Tori Higa is November's Wild WE of the Month.
Tori is the founder of Tori Higa Stationery, a company that creates fun, hip, and unique cards that help people celebrate the joy and excitement in life.

Tori Higa Stationery is a handmade greeting card and stationery company. We incorporate hand cut vintage fabric into card designs, hand embellish stationery with glitter, and also create custom invitations. After two short years we’ve been in business, our cards can be found in about 200 stores and counting.

A few summers ago, my late grandmother-in-law was cleaning out her sewing room. She ended up giving me tons of fabric from the 1960’s. I didn’t know how to sew, but I knew that I couldn’t pass up all of the beautiful vintage fabric. I knew that I would do something with it one day. Sure enough, a year later, I had the idea to incorporate the fabric into a line of greeting cards.

Once I got my line together, I took my samples to a few of my favorite local stationery stores and ended up selling to two of the three of them on the spot. That bit of success encouraged me to expand my line and exhibit at the California Gift Show. After the gift show, the company truly started blossoming. I had a pile of orders to fill, multiple leads, and eventually started working with sales reps to further my sales. As an artist, I was petrified to become a business owner, but I soon found out how rewarding designing and working for myself in a field that I love actually could be.

I designed carpet patterns for Milliken Carpet for about two and a half years. Even though Milliken is a huge corporation based in Georgia, I worked in a small satellite office in Santa Monica, California with four other designers – who turned into great friends. We had to manage our own projects as our design director lived and worked in Georgia. Because of the tremendous amount of flexibility as well as responsibility, I learned a lot of what it takes to be motivated to work for myself. Because I never had a traditional on site boss, I learned that I had the capability to essentially work for myself. Had I not had that type of creative and flexible work environment, I wonder if I ever would have even considered starting my own business.

Who have been your mentors and role models along the way?

I have been fortunate to have some wonderful role models and mentors
along the way. Daedre of Studio Daedre was a mentor in a very literal sense. She has a successful handmade greeting card company that happened to be walking distance from where I used to live. I took a part time job working for her once I left Milliken. I initially left Milliken to pursue freelance textile design and illustration, but I had always had a strong desire to break into the greeting
card industry. I even sent my design ideas to multiple card manufactures - and got rejected…a lot. I was terrified at the thought of starting my own company and I never saw myself as an entrepreneur.
Once I started working for Daedre, I got even more terrified at the thought because I saw up close all of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into it. I learned a lot about the business and the technical aspects of manufacturing large quantities of cards by hand. But the biggest thing I thought I learned from her was that I absolutely didn’t want to end up running a small business.
It wasn’t until six months after I left Studio Daedre that I got the courage to start my own company. I have nothing but gratitude towards Daedre for her generosity and encouragement after I decided to go off on my own.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration for my work in anything vintage or from another era. Audrey Hepburn movies or vintage fashion illustrations always spark some sort of creativity. I also love to go to flea markets or antique stores for inspiration.

Possibly the place I get the most inspiration is from my friends. I am truly grateful to have inspiring, supportive, and encouraging friends. Many of my closest girlfriends do something creative – whether it’s full time or just on the side. I always feel uplifted to continue with my own creative endeavors when I hear about the latest project a friend of mine is doing.

It looks like you’ve enjoyed explosive growth in your business since you launched it. How do you juggle all the tasks associated with a quickly growing young business?

The only way I have found to successfully juggle multiple tasks
is good old fashioned list making. If I didn’t make lists, I know it would be a matter of time before I forget something crucial. Lists also help me organize my time so I don’t get overwhelmed with thoughts of endless tasks. I have a cute little red notebook a friend gave me as a gift and at the end of each work day I write everything down I need to accomplish for the next day. I find that if I wait until the morning to write my list, I get sidetracked and often never even get around to making it.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way?

