365 days.

Just as a reminder to everyone...back in April after being inspired by Stephanie Roberts, a wise and soulful woman that was feature in the Women and Business feature, I decided to try and do the 365 day project.  Well...I've taken pictures a lot of days...not every day.  And I'm super behind in posting them up on my blog...or anywhere else for that manner.  I'm going to attempt to be better...

I don't typically leave any text with these 365 posts.  Occasionally I may...

simply. LIFE.

*tell a friend*

chores.

I don't know about you but I believe in chores.  Kids need to do them.  They need to learn how a house runs and that everyone in the family does their part to keep the house clean, neat, picked up, and that their parents are not their personal slaves.  Or that there are clean up fairies that come out at night while everyone is asleep...(that's something I know I'd love...can you order those somewhere?)

We have nothing fancy for our chore chart.  It's extremely homemade.  Not professional at all.  I didn't make it.  Well...I sort of did and I sort of didn't.  I made that graph thing and wrote the chores in.  The kids drew a picture that represented them.  There's just tape on the back of each person and we move each child every week in a rotating fashion.  Person on the far right moves to the far left and everyone moves to the right one column. 

Nothing fancy.  The chores aren't fancy either.  The chores (in bigger writing) are the chores that each child does everyday (except the person that folds the clothes...they do that once a week...and they don't really fold them...they throw them in a basket for each person and take them to the person's room....they get off easy for that week).  The smaller writing is weekly chores...Saturday cleaning chores...things like the bathroom, mop the floor, etc.

Our kids don't get paid for their daily chores.  Daily chores are expected.  That's what we do as members of a family.  Everyone does their part.  It's the way it is.

They do get commission for their weekly chores.  We want our kids, at a young age to learn what it's like to get paid for a job well done, how to save money, how to tithe, and the value of money to spend. 

Giving our kids a chance to earn money is a gift to them, and to us, when they're pleading for something at the store (or begging) and we ask them, "Did you bring your money?"  Most of the time they didn't.  Sometimes, they know we're going to the store and they grab their little purses or make sure they have their wallet.  It eliminates the begging.  It also makes them think about whether or not they really want to buy that candy.  If they are saving up for something big like a build-a-bear, they will forego a lot of candy and other little things they want to buy.  It helps them to decide what is worth spending money on and what isn't.

Here's the breakdown of our chore chart:

Chore one:

Daily: trash and sweep floor after dinner

Weekly:  Kids bathroom and vacuum and dust guest room and hallway

Chore two:

Daily: Dishes with Mom or Dad

Weekly:  Master Bath and vacuum and dust art room and Emmett's room

Chore three: 

Daily:Fold clothes (divide and put into rooms)

Weekly: Small bath, mop kitchen floor and mop and dust studio

Chore four:

Daily:  Set the table

Weekly:  Master Bath and vacuum and dust mom and dad's room and girls' room

With chores it's very important to train children how to do them and to be extremely patient with their best efforts.  Finding anything you can to encourage and compliment them on.  Mike and I are always going around to all of the jobs on a Saturday morning (or one of us if only one of us is here...which happens a lot) and we just check up on the kids, find out if they need help, encourage, or make suggestions.  We also have a little bit of work to do, too...we vacuum and dust the family room and help the kids.  Our goal on a Saturday morning is to start by 10am and be done by noon.  I'd like to get done faster and hopefully over time...it will get faster.

I always comment for the rest of the day about how awesome the house looks.  That I love the clean smell every time I walk in and how fantastic things look.  If I walk into the bathroom, I say how great it looks.  I want everyone to feel good about their chore...whether it's during the week or on the weekend.

Once we're done we spend the afternoon doing something that's more along the lines of entertainment. It always feels like we accomplished a lot by getting chores done first thing. Our house is clean, everyone has completed a project, and we've worked together.  Working as a family brings a family together. 

clean. LIFE.

