The Encourage-MINT Radio Show . . . .

TONIGHT (Thurs.) 7pm(pst) on The Encourage-MINT Show join us for this POWERFUL & HELPFUL conversation birthed from my personal situaton. We will be talking about having Endurance for the Journey.We will also hear stories of ENDURANCE from Author Patrick Burton & Poet, Entreprenuer "Until"- FB Live & www.kliqradio.com

Poet, Author and Entrepreneur . . . Update...

 
This was a fantastic show. We loved the structure and set up and really enjoyed that our CEO was allowed the opportunity to show her poetry chops. 😄

 If you would like to learn more about our CEO's journey, the history she has with LaLa Deville/Everybody Radio Station and to hear her wonderful poetry.

Click the link below
⇣

https://www.talkshoe.com/episode/5508003

I'm A Greeting Card Writer . . . (CEO Rant)

I've wanted so long to be a greeting card writer. I've submitted to Blue Mountain Arts several times, I looked up Hallmark but they have very strict guidelines on everything. But you know what? Never let anyone dictate your future.

In the year of 1993 I came up with the bright idea to have my own greeting card line. After all, I was already a poet making a name for myself, since I wrote everything under the sun, developed my own writing style and loved words and greeting cards so much that to me, this was a perfect fit.  So I started setting up the structure of my cards but the vision just wasn't setting in. Nor were the words. It wasn't coming together. But I was young and I guess I had a lot more living to do before I could truly express in this art form. At least, that's what I told myself.

However, in my mind, since I've received so many greetings, and had also given a sundry of countless cards, I felt that I was connected to them in some kind of way. Being a writer, in my opinion is spiritual. It's your soul speaking through ink, on paper and as my quote reads in my book on the last page of I Just Want to Write!  "A vocal ink, an emotional sheet, how could you not indulge in letting your soul speak? That's writing." So I wholeheartedly felt that I could very much among other things, be a greeting card writer.

I had a legion of conceptualized "wannabe" sketches of what I wanted my greeting cards to look like, or thought they should look like, that I grew frustrated and stopped. Moved myself forward to the other part, the inside, and none of those concepts were working either. I couldn't understand it. I'm a good writer (I thought to myself), and usually when people put something in front of me to write, I possess the power and ability to quickly grasp the impression of the document and formulate my own. But to no avail, not for these greetings. But why? Why can't it gel to me like everything else? Why isn't it easy? Needless to say, from 1993 until, I reworked all of my greeting ideas every two years until the triumphant year of 2008. 

I was at a new job, in a new city, in a new apartment and just trying to get acclimated. Even an old friend of mine in which we parted friendship in 2004 were back on speaking terms and picked up right where we left off. I used to read poems to her to get her opinion of them. I guess this was right on time.  Because one day at work I reckon creativity was immersed in the air because it hit me like a ton of waves. I realized it was here. This is how my creative juices flowed and it hadn't hit me like this in a while. When I say it hit me, it was like a ton of bricks, I mean it. In one fell swoop, I received the style, the words and themes. 

I rushed home in traffic because I didn't want to lose this blessing. Luckily I only lived 15 minutes away. I got home, put down everything and went to our closet and pulled out the tub that held these precious jewels. I turned to my husband and said I'm going in the bedroom and I don't want to be disturbed for two hours. After that amazing quiet time spent, I had written 75 greeting cards and I couldn't have been more elated. Of course I had a few reworkables but, for the most part I was good and though this was a major feat, I still had mountains to climb. As this was just the locutions.

I now had to wait for my visions of what each term would fit. Meanwhile I was so proud of myself that I decided to apply for greeting card writer positions or submit the one's that I would be okay with letting go of and got rejected numerous times. Hurt and disgusted (Okay, so I'm very dramatic😏), LOL! Feeling disappointed, I tried again.A BIG FAT NOTHING! I became done and said to myself "I bet not see my stuff anywhere else" (a threat to them to make me feel better) LOL!. Fast forward, the visions came in, I got my stuff together, found a couple of illustrators, showed them my sketches, gave them my words, they became inspired and BOOM! I'm a GREETING CARD WRITER!!!!!! YAY!!!!!! Now, I receive compliments for my themes and messages all of the time, and it's cemented with purchase.😃

Now, my company QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections has launched a few products so far. Dreams "Are Meant to be Lived" Oolong Tea, Simple Treasures Greeting Card Line with two collections and a third on the way. One is called "The Sometimes I Wish Collection and the other, The Why don't "Bright Idea" Love Series Collection. They are also available in framed form. Moreover we currently have the special edition autographed poem by yours truly😉, known as Think Tank "The Bathroom Poem" with more to come.

