Hello everybody!
December has proved to be a diligent week so far. Earlier this month, I excitedly announced that my business was going to have a float in my town's parade! A lot of thought, creativity, and preparation has gone into the making of the Christmas parade float.
The Toccoa Christmas Parade has been an event that my family attends each year and we always talked about participating, but we never did. My sister owns a baking/catering business, Dazzling Sweet Treats. My parents have recently started an estate auction company, Remember When Estate Auctions LLC. This fall, an email describing the 2014 parade information and application was sent out to all local Chamber of Commerce members. After reading through the rules and information, I determined that this year was the year for us to be a bigger part of our town's Christmas festivities; and not just as local citizens celebrating Christmas, but as local businesses who want to share a special Christmas message.
This year's parade theme is 'Christmas Miracle'. There are many miracle's surrounding Christ's birth. My first thought after reading the theme info, was a child's first Christmas with their forever family! Foster care and adoption is very familiar to me and my family. My parents were house parents at a children's home in the early '90s and my family served as a foster home for many babies and young children in the early 2000s. A few of those young children and babies became my brothers and sisters! Not my "adopted siblings" but my siblings. Christmas has always been a special festive time to me, but one Christmas I will never forget: when a little red headed seven-year-old foster child spent her first Christmas with her soon-to-be forever family. I had met "Red" when she spent Thanksgiving with my family one year. No other home was open for her to spend the holiday with. At seven-years-old she had been through many foster homes already and was legally waiting to be adopted. With prayer and love, my family decided that "Red" was supposed to be a part of our family. So, she spent Christmas holiday with us instead of her current foster family. Her reaction to Christmas Eve and Christmas morning were unforgettable. She had so many questions and had no idea what it was like to feel such love. The next summer, she officially became my younger sister! It is nothing short of a miracle when God puts a family into the life of a broken child; or a child into the life of a loving family. So, there is a doubtless personal meaning for our float theme choice!
“There are no unwanted children, just unfound families.”
The National Adoption Center
I presented my idea of our float theme to be centered around a child's first Christmas with their forever family. We did a bit of brainstorming to tie it to the parade's theme. We discovered that there was an adoption story right int the middle of the Christmas Story. Joseph took Jesus to raise, and love and care for even though the Child was not biologically his. I encourage you to listen to "Raise Him Up" sung by Randy Travis. This is the PERFECT song for our float's theme! I will be posting photos from the parade later this month in the "recap" blog.
I also encourage you to be accepting, loving, and understanding of any adoption miracles happening in your life!
Make it a peaceful and joyful December.
Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications
**Visit downtown Toccoa Georgia on Saturday, December 6th. The parade starts at 4PM. Come early to visit the local shops and even some brand new businesses; and share in the celebration of the Christ's birth!**
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Thursday, November 13, 2014
It is Almost Thanksgiving!
Hello, everybody!
With the leaves at their peak colors of the newest season and the wind swirling them around, I find myself wishing for more time to sit in my favorite chair, sip a warm brew from a mug, and read. Today, I am inspired to share a few words of gratitude with you.
In fact, as I walked out of the house this morning I was thrown into a state of Thanksgiving… the crisp mountain air was filled with the scent of a neighbor's wood burning stove. The autumn breeze was rustling the last of the crispy fading leaves. I felt that if I were to walk back into the house, I would find the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the television providing a background for the day's festivities; half the family bustling in the kitchen preparing some sort of food for us to savor as we gather around a full table of loved ones; and the other half of the family split between actually watching the parade and catching up with each others' lives. Of course when you are twenty-three years-old and have nine siblings (two of which serve in the military), it is a rare holiday occasion to have the entire gang and all the cousins present on such days of celebration. However, I have no doubts that the house will be full of bustling, parade-watching, and talking with whichever family members can make it home this year!
"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~H.U. Westermayer
I believe that today, we all are just like the Pilgrims and Indians in 1621 and the Americans in 1977, when President Washington declared a day of thanksgiving after multiple victories in the Revolutionary war. No matter what we have all been through this year; this week; and even today; we have something to be thankful for. Whatever or whomever is in front of you today, be thankful!