***All images in this post are copyright Lori Nordstrom.***

NEXT WEEK: Dawn Davis

{To nominate women you'd like to see in this series please list them in the comments-or if you have a question you'd like to see in the interviews--make sure to include your info in the comment fields so that I can get in touch with you- or write to me at: davina at davinafear dot com }

As always make sure to leave comments for the women who are featured. They like comments as much as I do I'm sure...let them know if you have questions or just to say thanks! for their insight and wisdom...

Make sure to check out the rest of the series by clicking here. Tell a friend!

You are very busy and seem to travel extensively with PPA and other industry conventions and workshops. How do you make this easier on your children?

I have taken each of the kids with me to different events.  My oldest two have even traveled out of the country with me for photography related reasons.  I've wanted them to know what goes on when I'm gone.  I'm not leaving them once a month to go and play and get away.  I'm traveling for business and working.  I let them know that it's part of what supports our family and I need their help while I'm gone. The kids have gotten letters written to them from other photographers that I've spent time with.  And I always think that's really cool when someone writes to the kids and says, "Thanks for sharing your mom with us."  And that means a lot to me because it gives purpose and value to being away.

I've been fortunate that the kids have a dad who is supportive of what I do.  I know they are taken care of when I'm not here, and he's great about trading days with me if I happen to miss a day when I have the kids.  It's always work, but we've learned to work together to put the kids first.

You have been a single mom almost since starting your business, I know that many women face the same challenge.  What suggestions do you have for women who are trying to be a mom and a business woman without the support of a spouse?

It's a recurring theme with me, but schedule, schedule, schedule!!  Every part of our workflow has to get scheduled so that we aren't editing images at 2:00 am after the kids are in bed.  We need sleep, too!  I learned this the hard way years ago - I'd leave work when the kids got out of school, go home and do homework, sports activities, dinner... whatever needed to be done, get them in bed and then go back to the studio. EVERY NIGHT! I thought I was being a good mom, but reality was - I wasn't present.  I was worried about what needed to be done, thinking about clients and images and marketing - not giving 100% to my family when I needed to.  It changed my life when I started scheduling every part of the workflow and let my kids know when they could count on me.  

This rule applies with or without a spouse.  

The other thing that I did was carefully bring people into our lives that could do little things that needed to be done, but weren't making me money.  House cleaning, grocery shopping, car maintenance etc are things that get delegated.  I've also learned parts of my workflow that I can hand off.  It's hard not to be in control of everything, but it's also very freeing when you realize that you don't have to be.   

You live in a very small town in Iowa and have an extremely successful studio.  What fundamental things have you done to make that happen?  

I think the biggest thing that has allowed me to "make it" in a tiny town in the mid-west is the very fact that I do not have a choice!  I have always supported my family, so not making money is not an option.  I do work hard being involved in the community, with local charities and partnering with other businesses.  I've made a point to always have a plan.  I don't always follow it exactly and there are times when I haven't reached goals that I've set.  But, the process of making goals and a plan and writing it all down is the first step to success.  

You moved to a new studio not too long ago.  How did that change the dynamic of your business and family?  Are you glad you did it?

I am down to just one child at home.  My oldest two have graduated from high school.  While I had two in high school, the home studio made perfect sense for me.  Now that it's just Jaxon (11) and me, it made sense to be back in a retail location.

I purchased an 8,000 sf building that I could move into (I built an apartment upstairs), so instead of a "home studio", I have a "studio home".  There are benefits to every way we can do this business, but I love having a retail location - especially now that there are so many photographers out there.  It's something that sets my business apart.  

What are the three most important things you do as a business woman?

Set goals

Build relationships and help families make memories

Community involvement and charity work

What are the three most important things you do as a mom?

This is a tough question! 

I would say, make sure they know every day how much they are loved and how important they are.

Show them strength through success as well as mistakes.

(which ties into) Be willing to admit mistakes that I've made, and what they've taught me.

And a side note... my kids are not allowed to say "I'm bored."  Bored is a bad word in our house!  They get the giggles when another kid says they are bored, and I've heard them all say at different times "you can't be bored if you're not a boring person!" or "if you're bored, my mom will find something for you to do!"  

What have you done to create an efficient and simple workflow?

It's that theme:  schedule, schedule schedule and delegate.  

