagram page @Lexpdesigns and contact me on there or by emailing lexpdesigns@gmail.com if you have any comments, questions, ideas, or inspirations - all are welcome!  And also remember to tell a friend about LexPDesigns.

Lessons for Life At Any Age

LESSONS FOR LIFE AT ANY AGE

Since I am a recent education college graduate, I think that there are many things that have affected the teacher I want to be for my students.  And I think that Mr. Feeny was a huge influence on that.

Growing up watching Boy Meets World, Mr. Feeny was always the neighbor and teacher that we all wanted.  He was supportive, encouraging, and reliable.  I found the 8 Lessons Mr. Feeny taught us all throughout the show and I thought I would expand them some because I agree with them 100%.  They were awesome lessons for children, but I think they are applicable to anyone at any age!

8. Random, CHAOTIC universe

Everyday life is a crazy thing in the world today.  Things happen that we don't play or don't expect to happen.  So sometimes you have to roll with the punches and deal with things in the moment.

7. SURE thing don't mean the BEST thing

There are things in life that we know will happen or we can do, but just because we can, doesn't mean we should.  We need to look at everything to make sure it is what is the best thing for us and not just the obvious or easy thing in life.

6. A REAL HERO does the RIGHT thing no matter what!

A lot of things in life are not easy and it takes those that are willing to go against the norm at times to show others the right thing to do.

5. LOVE is sometimes hard to find, but when you find someone that loves you for you, you need to appreciate them.

Friends that love each other even for all the weird reasons are the ones that are the truly lifelong friends that you should keep around.

4. We tend to complain about the things and people we care about the most

We need to remember this and that when we complain that means we care.  We complain and critique something because we want to make things better.

3. You need to remember that everyone is unique and has their own ways of doing things.

We don't all like the same things and we shouldn't try to make anyone else change anything about themselves because we think they're different.  They are themselves and that is all they can be to become the person they are meant to be.

2. SOCIETY tries to tell us what we should be living a certain way

We see so many celebrities on TV and in magazines doing and saying things and living their  lives a certain way that they have chosen for themselves.  Just because we see others doing certain things that society tries to feed to us as being what we should do does not mean we should follow along and be like everyone else.  We have to be ourselves by doing things and looking like ourselves and no one else!

1. Believe in yourselves DREAM, TRY, DO GOOD

No matter what we need to believe in ourselves and know that we can do and be anything we want.  Dream for the stars and do the best you can with everything in life.

Life's A Changing!

Big changes are coming to my life soon.....hopefully meaning more time to grow LexP Designs

The first big change is that I will No Longer Be An RA!

As this semester is ending, I will also be ending my time as an RA.  The past 3 years have been fun, a great experience, and time for growth, but it is time to move onto the next chapter in my life.  As sad as it is that such a big part of my college experience is ending I'm looking forward to seeing what the next chapter of my life is going to look like!!

Some perks of not being an RA include:

- Not being on duty all the time

- Getting to plan my life around what I WANT to do, and not what I HAVE to do

- Having more free time because I won't have a 24/7 job!

Another big change is that I'm Moving Back Home For Good

Since I will not be an RA anymore and only have student teaching left before I graduate I will no longer be living at school.  It's a little bittersweet cause I've enjoyed being away at college for the past 5 years, but it's time to move on to the next step of life.

I'm looking forward to many things by living at home, which include:

- Home cooked meals!

- Not being in the middle of nowhere

- Having more space

- Having more access to almost everything

Summer ☼

Well since it is almost Summer that means no more classes and more time for fun!  And along with fun includes some of my passions becoming larger parts of my life AGAIN!  One of those being actually being able to focus on the growth of my business.

With all these changes I can only imagine how they will all influence LexP Designs.

I'm hoping these changes all mean...

1. Being able to grow awareness of LexP Designs!!  So....remember to spread the WORD!

2. Having more time to work on new products. Let me know if you have any ideas.

3. Having more possibilities of products since I'll have more resources and supplies.

4. The ability to take more personalized orders and truly make this business what my ultimate goal has always been....to make it all about the customers!

So, look out for new products and hopefully more regular blog posts about life, school, and starting a new business while balancing everything else!

Keep Being You!

From the Hopeful/Artsy/Entrepreneur,

LexP Designs

6 Struggles of Starting a New Business While in School

6. Not being taken serious
I may be young and I may still be in school, but why does that mean I can't have my own business? If I have the talent and will power I will make it happen.  Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates started things on their own when they were just in college! So why can't I do it too? Never say can't!!

5. Location
Living away from home and at school does make things a little difficult when trying to build my new business.  My school may not be in the best location to connect with people in my hometown, but why not take advantage of all the people that are around in college? This way I can actually spread awareness of my business to people from different areas!

