Pay it Forward - Everyone Loves a Compliment!

This week I received a lovely letter from a customer in Indianapolis. Her experience with LILL began when a friend, sporting a LILL bag, told her about my business. She loved the bag and checked out our website. She found that we offered home parties in her area and contacted our Indianapolis rep, Amy, to set up a party. She had a wonderful party experience (I'll share her words later in this post) and then attended a second event Amy hosted at a local salon. She has quickly become a LILL lover. I personally love the story of how she came to find out about LILL - through a friend with a bag she loved - and, how she came to get a few of her own - through a rep who loves what she does. It speaks directly to the essence of LILL and thus I truly appreciated that this customer wrote in about her experience. Receiving letters like this really make my day.

While I obviously loved the letter, the point of my blogging about it is that it reminded me how important it is to compliment others for things that you appreciate. I often find myself pleasantly surprised by service or products and think to myself "what a great experience" or "I love this product." I don't, however, take the time to tell the person behind that experience or product how much I appreciate their help or their product. For example - just yesterday, I was going through my favorite drive thru. (Yes, I am a fast food junky)! It is my favorite drive thru, not because of the food or speed of service, but because every time I go there the staff is just really friendly and nice. Working in fast food is difficult - but this staff is always so pleasant and happy. I think about this every time I go there, but I never compliment the service. I will next time.

And, as I think about it there are several other services and products that I love and this letter has inspired me to speak up about it. I plan to shoot off a few emails to other businesses that I love and hopefully make someone else's day. My little way of paying it forward...

Here is an excerpt from the letter I am writing about:

"The primary point of writing this letter is to tell you what an amazing team member you have in Amy (our Indy rep). She was wonderful to work with and helped me set up my party for about ten of my friends. When she came to my house she was professional and fun. She was wonderful in assisting all of the girls in finding what they truly wanted. The thing I liked most about Amy, was that she was the "anti" saleswoman. Never once did she try to force a bag on someone. She consistently said she wanted all of us to love what we designed and never forced anyone into a decision or a purchase. You could also tell that she loved what she was selling. She was able to show us so many examples of items that she had designed and used on a regular basis. My LILL purse party was one of the most fun things I have done with my friends and everyone was thrilled with their purchase. All in all, I want to thank you for creating LILL. I can not tell you enough how much I love your product and your staff. Not only have you created a wonderful product, but also a fun opportunity for people to get together and do something different. I have been to jewelry parties, Pampered Chef parties, Mary Kay parties and none of them come close to comparing with the fun my friends and I have had at the LILL parties."

Jen Velarde

Busy Holiday Season!

Is your calendar filling up this holiday season? Today alone we have 4 events going on at LILL. Two here in Chicago - we'll be at the Orland Park Country Club this afternoon and the Allerton Hotel tonight for NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owner's) for their holiday shopping parties. In our Boston and Kansas City Stores, we are hosting in-store holiday parties as well. Our custom order deadline is this Sunday so there are also parties going on all over the country with our LILL on Location Reps today and through the weekend.

It is our busiest time of the year - and one of our favorite times. We get to see and work with so many customers as they cross off their gift lists with thoughtful and creative orders. You see firsthand the spirit of the season. The act of choosing that perfect gift for someone special and the satisfaction that appears on a customer's face or in their voice when they find it. We love helping customers get there and look forward to the busy weeks ahead where we will do this more than any other time during the year. We only wish we could be there when the gifts are given!

I'll be at the NAWBO event tonight where I hope to help some existing customers as well as introduce our products to a new audience. Looking forward to it!

Jen Velarde

Spring - A Great Time to Host a Party!

I was anxiously awaiting spring this year - mostly because I was REALLY ready to have my baby, but also because it is such a wonderful time of the year. Full of new beginnings and occassions to get together with friends, I always feel inspired at this time of the year.

Speaking of new beginninngs - I am settling in as a new mother of 3... wheh! I am impressed with all of you who have already accomplished this feat. All kidding aside though, baby Grey is a very sweet little guy. He has been my easiest newborn yet and I'm really enjoying getting to know him. He looks a lot like Joey did as a baby and when wearing some of Joey's old clothes, I flash back 5 years and have remembered lots about Joey that I had forgotten. Pretty fun time. Thank you for all the kind messages after his birth. I've attached a couple new photos of the three, though haven't figured out how to get them all into one picture yet. :-).

We are finally seeing real signs of spring here in Chicago. I hear it may be 70 and sunny on Friday. I hope you are all also experiencing some signs as well. I love this season as it brings about lots of reasons to get together with friends or coworkers to reconnect after months "on the inside." Its the season for showers and weddings, for celebrations of mom and graduations. With all these occassions I find myself looking through my closet and needing something to refresh my wardrobe to match the enthusiasm I feel this time of year.

This year I'm looking to brighten my wardrode with accessories. Its a logical choice given that I still have some baby weight to take off, but also a smart financial choice. With a few added accessories this spring, I can revitalize my wardrobe with something I can wear everyday and feel good about. And what better way to start than to get some friends together to catch up after a long winter and help each other create some versitile spring accessories for all those upcoming occassions.

From exciting style introductions to inspiring new fabrics, LILL has a lot to offer both new and returning customers. I am really pleased with our most recent additions - the Nikki (above on right) and the Brianna (above on left - coming soon!). Nikki is selling very well so far and from the initial reaction by those who have previewed the Brianna, I think she too will do exceptionally well. I am currently pondering fabric for my first Brianna and am looking very forward to regularly sporting it this spring/summer. It will be tough to replace the Charlie I've been carrying for a while, though - I just love it and am not sure if I'll be able to give it up. And, I'm not sure if I can reduce the contents of my purse down to fit in a Nikki yet, but it is a goal. I've tried her out a few times and I love how she feels and looks on my arm.