Lastly, be thankful for the hard times because they make the good times even better.
Excuse me, for the interruption of your day with gratitude, but I am certainly grateful for all of you who take time to connect and read The Purple Butterfly Purpose each month!
Be sure to like Purple Butterfly Pages on Facebook for a few Thanksgiving-related book excerpts from 'Their Inheritance'!
Happy Thanksgiving month to you all!
With the leaves at their peak colors of the newest season and the wind swirling them around, I find myself wishing for more time to sit in my favorite chair, sip a warm brew from a mug, and read. Today, I am inspired to share a few words of gratitude with you.
In fact, as I walked out of the house this morning I was thrown into a state of Thanksgiving… the crisp mountain air was filled with the scent of a neighbor's wood burning stove. The autumn breeze was rustling the last of the crispy fading leaves. I felt that if I were to walk back into the house, I would find the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on the television providing a background for the day's festivities; half the family bustling in the kitchen preparing some sort of food for us to savor as we gather around a full table of loved ones; and the other half of the family split between actually watching the parade and catching up with each others' lives. Of course when you are twenty-three years-old and have nine siblings (two of which serve in the military), it is a rare holiday occasion to have the entire gang and all the cousins present on such days of celebration. However, I have no doubts that the house will be full of bustling, parade-watching, and talking with whichever family members can make it home this year!
"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving." ~H.U. Westermayer
I believe that today, we all are just like the Pilgrims and Indians in 1621 and the Americans in 1977, when President Washington declared a day of thanksgiving after multiple victories in the Revolutionary war. No matter what we have all been through this year; this week; and even today; we have something to be thankful for. Whatever or whomever is in front of you today, be thankful!
Lastly, be thankful for the hard times because they make the good times even better.
Excuse me, for the interruption of your day with gratitude, but I am certainly grateful for all of you who take time to connect and read The Purple Butterfly Purpose each month!
Be sure to like Purple Butterfly Pages on Facebook for a few Thanksgiving-related book excerpts from 'Their Inheritance'!
Happy Thanksgiving month to you all!
Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
Monday, October 27, 2014
1940s Flashback!
Hello Everyone!
Although October is almost over for this year, it is finally fall in my corner of the world. Pumpkin and cinnamon everything is everywhere it seems. However, I don't want to add to the pumpkin spice craze. Instead, I want to share about an event that takes place in my town during the first weekend of every October: Currahee Military Weekend. I was blessed to have taken part in the festivities celebrating the paratroopers who trained during WWII at Camp Toccoa, just a few miles from where I live now.The annual Currahee Military Weekend took place October 3 - 5, 2014. The Vintage Hangar Dance took place on Friday evening at the Stephens County Airport. Purple Butterfly Publications' featured author, Stephanie Townsend Ayers, and I attended the 1940s themed hangar dance. Mrs. Ayers and I both dressed up in our best '40s attire for the evening. I even got a surprise delivery of flowers from a thoughtful friend to wear to the dance! I had an absolutely fantastic time participating in the Costume Contest during the evening where I finished as a semi-finalist. Great competition in the hangar! We all had a swell time of dancing (yes, I learned a few steps), fantastic live music, learning, and seeing new faces from all around the globe including from France and Texas! After the fun evening, I couldn't help but think of the brave men and women who were a part of our nation's defenses during World War II. The hangar dances must have meant so much to them.
On Saturday evening, we returned to Camp Toccoa at Currahee for the Currahee Military Weekend Banquet. The guest speaker was Jim “Pee Wee’ Martin, 506th G. Company PIR.,
a Camp Toccoa veteran. Mr. Martin shared with us his jump into Normandy in 1944 and recently this year, 2014, during D-Day Events in Normandy. It was a special honor to hear Mr. Martin speak about his life experiences during and after the war. If you don't know who he is already, please look him up and watch his experience in video. You won't regret it! After listening to Mr. Jim "Pee Wee" Martin speak, I got to help a local auctioneer, Christopher Ayers of Remember When Estate Auctions, with the live auction to raise money for the Currahee Military Museum and the veterans attending the Currahee Military Weekend. Haha! Happy to help look for bids! A memorable night indeed.
