Ydonos Page

1st Day…

September 15, 2023 YdonoLeave a comment

The waiting and uncertainty was long and horrible but we made it through all the questions and forms and whatever else comes with buying your home.

We have never owned our home before. This is completely new and to be honest a bunch of emotions rare their heads in this situation.

As I said in previous post it is a cute little bungalow. We have some work to do on it but it won’t be getting a new face lift anytime soon. Just the living and dining room for now.

I like that we just walked from the store to the house in a matter of less than 5 min. I can do my catch up work after the bus in the evenings if I get that busy here.

The yard is tiny but we will be able to maintain it easily. Lots of perennial gardens so no heavy gardening to keep up with.

New House

September 14, 2023 YdonoLeave a comment

So we have finally bought a house. It isn’t the rental we have been in. That fell through so we looked for something else. Found a cute bungalow one block away from the store location.

We have a few upgrades that need to get done but it is going to be quite livable for us.

Unfortunately, Mya won’t be making the move with us. She is too ill and I don’t want to stress her more. So I will be putting her down next week. I know it sounds callous but she has been declining for months. She is just skin and bones and lays down to drink water almost all day.

Packing has been hard because we are still living in the house. This week the focus is on getting the floor finished in the new house so we can have that done before we move stuff in.

We have had 2 full dumpsters already leave the house and yard. Working on the 3rd. Moving is crazy…

Practicing and Growing

March 4, 2023March 4, 2023 YdonoLeave a comment

So now that I have the 2 new printers in the store it is time to start promoting what I can do.

I have been practicing and practicing and wasting. So far I know I can produce quality looking images for shirts and other soft products. I am able to print up to 30 Golf balls at once and have them turn out great.

My issue is now how to get the word out and get a steady work load. I have created some ads and a new business card for the printing services. I have an ad at the Golf Course starting this year for 2 years offering 15% off a purchase of $50 or more.

I find it really hard to self promote. I know I do good work, and my prices are fair. I am trying to fit in where there are gaps in services in the area so I am not directly competing with other companies.

My Goals:

This year to get the business to stabilize and pay it’s own rent and utilities,
Next year to get the business to pay a small wage for myself.
Grow into a Print Shop for Crafters… Not a full production shop. Although I do have the ability to produce products on hand.

Who am I targeting in order to do this:

Golf Courses
Crafters wanting quality full graphic prints for their customers/Products
Gift Shops offering pre-made and custom Golf Balls

I need help in marketing I think.

I also don’t like to create for no reason. My preference is to work with the client and develop something completely unique for them.

I am not a graphic artist but I can pull things together and create something just for them.

I know people don’t usually think of something till they see it somewhere and I am thankful for sites that I can buy files/Clipart. I am not trying to copy anyone’s work. I will not steal or use licensed images. I love to use art from other small businesses who create these images and I can print them.

This is the Business Card I created just to get the ball rolling on the Printing Services. I need to book some craft shows and such…

If you have any tips or advice I would love to hear it.

Winter 2022

December 29, 2022 YdonoLeave a comment

I haven’t written in a while as I have trouble finding the words to put on the page. As I am sitting her even… I keep losing my ideas of what to write.

We received the inheritance from Johns Uncle and have put a lot of it towards growing the business. I have purchased 2 new printers.

A UV Ink Printer that I can print directly to products with. Going to expand my product line to things like Golf Balls. I have already used it on Glass, Metal and Wood products. Will learn to use the rotary tool soon so I can print on tumblers with it.

The other printer is a replacement and improvement of the DTF printer for apparel. The original one stopped working.

I have to focus on my advertising now that I have these and work on getting the website to show off what I can do.

I am taking 2 online courses one for graphic design and the other for bookkeeping so I can be more efficient and on top of things here.

I am using my time off from the bus to improve these skills and get my yearly bookkeeping done for tax time.

We moved the store downstairs and it isn’t as big as upstairs but I have better power down here for the printers.

John moved down here with me so he is no longer using the office upstairs for his stuff. Currently we are using it for storage.

I am in a bit of distress waiting for the other printer to arrive and then make our final adjustments as to where everything is going to live.

We have a lot of changes coming in the new year but I will write about that in another post.

Happy New Year and Glad Tidings.

August 2022

August 20, 2022 YdonoLeave a comment

We just celebrated our 31st Anniversary. Strange to think that many years have passed, as it really doesn’t seem that long ago I was getting ready for our wedding.

In those 31 years we have had our share of ups and downs as all couples do. We just have the view that it will be worked out and tomorrow is a new day.

Other updates:

Business: I have been struggling with the DTF printer. One day it is printing somewhat ok then days like today the white is not working at all… I am quite frustrated to be honest. The white layer when it is printing is not very thick. So what we are now deciding is that once the money from the inheritance comes in we are buying the better larger DTF printer.

Home: Since I posted last we have our new dog Brodie. He is a Red Doberman and is a gentle giant. 4 yrs old and learning how to play. Sasha is bossy with him and he doesn’t care. Mya is happy to have a large dog to rest with.

