Nearly a year on.

It has been a whole year since I first began the Totally Shameless Self Indulgent Forum. I had no idea whether it would succeed or fail but I had an open mind and wanted to see if I could fill a gap. There didn't seem that was many forums out there that were designed to help small business owners wanting to create their own independent web sites.
Today we have over 200 members, over 10000 posts and many great members willing to help other store owners realise their dream of owning their own store. I could not be more proud of the the Tssif members for their help and commitment to the Tssif forum and I look forward to another great year of growth, help and success.

Happy New Year

Gosh, what a crazy year 2007 was!!! 2008 is slightly better so far but not by much...lol.
I did manage to relocate back to the UK, I did manage to find somewhere to live despite the flooding leaving the rental market choked with more tenants than houses. I did manage to find part time employment and I am finally finding the time to finish off the 3 stores I started to build before I left the USA. Things didn't turn out exactly as I expected them to but they rarely do anyway. (I should know this at my age :))but it hasn't deflated my enthusiasm or swerved me away from my goals..I just need to work that little bit harder.
One thing that has been a positive for me is the online selling forum I created last April. It now has 154 members and continues to grow, despite my sporadic appearances. It is true that we need more active posters but the most encouraging thing is that we are getting new members weekly from somewhere. There is no doubt in my mind we are getting exposure (the stats confirm this) but we need more if we are to continue to grow. If you are interested in selling online and need some advice, or, if you have already succeeded in your online business and want to share your knowledge with others, then drop by and spend some time getting to know the members on the forum.
It is an easy place to be. Hope you decide to stay! Check out the forum here!

Even more members

The forum is really starting to take off. I wrote that we had 119 members just two weeks ago and now we have 131 members. The word is getting out! We have a friendly forum where any member is willing to help out any other member with questions about "selling online" and if we don't know the answer, we will certainly try and find it!

A couple of months ago I joined our local "small business advice center" and I am pleased to say they have lots of valuable information and resources that can help any person wanting to sell online. In the area that I live there is also an opportunity to apply for a grant from the local council to help with 50% of the cost of start up business equipment. Make sure you check in your area for what might be available!
That's all for today but don't forget to check out the stores on the forum for Christmas bargains exclusive to the tssif members!

I cannot believe I have not "blogged" since June! So much has changed since then.
I have moved back to the United Kingdom and I am trying to re-establish myself. I knew it wasn't going to be easy but I didn't realise quite HOW hard, it was going to be. In my spare time I am continuing to build my three new stores which have become quite a challenge too. I am using the open source shopping zencart and it isn't for the faint hearted or the newbie!!! I am both of those but I forbid myself to be beaten by this. This determination I have is one of the reasons I opened my forum http://tssif.com To help others like myself, to share information and support each other in our endeavours to have our own online shopping cart no matter how challenging that might be!!!
I am really pleased with the continuing success of our online selling resource forum. We now have 119 members and tons of helpful tips, links, resources, opinions and information. It has only been 'live" for seven months and has completely exceeded my expectations. Lots of friendly people willing to help one another and have fun at the same time.
Now things are settling down for me a little I am in better position to write more and share my "breaking news as it happens".....LOL

70 Members & Counting

Here I was, only a few days earlier, getting excited about the fact that we had 50 members already..Today we have 70. We must be doing something right :). I do know I have some really knowledgeable and committed moderators and I think that is a big part of our success. It is only just over two months old. So far we have a blend that seems to be working. Come on over and see what YOU think of us. http://tssif.com.
It was created for online store holders to network and share resources and tips but EVERY like-minded soul is welcome!!!!

Totally Shameless & Self Indulgent

I had a bit of an identity crisis with my new forum. I called it Totally Shameless Self Indulgent Forum, which I loved but the domain it resided at was peggybob.com.....
So there began the crisis.
I knew it didn't flow :( it was case of either associating the forum name with a new forum domain, or going full pelt with "peggybob"!!
I have a personal affection for peggybob, which may be uncovered in my ramblings at a later date :) but I already had a blog "hinged" to it so I think I knew that wouldn't fly!
I put the question to the members "shall we stick with "peggybob" or would something like "tssif" be more appropriate?"
We were divided!!!
Some liked peggybob because it was easy to remember and now familiar!
and some preferred tssif, as it "connected" with the forum more and was better from a marketing standpoint!

It took a couple of days to ponder but commonsense prevailed and I logical chose tssif rather than peggybob ahhhh

So behold...my new..."well adjusted" forum at http://tssif.com !!!!

I "launched" my forum on 15th April with 6 members, dragged off the streets :)
Today June 12th we have 49 members, which isn't too shabby as I didn't start promoting until recently just because of the issue of the identity crises....

So if you are a non-auction store holder or you own an independent shop online, then stop by and register so you can advertise your store and help to get tssif on the map.

Alternatively, if you don't have a store and you just want to be "Totally Shameless & Self Indulgent" then stop by and be just that!!!!!

My Allotment Journey Begins

I have just required an allotment plot in Yorkshire UK. It was a surprise for Christmas from my daughter,(you can read about that here www.tssif.com/forumbut i wont be able to do much as I am only here for two weeks. I shall return before the end of the year and throw myself into it. It is full of weeds and the old greenhouse needs attention but I cannot wait to get started. I went today and mapped out the boundry with some string and wood posts and I took some pictures. Unfortunately I had my camera on the wrong setting so shall remedy that tomorrow when I return. I would dearly love to go fully organic but I don't think I know enough about it yet. I am hoping I get some really great advice from some seasoned organic gardeners!!
I am going to create a web site solely for the purpose of my allotment journey so look out for that. If anyone knows of any good resources for what I am about to embark on then please let me have them!!!!