Playing "Vanna White" |
It is so important to remember and respect the sacrifices of America's history makers: our veterans and their families. I'd like to take a moment and encourage you all reading this blog to learn more about your local veterans. Learn from them. Also, learn about YOUR local history. You just might be surprised at what part your town has played in history making moments. Without the preservation of our history, Christian historical-fiction novels like Their Inheritance would not be written!
Check out Currahee Military Museum for more information about the 2015 Currahee Military Weekend. I hope to see you there!
Remember. Preserve. Read.
Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Happy One-Year Bookiversary!
Hello Everyone!
Today marks one year since I became a publisher and published Their Inheritance by author Stephanie Townsend Ayers. Happy one-year bookiversary to my featured author!
My biggest hope for this project has been for this ebook to encourage it's readers to never give up hope and to continue trusting in the Lord no matter what their inheritance. May Their Inheritance continue blessing those who read it! You can find it at Purple Butterfly Publications today.
I am looking forward to the many other "projects" that I will be publishing in the future. More on that at a later date! ;)
You can help ME celebrate this one-year bookiversary by leaving YOUR book review here and leave congratulatory remarks for the Mother-of-ten, and Author: Stephanie Townsend Ayers on our Facebook or Twitter!!
Thank you all for what has been a great first year for Their Inheritance!
Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
www.PurpleButterflyPublications.com
Today marks one year since I became a publisher and published Their Inheritance by author Stephanie Townsend Ayers. Happy one-year bookiversary to my featured author!
My biggest hope for this project has been for this ebook to encourage it's readers to never give up hope and to continue trusting in the Lord no matter what their inheritance. May Their Inheritance continue blessing those who read it! You can find it at Purple Butterfly Publications today.
I am looking forward to the many other "projects" that I will be publishing in the future. More on that at a later date! ;)
You can help ME celebrate this one-year bookiversary by leaving YOUR book review here and leave congratulatory remarks for the Mother-of-ten, and Author: Stephanie Townsend Ayers on our Facebook or Twitter!!
Thank you all for what has been a great first year for Their Inheritance!
Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
www.PurpleButterflyPublications.com
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Monday, September 15, 2014
Let the Kid Write!
Hey everybody!
I was inspired to write this month's blog by a special little girl who loves to write short stories. So, this one is for the young kids with big minds; but first, here is one of my first writing experiences:
As soon as I learned how to write in school, I was given a small notebook to write my thoughts of the day. I remember my notebook had a picture of a furry dog on the front. Writing for a few minutes a day (or longer if we had more to write down) became an assignment in school. Another checkmark for the pros' side of being a homeschool kid, haha. I remember looking at the white page with tiny horizontal black lines and thinking that I could write anything! There would be no correct or incorrect answer. I could write whatever I wanted to! A couple of years ago, I found that old notebook and noticed that I mostly wrote down a few lines describing the weather of the day. Occasionally, I jotted down a rhyme or two and maybe a short story about my then two-year-old chihuahua every once in a while. Not always as creative or proper in my writing as some of my siblings; but hey, I was writing. Now I am a book publisher. Who knew?!
"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." - Lady Bird Johnson
We never know what incredible stories lie within children's imaginations, yet wouldn't we like to know? Encourage the kid(s) in your life to write it down! Imagine how that kid will feel after they have written a poem or story no matter how short or how long. Now, picture their face as they await your comments as you read their work.
I would love to help you encourage the kid(s) in your life write it down! Let's have some fun! Send me a photo of the writings (the child does not need to be in the photo) from the children in your life using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or email me here: caitlin@purplebutterflypages.com. I will share** the photo on random Wednesdays as part of "Write It Down Wednesday"! All followers, friends, and fans of Purple Butterfly Pages will be able to leave some likes and comments for the possible future author in your life! Use the hashtag: #WriteItDown on any social media and email subject line. If you would like, you can include your future author's name; however, I suggest using a pen name instead of the child's real name for privacy purposes.
