About this column
You probably know how it is. Oh, fig — you know how it is. Anytime you launch a new thing you want your right people to find their way to you and like you. The human connection part of doing your thing is pretty important. It’s important to me. I’m glad you’re here. And I hope you’ll stick around if you like the idea of where we can go together. {Did I really just say, “oh, fig?”}
Abby Kerr Ink Is My New Thing
If this is the first time you’re reading me, hello! I’m Abby. I’m a lifelong writer, a former high school English teacher, a foodie and a half-lapsed fitness and nutrition junkie, and an ex-indie lifestyle boutique owner. Some of you know me from my boutique days as Creator and Proprietor of THE BLISSFUL, the funky French brick and mortar shop in my hometown of Canton, Ohio. Our web presence and online boutique brought us customers, friends, and fans from pretty much all over the place, which was cool.
I opened THE BLISSFUL in February 2006 and closed it in February of 2010 to pursue writerly adventures and to tap into something much deeper that my shop had clarified for me: I love being saturated in entrepreneurship. I love helping kind, cool people get to where they want to go. And that’s what this new thing is all about.
Abby Kerr Ink is my new thing. It’s the thing I’ve always wanted to do, the thing that my four years as a high school teacher and my four years as a shop owner seem to have been leading up to.
I created Abby Kerr Ink to support other entrepreneurs in creating conversation with the people they want to serve — online, in print, and in person.
I’m a copywriter and a teacher/coach of the niche-y business model. I believe in the power of nichification and all that it can do for a business, its creator, and the people it serves. And unless your biz is a franchise, I don’t see why you’d go any other way in evolving it. Any other way than niche-y, that is.
What Awaits You Around Here
Abby Kerr Ink is first and foremost this site, where I’ll share with you the best of my experiences and observations about running a niche-y business {both online and off}, tips for naturally niche-y marketing and PR, and at the heart of it all, ideas around creating a business that aligns with the best of who you are and what you do and supports the lifestyle you want. I’ll share the juiciest, most fortified resources I find. I’ll ask for your input and your help. I’ll give you the best of what I’ve got. And down the road, I’ll invite some guest bloggers to give you the best of what they’ve got.
And of course, I created Abby Kerr Ink to support the lifestyle I want. I’m a far ways from it right now, but that’s why I’m taking you with me. I’m designing this business to free myself — professionally, creatively, financially, emotionally, spiritually — and I want to help free a friend or two while I’m at it. Maybe that friend’ll be you.
So the question in my mind is, will you dig what I’m doing here? I have an inkling you will if this sounds like you:
9 Things I Know About Myself & My Right People
1.} We love working for ourselves. As in, getting to decide exactly how we generate revenue every day. And if we don’t work for ourselves yet, we feel passionately driven to do so at some point in the pretty near future. In fact, it can’t come a day too soon.
2.} We love to work because we love our work. We choose a life’s work that’s an essential expression of ourselves and what comes naturally to us.
3.} We like working on ourselves {in a holistic sense} and talking with other people who are working on themselves.
4.} We’re into people who love talking about entrepreneurship. With them, we have our most favorite conversations of the week.
5.} We enjoy conversation and believe that powerful enterprises thrive in the context of real, rich relationships.
6.} We work well independently and value an entrepreneurial lifestyle that allows us to claim space in each day for alone time and creative flow.
7.} We’re graced with way more creative genius than we’re even yet in touch with. And we believe that’s true of just about everyone.
8.} We’re kind and true. We may have the potential to be snarky or fired up, but basic kindness and a tendency toward transparency always shows up.
9.} Somewhere inside us, we believe that hard work is overrated. We suspect, we know, we have experienced that grace, luck, preparation, opportunity, openness, vision, prayer, and love are underrated.
You Say You’re Diggin’ It?
If you already know you dig it, sweet! I’d love it if you’d leave a comment and introduce yourself, let me know you’re reading. Tell me what you’ve heard that really resonates with you. And what you’re most looking forward to around here.
Off the blog, you can meet me over at the Facebook page for Abby Kerr Ink, where we’re continuing the conversation about niche-y entrepreneurship and connecting with your right people. Or follow me on Twitter, where I’m tweeting around the same topics.
And thanks, thanks, thanks for stopping by!
But Wait, There’s More!