We are also getting ready to purchase the house as soon as we have the money we will proceed with the sale.

Family: Grandma is in hospital again. She had twisted bowels, so they did the surgery and she is on the mend. Not sure if she will be able to go home again.

Steven and Rain are doing well in BC. Steven is still working with Fabricland and is enjoying working there. Rain is doing something with the college I believe. I will have to ask more questions. We don’t talk as much as we used to.

Daryon and Taylor are doing well. Daryon is working with Nissan and is becoming the leader we always saw him growing towards. His dream is to own his own garage one day. Taylor is still waitressing and doing well with it. We had an impromptu visit on Sunday and was again told I probably won’t have any grand babies… I reminded them I am not in a rush and I will see what they decide when they are in their 30’s LOL

I don’t have much else to say right now as I am sitting here trying to focus and not having much luck.

Moving forward

June 6, 2022 YdonoLeave a comment

So I’ve been busy with the bus, My Creative business and my services business. Between all that I’ve been working with my mental health worker getting house in some sort of order.

The new medication has slowed my thinking down and I appreciate that. However, I feel sluggish and have a hard time motivating myself.

I’ve always been a professional procrastinater. Now it seems to be a bit more but only because I feel tired and sluggish.

I spend my time working and building a steady routine. I’m trying to acknowledge how much I do and be proud of my accomplishments.

This last weekend Natalie and I went to Toronto to train in the business. It was a super informative day and I forced myself to stick around and meet some of the leaders in the business.

I’m connecting to another team and they are helping me hone my skills. It is great having support from more than 1 source.

I’ve been working on t-shirt orders this past couple of weeks and I’ll be getting more orders over the next couple weeks and this will keep growing.

Fully operational print powder and seal

Still here

April 25, 2022 YdonoLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I’ve updated this blog. Was on medical leave for anxiety for 6 weeks. New meds are settling for now. Have Dr appt on May 3. Will discuss next steps.

The creative business is struggling because I am struggling but I have orders so I’m going in the right direction. The other supporting business I just need to get out there and start inviting people to meet my mentor so he can help me build up.

My DTF Printer finally arrived. Some minor damage so far. Haven’t printed with it yet. I am fighting anxiety left right and centre.

Went back to driving bus last week. Kids are glad I’m back. I love being with them. I’m not getting my energy back like I used to when I drove. I don’t want to feel like that around the kids. They should feel I want to be there. This is difficult for me.

I feel like a whiner which is not my intent. I felt the need to update. Hopefully over the next few weeks as I get the printer up and running and I get back in the pool I’ll be more myself.

Rusty

March 19, 2022 YdonoLeave a comment

Rusty came to us when he was 3 yrs old he was a yappy happy dog. 4 lbs and full of bravery and well to be honest stupidity lol…

He loved his fur siblings Mya and Trooper I would catch the 3 of them sleeping all together.

We put Trooper down 2 yrs ago when he was 12 and now that Rusty is 12 he has joined him.

Rusty has been in a lot of pain over the past while, so much so that we even used CBD oil to give him some relief. It helped but not enough…

I’ve been preparing for this day, however I don’t know if you can truly prepare for these days.

Rusty taught me that I can love and cherish even the smallest of the canines lol 4 lbs of pure love!

Uphill…

March 13, 2022March 14, 2022 YdonoLeave a comment

So today we are headed to Moms for the night. Tomorrow John flies out to BC.

So since I started with ACN I have earned a bonus and reached the 20 customer point milestone.

The other milestone I have reached is finally under 250 lbs.

Meds for anxiety are leveling out but I still don’t have that draw to go back to the bus.

We don’t have a return date yet for John. This is a bit of a trigger with me but I’ll be ok

I have taken medical leave because of how I’m feeling regarding mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks. Have my Dr appt Mar 22 so then we will decide what I’m doing with the school bus. Honestly, I think I may be finished. So many negative thoughts come when I think of driving.

We signed Steven up with ACN today. Which is exciting. I’d love for him to make a good income with it.

I know I pushed the idea on him and I will build his team with him.

At the moment I’m at mom’s. Not dealing with Marcel very well. My filters are hearing… I look after your Mom I deserve a part of the funds from your parents marital home. My belief is that the home that my parents share/own together has nothing to do with Marcel. The home and vehicles he owns with my Mom are all his, and only his if she should pass.

Anyway another uphill battle internally. I’ll get through this too.

Business advances

March 9, 2022 YdonoLeave a comment

The DTF printer is finally on it’s way in Canada. Set to arrive next week. I’m so excited!

I spoke with one of my suppliers today to see if he can get in the door mats I use for camping customers.

I finished 2 orders today. Finally starting to feel a little more balanced.

Looking forward to these new changes and advancements with Uniquelyys.ca

The other new venture is coming along. I’m acquiring customers and looking for business partners who want to have a safety net of residual income from a new virtual technology business. I love that I can help people save money on their home and business services and help feed children locally.