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Encourage the kid(s) in your life to have fun writing it down!
Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
**By sending your photo to Purple Butterfly Publications, you are giving us permission to share it on our social media accounts mentioned ONLY. The photos of the writings will only be shared to our Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram ONLY. Thank you!**
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Thursday, August 21, 2014
Book Adventures This Summer
Hey everybody!
I hope everyone had a great summer! To those of you still living on "summer time"- count your blessings.
I am wondering what books you read this summer?? A classic or a new author's works? Maybe even my first publication, Their Inheritance? What genre have you spent your summer delved into- suspense, sci-fi, or possibly fictional romance?
I made it a personal goal this summer to get some reading done myself! It happened to be the day of Maya Angelou's death that I decided to visit my local library. I browsed the shelves looking for a novel into which I could really dive. I came across Ms. Maya Angelou's works. After reading several dust covers, I decided to check out Gather Together In My Name. Whether it was in between work, times at the lake, or movies, with friends or with family, I became lost in Maya Angelou's life's struggles as a young single mother, daughter, granddaughter, and sister. Also, how she never fit in to society's rules- I was drawn in. The woman was a genius with ink and paper! She has inspired me to steadfastly continue my goal of reading at a steady pace throughout the year. I will let you all know what and when I finish the next book!
Comment in the blanks below to share what you have been reading!
Happy reading!
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com
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Thursday, July 31, 2014
New Happenings!
Hey everybody!
THANK YOU ALL for all of your support, reviews, and
encouragement since 2010!
July marks our four-year business anniversary! I have been
busy this month updating our website while setting and getting ready to reach
our next year’s goals. Our featured author, Stephanie Townsend Ayers, is
currently working on our next publication with the working title Through the Storms.
Subscribe to The Purple Butterfly Purpose now and don’t miss
the future announcements for the working title: Though the Storms and everything Purple Butterfly Pages!
"No man can be called friendless who has God and the companionship of good books"
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Caitlin Ayers
Publisher and Independent Book Seller
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com
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Tuesday, June 24, 2014
2014: Adventures Part One
Hey everybody!
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, a 2014 recap:
January and February were months of transitioning and growth for me. They were all about transitioning from splitting my time between college and business to utilizing all of my time into my business, Purple Butterfly Publications. Time is a gift that is shared with others. I have learned that fact during my transitioning time. I found that I can not control everything, but I am firm in my belief that God is in full control of all things.
I am going to call March 2014 “Milestone March”. With a desire to be more involved in my community and to learn from other local business owners, I joined the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce as a business owner of Purple Butterfly Pages. Joining the Chamber of Commerce had been a professional goal of mine since 2010. Check mark: Goal reached!
In April, I was blessed to be able to be a sponsor of the Power House for Kids 3rd Annual Race. The race raised funds and awareness for the child advocacy center which serves families in Habersham, Rabun, and Stephens counties in northeast Georgia. Child abuse in your community affects you whether you know it or not. Please be informed on how you can help YOUR community in the fight against child abuse today.
May was the actual race day. I had an absolute blast joining over 100 runners for the 5K run in support of the Power House for Kids! A race with perfect weather, a serene location, and an organized coordination, all led to bounding success! My personal goal was to FINISH the race no matter how long it took me. I finished in roughly thirty-seven minutes and without injury. Yeah! Next year, Purple Butterfly Pages will have a FULL TEAM participating in the 4th annual Power House for Kids Race!
June has found me counting the many blessings the year has brought me so far (including another birthday).
I promise to not wait so long in the month to post July’s blog, but just in case…..
I hope you all have a very happy Independence Day on July 4!!! Celebrate the freedom to read whatever you want!
I hope you all have a very happy Independence Day on July 4!!! Celebrate the freedom to read whatever you want!
above: my brothers committed to defending our freedoms.
Thanks for reading!
Caitlin Ayers, Publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications
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Saturday, May 31, 2014
Recap Time!
Hey everyone!
It is the end of May already! I am putting together a six month recap post together for the next blog. Counting my many blessings as I go.