P.S. Enjoy this post? If you’d like to dip in a little deeper, consider signing up for Inklings, my weekly-ish e-newsletter. It’s chock full of Ink extras to support your entrepreneurial journey. When you sign up, you’ll automatically receive a FREE 10-part e-course on Creating a Truly Irresistible Niche. You’ll find the sign-up form in the righthand sidebar; it’s the second graphic under the Post-It note, that one that says Niche-y Love In Your Inbox. {The Don’t Miss A Drop sign-up form is for RSS by e-mail, and if you’d wanna sign up for that, too, I’d be over the moon!}
P.P.S Special to retailers, wannabe retailers, and others involved in the boutique industry: Content designed just for you is on its way! Watch for two new post series called Letters To a Young Retailer and What Every Indie Knows.
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Abby! This is gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS! Congratulations, you knocked it out of the park!
LOVE what you’re doing here. Your essence and intention comes through loud and clear… mind if I stay awhile?
:)
Cheers,
Erica
Abby! This is gorgeous, gorgeous, GORGEOUS! Congratulations, you knocked it out of the park!
LOVE what you’re doing here. Your essence and intention comes through loud and clear… mind if I stay awhile?
:)
Cheers,
Erica
Erica!!! —
I’m so stoked that you’re here, my new friend! Yes, please stay awhile and get really comfy.
Launches are fun, aren’t they? LOL
— Abby
Erica!!! —
I’m so stoked that you’re here, my new friend! Yes, please stay awhile and get really comfy.
Launches are fun, aren’t they? LOL
— Abby
Abby-
CONGRATS on the launch!
It looks FAB…and I am officially swearing myself in as an INK junkie!
I can’t wait to read more of your creative genius!
Best-
Jess
Hey, Jess! —
Ink junkies are welcome here! I’m so glad you’re digging it so far and I look forward to us connecting over shared ideas. You inspire me pretty much daily on Facebook and I’m looking forward to offering it right back to you. :)
–Abby
By the way, Jess, if you want to, you can grab a photo avatar at http://en.gravatar.com. I just did it. Easy and amusing. :)
Abby-
CONGRATS on the launch!
It looks FAB…and I am officially swearing myself in as an INK junkie!
I can’t wait to read more of your creative genius!
Best-
Jess
Hey, Jess! —
Ink junkies are welcome here! I’m so glad you’re digging it so far and I look forward to us connecting over shared ideas. You inspire me pretty much daily on Facebook and I’m looking forward to offering it right back to you. :)
–Abby
By the way, Jess, if you want to, you can grab a photo avatar at http://en.gravatar.com. I just did it. Easy and amusing. :)
Beautiful! You have so much to offer, and it’s so awesome that you are willing to share. You see with a writerly eye no matter where you are and that ability translates into exciting perspectives!
Beautiful! You have so much to offer, and it’s so awesome that you are willing to share. You see with a writerly eye no matter where you are and that ability translates into exciting perspectives!
Thanks, Kell! I’m glad you’re here. I hoped you’d dig it the most, as they say in “Pulp Fiction.”
By the way — you and I need avatars. We can go to http://en.gravatar.com and register our photos. I really shouldn’t be faceless on my own blog. :)
— Abby
I did it! See…you already gave me a great tip!
Thanks, Kell! I’m glad you’re here. I hoped you’d dig it the most, as they say in “Pulp Fiction.”
By the way — you and I need avatars. We can go to http://en.gravatar.com and register our photos. I really shouldn’t be faceless on my own blog. :)
— Abby
I did it! See…you already gave me a great tip!
great beginnings abby…i freed myself on 1/1/2010 when i launched a new enterprise, Cre8tive Compass, designed to show artisans the way to make a living doing what they love…we are walking parallel paths at this moment in time…i am here to support you and cheer you on…hugs, Rebecca
.-= Rebecca Parsons´s last blog ..Do what you love (no excuses!) =-.
Hey, Rebecca! —
So glad you’re here! Any woman who frees herself for creative fulfillment is a friend of mine. I’m excited to explore your site, as well, as it’s clear that you and I are on the same wavelength, aren’t we? Thanks for bringing good vibes with you. :)
— Abby
great beginnings abby…i freed myself on 1/1/2010 when i launched a new enterprise, Cre8tive Compass, designed to show artisans the way to make a living doing what they love…we are walking parallel paths at this moment in time…i am here to support you and cheer you on…hugs, Rebecca
.-= Rebecca Parsons´s last blog ..Do what you love (no excuses!) =-.
Hey, Rebecca! —
So glad you’re here! Any woman who frees herself for creative fulfillment is a friend of mine. I’m excited to explore your site, as well, as it’s clear that you and I are on the same wavelength, aren’t we? Thanks for bringing good vibes with you. :)
— Abby
Congratulations Abby! The new website is FAB- not that I thought it would be anything less : ) So happy that you are so happy in your new entreprenurial role! I love hearing your thoughts on everything- can’t wait to see more !
