Dread, I did have sticker shock at what they are charging me for this, but I already feel it well worth it. While I like to try to do everything myself, I think it was a very smart decision to fork over the dough and hire a talented professional. They look at this from a much different perspective than I did or ever would, in creating a "brand" and a presence. I see now it is more than "build it and they will come", they are designing to "reach" and communicate. They are also involved in the marketing to a degree. The guy told someone else in the building that "he is going to be so busy, when we get done with him". I like that confidence.

With taking over the space next to me, and expanding, I do have hiring in mind. After having that woman work for a couple months, I had to rethink the space to allow for another person. Whether that is a book keep/ secretary/ helper, or a jeweler that can do some of the gunt work, and handle some of the book work and phone calls...I dunno. I am really against it. I am a control freak. Moreso after the mess that woman I hired created. But I am not ruling it out. My hope is striking a balance with the wholesale and retail. Eliminating some of the lower $$$ wholesale accounts, which also tend to be the most demanding, and annoying, will be a good thing. I dropped one pain in the ass account, that was actually a larger ($) one, and just the lack of stress she created has been great. And it turned out, I was able to pick up more work from one of the better customers, and the loss of the one just did not make a dent. Funny how stuff works out .