Stay tuned to see Purple Butterfly Publications' highlights of 2014 so far. There may be a surprise or two on the list!
Be Inspired!
Caitlin Ayers, publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications
It is the end of May already! I am putting together a six month recap post together for the next blog. Counting my many blessings as I go.
Stay tuned to see Purple Butterfly Publications' highlights of 2014 so far. There may be a surprise or two on the list!
Be Inspired!
Caitlin Ayers, publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Guest Blogger: Stephanie Townsend Ayers, Author of 'Their Inheritance'
As many of you know, April is Child Abuse Awareness month. I was invited by Ms. Ayers, my publisher, to guest blog this month for Purple Butterfly Pages. This invitation comes, unfortunately, because I have a long history with the cause for this month. My husband and I were foster parents for fifteen years to over sixty children, ages ranging from newborn to 17-years-old.
Our home was a safe haven for over sixty children throughout the years. Over three dozen pre-teen and teenagers came through our door. These were not orphans without parents or family. These were children without a safe environment with either family or family friend.
Can you imagine not feeling safe -physically or mentally- in your own parents’ home or any of your extended family’s home either? Can you think of a time when your parent or parents chose to buy alcohol or drugs instead of buying you food? Or a time when your mother offered your eight-year-old body to a stranger in exchange for some drugs for herself? Can you imagine going to school wearing the same filthy clothes for weeks, or without eating any food since leaving school the day before, having to hide the bruises or cuts left on you from the beating the night before? Can you imagine being nine-years-old and dreading the night because you knew what would happen when your Daddy, Uncle, or brother would come to tuck you in at bedtime? Can you imagine- instead of playing tag outside with your friends, you play skating by sliding across the empty vials and syringes scattered so thickly over your living room floor? Can you imagine being five-years-old and rolling marijuana joints for your parent and hoping it will get you that one chance at a word of praise?
In the latter years of our foster parent journey, we took special training and were educated so that we could open our homes to medically fragile and/or drug addicted infants. There were very few homes educated or equipped to handle the special needs of these babies, yet the demand for such homes was great. Sadly, our home was needed for over twenty of these such abused babies. Taking drugs and/or drinking alcohol while pregnant is child abuse. That is not up for discussion or debate. We have witnessed the results first hand and can attest to the reality of the facts. I have held too many babies in my arms as they screamed, not cried- a shrill anguished scream, as they suffered in physical pain for hours, for days, for weeks, and for months. Our family (thank goodness for being a large family) took turns, in two hour shifts, walking the floors day in and day out, sun up to sun rise, trying to soothe and comfort each baby. With each and every drug-addicted baby born there are physical therapies, occupational therapies, speech therapies, massage therapies, orthopedic therapies, neurological therapies, and gastrointestinal therapies. There are babies so addicted to crack or cocaine that they cannot relax or sleep. By ‘not relaxing’, I mean that their muscles are so tight/tense that their bodies are in a tight ball and cannot stretch their legs and arms-that trying to change a diaper can break their leg and so you have to take the time to relax each leg and hip muscle just to move it which can take twenty to thirty minutes each time! Their skin is so sensitive to touch that even the softest of material hurts them. Then there are barbiturate addicted babies that are so relaxed that they forget to breath and their hearts ‘forget’ to beat. Those babies have to wear monitors twenty-four hours a day. When the monitor alerts you, you have jump and scramble to stimulate them immediately or that baby will die!
Every single child that entered our home through the foster system suffered from the lack of love and the abundance of fear. We have had two-year-olds that come into our home and not know how to be hugged or how to hug. We know the healing power of a loving hug and of the healthy appropriate human touch, but these children do not. We have had too many children, even as young as four-years-old, that would steal food and hide it under their pillow, in the back of a drawer or closet, or even bury it. They would not eat it, but hoard it. For you see, they had known hunger. True hunger. They fear the day when our bountiful table will no longer be before them. They do not understand that they are stealing or that the food will spoil. All they know is that they have been hungry too many times before and may be hungry again. We have had helpless infants come into our home that were extremely under weight due to not being fed. Can you imagine not feeding your crying begging helpless infant simply because you wanted to get high? or because your boyfriend wanted your attention instead? or because you just did not care enough to feed him or her? Can you comprehend any of those levels of hunger- physical hunger and the emotional hunger?
