Keeping the Dream Alive: 3 Ways to Support Small Businesses

I have always lived in small towns in the south. These small towns are packed with men and women with dreams. Like myself, they have dreams and ideas of providing services or products that fill a void in their community. These dreams have the massive potential to enhance and strengthen their community while simultaneously supporting themselves and their families. 

Here are 3 simple ways you can support your local small businesses and help your community thrive:

1. When you are searching for a product or service, start your search at your Chamber of Commerce.

Every Chamber of Commerce has a Member Directory with a search engine on their website. If you can't find a product or service provider you are looking for, don't hesitate to give them a quick phone call. Small businesses make an investment of their time and money when they join their Chamber of Commerce. When you see a business is a chamber of commerce member, it reflects their commitment to their dream of enhancing the community with their service or products. Part of the Chamber's mission is connecting the community with its members to encourage economic growth. 

2. Next time a new business moves in, appreciate the business' growing pains.

We know about that one new restaurant or other new small business that seems to be so energetic and enthusiastic about opening in the community and then the excitement wears off after a month or so. Maybe their food wasn't very tasty the first week they were open or there was still construction residue in the store's appearance that gave it a failing vibe. Whatever the reason is that turns you away from the place, give them time to sort it out. Starting a business is challenging! Show the dreamers some grace and give them a second chance. If the opportunity arises, kindly suggest to the owner what changes could be accomplished to create a more positive experience in their business. They can't fix the problem unless they know there is one.

3. Connect with local and small businesses online.

If you are like **many people, you are on some platform of social media i.e. Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Connect with your local small businesses online to learn more about them and simply show support. If you don't shop there or need their services, someone in your network might. Social media likes and shares or retweets act similarly to word of mouth. Spread the word and share away!


Now, I am all about pinching pennies where I can; nevertheless, I don't mind spending a few extra cents when I know the money is going straight to the small business owner and not a corporation. I'd rather buy a cute top from a local boutique in support of its local owner than shop online from a large chain store. That being said, Amazon's Kindle Library is the platform I chose to release my first publication, Their Inheritance, so don't get me wrong. Without Amazon you wouldn't have the easy access to my corner of the book world. ;) I definitely appreciate everyone shopping Amazon books! 

I challenge you to keep the dreamers dreaming and follow these 3 simple steps to show support of your local small businesses! Show some love to your local business today. Leave the name of your favorite local or small business in the comments. I'd love to check them out and give them a thumbs up!

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers, Proprietor & Publisher 

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

What's New?

Hello, Everybody!

2017 was quite the year and it has been quite a while since there has been an update from me about Purple Butterfly Pages! There will be no Top 5 blog posts countdown from PBP last year. I didn't even post 5 blogs {Oops!} and I realize what a good habit I had of actually posting often as I am a feeling a bit rusty at it now; but I really want to update you on where PBP has been this year and where I am taking Purple Butterfly Publications this next year.

In 2017, I moved from Toccoa, GA to Hiawassee, GA and of course my publishing company came with me. It has been a process as those of you have moved can understand. I invested in property beside my parents' mountain property and added a gorgeous building. Looking forward to getting the place turned into a proper office space eventually. I named the property "Butterfly Hill"and what a transformation it has seen from summer to winter! 

Moving meant a new city, a new network, new readers to reach; new everything for my business. This was the hardest part of the move for me. If you know me, you know I love "comfortable" and familiar. While I love Hiawassee, I miss Toccoa. I especially miss the Chamber of Commerce and the amazing network there. Blessed to take the experiences, connections, network, and friendships of Toccoa with me!

The Process

Hello, Everyone!

~ He knows what is on the next page. We don't have to know. We just need to trust and turn the page. ~

In June 2010, I had just left a job as a barista; was

business law homework 

English PP presentation notes

celebrating my younger sister's high school graduation; was celebrating my mother's recent book publication; and was taking summer classes at NGTC. Needless to say, my life has never been tame. My summer classes that quarter (yes, this was before NGTC moved to semesters) were business law, english, and marketing. I had no idea what kind of job I wanted to end up with or what industry I was headed, but I loved learning from these classes and instructors. I completed my homework assignments with the idea that I would manage a bakery with my younger sister who was about to begin college as a Culinary Arts major. It was toward the end of this summer quarter when an opportunity to sell and promote products became crystal clear.  I started Purple Butterfly Pages seven years ago to sell and promote the book my mother had written and was recently published at the time. I switched gears from guessing I would work as a manager in my sister's bakery to being in the book sales industry.

Purple Butterfly Publications 

is a business aiming to publish quality novels that we believe in and know that readers will benefit from in a positive way. We strive to help produce and promote literature that inspires, comforts, and entertains.

A brief summary of Purple Butterfly Pages before I began publishing division: Purple Butterfly Publications in September 2013. My company scheduled book signings, festival appearances, and speaking engagements for PBP's featured author, Stephanie Townsend Ayers, my mother. Since I started publishing, the work has been different. Because I published an ebook, Their Inheritance, the work I do in sales & marketing is different than face-to-face sales. This required me to switch to mostly online work.