The first hour of our day at the studio for all employees is to organize, clean and write a plan for the day.  Things get added to our lists, and it's fun to crossthem off as well!  I also know that if someone doesn't have a big list I can add a task to their list for the day like organizing the frame room or burning cds, organizing client files, searching out a new vendor for a specific product, etc.  

The other thing we have is a workflow envelope assigned to each client.  A 9x12 envelope is made for each client when they schedule their session. Everything for that client goes into that envelope - email correspondence, notes, invoices, frame orders and their cds/dvds of images.  On the front of the envelope is our entire workflow.  Whoever has done a step of the workflow will initial and date that step so that at any time I can pick up an envelope and know where that client is in production.  

These things have helped keep us all on task and get things done in an efficient manner.  Except for our office manager, emails and other online activity is restricted.  I answer emails once or twice a day and it's on my schedule. 

What do you recommend women do who are just getting started in the industry?  

The most important thing to remember is that time is valuable, and this business takes a lot of time!  If we aren't charging appropriately, and for profit, we are robbing our families.  Most women have a hard time charging for something that they love, so we have to remove ourselves and charge enough to have something to give back to our families for the time that we are taking away.  

What do you do that your clients rave about most?

I've built my business around building and maintaining relationships.  I want my clients to LOVE being here with me.  I want them to have a wonderful time celebrating their own relationships and creating beautiful memories in the time that we have together.  It means the most to me when a mother tells me how she loved seeing her children laugh and snuggle, or hearing how kids couldn't stop talking about being here.  I love it when a dad takes off of work to be here and lets me know how that he forgot all about the deadlines waiting.    

What are you most proud of as a mom?

My kids are all so unique and different.  I'm so proud of each of them and the people that they are.  I've always said that "I really like my kids!"  It's easy to love them, but sometimes not so easy to like them! lol  But I really do like and enjoy them - I think they are wonderful and such a joy to be around.  

What do you do to keep from feeling overwhelmed?

I certainly have times of feeling overwhelmed.  I'm not a natural planner/organizer.  It's something that I have to make myself do.  Usually when I'm feeling stressed out it's because I haven't made a plan or because my schedule has gotten out of control.  I've learned to look for those triggers when I'm feeling overwhelmed and make sure those things get fixed first, b/c if there is a plan to make it all happen, it will happen.  I don't have to worry about it anymore!

The other thing that de-stresses me is teaching and helping others in this business through workshops, conventions and our forum http://www.phototalkforum.com/forum.  The more that I can share these concepts, the more I'm reminded and learn as I go. 

What helps you stay organized?

I'm a Successware user and big fan.  I highly recommend a studio management software for photographers, and Successware happens to be the only  comprehensive client tracking, managing and invoicing PLUS the financial management side.   

You give quite a few workshops that I imagine are largely attended by women.  After having the chance to see up close and personal that struggles that women have in our industry, What is something that you think women in the industry should do, and what do you think they should not do?

 Yes, my workshops are always a majority of women - but hey!  We're taking over the industry!! Sometimes I think I should just make them "no boys allowed!" :)

The very biggest struggle that I see over and over is knowing how to price our product.  As women, there is so much fulfillment in just doing what we do, as well as the feedback, appreciation and praise that we get from our work - how do you charge for that?  I really want to encourage women to take themselves OUT of the pricing equation.  We put so much time into each client.  A recent worksheet I did shows a minimum of 6-7 hours with each client!!  If we aren't willing to charge for this time for ourselves, think about the time taken from your family. What do you have to give back to them - financially, at the end of the day for the time taken from them? How much, really does it take for us to stop saying "just another 5 minutes, honey"...  "i'm almost done, honey!" and be present and purposeful with our families?  

I think women should put a value on their time and their family and should not underestimate what it takes to make a living from photography.  It can be done, but it takes hard work, setting goals, networking with other businesses and pricing for profit.  Taking a pretty picture is a very small part in all of this.    

