Starting and running a business that is growing every quarter while: working full time, going back to school, being a mother to 4 and 2 year old boys and being a Navy Chief wife isn’t easy. In fact it’s downright life-changing in more ways than I’m sure I know right at this moment.

But what I do know is that what I’m doing is something that people feel good about.  Living with diabetes is a big pain in the hiney and millions of people are doing it everyday.  With my functional and stylish diabetes accessories I’m able to do a few things quite nicely.

I get to one, be creative which is a huge + for me. I get to two, do something that makes living with diabetes just a little bit sweeter, and colorful.

While my company may not be the largest establishment on the block, we’re doing big things and making a difference to many people everyday.  I am a creative team that designs, creates and distributes to diabetes educators retailers and customers.  They like my designs because in addition to their functionality they’re modern, colorful designs are a welcome “Hello” to their daily routines.

Apparently I missed the segment you did on your show about the growing epidemic on diabetes in America, but it’s no surprise to me because I’m aware of the shocking statistics.  My mom told me about the episode so I decided to go to your website and see what all you had said on your segment.

I’m pretty confident that with the right know-how and guidance my business will become an enterprise and I can share my collections with millions of people around the world.  I’d love to chat about how we can make this possible.

Sincerely,

Rickina Velte

Founder|Designer  - Stick Me Designs

Yup that’s what I’d say to Ms. Winfrey should she or any of her assistants, producers, or executives come knocking on my office door…it could happen

So since I’ve been connected to the ever-growing community of people with diabetes. Everyday I rack my brain for ways to give more, to make a tiny difference some how some way.  Diabetes is becoming so wide spread that now a days you either have it or love someone who does.  What can we do? How can we spread more awareness, and push the word that you need to know your numbers!!!

This was the thought process that crossed my brain highway yesterday and after reading a blog post from one of my inspirational pwd mommy bloggers Cherise, (DiabeticizeMe) I couldn’t help but think that I could in some small way give back, or just try to push awareness to encourage everyone to have their blood sugar tested, and KNOW YOUR NUMBERS!! I read last night that over 6 Million people in the US alone have diabetes and don’t even know it…did you read that right? 6 M-I-L-L-I-O-N! How is this possible??

Well not knowing and understanding the signs, and heading them.  Too many people have/had warning signs, but simply ignored them before sometimes it’s too late.  Well I don’t want to just preach a word here, because that I’m not.  But it got me thinking.

What if we could all wear something that encouraged others to know where they stand with their blood sugar.  What if we could (stylishly of course ) wear a tee that expressed the importance of knowing your numbers and encouraging others to do the same?  And what if at the same time that ‘badge’ gave back to this community?  And I’m completely aware that this is nothing new, but this is my way of giving.  The more people that ‘push’ awareness the more it has to help.

So we hope to be launching some cool, comfy tees that reflect just this.  Once we get all the protection stuff complete, we’ll share and push this initiative.  I’m so excited about it and my hope is that you will help us push this so very important initiative.

We’d like to call the initiative: HAVE A MISSION:::MOVE THE WORLD

or

So we’re winding summer down and getting into the goodness that is called late Summer early Fall.  That also means that it’s time for new collections and fabrics in our collection of Deluxe carrying cases *yay*.  So this season I decided to do things a bit differently.  Because as much as I love picking fabrics out and selecting that perfect look, I thought it would be more customer-driven if you all picked the fabrics this season. 

The response has been so well this far that I may just leave that up to you guys from now on.  You guys like to choose and I like to give you that sense of choice.  So we’ll post the top 4 choices here just so you can see and if you’d like you can vote too. Just click HERE and tell us what you think. So you too can make your voice heard!

~Happy Voting~

So when running your own small business, you need a few things. You need something you’re selling whether it be a service, product or simply your time. You need people who are willing to part with their money and buy whatever it is you’re selling and you need a way to reach themon a regular basis.  And here’s the part where the internet is greatest thing since ground turkey*  The internet…it can be a phenom and the devil on your screen. 

Ever since the whole 2.0 phase of the internet has evolved so has the springing up of blogs, social networks and communities. But while you’re running around the www looking for creative ways to plug your business, you may find at some point and time that it’s all a bit too much and you’re spreading yourself a little too thin.  That is what has happened to me. My email address has become bombarded with ‘join me’ requests from who knows what or who.  Why? Well because I’ve become a member to about 15-20 different social networking sites…No More!

I’m on a mission to cut back, and slim down on the social networking to only the important ones, and the ones that actually help my business and my sanity, not bother or hinder.  It’s taking a little bit of time, but it’s coming along and with each profile deletion I feel more free…*yay for freedom*   

Along with this new mantra I decided to pack up the boys, the two dogs and take a road trip to NY to visit my mom and sister.  Not recommended for the faint of heart.  The 3 year old talked me death (a blessing and a curse) while the 10 month old slept…the cried…then slept.  Yay roadtrip.  But anyway, we all need a chance to recharge, to regroup and to really look for what is important.  My business is an important part of my life, but I tend to lose sight of me and everything else. So this is a new direction…slow down…smell the summer air…enjoy my family and enjoy this point in my life…

What are you doing????