The Year in Review

As 2010 comes to an end, this seemed like the perfect time to reflect on this past year and to take a peek into 2011.

And wow, what a year it has been!! Not only did I meet my business goals, but I exceeded them! Thanks to the help of my mentor, Joan. Without all of your wonderful guidance throughout NAWBO's Mentoring Program, I do not know where my business would be at right now.

I also need to give a "big" thank you to all of my family and friends. I TRULY appreciate all of the support you have given me throughout this last year.

As Wicked Wicker moves into 2011, you can look for new creations to be added from the treasures I find, my philosophy on gifting, continuing my board position for the Women's Enterprise Foundation, and continuing to chair the Central Neighborhood NAWBO Meetings.

I am looking forward to a prosperous year in 2011!


Jill

A Big "Thank You"

On behalf of Wicked Wicker, I would like to thank my delivery angels for this holiday season.

Norma McCormick, Clean & Fresh Cleaning, www.cleannfreshcleaning.com

and

Amy Bruske, Kolbe Corp., www.kolbe.com

Without the help from both of you, I would still be delivering baskets.

Thank you!

Consumers patronizing locally owned shops

Consumers patronizing locally owned shops

Make a Great Gift Impression

Have you ever received the same present from two different people?
Have you ever given the same present as someone else has to the same person?

Avoiding embarrassing moments like these can be tricky without spending extravagant amounts of time and money, but a gift from Wicked Wicker will always make a great impression. Our gifts baskets are unique and they won’t break your bank. Go ahead and wow them this year with a Wicked Wicker gift basket!

Plastic Gifts

Gift cards have been advertised and praised as incredibly convenient for so long that we have forgotten that there are better, more personal, options that are just as convenient. However, gift cards often go unused. Here are some interesting facts to consider before you reach for the "plastic gift" this holiday season:

1. Fifty-five percent of gift card recipients need more than one trip to deplete the value of their card - consumers view this as a big hassle!
2. Forty percent of adults received at least one gift card last holiday season and had not redeemed it by March. That's money in the bank for retailers — and money doing nothing for consumers.
3. More than a third of the people surveyed said they either forgot about their cards, lost them, or the cards had expired, yikes!
4. Another third said they couldn't find anything they wanted to spend their gift card on.
5. Almost sixty percent said they didn't have the time to shop.
6. Besides letting gift cards gather dust or losing them, consumers can be left with worthless plastic if the issuing retailer goes out of business. That's happened more than a few times this past year!

And if you find yourself with an unwanted "plastic gift" this holiday season, be smart about its disposal and go to www.plasicjungle.com. They will buy the gift cards you have no use for and sell them to someone else.

Thanking Clients

This holiday season is the perfect time to thank your clients for their business. Remember, every client has the right to choose which company they are going to do business with and they chose your company. Let them know they are appreciated!

Don't Forget to Gift the Hostess this Holiday Season!

The Holiday Season is full of parties and get-togethers. It's a time of food and fun, so naturally when you go to one of these parties, all the hard work that the hostess put into the preparations isn't going to be the first thing on your mind. You just want to have a good time with everyone. In the end, being a hostess is hard work, and not only does it deserve a little thanks, but it will keep your hostess from being discouraged. Please don't overlook the hostess this year. Instead, why not give her a basket from Wicked Wicker to show your thanks? After throwing a Holiday Party, she could use it!

Gift Basket Giveaway!!

"Day at the Spa" Gift Basket

Retail Value $64.99

Wanna win a Wicked Wicker gift basket? Wicked Wicker has teamed up with Colie's Kitchen for a Holiday Giveaway! Visit www.colieskitchen.com for the official rules and your chance to win. (Look for Holiday Giveaway #5).

Good Luck!

Jill

Happy Thanksgiving from Wicked Wicker!

The Holidays have arrived. The plans are being made. The food is being bought. Everyone is getting ready to enjoy Thanksgiving with their nearest and dearest. Even the stores are getting into the spirit a little bit extra this year by opening up their Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving night! So, from Wicked Wicker, here's to everyone having a safe and wonderful holiday with your friends and family. May you have the best Thanksgiving dinner you've ever had and may you have good luck with all the wonderful shopping afterwards!

Family, Food, and Love

One of the most important traditions of Thanksgiving is sharing food with those who are close to you to show your appreciation and affection for each other. Share a little love this Thanksgiving, with our Thanksgiving Basket. Full of a variety of snacks and goodies, it is great to give to someone who can’t come this year or to pass around while everyone is waiting for the big meal to be put on the table.

Veterans Day

"I found the gift different and unique in recognizing my 20 year Air Force career."

~ A Phoenix Retired Air Force Master Sergeant

WEF vs NAWBO Board Bowl-Off is this Sunday!

