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

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

Summer Reading Update

Hello, Everybody!

An update from my corner of the book world about the adult summer reading program at my local library:

The Adult Summer Reading Program has come to an end at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library. My personal goal was to read more books this summer than I read last summer. Last summer I read one book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. Proud to say that I found time to read three books during May 21-July 15, 2016. Personal goal achieved! I read Angels Don't Die: My Father's Gift of Faith written by Patti Davis. I listened to Phil Robertson's Happy, Happy, Happy! book on CD. I also read an autobiography by Esther Williams with Digby Diehl, The Million Dollar Mermaid. All were great reads. I found them inspiring and enlightening each in their own way.

As I mentioned in previous posts, Purple Butterfly Pages was happy to support the first Adult Summer Reading Program to be held at the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library! I added a free download of my first publishing project, Their Inheritance ebook written by author Stephanie Townsend Ayers, to the grand prize winner's gift basket. The winner will be announced later this week! I would love to know what books you have read so far this summer! Let me know in the comments. :)

Myself(L), Sarah (C), and Faith(R)

I'd also like to take this post to say a big thank-you to a recent former librarian at TSCPL who invited me to be part of the new adult summer reading program, Sarah Edmonds! We have been friends for several years. She was a librarian for a few years. Sarah and her husband recently moved out of state with his amazing new job opportunity. She is missed at the library, but her work and encouragement continues!

NEW Project Announcement:

Finally, I have begun the first step of the editing process for my next publication*. The working title is 'Through the Storms' . Look for more details about the publishing process in the upcoming blog posts. Sneak peeks are available on our Instagram page: @pbpublications !

Until next time, BELIEVE!

Caitlin

*I am the publisher, not the author.

#Inspired

Hello, Everyone!

Enjoying your summer, yet? We don't have to be children or teenagers to enjoy summertime joy. The lightning bugs are still out there at sundown and the sun still shines hot no matter your age. In summers past I have found that it was easy to get sidetracked by the long hot summer days and the summertime festivities of bar-b-ques, lake days, friends' weddings, or the summertime blues. We find excuses to distract us. If you don't, good for you. You can read on about my midsummer refocus.

As summer came this year, I was thinking of ways to stay focused on work. Well, that last full weekend in June was a weekend full of inspiration showing in places I didn't think I would find it.

Thanks to a sweet friend and my sister for surprising me with birthday gift tickets for the last weekend of June to see Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, professional dancers known for their talented work on Dancing with the Stars. The brothers co-star and co-coreographed their live dance tour, Maks and Val: Our Way. As my sister and our friend headed to the show, I ws looking forward to an exciting night of dancing, and walked away more inspired and motivated by their life journey.The show was less about the men's physique and talent, but instead focused on their parents, hard work, love, and the fun they have living their lives. Before this experience, I thought I had a pretty good work ethic...afterward the show, I realized my work ethic needs more work, more hours!

After attending "Our Way", I was pumped to get started on a new work week! I was home catching up on the week's episodes of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and J.J. Watt, defensive end for the Houston Texans' NFL team, was one of Jimmy's guests. Watt was promoting his new cross trainers from Reebok and talking about his work ethic which has made him the defensive player of the entire National Football League three out of the past four years. Watt's message is one that gives charge to each individual to work their hardest to be the greatest they are capable of being. Yep, even more motivation for me to work harder and put more hours into publishing quality novels that I believe can impact readers' lives in a positive and encouraging way.

"If you do the bare minimum, expect bare minimum results. You want to be great, work to be great. Nothing just happens." -J.J. Watt

Sunday night was the last women's gymnastics competition before the 2016 summer Olympic Trials which begin in mid-July. The hard work that these young women put into their sport is incredible to watch. As I watched, I was inspired by the way they put all their effort and strength into each event no matter how tired they got. On top of their strength, their determination to win a place on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team was inspiring! They wanted the privilege to represent the United States of America in the Olympic games and they were not and are not afraid to work hard to get there. 


Dedication, commitment, and sacrifice (even during the long and hot summer days) are what gets the work done. I think its best to not overthink our daily responsibilities. Just do the work.

Comment with your summer time work life inspirations!

#BELIEVE
Caitlin A.

Exercise Your Mind. Read!

Hello, Everyone!

