the Bb blog.

So, I received some VLove today! I was so pleased with the presentation… felt like I was receiving a gift and yep, made me feel special. It got me to thinking… {uh oh!} my husband and I also own & run Red Rooster Trading Company together. We wrap our products in hand.stamped burlap bags then nestle them in a bed of shredded newspaper {recycled from our local newspaper} and put them in a sealed gift box. To top it off we thank each of our customers using a Bb card and yes, actually writing each one by hand.

This is important to us because we appreciate our customers so much, without them we wouldn’t have a business! My mom told me that when I was little I always wanted to have my own retail shop so that I could say ‘Thank you & have a nice day!’ I may not have a ‘brick & mortar’ {yet, anyway}, but we do have our online shop, I just get to write it instead of say it. You see, dreams really do come true.

Ok, back on track… at Red Rooster we receive comments & reviews and practically every one of them says something about the packaging and hand.written note. They appreciate that there is a real live person handling & packaging their product that cares about the products they receive. And they appreciate being appreciated. So, if you own a business where you ship your products… it only takes a little effort to make a nice presentation, make someone feel special and show some pride in your product {Pride can be a good thing}. And a lot of times those people share their experience with others… word of mouth is one of the best marketing tools ever!

I took a few pics to inspire you… I had the privilege of working with each of these businesses on their identity & branding. I love having the opportunity to work with such a variety of companies. Each of my clients has an idea of how they want the world to see them and the best way to present that. It is my job to take their ideas and make them shine.

First up is how Rebecca Michaels shows her customer appreciation… don’t you feel the love? {I ordered a headband}

Next is a photog client of mine… vagabond def shows her appreciation with her packaging.

And last, but not least… Red Rooster’s packaging.

Thanks for stopping by, maybe you got a little inspiration. Now go and present your company well! If you need any design work or ideas feel free to shoot me an email for pricing.

Happy Small Business Saturday! What a great idea! Read more about it… {http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/}

A few ideas on how to Shop for Small Business Saturday.

1. Gift Certificates – Most local shops & restaurants offer gift certificates which make it easier for that someone special to get exactly what they wished for! I was talking to my aunt the other day and she had the idea of getting a gift certificate for carpet cleaning, I think that is a fabulous idea!! Something that you might put off with your own money but would love to have done.

Check out Violet Love Brands, Inc. – they offer gift certificates that you can redeem online if you can’t find a location near you to buy everything from headbands to loungewear to evening wear and all in rebecca michael’s signature soft fabrics.

2. A Clean House – Why not hire your favorite cleaning crew for your mother, auntie, sister, friend… ! I don’t know about you, but when things are busy, which they usually get even more so during the Holiday season, it is a wonderful feeling to have a clean, fresh house.

3. Photo Shoot – How bout paying for a photoshoot for your favorite family! Everyone loves family pics and if you are like us don’t get them done often enough!

Check out these fine photographers for the NE Missouri area {www.laceimage.com and www.jten21.com} & the Austin, TX area {www.vagabondstyle.com}

4. Handmade – Make something! And even if you aren’t the crafty type, something purchased that is handmade just makes it that much more special.

Check out Red Rooster Trading Company for some hand.built, beautiful & functional gifts. {www.redroostertradingcompany.com} Use coupon code SMALLBIZSAT for 10% off all products!

There’s also A Girl Thing – Teresa and her girls repurpose vintage goods & clothing into fashionable pieces of clothing, jewelry & accessories.

I would love to hear what your gift ideas are and how you will shop Small Business Saturday!!

~Britta

THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED… if you are interested in Bb notecards, email design@brittaburrus.com Thanks for stopping by!

Yay! Spring really is on the way, we have blue skies, some clouds & winds… but gives hope for sure! For this Fabulous Freebie Friday there’s going to be a drawing. Check out the cards below… I took a little time today and created some cards. For those of you that have known me a little or a long time, you probably know that I LOVE LOVE to make cards. I love to get cards, I love to give cards, I love to design cards, I love cards… and not just my own. I like funny cards, I like quirky cards… it’s amazing what you can say with a personal note. If there are cards in a store I am instantly drawn to that section and I want to go through all of them and buy buy buy. Below is a card that my sister sent me a while back for my bday… LOVE it… isn’t it classic! It really meant a lot that she took the time to find something that is clever & funny… made me laugh for sure!

There will be THREE lucky winners of the Bb spring notecards below. [fbshare] Each winner will receive one package of the following: 3 Pink & 3 Yellow with coordinating recycled envelopes from waste note paper. To enter just click on ‘say something’ below this post and leave a comment. I am getting a bit of a late start today for the freebies, so I will keep the contest open til Monday a.m. The Bb notecards are left blank inside intentionally and they are 4bar size, just enough to write your note and not too much so as to write a book.

Don’t you have something to say to somebody special? Why not say it the old fashioned way, with a keepsake notecard. Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you have a fabulous weekend! Click a link below to pass it on!
~Britta