The most important (and difficult) lesson I learned is the need to delegate certain tasks and not spread myself too thin. I found out early on that I can’t do everything. I tried. But instead, I got burned out and ended up spinning my wheels day and night. I realized that it’s OK not to be an expert in every aspect of my business – in fact; it’s not even humanly possible. I knew that my time was best spent designing and that I should simply hire people to do the things that I either didn’t have time for or wasn’t qualified to do. My husband now does the bookkeeping and we’ve hired people for everything else. We have sales reps, web designers, part time manufactures, and an accountant.
As a result, I am much less stressed and the business is able to continue to grow and thrive.

Labels: wild we member of the month

The Law of Reversed Effort

The application of prosperity principles in business allows us to become aligned with these spiritual laws to learn how to "receive" success instead of "trying" to make it happen.

Did you know there is a law called the Law of Reversed Effort? It states that the harder you "try" to do something, the less chance you have of achieving it. Trying implies a negative, it suggests to the mind that you may not accomplish. Even Yoda in Star Wars recognized this truth when he wisely said, "We do. There is no try."

Practical Metaphysics

My teachings are based on what I call "practical metaphysics".

First, what do we mean by "metaphysical"? Well, "meta" as used as a prefix in metaphysical, means "comprehensive" or "transcending." Metaphysical is relating to the transcendent or to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses. In otherwords, a study of what is outside objective experience. This includes aspects of the mind and spirit.

My definition of practical metaphysics is the study and application of these transcendent principles from methods that appeal to our "real world" senses, techniques that we can understand and utilize with ease - in other words, a simple approach that assures our practical application of these profound laws. We take the mystery and speculation out of these principles and instead concentrate on putting them to use - a nuts and bolts approach.

I believe that there are a great number of people who have read and studied and are well informed about spiritual matters and metaphysical laws but who have not been able to take these ideas from their intellect and incorporate them mental and emotionally to put them into practice.

The Universe is My Marketing Department

Now, this study in no way discounts the marketing techniques and tools taught by the visible world's marketing experts. What I am doing here is helping you lay the foundation for a mindset that will allow you to use those tools if you so choose, and succeed with them. The fact is that all of the marketing and business know-how in the world will not result in your success unless you first have the mindset to succeed. A house cannot stand without a proper foundation. And once you create that foundation, you will automatically be guided to the appropriate methods and means that will result in your success. You will find as I did that the Universe is truly the greatest marketing department you could ever hope for, and the possibilities are unlimited. You can experience the guidance of an unseen hand, know what it feels like to live a charmed life, and realize that you have an invisible means of support.

How do I know so much about succeeding through a metaphysical approach? On the Feel Free to Prosper web site in the section entitled Your Mentor you will see in full color many of my accomplishments using these laws - fruits of my metaphysical labors - and in the section Amazing you can review the stories of how I created some amazing successes using these principles in my business in over a 20-year span that includes the present. My business clients are the world's largest corporations. Here is a secret that you may find hard to believe: I have never looked for a client. They have always found me.

Nothing Impersonal

It doesn't matter if you are a company owner, business executive, entrepreneur, creative talent, network marketer, home based business, investor, employee, or in transition looking for your true place in life. The laws are impersonal and will work for everyone.

Here is why you should learn and apply prosperity principles:

(1) To uplift and raise your awareness to a level of consciousness that empowers and connects you to the Universal source from which ALL good flows.

(2) To apply this awareness specifically to the marketing and success of your business, skills and talents.

(3) To come to the absolute realization that you are not alone and that you have all the creative power of the Universe ready to
inspire you and guide you to success if you will only recognize and acknowledge it.

(4) By becoming a part of the prosperity vibration, you will know
exactly what to do. Your Universal marketing department will inspire you to do exactly what you need to do.

Okay, Let's Have Some Nuts and Bolts

(1) Watch Your Speech. The above can be accomplished only through the use of positive and life-affirming language. Do not doubt it for a minute. The words you think, speak (and hear) are recorded in your subconscious mind and will produce circumstances that correspond to your thoughts and speech. If you want a successful business or career, you MUST resist the habit and temptation of speaking about the lack of business or clients or jobs. I tell my students, "If you don't want it, don't say it." Even if you feel like you are lying to yourself (or others), continue to speak in positive terms about your business and affairs. As you persist in speaking successful words, your subconscious will accept the new ideas and you will discover that the "lies" are becoming a new and very tangible reality. But it always first begins in mind. Never forget this.