To see more of Lori's work click on the following links:

Website

Blog

Phototalkforum

{*Attention friends!!* Lori is giving Women and Business series readers a special offer when you join Phototalkforum!  A subscription is normally $129/year but Women and Business readers get a $30 coupon code for a $99 subscription!  Just enter DAVINA99 when asked for a coupon code.  WoHoO!!}

***All images in this post are copyright Lori Nordstrom.***

a new blog.

It's not my new blog...it's Destri's brainchild.  Virtually born on Monday morning.

This bouncing baby blog is no flight of fancy.  It wasn't suggested yesterday, signed up for last night, and live this morning.  It's been a work in progress for almost nine months...a labor of love.  Destri wrote me back at the beginning of the year and shared her idea with me, asked for some suggestions, and a bit of direction.  I know I wasn't the only one she asked...she was doing her research...she wanted to create something really wonderful.  She sent me the preview before it went live and I knew I wanted to let all of you know about it. 

There are 6 contributors...one woman posts each day...except this week!  You get them all at once since this is launch week!  They write about crafts, sewing, recipes and good things to eat, the pleasures of ordinary life, and shopping.  They play to one another's strengths and it's a fantastic combination of personalities.

I'm honored to be the first person to contribute a bullet list...check it out here.

So scoot on over and check out The Motherhuddle.  You'll be glad you did!

Congratulations on a really fantastic blog, Destri!  I'm so excited to read all of the collaboration.  The magic that happens when 6 women put their creativity and enthusiasm and love for life together breathes something beautiful into the world.

new. LIFE.

magic time galore.

ultimate magic time 12:34

I don't know about you...but we have magic time at our house many times an hour...and what seems like 100 times a day.

If you haven't heard of or don't know about magic time...here's the breakdown...

Look at your clock.  Any time your clock's numbers run consecutively...it's magic time.  For example 4:56 or 1:23.  The supremely ultimate magic time is 12:34.

It can also be magic time if your clock's number are an equation.  For example 3:36 or 4:48 or 2:35.  See what I mean?  The possibilities for magic time at your house have just gone up exponentially!

I love hearing my kids yell out from where ever they are, whatever they are doing...driving to a horse lesson, arriving at ballet, making dinner, playing business, riding bikes, reading a book, walking out the door to a football game, talking at the table, picking pumpkins, lounging on the couch, doing an art project, getting ready for school..."It's magic time!!!!"

It's magic time...

Because really...it is.  I don't know if they've caught the double meaning in that but to me it's more than consecutive numbers on the clock, more than math equations, more than an awesome math and science teacher.   It's a reminder 100 times a day that THIS is THE magic time.  This  moment.  This mundane thing I'm doing right now...it's the magic time.

I love magic time...

So...we're going to have a little fun with magic time...this is some seriously silly fun...so you know you have to join in! 

The person that sends me the longest list of magic time (interpret that however you want...actual moment, math, consecutive numbers or whatever other interpretation you want to make of it) either here in the comments or to davina at davinafear dot com and you will win a stop watch.  Send them in before Friday ends...this magic time is 11:59pm ET.

"What?  A stopwatch?!?"  (I heard you say that...)

"Yes.  A stopwatch."

This isn't just any stopwatch though!  This...is a magic stopwatch. 

It can time all kinds of things...not just how long it took you to do a sprint.  It can time how long it takes a person to balance a feather duster on their finger...3.45 minutes.  It can time how long it takes to drink an 8 oz. glass of milk...4.56 seconds.  It can time how long kids can entertain themselves playing businesses...2.34 hours.  It can time how long it takes for a kid to get off the bus, run down the cul de sac and bust in the front door...35.8 seconds.  It can time how long the hug lasts after busting in the door...15.6 seconds.  It can time how long it takes to pee when your bladder is going to bust...30.3 seconds (you know you've wondered).  It can time how long you can bounce a ball before it bounces out of your hands...10.01 minutes.  It can time how long you sit at dinner and listen to best and worst for the day...22.04 mintues.  It can tell you how long it takes to talk to your sister on the phone...1.23 hours.  It can time a good kiss with your lover...12.03 seconds. And...we'll stop there...

You get the idea...

See what I mean? Time. This stopwatch...it's magic...if you know how to use it...

magic. LIFE.