4. Having another job
Well when I started this business adventure I wasn't working or in school at the moment and I didn't realize how much time my jobs would occupy my free time.

3. Work Space
Living in a dorm I don't really have that much room to begin with so I definitely don't have enough room here to have a permanent workshop/work space to set up an area for my new business.

2.Passion vs. Responsibilities
I want to work on growing my new business, but I also know I have to focus on school and put as much effort into my school work as I can.  I have to be able to balance what I want to do and what I have to do.

1. Time Management
The fact that I have to go to classes, do homework and work my 2 jobs while I want to begin my new business endeavor time management is key.  I know that school comes first and I will be done soon, while my business can last for years to come.  I am lucky to be able to do school work while working both my jobs, which helps! So I ask that everyone please continue to follow me on IG @lexpdesigns and make sure to look out for more items come May when my life slows down a little!

My College Meaning of YOLO

Well Hello wonderful people!

And yes you are wonderful, why wouldn't you be?

Sometimes you may not think much about yourself, but always remember that there is always someone who thinks you are WONDERFUL and AWESOME, and most importantly YOU! And guess what.............

you'll never guess!!

No one else is YOU!

That's right you are the ONLY you.

So why not be the best and most AWESOMEST person ever! (And yes that may not be a "real" word,  but that's just how awesome you can be!  Just like EVOO, maybe it will be in the dictionary one day and you're picture could be right there next to it.......you never know, it could happen.) 

But seriously, 

"Today you are You,that is truer than true.There is no one alive who isYouer than You."
- Dr. Seuss

We all have those days there we get in those weird moods, but just remember when you catch yourself get down on yourself for being you remember those wise words of Dr. Seuss....Seriously!

So have you ever let people walk all over you and didn't stick up for yourself?

Yes? Haven't we all been there there before whether it be with certain people, in certain situations, or in different times in our lives.  

And I just wanna say, I think most people have experiences this at some point in their lives and if they never have that's great, but that doesn't mean it's never gonna happen.....unfortunately. Just because you've gotten this far in life and it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't just like anything else in life!

Similarly, if it has happened before and you may not think you will ever be able to stick up for yourself, let me tell you from experience........The more confident you are with being you the easier it will be to stick up for yourself.  

For 20+ years I was that quiet one who was non-confrontational (well with everyone but my brother of course) and just went with the flow to an extreme level were in so many situations I allowed people to always tell me what to do and even as stubborn as I am I wasn't able to stand up for myself where it be if I didn't agree with someone or I had other thoughts and views to share.  I was more just sitting back in most situations and watching as the world went by around me.

But do you want to know what changed me?

College!!....that's right. You may have heard this before, but it's true. College is a time where you're not quite a full adult yet (in the case of a traditional student) but you're not really a kid still either.  I may not have realized how much college was changing me until after it had already begun.  I had people noticing me acting differently and that it all made sense.  When I knew it had the possibility to impact me so much and not all academically I think I was able to change even more.

I like to think of College as a test run at being an adult. And it gives so many new meanings for the saying that we have all come to know....

However, as many people use this term to mean "who cares" or "I'm doing it anyway cause I may not get a chance again I'm young why not?" but I like to think of it as having a little bit of a deeper meaning even if it is a childish phrase.  So it seems to be the perfect word for college....Right?

It's a little childish still, but depending on how you apply it, it can really have a strong impact on your life that can change your future forever. College is a time to explore, discover, have adventures, learn, grown, to find yourself, and maybe even leave some things in the past.  

As I begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel that is college it's all coming together and I'm really seeing how much college has benefited me.  I've had to do things that I would not have had to anywhere else.  I've learned how to survive a morning running on a few hours of sleep, how to handle disagreements, how to cram a semesters worth of information into studying the night before for an exam, and so much more! And some things I still don't think I know I have learned.

But I think the most important thing I have learned through my college experiences is to just be ME!

I have meet people, had jobs, and entered a professional path that have all forces me to come out of my shell.  From being that quiet girl starting college not knowing anyone and sticking to the close friends I've always known to becoming actually outgoing and being able to talk to a complete stranger. 

I hope that any of you who have struggled with the view of yourself will be able to see yourself the way you really are....maybe not today or tomorrow but one day......hopefully soon!

As I said the only thing you can really be in YOU! And why not let everyone see what that is whether its being the star athlete? or the smartest in the class? or the funny one? or maybe even just the quirky one who's random all the time?  No matter who you really are, only you can be that YOU!

So as I said "Let College Be Your YOLO!"

However you wanna think of it............

just also remember that You Only Live Once......so make sure the you that is living is the TRUE you!

From the extroverted introverted College Student trying to live the life of ME

to anyone needing a little push

to be yourself in a world that is always trying to conform everyone.......

Business women/Future Teacher/Motivator/Writer/Me,

LexP10