(2) Start Listening. As you develop positive thought and speech patterns, you will begin to clear the debris and static in your subconscious that has prevented you from tuning in and listening to your intuitive promptings. Practice paying attention now to those promptings, the hunches, the feelings, the "still small voice" that subtly urges you to do something. As you practice listening and following through on these hunches and the more you discover that they lead to successful results, the more consistent and the stronger they will become. You will have truly discovered your "invisible means of support."

On my web site, there are specific examples of how listening to my inner guidance brought successful results to my business. Again, in the section entitled Amazing, review "The Universe - My Marketing Department" and "The Universe - My Talent Agency".

(3) Attitude of Gratitude. You have heard that over and over again, haven't you? But do you live it? Well, start now. The "attitude of gratitude" is one of the greatest - perhaps THE greatest - spiritual principle that can be applied to attain happiness, inner peace, health and financial prosperity. But there is an aspect of gratitude that most people do not know about. It is easy to be grateful for what you already have. But can you be grateful for what you don't yet see?

Prior to Thanksgiving, I held a Holiday conference call on "Gratitude" in which I discussed how gratitude is the precursor to successful results and how you can acquire gratitude when there are appearances to the contrary. You may listen to this call free on the Feel Free to Prosper Network.

Start giving thanks NOW for your new clients, your increased business and income, your new job, and inspired new ideas. I promise if you will maintain your state of gratitude, they will come, and often at a speed that will astound you. Give thanks now for the Universal guidance that led you this article that contains truly life-changing elements.

(4) Your Business or Job Is NOT Your Source of Income. I'll bet you read that again. But that's right. Your business is not your source of income. Your clients are not your source of income. Your job is not your source of income. Even your savings or investments are not your source of income.

There is only one source of income. That source is The Source - that Universal intelligence that you may refer to as Universe, God, Infinite Intelligence, Divine Mind, All That Is, The Field of All Possibilities. All of those other avenues are "channels" of income, but they are not the source. Think of it this way. If your kitchen faucet was broken and prevented you from getting water, would that mean there was no more water? Of course not. You could find water at in your bathroom or from any number of other faucets. So you see, the kitchen faucet is not the source of water; it is only one of innumerable channels.

As soon as you learn to align yourself with, rely on and trust The Source for your income (and clients and jobs and every other good thing you could possibly desire), then all of the channels will be opened for you to receive your good. How many channels? Limitless channels. There are thousands and thousands of channels through which your good can come to you. It is not your job to know them. It is your job to trust your Source and as you do, both expected and unexpected channels will open and clients and jobs and ideas will come to you "out of the blue". So release all ideas that your income and business must be derived from only one particular channel.

© Copyright 2004 Marilyn Jenett

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marilyn Jenett, an accomplished business owner in the corporate arena (http://MarilynJenettLocations.com)
founded the Feel Free to Prosper program to mentor and teach others to become aligned with Universal laws and accept their right to prosper. Her students, from around the globe and from all walks of life, are enjoying remarkable success using her lessons and participating in her telephone group sessions. For more information, check out her web site at http://FeelFreetoProsper.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The cool thing about an attitude of gratitude is that once you get into the habit of noticing and acknowledging all you’ve got, new evidence about how rich you are presents itself magically everywhere you look. Seemingly ordinary events and people in your life become extraordinary when you make a commitment to notice them.
Gratitude becomes a beautiful habit.

The spirit of gratitude is all around us at this time of year with Thanksgiving and the December holidays almost upon us. We’re encouraged to cultivate warm fuzzy feelings toward the people we love at this time of year. What about the rest of the year? What about all your teachers, mentors, cheerleaders, leaders in your past who have rooted for you, supported you, or helped you on your journey through your life? What about those who have contributed to the wonderful Wild WE you are today?