I hope everyone is having a beautiful and hopeful spring. It has been awhile since I updated you all on what is new at Purple Butterfly Publications.

Did you know there is a Summer Reading Program for ADULTS starting this May! If you do not live in Toccoa, there is a good chance this is happening at your local library as well. Anyone over the age of nineteen years-old can register for the summer reading program. Each book you read counts as an entry to win the GRAND PRIZE Basket that the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library will be giving away at the end of the program. Hard copy books, ebooks, and audio books are all included as part of the program and count as entries! There is no minimum or maximum amount of books you need to read to take part of the program.

When Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library's Adult Program Coordinator, Sarah Edmonds, asked me to be a part of the library's first ever Adult Summer Reading Program, I was SO excited! I am happy to encourage reading and community involvement by partnering with the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library this summer. This summer's theme is "Exercise Your Mind. Read!" to encourage health and fitness in your community.

As Proprietor & Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications, I am proud to have added a copy of PBP's featured ebook, Their Inheritance, to the Grand Prize Basket which will be given away at the end of the Summer Reading Program!!!

I will personally be taking part in this program. It is the challenge I need to make more time for reading. I am now taking reading suggestions*. I will keep you updated on what I am reading once the program gets started in May!

*Leave book suggestions in the comments below.

Who says the reading programs at the library have to be just for kids? Join me this summer and let's get our reading on!!!!

Believe.
Caitlin Ayers
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Toccoa Tuesday: Going Postal

Hello, Everybody!

I hope you all had a love-filled Valentine's weekend. Did your sweetie gift you (or if you gifted yourself) a Their Inheritance ebook? I'd love to know. ;) So, today is Wednesday, and I know that the Toccoa Tuesday series' post was not posted yesterday. There has been a lot of cool events going on around Toccoa and my part of the book world! I still want to share about a piece of Toccoa this week. Sharing a part of my town where Purple Butterfly Pages & Publications is planted, gives you a feel of my surroundings that show up in my work! My local post office is one which exudes small town hospitality to its customers.

It seems like going to the post office of any town is just one of those daily errands that is necessary, yet kind of annoying because mailing a package and mail or picking up packaging supplies can take a chunk out of your errand-running time. Toccoa is a small town with its population being an estimated 8, 275 (as of 2014 census). One particular establishment and its employees who are full of small town hospitality is the Toccoa Post Office. No matter how long or short the line of patrons gets, the postmasters patiently help each person. An United States Post Office can be a good place or bad place, depending on your mailbox's contents! There can be a large number of unhappy patrons who don't like the rising costs of the shipping industry. Toccoa's Post Office's front desks staff takes on every attitude with positivity and courteous helpfulness.

The Toccoa United States Post Office has been a part of Purple Butterfly Pages since I started shipping books a few years ago. I counted on the United States Postal Service to deliver the first book I sold to readers nation wide! The packaged books wouldn't have made it to the readers without the help of the USPO of Toccoa, Georgia. 

What is your local post office like?!

Believe.

Caitlin

Proprietor & Publisher

Toccoa Tuesday: The Depot

Hello, Everybody!

How about that Super Bowl 50 game?! An incredible defensive game was played. Congratulations to both NFL teams for making it to the "big game". Congrats to the Denver Broncos for earning the Super Bowl 50 Championship title! Now, I await Opening Day. :) OK, that is my sports talk for this Toccoa Tuesday. I know you want to hear about Toccoa, the spot on the globe where I live.

Yes, Toccoa, Georgia is where I work my corner of the book world. My sales and customer service representative experience did not begin with Purple Butterfly Pages. It began a few years earlier when my uncle from England opened a British antiques store in downtown Toccoa. I was in my mid-teens and selling antiques from England when the opportunity came for me to volunteer with the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce. I did not realize the impact that the opportunity would have on my life.

The Depot: home to Stephens County Chamber of Commerce
Welcome Center, Currahee Military Museum, and Amtrak Station

Once or twice a week, I would be dropped off at the old Train Depot which had recently been remodeled to house the Chamber of Commerce, the Welcome Center, and the Historical Society and Currahee Military Museum, and Amtrak Station. I learned to professionally answer the telephones, send emails, interact with visitors and Chamber members as well as restocking rack cards. Looking back, I believe the biggest task I did as an intern, was learn.