Like I said, don't let anyone dictate your future. I am what I set out to be and much more, for my comfort, and what I'm happy with. I'm not only a greeting card writer, I'm a creator, visionary and executor. How about that! Please remember QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections for your greeting card needs. See purchasing and informational links listed below.

CEO Rant . . .
QRGU

QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections

Heart London Online Magazine Feature

Look at those beauties . . .

Look at👀 these beauties! Aren't they pretty?!

We love them and so does our customers.

Say Goodbye as the beauties are shipping out today.

Or you could say hello when they arrive to your home after you've purchased.

Whichever one. 😄 

If you would like to purchase a gift for someone or just for you

please visit https://www.paypal.me/qssimpletreasuresgc 

and get yours for $7.50ea with free shipping. 

The Sometimes I Wish 

Greeting Card Collection Boxed Framed

#Qssimpletreasuresgreetingsandcollection

#quandasignificancellc #quandargraves

#kendrazagerart 

#sometimesIwishgreetingcardcollection

#sometimesIwishgreetingcardcollectionboxedframed

#entrepreneurgreetingcardwriterauthorpoetandjournalist

#visionary

Where Do I Begin?

Whether I'm on a speaker's panel, doing a book signing, supporting others or pitching QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections. Among all other questions, the most popular of choice I run into is;  where do I begin? I have to say, I love that question because I used to feel that way when I was in the beginning of furthering my passions with purpose. I found that often, some people will really encourage you, as well as fluff you with all of the what I call "Build To Nothing" talk. They invite you to seminars and other events with promises to answer that question and when you get there, they begin spouting platitudes that you've heard all too frequently before such as:

• Believe in yourself
• You can do it
• Build a team
• Find someone who believes in you and what you're doing
• Go for it
• Take a leap of faith and trust yourself

Etcetera, blah blah and so on. Don't get me wrong, all of that is good, it is, especially for pep-talks if that's all that is needed. But when you leave all that manifestation of hoopla, you're probably feeling motivated but yet and still left with again, the desire of an unanswered question, Where do I begin? After experiencing this high of the "Build To Nothing" inducement chatter, I made a promise that if I was ever in a position to answer that question, I would try to counter with substance and not a cosmetic spew of jargon or leave someone with the feel of impelled emptiness.

At a young age I understood what type of person I was and growing to become. I learned that I am a dreamer and a doer. I am a visionary and an executor. I am a boss and a worker bee. So, if I ever aspired to do something, I will seek out help from people who I think possess the information, or the knowledge and know-how. However, if that gets me no where, then best believe Quanda R. Graves will find out how to do it herself, even at the cost of big trials and errors, because  what I truly believe about life is that if you try hard enough, eventually you'll be placed in the right location or with the proper people to further your steps, it's just that way. In essence, I look at it like this, if you can help me, I will see what you're sharing, if not, I will find my own way.

I then, learned how to give that question some thought and how to respond. Because often, people know what they want and how to expand it but not how to begin, and vice versa. Sometimes, it's really just the basics we need. Now, some years later, I'm here, and I'm pursuing my dreams and running across people who own some similar, and as I said at the top of this feature, I'm now faced with that a question. Where do I begin? I'm happy to report that I've provided responses to that question many times over and gotten gratefulness and appreciation thrown back at me which let me know that the advice that I've given that I currently use for myself to become an author, poet, entrepreneur and indulge in other endeavors, have worked for others. May they work for you as well.