These are just a few life experiences that we heard or witnessed from the children that came into our home through the social services system of our local communities. These are not one-in-a-million-Lifetime-movie scenarios. These are the realities that are occurring every single minute of every single day in every single city in our own country. The United States of America. Well, America, we need to all unite and protect our children. Our country’s future is its children.
As citizen of this world, we need to make ourselves aware of all children. You must start by being educated. Find your local child abuse center, such as our local Power House for Kids, and contact them about community child abuse awareness classes. If your small town does not offer this type of class, then help organize a class through a larger town’s resources. If you suspect abuse of any form, then get involved. Report any suspension to your local authorities. Also, if you see a pregnant woman abusing herself, then contact authorities for the unborn child’s sake as well as the mother’s. We should encourage the education about the damage of intrauterine exposure to drugs and alcohol to our teens as well as prenatal classes through our free health clinic and welfare systems. Sex education classes, as well as prenatal courses, need to include the facts about all the harm abusing the mother’s body can do to the unborn babies. As school teachers, Sunday school teachers, babysitters, community workers, church leaders, neighbors, aunts, cousins, nurses, doctors, waitresses, customer service workers, policemen and women, firemen and women, attorneys, ministers, writers, readers, coaches, athletes, EVERYONE- we all need to stop the abuse. We must shed light onto this dark subject. Nothing can be fixed if you do not know it is broken. So make yourself and those around you aware of the signs of abuse. Listen for the words AND watch for the actions and reactions of the children as well as the abusers so that we can stop the abuse and start protecting our world’s future.
I believe that no child should feel unloved or unwanted. I have made it my passion that any and every child I ever encounter will feel loved and appreciated even if it is for a fleeting encounter. One never knows what a kind loving word could mean to child. Make a difference, whether big or small, with each child you meet, you pass, or with whom the opportunity to interact occurs.
Every child deserves to be loved. Show them love....
Stop the abuse.
- Stephanie Townsend Ayers, author
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Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Make a Difference in America's Future: Be Aware
Hey everybody!
“Child abuse does not go away, but 90 percent of child abuse is preventable.” –Karen Adams
Pictured above: Me, Caitlin, on the left and to my right is Nadine Scott, Forensic Interviewer at Power House for Kids
Pictured above: the front of the Historic Stephens County Courthouse. There are 264 pinwheels; each representing a case of child abuse in 2013 which occurred in Stephens, Habersham and Rabun Counties (Georgia).
Know the signs.
Prevent child abuse.
Make a difference in America’s future!
Caitlin Ayers, publisher
Purple Butterfly Publications
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com
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Wednesday, March 19, 2014
The Importance of My Chamber of Commerce
Hey everybody!
Purple Butterfly Pages reached an exciting milestone this week!
Back in 2010 at the beginning of my college journey, I was given an assignment by my small business class instructor to list and explain different ways to network from the view point of a business owner. This assignment was particularly inspiring to me as I had just begun my own small business! I began my list with a goal to join the local Chamber of Commerce. I detailed that as a grass-root sole proprietor business, I was not in a position to join the Chamber at the time.
Becoming a member of one’s local Chamber of Commerce would provide any business with networking opportunities, offer support and resources for the business, and provide a network of support from other local business owners. Becoming a member of the Chamber of Commerce was especially important to me, even as an individual member prior to joining as a business owner.
My connection to my local Chamber of Commerce began in 2007 when I had just turned sixteen-years-old. I was an intern at the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce while my uncle, being a British antique store owner in the historic downtown area, was a member. After my internship of almost one year, I finished high school with plans to attend college. I always knew I would go to college, but had not yet quite figured out my major. As I thought more and more about a major, I remembered the work and all the experiences that I had been exposed to at the Chamber of Commerce and knew that I wanted to pursue a degree in business. I signed up for classes majoring in Applied Business Technology. I went to work with my studies and a few months later an opportunity came before me. I took the risk and started my own business.
