So.

I don’t usually get too personal on this blog. It’s not a site about MY scrapbooking. It’s a site about SCRAPBOOKING. That’s how it’s been from the beginning and the way I want it to always stay. I want to be different from all the other scrapbook blogs out there. I want to be a place where we talk – not about my life, my scrapbooking, my photos, my family – but about this obsession called Scrapbooking.

The other component I believe in is being honest and transparent. I tell you my real opinion on scrapbooking topics, products, companies, “celebrities”, etc. And if I don’t have something nice to say, I try to keep my mouth shut, LOL. Unless I can be constructive :)

Even though the title of this post says “things are changing,” I want you to know that the plan is for this site to stay about scrapbooking and stay about honesty. That’s not going to change. What I hope IS going to change is that Scrapbook Obsession is going to become bigger and better and more fun throughout the rest of 2015 … and beyond.

I’ve been wanting to build this site up for SO many years. I’ve had plans in the past for various things that either didn’t work out or I had to abandon due to constraints on my time. I’ve also let fear hold me back: Fear that I’ll disappoint you, fear that because I’m not a fancy scrapper that I have nothing to offer, fear that I’ll drive away people who’ve been so supportive of this blog. But I’ve felt from the beginning that 2015 was going to be an awesome year and it sure is turning out to be.

Over the years, I’ve watched amazing women in this industry build their online, at-home scrapbooking businesses – Becky Higgins, Ali Edwards, Lain Ehmann to name a few – and been SO inspired. But I’ve always thought they had something special I didn’t, that they were doing something I could never do, that they knew some secret I didn’t for making their dreams come true.

While I still don’t think I’ll ever be running a million dollar company like BeckyHiggins.com, I’ve come to realize that I CAN do big things. I can take this love of scrapbooking further – via this site i’ve been building for 8 years – and I can turn this passion into a business I love without “selling out” or letting you down or becoming some fake thing you don’t recognize.

The main thing that’s changed my attitude is that I’ve been attending an online business school. It’s geared toward female entrepreneurs who want to dream big and run online businesses. The education I’m getting has opened my eyes wide and also opened many doors. It’s all very exciting! The other women who attend are extremely encouraging, helpful, and we all cheer each other on. I’m using the teachings to improve and expand my virtual assistant business but I’m also going to apply these wonderful things to Scrapbook Obsession.

Business school has expanded my beliefs about all the things I have to offer, what makes my site unique, what a difference I can make, and has me so stinkin’ jacked up, I can hardly stand it! Finding time is still a challenge but I’m making it happen. Changes will roll out slowly as I can implement them but I have self-imposed deadlines I plan to meet. Wish me luck.

Hint: One of those deadlines is National Scrapbook Day 05-02-15 … yikes, not very far away!

I’m a reader, writer, scrapbooker, creative type. I gotta’ tell ya’, the technical side of all this online biz stuff is challenging! But I’m stubborn and will figure out whatever I need to. In the meantime, it might not be pretty but don’t worry. It’ll all be good in the end :P

And back to the fear thing: One thing I’ve learned in business school is that I can’t make everyone happy. “If you try to make everyone happy, you end up pleasing no one.” We all like different things and different aspects of scrapbooking. We all want different things from the sites we choose to spend time on. But I’ve come to realize that I can’t make “people” happy, I can only make “my people” happy. My people, my tribe, the scrappers who think like I think and like what I like. I do feel badly that I can’t cater to EVERY kind of scrapper but I also feel very blessed to have offerings for MY kind of scrapper. That’s all one person can do, right?

This new venture is going to require me to do something I’m not comfortable with: Asking for help. I’ll need to reach out to members of the scrapbooking industry and ask for things that they may or may not be willing to give. That’s scary! But, like mama always said, “If you don’t ask, you’ll never know!” Time to put on my Big Girl Scrapper Panties and get ready for rejection! And – maybe just maybe – some pleasant surprises, too. I’ll also need to ask some of you to help me behind the scenes so I can make this site super useful for you.

What I ask of each reader is to be open-minded, be excited, and join me on the journey!! It’s gonna’ be fun, I promise ;)

Yikes! Hitting “Publish” … no turning back now!!! YEEHAWWWW

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25 Comments

  1. avatar
    Teri Pannesi says:

    We’ve got your back girl! Dream big! We’ll be here!!!

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Thanks Teri! I knew I could count on you :)

  2. avatar
    Shari Leonard says:

    Congratulations on your new endeavor!!!