Basic Beginnings

• First figure out which dream you would like to tackle first.
• Research and write down all that is associated with your dream that you need.
• Create a price list for everything you need.
• Purchase a device or planner (if you're a planner person) to begin keeping track of all of your purchases and steps.
• Began purchasing off of your list and crossing them off as you go and move forward from there.

The above is just the basics for your beginning but there is more. Such as deciding if you're going to start from scratch with your savings, or working to launch one product to furnish another product to start. Maybe you want a small business loan, you can also research grants. Last but not at all least, is to remember you are your own team until you can add team members to build one. People don't often see it like this, as none of my friends did until I broke it down on how I envision it. Here it is, the breakdown:

• You are the accountant: Keep your financials in order (receipts, taxes and business documents, records of revenue and expenditures).

• You are the administrative assistant: Keep your appointments listed, write the emails, memos, proposals, set up your budget, and contact excel sheets, create and organize your files, check your messages and follow up on your tasks, etc.

• You are the social media manager: Set up your social medial profiles, write and set up the content for them and update them often.

• You are the publicist, product manager, advertiser and Marketer: Write your press releases and publish them, write scripts for advertising or have them written, seek out radio features, and other places to be featured. If you have a product, you must find places to host them and more. How your product or services should be marketed , find where to advertise and so on.

• You are the designer and visionary: You are to create the look, the packaging, come up with the logo, the mission statement, the plan and vision, overall and execute it. Not to mention continuously brainstorming of new ideas to keep your product or services fresh and always work to project your company's future direction.

 I'm just given you an idea as to what you encompass and what your journey entails for your beginning business. So don't sell yourself short. Grow and learn to know to take it one day at a time, at your own pace and make sure to create a belief system that constantly inspires you, keeps you motivated and willing to accept the challenges you will face. 

Whether it's your favorite playlist of music, a vision board of quotes, pictures and scriptures and/or a creatively set up environment, do it. In order to start, this >>>>is  >>>>   where>>>   you>>>  begin. 

Happy beginnings! 

Warmly,

QRGU

Have a cup . . .

Order your Dreams "Are Meant To Be Lived" Oolong Tea today.

It's Always Ready For Shipping!!! 

Pick any Tea Party Package above and order with the link below:

https://www.paypal.me/qssimpletreasuresgc

May you always find Simple Treasures! E.S

. #DreamsAreMeanttobelivedoolongtea#dreamsaremeanttobelivedcampaign

#Dreamsaremeantotbelived

#Qssimpletreasuresgreetingsandcollections

Reinvention . . . Thoughts of an Entrepreneur

Reinvention is an interesting word, to me, it states change, newness and inspires you to think outside of the box to become a visionary. Ignites the spark within you to take charge, grab the bull by the horns to manifest what you see in your head. 

When you set out to achieve a dream-goal of starting a business, you begin one way, even though you may not know where to begin, or how, you start, and sometimes for a lot of us, we are figuring it out as we go. So the language of that is working with what you have until you can do better, producing one product at a time and using that revenue to move forward to producing another because you don't have enough money to launch them all at once. As well as getting your paper work in order to be a legitimate business. 

One item, whenever you can because you know that you have to begin like this or you will never begin. You must step out on faith and trust that the Lord has you. Assuming you believe that way.  But it has to be done. Not to mention, if you're like me, you don't trust many because you may be surrounded by people who can't descry your vision or just can't fathom the heights in which you want to fly (from my other article, progression is key), as well as them looking for "InstaSuccess" which doesn't exist so you don't want to deal with all of that. Because of this, you've noticed that you've opted to research and do things on your own. 

You now realize that you are not just a person with ideas, you are, the owner, visionary, the writer, publicist, advertiser, administrative assistant, bookkeeper, product manager, coordinator, social media specialist, executor and much more. After the epiphany of realizing this is what you do and these are all of the things that you are responsible for, it becomes a little overwhelming, so you can't expect to display perfection, not being a one person band, at least not now, anyway.

For the most part, you'll find the beginning to be a little rocky and you don't have all of what you need, though still in the process and the constant of progress of putting your ducks in a row, you're now established. People know who you are, or beginning to and they begin to recognize what you're trying to solidify as your brand. 

