Hope …

I woke up from a dream just 30 minutes ago - I quickly got my coffee so that I could write it all down.  I know this dream is a result of two MAJOR things I’ve experienced this week.  Let me tell you about these things and then I’ll explain the dream.

 ♥

1st thing:  After 4 years of writing my books and planning my website, I’m faced with the exciting (and looming) reality of finishing the project … which means - it’s now time to expose my "babies" to the real world … which means either I’ll make it as an author or I won’t … and ultimatley my success or failure will determine whether I’ve created a legitimate 2nd income, or simply established a hobby for myself.   So in preparation for this, I’ve been studying marketing ideas, and realizing how much I don’t know and how much money it takes to ‘do it right", according to the experts. 

 ♥

But there is something I must do, and it doesn’t cost a ¢¢¢ (just lots of sense) … it’s to concisely and confidently be able to explain EXACTLY who I am, what I do, and what makes me different.  In other words, what could possibly set Alie James and her books apart from all her competion in the Healthy & Beauty and Home Furnishings Industry?

So, that’s Reality Check #1. 

 ♥

The 2nd thing was Reality Check #2, and it was much more serious than the first … 

As you know, I work in the Home Furnishings Industry (in a Furniture Store).  I’ve made a living from this Industry and it’s been a very rewarding experience.  All of us in this industry have been experiencing very difficult times, as we are so closely tied to the economy - especially to consumer confidence, housing, the presidential election and GAS prices  - those things always affect it positively or negatively. 

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So ……………  we were visited this week from our reginal manager (Dan), whose mission was to bring us a Reality Check - a "state of the union" kind of speech.  And his message — the union just "ain’t so great".  But Dan also delivered a little bit more than the required "Reality Check".  He delivered "Hope" (at least I received hope from his message).  

 ♥

After his meeting, I realized that I didn’t feel too bad because I was hopeful that everything would turn out alright - I had "caught" his optimism.  But later, after I was speaking with some others, I found out that there were two very opposite points of view, and that perhaps I was being naive by adopting such hope.  

Ok - pretty emotionally draining week, don’t you think?  Well, here’s my dream:

The dream was about meeting a very old friend who was asking me to explain to her exactly what I was trying to accomplish with my books.  I was fumbling along, saying this and saying that, and she kept saying "no … they don’t need this", "no, … they don’t need that".  Finally, just a few seconds before I woke up, I said …

"I guess my books are about Hope" … 

 ♥

And then she reminded me that not everyone needed a message of Hope, only women who were very much like me (Diane).   When I woke up, I realized that there is so much energy and power in Hope.  Personally, it’s been "Hope" that gives me the enthusiasm, the optimism, the drive to get up every morning and give my best - to my friends, my family and my customers.  And now, more than ever, with such BAD NEWS, it’ll be hope that gets me going and through these challenging times. 

So, here are some of the things that I HOPE for:  I hope to maintain (and make even better) what I still have - my health, my youthful appearance, and thank goodness, my sexuality.   Also, I want to make the home I have my Dream Home.  And of course, I hope that I’ll continue working in the Home Furnishings Industry for a while longer.  

Here’s the bottom line - the Marketing Message from Alie James is … Hope … 
Hope that life can truly be Simple, Beautiful and Complete!

 ♥

In regards to Dream Homes … The Dream Home Profile™ has made it possible for everyone to have a Dream Home - because a Dream Home isn’t dependent on the amount of money or things you have - rather it’s about knowing exactly what you need to make "the place you live" (your home) "feel just like home". 

In regards to Health & Beauty, the market’s a little more defined - probably Alie James relates best to women between 39 - 69 years old.  "My hope" is to give hope to women who need it - who want to look and feel as young and beautiful as long as possible.  We women are transitioning between our "second season" and "third season"  (i.e., we’re starting to end "Summer" and begin "Fall"). 

So, to all my friends … use your Wings … 
And let’s hope for the Best Years of our Lives … Alie