So many options with our current line and more great things to come.... Its a great time to host a party and check them out yourself!

Happy Spring!

Jen

Founder / President

1154 LILL Studio

Best Customer - Winner!

We sponsored a little contest here recently at LILL HQ and asked our wonderful LILL on Location Reps to nominate their customer whom they thought was one of the best LILL on Location customers out there. We are pleased to announce that Charity E., from Cleveland, OH was chosen as the winner!

Charity was nominated by Cara P., one of our two Cleveland Reps. Cara said Charity really stood out in her mind because she was such a creative hostess. She is unique and fun and so her LILL parties are, too. She makes her parties creative events and her enthusiasm carries over to her guests. Charity wears her LILL bags everywhere and is always happy to spread the word about LILL to new people. Check out the pictures of Charity’s most recent party which featured purse-shaped cakes and The Devil Wears Prada being shown in the background. What fun!

To get to know Charity a bit better we asked her a few LILL questions...

(Charity pictured below on the left)

1. What is your favorite LILL bag style? ERINN

2. How did you discover LILL Bags? My younger sister had one, she lives in Washington DC, had gone to a party. I looked “lill” up online and the following month hosted my own purse soiree!

3. What attracted you to LILL and hosting a LILL party? The fabrics were stylish, the styles clean and simple. It was a creative event, not like other home parties. Unique results.

4. What are two unusual items likely to be found on your purse?
Produce. I always seem to have a banana or mini-carrots. And tickets, I keep all of my concert/show/sporting event tickets in my purse for awhile. I pull them out and reminisce, it makes me happy!

Congratulations to you, Charity! It’s customers like you that make working with LILL so much fun!

-Kate G., LILL on Location Director

Our Favorite Customers

With LILL not only are you creating one-of-a-kind handbags, but you are creating memories that last. It's not only the product that makes LILL the fun and dynamic company it is today, but the people who create with us. The thing we love most here at LILL, is sharing the experience with you!

This week we are highlighting Michelle P., a favorite customer of Emily R., the LILL on Location rep for the Chicago Southwest Suburbs. Here's what Emily R. has to say about Michelle P.:

"I have a customer named Michelle P. who is the best LILL on Location customer in the world!
I met Michelle when she hosted a LILL on Location party in September 2007. Michelle is a friendly and upbeat person. She immediately made me feel welcome in her home. I had only been a LOL rep for about one month and Michelle made me feel confident in my presentation skills. I realized at Michelle’s party just how much fun it can be to be a LOL rep! Michelle had such a lovely group of guests. I was able to talk about LILL and everyone was so attentive and interested! Then, the ladies proceeded to order over 20 bags. I couldn't’t believe it. Michelle ordered 5 bags herself! Michelle designed all of her bags with a unique twist to suit her personality. Michelle just loves LILL. In fact, she’s hosting another LOL party with me at the end of July. Michelle and her husband are expecting their first baby in September. I can’t wait for Michelle to see our SUSAN style. I know that she will love it!

Michelle and I have kept in touch over this past year. She has even referred a few of her friends to me. I credit Michelle with showing me that I can be an extremely successful LOL rep. She just made me feel so lucky to be able to talk to her and her guests about LILL. "


Thank you for sharing your story of your special friendship you found as a LILL on Location rep, Emily! This truly shows how LILL is about not only creating handbags, but creating memories and friendships to last.


-Lilly S.

Party with Lilly!

The holidays have ended and winter is truly present. I'm starting to go through withdrawal and am missing the togetherness with friends and family that the holidays brought.

Instead of sitting around and feeling badly, I've decided to host an at home handbag party! What a great way to spend time with the folks you miss so much while at the same time designing your very own LILL Bag! I need an update to my wardrobe and LILL has just brought in some beautiful spring fabrics.

The LILL on Location reps are so friendly and fun! Plus they offer stylist advice and walk you through the designing process. So you don't have to feel intimidated when it comes to designing your LILL Bag.

I'd like you to meet Kere, LILL's DC area LILL on Location representative.
As you can tell from her photo, she has a serious LILL Bag obsession which isn't a bad thing!

3 Top Fabric Picks:
Dotted Tuxedo, Posie Patch, Matador Floral

Favorite Style:
Standard Favorite: ANDI
New Favorite: HADLEY (of course!) and BRIDGET

What’s in the bag?
AMY (to hold a digital camera), AMY (filled with change, hair bands, Chapstick, Tylenol, floss) ANNE (filled with receipts and coupons), LIZ (filled with credit cards, cash, pictures, checks), LILL brochures, car keys, brush, powder, pen, gum and tissues. It’s very organized!

Fun Facts!
* My 18 month-old daughter, Hadley Bree, was born on July 4th! An Independence Baby!
* My real name is Kereth (pronounced Kureeth). In my 26 years, I have yet to meet
another one!
* Aside from being a LILL Rep, having a full time job in the federal sector, and being a wife/mother; I spend my extra time cross stitching, doing the monthly newsletter for my alum Sorority Group (Alpha Omicron Pi), and being involved as the Advertising Chair for my Women in Business Group.

New Years Resolution:
Get back into athletics, whether it be lacrosse, diving or taking a Hip Hop dance class!

What I love about being a LILL Rep:
Getting the first look at the new fabrics every two weeks! Being able to meet TONS of fun, interesting people at parties and learning from them, fabric combinations I would never have thought of.


Kere is just one of the many friendly at party representatives that 1154 LILL has nation wide. Book your party today and make a new friend!

Lilly S.