Hey, Spring! —
Great to see you here. Thanks for coming by. I’m glad we can connect this way. My hope is that you’ll find lots of food here for your entrepreneurial dreams. Please keep me posted and let me know how things are going your way!
— Abby
Congratulations Abby! The new website is FAB- not that I thought it would be anything less : ) So happy that you are so happy in your new entreprenurial role! I love hearing your thoughts on everything- can’t wait to see more !
Hey, Spring! —
Great to see you here. Thanks for coming by. I’m glad we can connect this way. My hope is that you’ll find lots of food here for your entrepreneurial dreams. Please keep me posted and let me know how things are going your way!
— Abby
LOVE IT Abby! Best wishes to you as you embark on your adventure of a lifetime! :)
Hey, thanks, Audrey! —
I’m so happy you’re here and look forward to getting to know you better. <3 {Let's see if that actually comes out as a heart.}
— Abby
LOVE IT Abby! Best wishes to you as you embark on your adventure of a lifetime! :)
Hey, thanks, Audrey! —
I’m so happy you’re here and look forward to getting to know you better. <3 {Let's see if that actually comes out as a heart.}
— Abby
Abby it looks KILLER!!! Well worth the wait darlin’! I am certain it will be all you hope for and more, this is a great place to hang out and learn something. :) Signed up for RSS and your newsletter. ;) Can’t wait to see what you do next, you’re wonderful!
Mayhap time to buy you another Whopper! ;D
Warmest,
C
.-= Cori Padgett´s last blog ..Using Social Media as a Customer Service Slam Dunk- You’re Joking Right? =-.
Hiya, Cori! —
Thank you so much for the encouragement here and on Twitter. You are like the ultimate hipster cheeerleader. :)
Mmm, another Whopper. Sadly, I don’t think my jeans can take it.
— Abby
Lol.. well I’ve never been a cheerleader before, so something new! :D And you’re welc0me, I really am impressed with the new design and site.
As to the Whopper, I feel ya… my jeans can’t take any more fast food either. :) Veggies, fruit and brown rice for me! I have a wedding to attend in October, lol must be slim and sassy!
C
.-= Cori Padgett´s last blog ..Using Social Media as a Customer Service Slam Dunk- You’re Joking Right? =-.
Abby it looks KILLER!!! Well worth the wait darlin’! I am certain it will be all you hope for and more, this is a great place to hang out and learn something. :) Signed up for RSS and your newsletter. ;) Can’t wait to see what you do next, you’re wonderful!
Mayhap time to buy you another Whopper! ;D
Warmest,
C
.-= Cori Padgett´s last blog ..Using Social Media as a Customer Service Slam Dunk- You’re Joking Right? =-.
Hiya, Cori! —
Thank you so much for the encouragement here and on Twitter. You are like the ultimate hipster cheeerleader. :)
Mmm, another Whopper. Sadly, I don’t think my jeans can take it.
— Abby
Lol.. well I’ve never been a cheerleader before, so something new! :D And you’re welc0me, I really am impressed with the new design and site.
As to the Whopper, I feel ya… my jeans can’t take any more fast food either. :) Veggies, fruit and brown rice for me! I have a wedding to attend in October, lol must be slim and sassy!
C
.-= Cori Padgett´s last blog ..Using Social Media as a Customer Service Slam Dunk- You’re Joking Right? =-.
Oh Abby, what a wonderful start to your dream! So much work, so much thought you have put into this. I just finished reading your first Inklings newsletter and am happy to see you getting down to the nuts and bolts of business. This will not only be a great help to newbies, but also to the longtime business owners like me. Fresh ideas and a fresh new voice are so …well…refreshing! Can’t wait to read more. Wishing you luck.
Reesa
Oh Abby, what a wonderful start to your dream! So much work, so much thought you have put into this. I just finished reading your first Inklings newsletter and am happy to see you getting down to the nuts and bolts of business. This will not only be a great help to newbies, but also to the longtime business owners like me. Fresh ideas and a fresh new voice are so …well…refreshing! Can’t wait to read more. Wishing you luck.
Reesa
Hey, Reesa! —
Glad you’re here. Thanks for coming by! I’ve missed writing for indie retail and am excited to get back to it here on this blog. Looking forward to your contributions, too!
— Abby
Hey, Reesa! —
Glad you’re here. Thanks for coming by! I’ve missed writing for indie retail and am excited to get back to it here on this blog. Looking forward to your contributions, too!
— Abby