A few years later, when I was a college student and a new small business owner as an independent book seller, I would attend an occasional Chamber of Commerce event. The current staff at the time was the same that I had interned with as a teen. I eventually became a proud member of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce!

Last week, I met with current TSC Chamber of Commerce President, Julie Paysen, at the Depot and I was honored when she asked me to be an ambassador for my Chamber of Commerce. I excitedly accepted the enjoyable and challenging volunteer position! Happy to be part of the team at Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.

So, encourage your family members, your friends, and your classmates to seize opportunity! I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be an intern when I was a teenager! Learn more about the historic Depot. :)

Believe.

Caitlin

Proprietor & Publisher

Toccoa Tuesday: Toccoa Falls

Hello, Everybody!

Happy Groundhog Day! Of course, this morning, I can't help but think of the hilarious 1993 film, Groundhog Day, starring bill Murray and Andie Macdowell as well as one of my favorite movies: the claymation Jack Frost. The Jack Frost movie demonstrates how seriously Phil, the groundhog, takes his job. The weather nerd part of me loves it. Haha! Today, February 2, 2016, Phil did not see his shadow! According to the groundhog, spring will arrive sooner than later. For warm weather lovers that may be a welcomed forecast; however, I have not seen much of winter in Toccoa, Georgia. Yes, Toccoa has seen snow, but it has not been much of a winter.....yet. It is near sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit today! 

The milder winter has made for Toccoa's outdoor beauty to be seen more frequently than past winters. One of Toccoa's most popular outdoor attractions is Toccoa Falls. Standing 186 foot high, Toccoa Falls rests on the campus of Toccoa Falls College, a four-year Christian college.

a wintery Toccoa Falls waterfall standing 186 ft tall 

The waterfall is accessed through the Gate Cottage gift shop giving visitors a chance to browse Tuoccoa-Themed gift items and souvenirs as well as meeting college students of Toccoa Falls College. From the gift shop to the falls is a nice walk/hike on a wide path made of dirt and rocks. I have been fortunate to have witnessed the marriage of friends at the base of Toccoa Falls (stunning backdrop for any special day). My high school senior class also had their pictures taken on the rocks at the bottom of the falls!


Toccoa Falls has a darker history. In 1977, the earthen dam broke causing thirty-nine people to lose their lives. At the foot of the falls, there is a beautiful memorial to those who died that day. Learn more about historical Toccoa Falls today! If the beautiful outdoors is your thing or not, Toccoa Falls is a place you will want to visit.

Believe.

Caitlin 
Purple Butterfly Pages & Publications

Those Twelve Months

Hello, Everybody!

Happy New Year's Eve! I had a wonderful Christmas with family. I hope you did as well! I've spent the week so far reflecting on the last twelve months. I am not sure how the year has come to an end so abruptly! Thanks for counting down my #TOP5 posts of 2015 with me! Without you reading the blog I wouldn't have the fun of putting together the countdown. 

#1 Stepping Away With Lack of Words

#2 Hello, New Year

#3 Mrs. Dianne Lawson

#4 Proud to Join the Fight Against Child Abuse

#5 Filling the Gap TIED with CMW 2015

2015 was about embracing the accomplishments and realizing (and learning from) the mishaps. Here are a few honest final thoughts on the past professional and personal year.

Professionally

I'll start by saying I did not reach every goal that I set for Purple Butterfly Pages this year, however, I find success in the unmet goals by realizing harder work is what it will take to meet those goals! I worked to accomplish things this year such as sponsoring and participating in the Power House for Kids 5k/10k; guest blogging for Stephens County's Chamber of Commerce blog; and watching Their Inheritance climb to #12 on the Top 100 Free Christian Historical-Fiction ebooks list during March! Woo-hoo!! 

Personally

Part of connecting with readers, customers and future clients is being more open. This is why I started to blog! In my journey to being a better business owner and blogger I want to let you all know what is happening by letting you know more about myself. About the last twelve months...I can honestly say it was a good, but not for reasons you might think. I didn't have fun every day. I wasn't always happy with how situations turned out. I had angry and confused days. I did not reach all of my goals I set for the year. Watched family and friends go through really difficult times But....