Recently I watched my 11-year old daughter solve a tough problem maturely, creatively, and without drama and complaints. I was so proud of her! The event induced a profound sense of appreciation, love, and gratitude for a great gift that’s been under my own nose for nearly a dozen years; my child’s “other mother” who is partly responsible for the lovely young lady
of whom I'm so proud.

Many women can relate to the bittersweet mix of emotions that comes with leaving a young child with a day care provider for the first time. I remember 12 years ago searching a limited pool of providers for just the right person who would care for my child when I returned to work. I didn’t want to go back to work and leave my first and only child with a stranger, but I had to work outside the home.

I thought my needs were simple. I wanted a loving home environment for my child, a woman who had similar parenting and educational values to mine, someone who would stock her personal freezer with gallons of my pumped breast milk so my child would never have to drink formula, someone who would rub my child's back when she couldn't
fall asleep at nap time, someone who recognized the importance of reading to children, someone smart, funny, and loving who would guide and structure my child’s day as closely as possible to the way I do it. I wanted it all; I wanted someone just like me. In a small community where there’s a ridiculous shortage of infant care providers, I soon realized what a tall and daunting order this is.

I was nearly at the end of my rope when I met Ellen Drolette, a day care provider in Burlington, Vermont, who had given birth to her second child within a few months my daughter's birth in 1994. Ellen gave up her job to be at home with her kids. A Wild WE before the moniker was invented, Ellen was not thrilled with child care
options for her own children, so she quit her job and started her home-based day care. She quickly earned the credentials to become licensed by the state of Vermont and took many hours of coursework to become the leader in the local child care community she is today. My daughter was one of her first little clients. I knew immediately upon meeting Ellen that she was “the one” for us. I trusted my gut and placed my precious infant and my faith in Ellen's care.

Almost twelve years later, my daughter is now too old for day care. My daughter is an honorary member of Ellen’s family. Ellen’s kids are my child’s “adopted” brother and sister. Ellen’s parents are my child’s “adopted” grandparents. My child has an educational, social, and academic foundation to which Ellen was a main contributor. And to think…according to a national study, the average child care provider (center and home-based day care facilities) in this country made slightly less than $8 per hour in 2004 for a 40-50 hour work week for the important job of nurturing our little ones while we work.

In my house, we refer to Ellen as my daughter’s “other mother” because of her deep bond with my daughter. I believe that my daughter’s vivid imagination, good grades, good manners, ability to deal with conflict, solve problems, love of dramatic play, the arts, and positive attitude, are in part, due to Ellen’s constant and consistent attention and creativity.

It would take many pages for me to write about all the ways in which Ellen has contributed to my daughter’s growth. There is not one part of my child’s life that has not been touched by Ellen. As I watch my daughter approach the turbulent teens I still hear or watch her solve a problem or utter a phrase that I
know has been inspired by Ellen somewhere through the years. This makes me smile in deep gratitude, pride, and appreciation that I will spend a lifetime acknowledging.

Here’s your assignment, my dear Wild WEs:

Can you think of a person in your past who has profoundly and positively influenced your life or the life of a child you love?

Thank her now. Thank her frequently. Remember her on the days when it’s raining, cold, you're running late, you’re grumpy and can't find much to be grateful for and then thank her again.

You’ve been given a huge, incredible, beautiful, lifelong gift.

Labels: From the Editor

Meredith writes:

I grew up on a farm in the small town of Apex, North Carolina.
I moved to Cincinnati a little over a year ago and I love it. The city is ripe with culture, natural beauty, entertainment and really great people. I invite all Wild WEs to come visit. I'd be delighted to show you my new hometown. I got invited with Wild WE because I am an entrepreneur at heart and I am particularly interested in helping women overcome the (dare I say often self-induced) roadblocks that stand in the way of their success. I am constantly trying to grow both personally and professionally, so I am excited about finding an organization with the same goals I have.