Now, that what you've illuminated has come to light, and maintaining seems to be connected to the easy part. Once that takes place, and you're able to breathe a bit.You now have to look at what you've done, analyze it all to see what you can do to make it better. That then, finally allows you to reinvent your company as a whole.

Hooray! The true fun can begin! If you're open and not scared of change, you'll actually find yourself reinventing many times over, which is really a good thing because it means, you won't get too comfortable in settling, self-doubt and going with the flow of laziness. Reinventing, keeps you sharp, intellectually fluid, and stable. QS Simple Treasures Greetings and Collections is currently in the process of being reinvented, hints the new logo and price sheet, with more to come and we couldn't be more excited. The point is this, reinvention is a way of revitalizing you from within to make palpable your exhibit of dreams in clear reality form, and I gotta tell ya, that's exciting! 


Summary - Look at it like this: Reinvention is bringing out the best in you and what you have to offer many times over and loving it as you shine. 

Inspire. . .

It is not . . .

QS Announcement of New Logo & Price Sheet

QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections

Greetings & Tea Division

Dreams "Are Meant To Be Lived" Oolong Tea

www.qssimpletreasures.blogspot.com

https://www.paypal.me/qssimpletreasuresgc

Tea is here . . .

Hello Simple Treasures:

We are happy to announce that your favorite tea is here. Yes, Dreams "Are Meant To Be Lived" Oolong Tea is here and you may now place your order right now.

Please see below our  in transition logo and price sheet along with the Paypal Link: https://www.paypal.me/qssimpletreasuresgc

 QS News: As you've seen our previous post we are currently in transition of changing our Dreams "Are Meant To Be Lived" and tea logo as well as the price sheet. 

Please note that this order will be the last one with the logo below. However, you will still have the option to get the same Dreams "Are Meant To Be Lived" logo on a shirt once premeire the new one.

We thank you for your patience, feedback and support. You guys are wonderful. 

Now stop lollygagging reading this and order your tea! 😉

 

 

Goodbye . . .

Saying goodbye to our beginning "Price Sheet". 

We will always have it in our hearts but onward and upward right?!

So get your last looks because it will be no more.

New Price Sheet Coming Soon!!!

Emily Styles Stacher

Greetings & Tea Division

QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections

Tea & Verse . . . Our CEO Feature

If you’re like me and love all things tea (beautiful china settings, fragrant teas, dainty sandwiches, hearty scones and rich clotted cream), then please join me for the Tea & Verse Poetry Salon and Tea Gathering on Saturday, August 25, 2018. 

Not only will you enjoy the captivating poetry of the featured artists--Until, Jasmine Colbert, Urith Walker and Totress Beasley--you will also experience an elegant tea service by the wonderful staff of The Four Seasons Tea Room. 

FYI- Tickets will not be sold at the door so get your tickets before August 21st. 

Come and treat yourself! Seating is limited so get your ticket today! For a complete tea menu and ticket information, please visit Eventbrite at:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tea-verse-poetry-salon-and-tea-gathering-tickets-47497013847?aff=eac2

For more information on Author & Poet Until please visit her book blog at www.ijwtw.blogspot.com

Farewell To Our 1st Logo

Gone but never forgotten  however, in life, upgrades, changes for better, following suite to progression is a must.

This logo came at a rushed time when everything seemed to be falling in our path to stop us from launching on our set deadline. But we were determined. 😉 We had everything but our logo, so a friend said "give me a description and I will make you one right quick" and, there you have it. Turns out, it was the cutest thing and we all loved it for what we needed at the time. 

This logo is very significant to us as it became apart of our stapled beginning and while we are constantly growing and changing everyday. We will put this in our Hall of Fame Logo folder and bring it out every now and again to never forget how we started.

 And while the logo has changed, the message remains the same.

Dreams "Are Meant To Be Lived" ~Until. . .

