Business Feature... Heritage Makers!!

So excited to feature my friend, Candy May... and her company Heritage Makers on the blog today!  She's an amazing entrepreneur.  Take a looksie...

1. Tell us about your business. Include contact info, web address, how long you’ve been in business, how many employees you have, what your business does, etc.

The first storybook that I wrote about my grandpa, Nicholas Wozney

I’ve started my business journey in 2000 just after my first born’s 1st birthday and my best friend saw a copy of my grandfather’s book on my coffee table and suggested to my mind that we HAD to take the concept of “storybooking” to the world. So my best friend, mother, and I (three women with degrees in education) took that first storybook that I wrote about my grandpa and tried to see if there was a way that families could do it online and publish one copy. We were told by business experts and printers it couldn’t be done. They never said it was a bad idea, they all agreed it was a great idea but we had many doors close on us. I now have 4 children and have been involved in building Heritage Makers for 14 years and have discovered it can be done! We did it and it is affordable, fun and blessing the lives of families everywhere! A dream come true!

The first published book that started Heritage Makers was about my grandpa

My business is the best business in the world because as we all know everyone has a story. Heritage Makers coined the phrase “storybooking” which is the new “scrapbooking” only better as there is no mess, projects/photos are archived online, and we encourage the story to go with the precious photos. Heritage Makers products connects family by celebrating that which matters most in storybooks and other formats. Photos without story are memories lost and we solve that by publishing your products that turn into family heirlooms that will only gain in value over time as children and grandchildren read the books you create about them and other family members and special event.

A page spread from a book about my daughter

What story do you need to tell? I ask my clients. Tell it with the ease and creativity of Heritage Makes. Here is how it works:

Though I am a founder of the “storybooking” movement and the company Heritage Makers I chose, as a mother of four, to stay at home and be a rep or consultant for my own company. My website is http://www.heritagemakers.com/candymay and I am lucky enough to work with about 20 other women. Several of which have built large teams of women in Canada and the USA.

2. What sets your business apart from the competition? What do you do better (or differently)?

• We are a digital publishing company with the most digital art in the world! Over 100,000 pieces of digital art. It is like having a scrapbook store in a digital form. Nothing to download, all you need is an internet connection and you can work from any computer.
• You never have to pay for the use of art or templates, you only pay for publishing at a discount.
• We have competitive prices and an incredible “lay away” program where you pre-buy your publishing dollars at a discount of 25-33%. Consultants enjoy an additional 15% off all projects. Anyone can be a consultant for as little as $10.
• Consultants are the big reason that differentiates us from the competition. If you have a question or need some help you can talk to a person who cares! We attract the most amazing women and they represent us well.
• Unlike our competition you can earn your publishing for free as a consultant and sharing our product with others. Many consultants hold what we call “digi crops” in their homes or local area where clients bring a laptop and work together on projects like a modern day quilting bee.
• Our product quality is the highest. Many people convert over to Heritage Makers for the freedom of design and quality. We have an heirloom guarantee if you ruin you book you can replace it for half off. Your projects are stored in your completed file. I have projects in there that date back over 8 years that I can reprint if I wish.
• Our product makes people cry (in a good way).
• Just ask the hundreds of Creative Memories consultants who have recently joined us, Heritage Makers ROCKS for all the art, design, quality, affordability, convenience and flexibility.

3. What has been your greatest success (or joy) in business?

As a Heritage Makers consultant you LOVE when people experience the “magical” moment when their book arrives and they realize why Heritage Makers is so wonderful. One of the BEST experiences we had as a business was when this “magical moment” happened to Oprah Winfrey and she listed Heritage Makers storybooks as one of her ALL-TIME favorite gift for under $100! In Nov. 2008 O Magazine.  I was so excited it was like a dream come true after years of struggle. It is all because of a consultant named Brenda Cruise who wrote a book for Oprah about her pet that died. Oprah called Brenda and thanked her and said, “Everyone has a story.”

This is the magazine where Heritage Makers was listed as one of Oprah’s All-Time Favorite Gifts for under $100

One of Oprah’s All-Time Favorite Gifts as shown on the the Early Show

4. What has been your biggest challenge, and what has helped you to overcome it?

I love what I do so much but my first goal in life is to be a good mother and wife. My little family means more to me than anything else. My challenge has always been balance. I have been driven to work. I have always loved working on my company and I figured out a way to have it all. I am glad to say that it is possible. All the hard work has paid off and been a blessing to my family in these difficult financial times as I am able to contribute significantly to our family income. When I wanted to give up, when things seemed too hard I would ponder what to do and my gut always told me to keep going. Listen to your gut is my advice and never give up if it’s something you feel good about even if things aren’t going perfectly.

I made a goal to buy my husband his “dream” car in 2011

5. What is your most successful marketing tool? How has it helped your business to grow?

Inviting people to join me in the business and being excited about my product. If I look at my team I notice that they are all people who are friends! Personal contact and talking to people about Heritage Makers has produced many great clients and consultants. Before Heritage Makers was retail and we were in some big stores such as FAO Schwarz, Babies-R-Us, Deseret Book, and Saks Fifth Avenue! The way we got into those stores is the same thing that makes us successful as consultants: Share with passion. People will respond when you are the one who is most sold on your product. I am totally sold on this product as I have seen my father-in-law, husband, and many others in tears when they have received heart-felt Heritage Makers gifts. I have found my best clients and consultants in a running partner, having people over for non-work reasons, at the park or working out. Just open my mouth and be excited about what you have.

Some of our awesome team members (these ladies are from Canada and they rock)

6. What tips can you share with other business owners, who are trying to balance work and family time?

Do what feels right and be patient with yourself. Sometimes you are going to work harder than others but there are a few things I schedule in the week or month that I always do consistently such as team calls, digi crops, a few one-on-one mentor calls, recognition and connecting with clients. I could always do more or do better. I can be hard on myself. I know what I am capable of and I always want to be my best at everything. However I have learned that I need to learn to forgive myself for falling short sometimes knowing there is a  season for everything. Right now I have three kids in school and a four-year-old at home, soon I will have more freedom to work more when he goes of to school so I am patient with myself and listen to my gut and prioritize based on what matters most. You have to be creative, stick to your goals, and somehow make it work… it will pay off eventually. It has for me!

Finding balance is a struggle sometimes but you can find way to make it work if you are creative and believe in what you are doing!

Join the fun at http://www.heritagemakers.com/candymay. I will help connect you with someone awesome from my  team in your area or help you open up your area if we don’t have a consultant there yet.