9 party chicks + 1 party dude = an inspiring 2010

J and I officially opened Piggy Bank Parties on July 15, 2010. It had been our dream for almost 5 years and it wasn't an easy step to take. We owned a successful custom handcrafted invitation business which survived the economic fallout...BUT it just wasn't fulfilling anymore. Our clientele no longer wanted something unique and handcrafted. Instead, they would arrive with an invitation in hand that they wanted copied at a cheaper price. {Ugh!}

We were ready to walk away from the business after 10 years. We sent out resumes, went on job interviews but didn't receive any job offers. We were at a loss. What were we suppose to do?

Then it happened. During a daily web search for jobs, I stumbled upon a little blog called, Polkadots & Pirates. I was enamoured by the handmade party décor, drooled over the party photos and soaked up every word the author wrote. Someone was actually doing the exact job that I had dreamed of!

I spent the next few months reading one party blog after another.  I rediscovered Etsy. I researched what worked and what didn't. I talked J's ear off about all that I had learned and the ideas I had. I found something I had lost...inspiration. I was once again inspired. Inspired to design...to create...to share.

As 2010 takes its final bow, I wanted to share 10 people who have inspired me this year.

10 :: Kim Neufeld :: Little Ladybug Designs

Kim was the first party chick to reach out to me after I joined the Children's Party Network. Kim is a contributor to CPN and I had commented on a discussion she had started. Afterwards I was worried that I had put my foot in my mouth but Kim responded right away. She was so excited about my comment and we became fast friends. Kim inspires me to not shy away from sharing the things I've learned in the past 10 years in this business with others who are just starting out.


9 :: Debbie Bennett :: Table Tops for Tots
 

Debbie is another Children's Party Network contributor and offers a unique service--tables and chairs for pint-sized humans. Debbie became our first "Super Duper Fan" {her exact words} in October and added our blog button to her top blogs. We're right next to The Purple Pug, Little Shindigs, Party Frosting, Not Just A Mommy and Party Starters! Debbie loved our concept of creating fun and memorable parties on a piggy bank budget. Debbie inspires me to continually create and share penny pinching ideas, tutorials and party décor on our blog.

8 :: Amy Atlas :: Amy Atlas Events

  I know what you're thinking...everyone in the party biz is inspired by Amy Atlas. Yes, I have been inspired by her to design a few dessert tables this year....BUT that is not the reason she made it on my list. I am inspired by Amy's down to earth attitude. I love that she is a hands-on gal even though she has a team who could easily do all the grunt work. I love that she shops for ribbon and paper at the same stores we all shop at. I love that she shares pictures with her hair in rollers or after an exhausting event. Amy inspires me to always stay grounded in spite of success. 7 :: Carrie :: The Sweet Spot Candy Bar7 :: Melissa :: Truly Chic Inspirations   

I met Carrie and Melissa on Twitter. These two party chicks are BFFs and hang out on Twitter every day. In November I had the opportunity to join their band of 12 party chicks in a Super Holiday Giveaway. These two clever ladies helped us triple our fan base on Facebook during the giveaway! Carrie and Melissa have inspired me to collaborate with other amazing party chicks!

6 :: Natalie Robles :: Children's Party Network
and Little Shindigs

 

Natalie is the Founder and President of Children's Party Network. I have had the pleasure of working with Natalie on two occasions in the past few months. I joined her West Coast team for the East Coast vs. West Coast Tablescape Challenge and then we created a custom mini-banner for her son's birthday cake. I know that I speak for the {almost} 1,000 party rock stars when I say a HUGE thank you to Natalie for creating a place for all of us to hang out! A place where we can share our struggles and our successes with a community who really understands. Natalie inspires me to dream big!

5 :: Kim Stoegbauer :: The TomKat Studio

 

During my research into the party décor and printables scene, I stumbled upon Kim and her business, The TomKat Studio. During a three month timeframe, I watched Kim's successes on the top party and design blogs, her followers grow by leaps and bounds, her sales on Etsy shoot through the roof and her staff triple in size. Kim's marketing skills are truly astounding. Kim inspired me to set up Facebook and Twitter accounts and to let the world know that Piggy Bank Parties is here and ready to create!

4 :: Chris Nease :: Celebrations At Home

I met Chris on the Children's Party Network where she is a contributor. Chris has an amazing blog featuring creative parties, tutorials and inspirational ideas for entertaining at home. Her blog offers down-to-earth tips and her parties are always attainable and affordable. I have been a huge fan of her blog for a while but I became a Super Fan when she posted our very first party feature in December. Chris inspires me to create parties that everyone can re-create on a piggy bank budget!

3 :: Kristy McCarthy :: The Purple Pug   

I was drawn to Kristy from the first day I met her on Children's Party Network. Her quick wit, tell-it-like-it-is attitude and encouraging spirit are an unstoppable force! The Purple Pug and this lil' Pink Pig have become fast friends. She has mad skills with glitter and her parties are a breath of fresh air! Kristy took on a huge challenge this year--The Purple Crush: 365 days of Creative Coolness. Kristy calls it, "An experiment in nice." She features a different party girl each day for an entire year! Amazing! Even more amazing...she chose to feature me on Day 11! She's all crazy kinds of Kool! Kristy inspires me daily to just be me. To say, "This is who I am." 

2 :: Jess Newman :: Polkadots & Pirates

Jess' blog, Polkadots & Pirates, inspired me to take this leap of faith. Jess is currently on party décor hiatus but hop over and read her blog. You won't be disappointed! Jess' work inspired one of our favorite products--Create-Your-Own Mini Banner. {See if you can find the inspiration photo.} Whenever I'm unsure of the leap I took, I turn to Jess' blog for a little encouragement...and I'm always inspired!

Let's see...that's 9 Party Chicks....who am I missing? Oh yeah! The 1 Party Dude!

1 :: J Driver :: Piggy Bank Parties  

J is the most talented artist in the whole world and my favorite person on earth. {Which is important since he's also my husband!} J discovered his artistic abilities about 4 years ago and it completely changed our custom invitation business. I love that I can sketch out an idea for an invitation and he can make it come to life...and it's always better than I imagined! {Okay...may 1 or 2 times he had to make a few adjustments...but it always ended up better!} J inspires me to be a better designer every time he creates artwork that is out of this world. On a daily basis, J inspires me to be a better person. J just inspires me. {I kinda love him for that!}

I hope you have been inspired to get to know these ladies and gent a little better by visiting their blogs. Who has inspired you this year? Have you told them that they inspired you? Take a little time to let them know that what they do is important.

Stay tuned to Oink! for more inspiration...