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Thank you so much, Shari!

  3. avatar

    Best of luck on your new adventure. I am so very curious. I can’t wait to see what is coming!

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Whoo hoo! Stay tuned!

  4. avatar
    Lunaindie says:

    I am excited for you and your new future. Good luck with it all.
    Would you mind naming the school you are referring to? I have a friend who has been looking for a good one. Thanks :)

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Hi Lunaindie – Thanks so much for leaving a comment and for your support! The school I’m attending is called B School by Marie Forleo (https://marieforleobschool.com/). It’s expensive and unfortunately only held once a year but have her sign up for that mailing list so she gets notified when the next one is. Totally worth the money and the wait!

  5. avatar
    Mary says:

    Exciting Good luck

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Thank you, Mary!

  6. avatar
    Julie says:

    Good luck and I’m looking forward to following you. I think you have summed up what a lot of us “ordinary” gals out here in cyber space for feeling. Will be cheering for you and waiting to see what happens next with our “Obsession”!

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      I’m so glad to hear you say that, Julie. I really appreciate the support <3

  7. avatar
    Jersey Girl Anne says:

    So happy for you and anxious to see where you are going to take us!!!

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      And the award for coolest name goes to … Jersey Girl Anne! LOL Thank you, thank you! It’s going to be fun :)

  8. avatar
    Mary aka TeamSteve says:

    FEEL THE FEAR and DO IT ANYWAY! How exciting. Sending LOTS of good thoughts your way. ENJOY the Journey!!!

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Yes, yes, yes! Gotta’ push past the fear and make things happen. And I see what you did there ;) I’m sure both Journey and Steve Perry are totally on my side, ha! Thanks for checking in, Mary. I hope you are well.

  9. avatar
    Jessie says:

    Erika, sounds like you have an exciting year ahead of you. I love you writing style, your practical ideas for storage, and your reviews of scrapbook stores and products. I’ve visited stores you gave reviews on, I thank you, my hubby and checkbook don’t. Lol As someone once told me “don’t try do” Baby steps will get you to your goals, and we’ll be here cheering you on. Best wishes to your future.
    Jessie

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Well, Jessie, you just made my day with your kind compliments. “My husband let’s me have all the scrapbook supplies I can hide.” Right? Heh heh. Thank you for cheering me on – I love how y’all have my back. So, so wonderful and appreciated.

  10. avatar
    Nadine Palmer says:

    Erika, Just saw this post or I would have responded sooner. As all your other friends have said, I’m with you, too!!!

    I’m so happy you’re thrilled with your online course. It sounds like you’re getting a lot out of it and that you’re putting a lot of yourself into it as well. Loved all the quotes-especially the one about having 6 impossible thoughts before breakfast! You are so very inspiring to all of us. I think, like you, I tend to have lots of positive thoughts and look on the bright side of things. However, I haven’t had the guts to take action like you have, and for that, I am VERY proud of you. You have a unique blog which speaks to so many of us because you truly are “us”. You aren’t a true celebrity (although to us you are!) and don’t make products or teach classes . But, you have the enthusiasm and love we have for memory keeping, which makes me want to hug you right now. Keep moving forward on your journey. I am so happy I get to travel along with you.

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Thank you so much for this, Nadine! You brought tears to my eyes. I feel so blessed by you. You’ve been a support all along the way with your kind comments and letting me know that a special scrapper is out there in the world reading and enjoying what I write. That’s everything. So thank you, thank you! And I know that when you’re ready, you’ll be brave and take action on those things that are important to you as well. I got your back, girl :)

  11. avatar

    I wish you the best as you take the next step with your online business. If you wouldn’t mind sharing, could you give a link to the online course you are taking? I would love to take my online business up a notch but I am not sure what to do next.

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Hi Jen! Here’s the course I took: https://www.marieforleo.com/bschool/. It’s expensive and only held once a year but completely and totally worth it! If you consider attending next year, please feel free to ask me any questions, any time, k? I left you a blog comment; your cards are beautiful!

  12. avatar
    Corrie Boivin says:

    Laughed hysterically at the “big girl scrapper panties”! We’re ready to stand behind you! Go for it, “you can do it!”, said in my Waterboy movie voice, lol

    1. avatar
      Scrapbook Obsession says:

      Hey Corrie! Thank you so much for the support, and in Adam Sandler’s voice no less. You know humor is the way to my heart ❤️. Love it.

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