I made unforgettable memories. LEARNED a lot about myself. Made new and existing relationships stronger through personal changes. I gained confidence. I accepted more people and situations for who/what they were instead of wishing they were different. I sought God in more situations and in life more this year...and He was always there. 

Onto 2016!

The upcoming year holds plenty of opportunities. I aspire to connect more with you readers on levels of social media and through this blogging. On top of blogging more, I will be entering into the next stages of the publishing process with my current "project" in 2016! Can not wait to share more of that process with every one of you. I am so excited to be a more actively involved member of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce during the new year as well!

Wishing you all a safe, prosperous, happy, and healthy NEW YEAR! Go work for it! 

Believe.

Caitlin

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Thankfulness

Hello, Everybody!

Thank you for reading my blog. Last week seemed to be a dark week in the world. I appreciate you all taking time to read my thoughts there. As I begin to blog more frequently than once a month, the topics will be changing. However, I aim to continue to keep my blog professionally oriented with a touch of personal. As I sit here with my younger siblings about to watch 'Home Alone', I want to share what I am up to in this week of gratefulness. :)

Their Inheritance's Thanksgiving

As the Williams children prepared for their first Thanksgiving holiday since their parents' death, the children tried to make their Thanksgiving the same as it was celebrated when their parents were alive.    James, Alexandra, Christine, and Lee spent Thanksgiving with their friends, the Unruhs. 

Excerpts
 from Purple Butterfly Publications' ebook, Their Inheritan

   

My Thanksgiving

I usually spend the week of Thanksgiving in the mountains with my family. We eat too much, catch up on naps and our visiting relatives' lives, and we start watching our favorite Christmas movies. The Thanksgiving Day meal changes every year. The 2015 Thanksgiving Day meal will consists of stewed chicken; Sweet Potato Fluff (my great-grandmother's recipe) which is an annual Thanksgiving Day staple; green beans (not in the casserole form); and homemade baked corn bread. Can you say yummy?! After we eat, we nap or watch a movie before getting ready to go to A to Z Auctions' annual Thanksgiving Day Auction. For the past few years, A to Z Auctions has held an auction on Thanksgiving night in Hiawassee, Georgia. This auction is different from their other auctions as they auction off more toys and Christmas gift options than they do at the regular auctions. They also start the night off with a large empty toy box sitting against one wall. Throughout the night, bidders can buy the toys and put them in the toy box. The toy box contents are distributed where they are needed throughout the local communities. I love how every Thanksgiving auction the toy box ends up overflowing! The community and bidders really come together and remind each other of what Christmas is all about: the gift of love! The auction lasts pretty late, and I skip on the Black Friday shopping the next day. I do support small business Saturday! I encourage you to do the same. 

Small Business Saturday

Make it fun! Take the Small Business Saturday to get out and explore your town as if you were a visiting tourist. Go into shops that you don't shop in very often. Show your support for the small businesses in America. Whether it is your small town or big city, take fun family or solo photos in the stores and when you share your photos online, tag the stores! Business owners love to see who is enjoying their place of business. If you shop small with PBPages and download Their Inheritance, tag us! @PBPages or #TheirInheritance #PBP #ShopSmall

Thanks!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope you all have a fun, pleasant, and blessed Thanksgiving! Whether you are spending the holiday with family; friends; yourself; or with strangers, I pray you find something to be thankful for. 

I am grateful for you all reading this blog, being a patron of Purple Butterfly Pages, and for the supporters of Purple Butterfly Publications. I am blessed with a job that I enjoy everyday!

***Leave a comment below and share your Thanksgiving week traditions and your Thanksgiving holiday plans for this year! :)

#ThePurpleButterflyPurpose

Currahee Military Weekend 2015

Hello everyone!

Here in northeast Georgia, fall is in the air! Football season is underway. So far, my teams have all played well and have winning records (I know it is early in the season!). Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. Not only is the weather breezily perfect but the small town festivals and outdoor events are beginning to happen. One of my favorite events happening the very first weekend in October is Currahee Military Weekend. I am so excited to be participating in this weekend long event taking place in Toccoa, Georgia!