The WEF has challenged the NAWBO Board of Directors to a Board Bowl-Off! The Women's Enterprise Foundation's 2nd annual Bowl-a-Thon is this Sunday from 2pm-4pm at the AMF Lanes in Scottsdale. If you can't make it, don't have a team, or can't bowl you still can help. Just click into the link below & make a donation of $5, $10 or $20, it's that easy! Donations go towards grants & scholarships that help emerging women business owners in the Phoenix area.
Thank you!

http://wefbowlathon.eventbrite.com/

Creature Feature

It’s hard to believe Halloween is less than a week away, but the Haunted Houses are crowded and everyone’s putting the final touches on their costumes. They’re snatching up fake blood, candies, spooky soundtracks and scary movies. Want to grab some of the gore for yourself? Gear up for your creepy night with some popcorn and get your own horror fest going!

Retail group sees hope for holidays - Phoenix Business Journal

Retail group sees hope for holidays - Phoenix Business Journal

Think Pink Gift Basket

October is national breast cancer month and women everywhere are thinking pink - they are participating in events, donating money, or showing their support in various ways. At Wicked Wicker, we are taking up the pink ribbon with our version of a "Think Pink" Gift Basket that was donated to the Women's Enterprise Foundation. All proceeds that were raised for this basket went to the foundation.

Thank you to everyone who participated!

If you would like more information on the Women's Enterprise Foundation please visit their website at http://www.wefphx.org/

Congratulations!!

Loretta Love Huff from http://www.emeraldharvest.com/ is helping Norma McCormick from http://www.cleannfreshcleaning.com/ hold the Special*Tea Basket she won at the WEF's Teatini Event! Way to go Norma!!

NRF: Retailers not so scared this Halloween - Birmingham Business Journal

NRF: Retailers not so scared this Halloween - Birmingham Business Journal

Customer Testimonial

Another happy customer!!

“Jill has a very creative mind which shows in her beautiful and imaginative baskets. She's easy to work with and always pleasant to be around. Be sure to call Jill whenever you need a gift basket!”

~ A. Chan

The Urban Tea Loft Gift Basket

Here is a "Special*Tea" gift basket that will be raffled off at the Women's Enterprise Foundation "Teatini" Fundraising Event being held at The Urban Tea Loft. Thank you to The Urban Tea Loft for donating all the wonderful tea shown in the gift basket!

For more information about this fundraiser please visit:

http://wefphx.eventbrite.com/

For more information about The Urban Tea Loft visit:

http://urbantealoft.com/

"Thank You" Gift Basket

Have an important client you need to give a "Thank You" too?

Suggested Retail is $49.99, Taxes and Shipping are not included in this price.

**ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY**

US retail sales rise in August

US retail sales rise in August

Customer Testimonial

“I needed to say "Thank You" to some clients and wanted a more creative and memorable way to give my appreciation. I did not have time to do this, so I hired Jill. The results were fantastic with very satisfied customers and repeat sales for me! Let Jill use her expert knowledge in helping you show appreciation to a client, employee, or that special person."

~ Joe Eragitano

Gap's Groupon pulls in $11 million

Wow, very interesting! What do you think Groupon can do for businesses with the holiday season just around the corner?


Gap's Groupon pulls in $11 million

Junior League of Phoenix Gift Basket

Norma, from the Junior League of Phoenix, asked me to create a gift basket using one of the Junior League's cookbooks. So given the title of the cookbook "Reflections Under the Sun" the theme fit perfect. If you would like to find out how you can help or learn more about the Junior League of Phoenix, please visit their website at http://www.jlp.org/

Eat Pray Love Gift Basket

The wait is finally over, here is my Eat Pray Love gift basket!!

Items Included:
Brown Shall
White Tea Pot with Cup
Eat Pray Love Orange Cinnamon Black Tea
Prayer Beads
Journal

This item is listed on ebay with a sale price of $54.99, suggested retail is $59.99. Taxes and shipping are not included.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Eat-Pray-Love-Gift-Basket-/140436725015?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20b2ae5d17

Customer Testimonial

Thanks Norma for this wonderful testimonial!!

“Jill does an awesome job on our gift baskets. She always works within our budget and goes over and above with her baskets."

~ Norma McCormick

Marilyn Monroe Basket

Thank you to everyone who contacted me about the Marilyn Monroe Basket. It sold on Monday to a private buyer. More gift baskets will be coming soon!!

Jill

Pet Gift Basket

Suggested Retail $24.99, Taxes and Shipping not included
**ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY**

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is up on ebay!

This is an exclusive sale price for ebay only at $29.99 (retail value $64.99)!!!

http://tinyurl.com/26xqfej

Hurry, this is the last one I have in stock!