I'm very excited about the launch of a Cincinnati branch of Wild WE. The Southwest Ohio region is really beginning to focus on growth and positive change. This is a pivotal time for women in the Cincinnati region to get more involved in the development of our community and our economy. My hope for Wild WE Cincinnati is to provide a haven for women to connect, grow and make a difference in their own lives and in our community. You know, you just can't go wrong when you get smart, talented women together!

Check out the great jewelry at Meredith's web site Arthur Wooster Designs.

Welcome aboard, Meredith!

Stuck in a beauty quandary? Can't pull yourself out of your fashion rut? Feeling like a Glamour "don't"? E-mail your beauty and fashion questions to our expert beauty consultant, Charlotte
Maddox, at ask@thewildwe.com. If we publish your question, we will offer you a free text ad in our newsletter. All questions will be published anonymously.

Fall Skin Care Tips


Fall's the time to enjoy the cooler weather and get ready for winter. While it sounds counter-intuitive, the first step in preparing for winter is to remove the dead surface skin cells that have built up. For your face, select a mask or microdermabrasion product that’s appropriate for your skin type (dry, normal, combination, oily, blemish-prone). Also pick an exfoliator made specifically for the
lips. For your body, choose a scrub or buffing cream. If you have sensitive skin, avoid scents and perfumes since they can be irritants. Then follow the product directions for application and use, massaging gently.

The second step is to moisturize the newer, younger skin you've revealed. Liberally apply a facial moisturizer (paying special attention to the neck and décolleté), eye cream, lip balm, and body lotion (or cream), allowing time for the products to be absorbed into your skin. You want to replace the moisture that’s been stripped away during cleansing, restore what’s been lost during the summer and start to protect against cold weather and dry indoor heat.

Now, after each cleansing, apply moisturizers and, if necessary, increase the intensity of the products. At night, use a specially formulated product for your face that works while you sleep. For problem areas such as elbows, knees, hands and feet, put on extra lotion or cream (wear mitts and footies to bed, as needed). During the day, continue to wear sunscreen or sun block to protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.

Once you're ready, enjoy the season!

Labels: beauty inside and out

It's FINALLY here... your final, final draft of that project you've been slaving over for months. Just a quick proof is all it takes. You breeze through, make a few corrections, and pass it off to your trusty assistant for the quadruple-check final once-over. But horror of horrors, when she hands back your work, it's rife with red pen marks! How did you miss all those little picky things, and how can you prevent this from happening again in the future?

The solution: next time, proofread categorically.

What do I mean by this?

Each part of the document you've created contains several elements. These might include but are not limited to:

- Headlines

- Subheads

- Paragraph copy

- Bulleted lists

- Numbered lists

- Tables

- Sidebars

- Photo captions

It goes without saying that you should fine-tooth-comb your copy draft from start to finish. But in addition to this, you must view your document in pieces and compare the parts that match. Break up your Final Proofreading Session into rounds.

Round One: Only look at headlines.

Do all the fonts match in your headlines? What about point size? Did you use initial caps in one headline but all-caps elsewhere? Did you repeat words?

Round Two: Only look at subheadlines.

Did you start off with italics but then switch to bold halfway down the page? Does your fourth subheadline sound awfully similar to your second and sixth subheadline?

Round Three: Scan through all your numbered lists.

Is the indentation in alignment? Did you bold the numbers in the first section and forget to bold them in the last? What about periods at the end of your bullets; is your punctuation consistent?

Continue "making your rounds" in this same manner, covering every aspect of the document you're proofing. Compare date formats, price points, and any other "stylistic" element of your finished product.

Okay! You reached Round Six and thank heaven you're finished reviewing. How many red pen marks do you see... quite a few? If so, that's perfectly okay. The more red pen marks you make in this draft correction, the less you'll have to make in the "final final final" draft!

And that's my final thought.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more details.

Labels: beauty inside and out