Currahee Military Weekend

Currahee Military Weekend has occurred during the first weekend of October for the last fourteen years and this year will be no different. Currahee Military Weekend honors the men of Camp Toccoa; shows appreciation for the sacrifices they made; and celebrates their commitment to America! The Paratrooper Infantry Regiment that trained at Camp Toccoa in the early 1940's. E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne is one of the most famous regiments to train at Camp Toccoa. The HBO mini-series produced by Tom Hanks called The Band of Brothers was based on the Band of Brothers who trained at Camp Toccoa.

1940's

2014 CMW Hangar Dance costume

During the war, hangar dances were held to boost morale of communities and troops. A 1940's inspired hangar dance is part of the Currahee Military Weekend. One of my favorite events. Families come out to the RG LeTourneau Field Airport to enjoy 1940's swing music; red white and blue; vintage aircraft; WWII re-enactors; costume contests; and pretty much just a really good time. 

Currahee Mountain

Bright and early on Saturday morning, runners from all over the country (even some foreign countries) will take on the Currahee Challenge! The Currahee Challenge is the 3 miles up and 3 miles down route on Currahee Mountain that the paratroopers trained on during World War II. I will looking forward to being a volunteer on this race day! Look for me cheering all the runners on and passing out water on the mountain.

 

Visit the following for more info:

http://www.ww2-airborne.us/units/506/506.html  http://www.toccoahistory.com  http://www.toccoagachamber.com/cmw

History

History of our country's involvement in wars is so important to record and never forget. Whether you agree or disagree with our country's military actions, pause a moment in your day to remember the sacrifices made for the United States of America's freedoms.

I hope to see you in Toccoa in October!

Caitlin Ayers, Proprietor & Publisher

Purple Butterfly Pages & Publications

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Behind the Blog - March 2015

Hello, Everyone!

First off, my apologies for not getting a blog out in February. I did not make it a priority. So sorry! Secondly, I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day whether single or spoken for. :) I spent this year's day of love with some lovely little ladies whom I share a last name with!

Family Valentine's Day Party 2015

Now, down to business.

You will find this blog post a little different from the others. Hope you don't mind! I wanted to open up a little bit about myself and let you all know who is behind the blog and why I added blogging to my "must do" list at work. You can read a bit about how I got to be an independent book seller and publisher on my business' website; and here, I am going to add to that information!

The woman behind the blog...

...I do not want to sit here and blog about my childhood, and preteen and teen years, although I was blessed with earlier years worth writing about. Instead, I'll start with more recent years'  randomness. I have a dog, Merry, a three-year-old chihuahua. She is my best friend beside my sisters! I might Instagram her a bit much. Maybe. On top of being a furry mum, I spend a lot of time with younger siblings and three nephews (the youngest was born last month!). I guess you could say I am pretty much a family-oriented person. I'm an encourager! Hopefully it shows in my blog posts. I love helping people get through tough stuff. I think that if you believe you can than you will. I also enjoy being involved in what is going on in my community. As is mentioned on my website bio, I am a Chamber of Commerce member (probably one of the youngest in my county, but I love it!). I am lucky to be able to learn from the business owners in my community. Besides being a publisher, I like to sew. Momma taught me to sew when I was ten and I eventually learned to sew full dresses. I got out of the habit during teen years and college. This year, I challenged myself to make birthday gifts for my siblings (those of them who like handmade stuff that is) this year! So far, I've done a t-shirt pillow and a child's bathrobe. I am about to make myself a bathrobe because I liked my little sister's so much! Who knows, I might make an Easter dress as well. Last year, I became a part of my parents' auction company! I was raised going to auctions. I love the different atmospheres and the differences in each auction house. You never know what will be on the auction block next! Quick plug: if you are looking for a great deal on estate auction or collectible items or looking for a specific item, let me know in an email: rememberwhenestateauctions@yahoo.com! I am fortunate to get to spend after school time with my special needs younger brother, and helping him reach life goals that he sets. Well, there are a few random things about me. Oh, and when I was a kid, I never dreamed of being an online book publisher. 

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications

On a social level,

you will find me using media that is not really social, Twitter, tweeting about my favorite sports teams. In baseball it is the Atlanta Braves, who have my sports-loving heart. I go to a game at least once a year with my Dad and sisters and/or brothers whoever is able to go. Sporting events are always fun! Like a lot of other women in their early twenties, I also love football. I enjoy college and pro with my teams being the Georgia Buldawgs and East Carolina Pirates, and I'm fan of the Atlanta Falcons. Don't boo me too hard for being a Falcons' fan. With Coach Quinn, we are going to be big this year. I also will tweet all kinds of music and song related stuff; devotionals; and really random things that nobody probably cares about. I will tweet on anyways! 