Happy Bidding!

Coffee Basket

Suggested Retail: $39.99, Taxes and Shipping not included
**ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY**

Interior Design Gift Basket

Suggested Retail: $64.99, Taxes and Shipping not included
**ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY**

Marilyn Monroe Gift Basket

Suggested Retail $64.99, Taxes and Shipping not included.

**All items are subject to availability**

Customer Testimonial

"Wicked Wicker is unbeatable in the gift basket arena. Her unique baskets are extremely affordable and contain unique and often exclusive items tailormade for the recipient. Their customer service before, during, and after the sale is unsurpassed. I would highly recommend their service for anyone who wants to thank clients, vendors, and reward employees in an impressive and creative way."

- Suzanne Jones

Study: Shoppers show signs of optimism - Phoenix Business Journal

Study: Shoppers show signs of optimism - Phoenix Business Journal

Dad

We may have had a few bumps in the road getting from the "got gum" to the "lame" days. Thanks for tolerating all my fads well!

I may not always show or say it, but "Thanks Dad" for all you do!

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Air Force Gift Box

**This item requires a 2 week minimum notification and can be customized for a different branch of the military**


Suggested Retail: $74.99, Taxes and Shipping not included


**ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY**

Memorial Day

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."

~Joseph Campbell


Everyone have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!!

Baby Boy Gift Basket

Baby Boy Gift Basket

Suggested Retail: $39.99, Taxes and Shipping not included

**ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY**

Customer Testimonial

"I do appreciate the fact that your baskets are completely full of food ~ with no fillers! I cannot believe how much fluff and larger than necessary boxes fill up other baskets."

- J. Wiest

Mother of the Bride Basket

This Bridal Season don't forget the Mother of the Bride with this great basket!

This item requires a two week minimum notice.

Please visit our product page for more details.

WHUCFC27A837

Mother’s Day boosts retail sales - Phoenix Business Journal:

Mother’s Day boosts retail sales - Phoenix Business Journal:

My Mom

My Mom -
She has been there for all the scrapes & cuts, heartaches & heartbreaks, and lets not forget the dog bite too!

She may not always agree with the decisions I make, but she is always there for me.

I know I may not always show or say it, but "Thanks Mom" for everything you do!

America To Spend More on Mom

Organic Spa Gift Basket

It's time to say "Thanks Mom" with a gift basket from Wicked Wicker.





Suggested Retail $49.99, taxes and shipping not included.

*Items displayed are subject to availability*

Pregnancy Keepsake Gift Box

What a wonderful time in your life, you’re expecting! Capture those precious pregnancy memories with a keepsake gift box from Wicked Wicker.




Suggested Retail $29.95, shipping not included.

*Items displayed are subject to availability*

Shoppers boost spending in all areas

Shoppers boost spending in all areas

Shoppers likely gave March sales Easter boost

Facebook and Twitter Making a Major Impact on Purchase Decisions [STATS]

Facebook and Twitter Making a Major Impact on Purchase Decisions [STATS]

Posted using ShareThis

Easter Spending Rises

Easter Spending Rises

Don't let economy smother values

Retail sales' surprise gain boosts recovery

Retail sales' surprise gain boosts recovery

Retailers expect to see more green this St. Patrick's Day - Birmingham Business Journal:

Retailers expect to see more green this St. Patrick's Day - Birmingham Business Journal:

WEF Scholarship

The Women’s Enterprise Foundation has awarded my company a business scholarship and I am truly grateful because this has given me a chance to grow both individually and professionally. The NAWBO Scholarship has benefited me by increasing my business knowledge, focus, and overall confidence. After receiving this scholarship I learned how to run my business more efficiently and professionally.

With the changes I have made to my business, I plan to pay it forward by being a mentor in NAWBO’s mentoring program starting in October. Currently, I am a mentee in this program and look forward to completing the program and coming back in October in the role of a mentor. This has been a wonderful learning experience for both the scholarship winners and the Women’s Enterprise Foundation board of directors. I have enjoyed each and every moment of my experience and I am looking forward to my role as a mentor.

With my decision to stay as a NAWBO member, some of the experiences that have directly benefited me are the NAWBO University, Neighborhood NAWBO, and the monthly luncheons. And I do not want to forget to mention all the wonderful “mentors” that have played a part in this wonderful learning opportunity.

As my year has come to an end, I just want to give a "BIG Thank You" to the WEF!

Love conquers all as Valentine spending keeps pace - Jacksonville Business Journal:

Love conquers all as Valentine spending keeps pace - Jacksonville Business Journal:

Strategies for 2010: Create deeper customer connections

Strategies for 2010: Create deeper customer connections