Farewell Logo

Progression . . . A note from the CEO

When I see the quote that you view listed above, I wholeheartedly feel wonderful about it. Because not many people get that idea. But that is truly how I live my life. For years, I've worked hard and because I indulge in many things, it probably looked to others that I was all over the place, you know, scatterbrain. But that didn't matter to me, because I knew they couldn't descry my vision. For years, I would say, I'm going to write anthologies, outset my own greeting card line, vend my poems, inaugurate my own tea and later a creative cup collection. 

They couldn't descry my vision

However, to others, even though knowing me and seeing that I've executed and achieved other feats, it still looked as though, I may not progress in accomplishing these particular dream goals.

Simply cannot fathom the heights

But what I notice is that sometimes, it's not always that they wish you non-success. Its that their way of thinking is limited. It's that they are small minded and because they simply cannot fathom the  heights of where you want to fly; then it must be, it has to be impossible for you. So, in most cases, don't take it personally. Honestly, it's just a battle they are fighting within that has nothing to do with you. 

If you're true to you

What I've learned about life is, it's not how fast you go, or if you're way ahead of your friends or others ('cause you're trying to keep up with the Joneses). If you're true to you, if you're indulging in your passion (s) with qualities of humility, patience, discipline, ambition, determination and focus, along with planning, organizing, consistency, persistence and prayer; never trying keep up with trends or fads and you're just doing you, you're gold. If you take your time, pace yourself and do it the right way. All things will come together and you will eventually see your dreams come true.

Exploring my reveries to see a manifestation

The friends in my current circle have been around me along time and they remember all that I said I would do and they now see how far I've come. Also to be clear, I'm not where I would like to be yet and no, I'm not rolling in doe but I am internally and externally exponentially happy and reveling in peace with traveling my journey by exploring my reveries to see a manifestation. 

But from the year of 1993 to now of what I've dreamed, and continually dreaming of, I have not been afraid to grow slowly but only of standing still and I haven't done that at all, because I believe in a few quotes, the first one above,  as well as "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Last but all at all least, see below.

You should to! Moral of the story, progression is key, honestly.

Thank you!

QRGU

Aren't They Pretty?

Yes they are!

The Packaging

"Simple yet Elegant"

Always Ready For Shipping

https://www.paypal.me/qssimpletreasuresgc

Photo Credit

QS Images "Where Beauty Is Captured"

QS Simple Treasures GC Donates . . .

This event is happening July 14th of 2018 and free to attend.

Do you have a high school teen that is in need of inspiration about their future? Their college plans? Then, this event is for them and for you. Guess what? Its free. Yes, free! Read more to find out about this great resource. We can always use a little help, right?! Click, read, share and repeat.

http://www.thegouchefoundation.com

Fun Fact: QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections has donated to the cause of The Gouche' Foundation and our CEO will be in attendance as their guest.

#thegouchefoundation #qssimpletreasuresgreetingsandcollections

#nataliegouche #quandargraves #authorandpoetuntil

SALE ANNOUNCEMENT

All Cards from now until July 13th are on sale for

$1.50. So get yours today. Your card can be from the Sometimes I Wish Collection or 

the Why Don't "Bright Idea" Love Series for just $1.50.

Specify which card and purchase today!

https://www.paypal.me/qssimpletreasuresgc

Summer Sale

QSST Sale:

From now until July 1st!!!

Sometimes I Wish Collection

Why don't Bright Idea Love Series

Two cards for the price of one.

That's right two cards for the price of $3.50.

Order yours now!

https://www.paypal.me/qssimpletreasuresgc

 

QSST: Radio Feature

Hey there Simple Treasures!

😊

UPDATE: Our CEO explained that she had an amazing

time with Dr. Shigg and how is was a wonderful show.

They targeted topics: Staying connected to your dreams, how to get started toward your dreams. She spoke about her passions, products and possibilities and belief system, and so much more. 

We want thank The Encourage-MINT Radio Show with host Dr. Dwayne E. Shigg for allowing our CEO of QS Simple Treasures Greetings & Collections to share in your platform.

For those that missed it you please click the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/dwayne.shigg/videos/1841815785838565/

*********************************

June 21st of 2018 at 7pm PST

Our Creator and CEO will be a feature.

Tune in. Don't miss it. 

Hear you there!

www.4kliq.com