Throughout my college experience, I held a student membership with the Chamber of Commerce. I did this to stay informed about and involved with my community and its businesses. After graduating college, with business growth at the forefront of my business plan, I knew I had to be more involved in my community and know the local business owners on a more professional level. This would also introduce my own business-that has now expanded- to my community on an entirely different level.
So, on March 13, 2014, I joined the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce as a business owner!!
Another goal on my list checked off!
Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President, Wendi Bailey (whom I have known since I was a teen), shared my excitement as I met with her and completed the paperwork. The tradition at the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce is to ding a silver bell every time a new member joins the Chamber. It was a very exciting and proud moment when that bell rang for me as my business, Purple Butterfly Pages, joined my local Chamber of Commerce!
I am thankful to Chamber President, Wendi Bailey (pictured here on the right) and Executive Assistant, Vicky King (not pictured) for the knowledge they have shared with me over the years. I feel blessed to know these two professional women!
Be involved.
You never know where it may lead!
Believe!
Caitlin Ayers
Owner, Purple Butterfly Pages
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Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Facing the Odds
Hey all!
Over these past few weeks since my college graduation, I have been thinking a lot about my current job as owner of Purple Butterfly Pages and Purple Butterfly Publications. By definition, entrepreneur is a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.
The main reasons a person starts a business is to either sell or provide a service to the public, service or retail. As for me, I saw a need from book readers for new respectable books to purchase. A passion was stirred in me to provide the public with a novel or book that not only entertained a reader, but also encouraged and inspired the reader through its story as well. So, I found an avenue to do just that and a new entrepreneur was born! I began working to organize a business where I could sell such products online as well as at special events, thus Purple Butterfly Pages was created!
Some people have described me as an optimistic realist. I interpret that to mean that I am optimistic about the things I do, but understand that everything does not always work out as I imagined or hoped. Here is where the risks-taking part of being an entrepreneur comes in. As a business owner, I need to take risks in order to gain more of what I want and need. If you don’t go after something you want, guess what…you won’t get it! Take the risk!
“Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, and not everyone is going to be an entrepreneur, but women who turn to business, turn to economics, because there are people depending on them, I think that their creativity, their resilience, their spirit, embody what's best about entrepreneurship.”
Another reason I chose to be an entrepreneur- to do my part to help raise the economic stability of my city, my state, and my country. Maybe the United States of America does not have the best economic stability at the moment, but I believe it can and will get better if its citizens support our country’s businesses especially the small ones.
Believe.
Caitlin
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Tuesday, January 14, 2014
What's Stopping You???
Hey!
Hope the week is going well for you so far.
While washing dishes this morning after a yum breakfast of pancakes and turkey bacon, riskiness came to mind. Yes, very odd thought for washing dishes. Probably thought about it because I was risking getting the electric outlet wet when washing the electric griddle. ANYWAYS, it got me to thinking the risks I have taken in life and the ones I have NOT taken...but I think you should focus more on what you have done and not what you should have done. Learn and move on!
“Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is.” - Will Rogers
Growing up I was not much of a risk taker at all (I left that up to other siblings), but when I turned eighteen something clicked. I realized the teen years were not going to last forever and the risk taking needed to be stepped up! I started college with no idea, what I'd be doing when it was over. The next year, a few days after my nineteenth birthday and a few months after I had started college, the idea of Purple Butterfly Pages was alive.
THE BIGGEST RISK I HAVE EVER TAKEN.
I faced fears of inexperience, rejection, and failure. BUT I worked hard anyway making phone calls, meeting new people, doing what I knew I could do and stretching myself to do what I knew I couldn't do. It is very true, the saying, "No risk, no reward"! I have grown and continue to grow so much as a person, mentally and spiritually, learning so much from being the owner of Purple Butterfly Pages!
I encourage you to take a risk today. You NEVER know what you are capable of, so find out!
"Do not be too timid and squeamish. ... All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
What's stopping you?