While the author works on writing and bringing an encouraging read to life, I work on the potential marketing plan. The book market changes frequently. Once the author is finished writing, it takes a move to the editing department. The editing process includes editing of grammar, story flow, and overall story coherence. Once the editing is complete, it is the creative department's turn! The book's formatting steps include setting the margins, putting the paragraph separator symbols in place, the credits page, the copyright page, the contents page (if included). The cover art is also part of the creativity process. The placement of the ISBN number is also part of the book cover creation.


Boom! The book is edited, formatted, and looks great then it is published and ready to sell. I work all departments of my publishing company. The different processes can be time consuming, but unquestionably rewarding.
Now you have an idea of what I do in my corner of book world. 

***questions, comments, and shares are all welcome***

Believe.

Caitlin,

Proprietor & Publisher

Helloooooooo...

Hello, Everybody!

I know it has been a while since you've heard the latest from my corner of the book world. The reality is that I haven't made time to stop and fill you guys in on the latest! Here's to doing better and posting more in March. :)

A look into January and February's life:

Coffee time with my GSP brother at Java Station after a
TSC Chamber of Commerce Board Meeting 

2016's most read blog posts were counted down ! Thanks for reading& sharing :)

 Have you ever noticed that you look at your smartphone to see what time it is and next thing you know you are scrolling through timelines, photos, and apps? I might be the only one! I found that wearing a watch to check the time keeps me away from useless smartphone time.

Grabbed some fresh time pieces with
butterflies of course!

Enjoyed a lovely February brunch with
PBP's featured author a.k.a. Momma, and a few of my sisters
at The Cellar in Blairsville, GA

Finally, a LOVEly Valentine's Day party with parents, brother, sisters, and nephews was a blast! It was cool to take a day that is usually devoted to couples and simply celebrate the people in my life that I love. Mom and everyone went al out with FOOD and hearts everywhere. I had so much fun celebrating LOVE.

I also repainted my office space a nice light purple/lavender in January. 

Well, that's a brief overview of my last couple of months from my corner of the book world. I am currently in the editing process of project Through the Storms. Stephanie Ayers is a big part of the current editing process. We are currently making sure the story flows, an important part of editing and another step towards getting it to readers around the globe! 

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers

@PBPages

The Weary World Rejoices!

Hello, Everybody!

Hope you had a very Happy Christmas! It was a very merry Christmas in my corner of the book world! Let's keep the love and merriment going this last week of 2016.

Whatever your Christmas weekend was like, don't forget to remember the God has already given us the best gift we will ever receive: eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ! May this love fill you with hope and believe in the future God has for you.

Let your actions and words be love-filled. Remember to think about the people around you who may need an extra cheery "Hello!" or who may be dealing with the loss of a loved one! Just spread love.

My sweet Merry had plenty of cuddles all Christmas

The Falcons won their division title on Christmas Eve. Go Falcons!

With a mug of homemade hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows, you can't go wrong.

Whatever the next day, year brings, don't stop believing in God, in yourself, in your dreams, in the magic of life.

#believe
Caitlin A.

Butterfly Journey

Hello, Everybody!

As I was on the way home from running errands today, a song came on from the shuffle of my handpicked playlist. The song was "Butterfly" sung by Tracy Lawrence. 

"Butterfly" lyrics

"Butterfly" lyrics

Inspired by all things butterfly, I was reminded of the butterfly journey that I am a part of. I am in the middle of editing PBP's next publishing project. Right now the story is exactly that. It is a story. It is my job to turn it into a book. A book that many can enjoy and draw inspiration and encouragement from. The story is currently in caterpillar form and with editing, proofreading, formatting, designing, and marketing, it is becoming a butterfly in the book world.

Subscribe to this blog, The Purple Butterfly Purpose, and be the first to know about book updates straight from the publisher's desk...a.k.a my desk. ;)

Believe.

Caitlin A.

Love, Faith, and Trust in God: 9/11 Remembrance

Hello, Everybody!

As you all know, yesterday marked the fifteen year anniversary of remembrance on September 11, 2001. As my family and I were watching tributes and different stories of the tragic day, we came across the Palombo family's story shared by Anderson Cooper. 

The Palombo family struck me in a few ways not just one. For starters, like my family, there are ten children in their family. What has happened to them over the last several years is very similar to the children in 'Their Inheritance', the book I didn't write but did publish three years ago this month. The Palombo's father was a firefighter who lost his life while courageously and faithfully doing his job on September 11, 2001. Eight years later, after a four year battle with cancer, their mother passed away. The children decided to stay together and raise each other. Their parents' love, faith, and values have carried them this far. 

Take a couple of minutes out of your day to watch this video of the Palombo's family. Be blessed by their testimony. I have nothing to add to this incredible testimony of faith and love. I hope that the Palombo family inspires you like they have me on this fifteen year anniversary of their father's passing.

I am working on sending this awesome family a copy of 'Their Inheritance'. If you are reading this and know any of the 'Palombo 10', please contact me! 

My prayers and thoughts are with every family who lost loved ones on the tragic September 11, 2001. I will never forget.

BELIEVE.
Caitlin A.