Why do I blog you ask?

I started blogging over a year ago. I felt it necessary to let buyers, readers, and others know who they were buying from or communicating with. You can tell a lot about someone's blog! I also wanted a way to connect with other publishers, book readers, bloggers, and professionals in general. So, I started blogging about different topics that have something to do with my publishing world somehow. So, that's me and why I started blogging!

I'd love to know why you read blogs. Leave a comment anywhere! Let me know any other topics you would like to read about in my blog! Until next time, you can find me on Twitter: @PBPages or @GaPeach291! :)

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher

Purple Butterfly Publications

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Hello, New Year!

Happy New Year and WELCOME 2015!

Hello everyone! I hope your year is off to a bright start. I want to share some of what I will be doing as Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications this new year. My mission for Purple Butterfly Publications is to continue striving to produce and promote literature that inspires, comforts, and entertains readers worldwide. In 2015, I will continue working with Stephanie Townsend Ayers as she is writing her current novel with a working title of Through the Storms! More details on that later.

"Write it on your heart that each day is the best day in the year." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

New This Year...

Since 2010, there have been near ten thousand visitors to www.PurpleButterflyPages.com! Starting this year, the Purple Butterfly Pages and Publications website will be updated weekly making it easier for readers worldwide to find book excerpts from my publications as well as stay informed and up to date with ongoing projects. This means that the website may be down at times during the first of the year, but no worries. I will let you all know when those few days come. I will be writing a Q & A blog sometime this year as well. I want to answer all of your questions about my small business, publishing, or publications! Email, post, message, or tweet questions to me as you think of them and I will make a compilation in a future blog post.  

Make the most of every day in the new year.

Last year, I was fortunate to be a part of my local Chamber of Commerce and attend several events. When I introduce myself as a Publisher, a lot of people's first reaction is to tell me about an author they know or about an idea for a book they want to write. Everyone says they don't have time to write or they don't think they are any good at writing. I love hearing book ideas from others and am inspired by the love of story telling and imaginations that we share! As a book publisher, authors and readers of all subjects are very important to me. I started something last year and I'd like to carry the idea over into 2015. I challenge you to encourage your family members, your children, your friends, and yourself to Write It Down. Whether you think a book idea or a poem is great or not, write it down! When you have something on your mind but you have no way of getting it out, write it down! If you have a story that your grandparent told you in your childhood, write it down! Nobody can ever read it if you don't write it down. Think about all of the knowledge you would not have if someone had not taken time to write it down...no bookstores, no libraries, no Bible, no schools, no museums, and the list goes on. So in 2015, I challenge you to Write It Down! Use the hashtag #WriteItDown to mark your progress online and to acknowledge the accepted challenge. The challenge starts today! Do you accept it?

Their Inheritance ebook has been read worldwide!

I am proud to say there were over 2000 copies of Their Inheritance read last year. I am ecstatic and inspired that an ebook that I published has been read worldwide reaching United Kingdom, France, Denmark, and Canada to name a few of the countries! I hope this ebook has and continues to inspire you on cloudy days, comfort you in times of grief, and encourage you when you need an extra push toward faith. You are never alone as God walks with you through every day in this new year!

Read and Believe.

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher at Purple Butterfly Publications

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@PBPages on Twitter 

@pbpublications on Instagram

caitlin@purplebutterflypages.com for emails

Christmas Celebration: Parade Memories

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!**

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!

Share, +1, Tweet, and tell your friends about this blog. We are using the hashtags #PBP & #TheirInheritance 

 "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

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.  

“Nothing is secure but life, transition, the energizing spirit.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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! 

                                 above: Chamber of Commerce monthly networking lunch

In April, I was blessed to be able to be a sponsor of the Power House for Kids 3^rd 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 4^th annual Power House for Kids Race! 

June has found me counting the many blessings the year has brought me so far (including another birthday).  

hello 23!

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! 

above: my brothers committed to defending our freedoms.

Thanks for reading!

Caitlin Ayers, Publisher

Purple Butterfly Publications

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com