Caitlin :)
Monday, January 6, 2014
From N.C. to G.A.
Hello all!
On this blustery January Monday, I am glad I can stay indoors and enjoy the sunshine. While I am still figuring out this blogging thing, I want to let y'all know a bit more about me and the why and how I got into the book selling business!
A brief background on me (I'll save more extensive details for a later post):
Born in North Carolina and moved to Georgia when I was seven-years-old, and after fifteen and a half years here, I definitely consider myself a Georgia Peach. Being the third oldest of ten children, I am part of a big family. After being inspired as an intern at my local Chamber of Commerce when I was fifteen, I pursued an education in the business world and have earned an Associates Degree in Applied Business Technology.
Now here is the how and the why or the why and the how:
In 2010, my mom's historical-Christian-fiction novel was published by a local book publisher. During that time I had just begun college and LOVING my business classes (which came with great teachers), so I decided to start my own business SELLING my mom's book. In July 2010, Purple Butterfly Pages was born! I created a website; ordered books; began setting up book signings at festivals and book stores; speaking engagements at churches; and it has grown from there. In 2011, the local publishing experience ended adversely leaving an amazing story without a publisher and without readers. SO, I ventured into the book publishing industry having published my first ebook, 'Their Inheritance', to amazon.com in September 2013. That's the short and sweet, my friends!!
Stay warm!
Caitlin :)
On this blustery January Monday, I am glad I can stay indoors and enjoy the sunshine. While I am still figuring out this blogging thing, I want to let y'all know a bit more about me and the why and how I got into the book selling business!
A brief background on me (I'll save more extensive details for a later post):
Born in North Carolina and moved to Georgia when I was seven-years-old, and after fifteen and a half years here, I definitely consider myself a Georgia Peach. Being the third oldest of ten children, I am part of a big family. After being inspired as an intern at my local Chamber of Commerce when I was fifteen, I pursued an education in the business world and have earned an Associates Degree in Applied Business Technology.
Now here is the how and the why or the why and the how:
In 2010, my mom's historical-Christian-fiction novel was published by a local book publisher. During that time I had just begun college and LOVING my business classes (which came with great teachers), so I decided to start my own business SELLING my mom's book. In July 2010, Purple Butterfly Pages was born! I created a website; ordered books; began setting up book signings at festivals and book stores; speaking engagements at churches; and it has grown from there. In 2011, the local publishing experience ended adversely leaving an amazing story without a publisher and without readers. SO, I ventured into the book publishing industry having published my first ebook, 'Their Inheritance', to amazon.com in September 2013. That's the short and sweet, my friends!!
Stay warm!
Caitlin :)
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Thursday, January 2, 2014
Hello All!
Well, hello all!
Welcome to the 2014 blog of Purple Butterfly Pages. Caitlin here. I am the owner at Purple Butterfly Pages and Purple Butterfly Publications! I will be blogging about what is new with Purple Butterfly Pages AND Purple Butterfly Publications as well as other randomness that comes around.
Although Purple Butterfly Pages has been in business since 2010, I just graduated college last semester. Yes, I was nineteen when I started my own business. It has been quite the journey! I have learned so much about the industry and business since then, and I continue to learn everyday. I love meeting new people and finding the best qualities in my products to promote. I strive to meet the needs of the people through answered questions and with a smile.
Follow my blog and learn what it has been like being a college student and business owner!
Welcome to the 2014 blog of Purple Butterfly Pages. Caitlin here. I am the owner at Purple Butterfly Pages and Purple Butterfly Publications! I will be blogging about what is new with Purple Butterfly Pages AND Purple Butterfly Publications as well as other randomness that comes around.
Although Purple Butterfly Pages has been in business since 2010, I just graduated college last semester. Yes, I was nineteen when I started my own business. It has been quite the journey! I have learned so much about the industry and business since then, and I continue to learn everyday. I love meeting new people and finding the best qualities in my products to promote. I strive to meet the needs of the people through answered questions and with a smile.
Follow my blog and learn what it has been like being a college student and business owner!
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