What a difference some paint makes

This past week, we were lucky to have who I call “The Grandparent Reinforcements” visiting us from out-of-town. I took the week off from blogging and social media so I could spend time entertaining them, and preparing our oldest two children for their first day of school.

Once the “big kids” were off to school, I decided to tackle the household revitalization projects I have been avoiding for months. With two extra sets of hands at my disposal, away we went with paint rollers and brushes, and a fabulously bold shade of green (called “Ferndale“).

I was nervous to go with such a strong color on the walls, but the size of the great room, and fabulous windows, made me think that it could handle the transformation from stark-white to rich green. I was right. This gamble paid off, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. It’s the same room, same furniture, same wall hangings- but a totally new space thanks to a very simple fine tuning of the room’s foundation…it’s walls.

I started to think about how this applies to our business. What can we change, at the foundation, that would make a positive difference? How can we transform and improve our basic structure, without disrupting the details?

My meditation on this has given me several good ideas that will start with a change to this Blog. I have called upon some of our customers to write “guest” blogs that will appear in this space, telling you how our services have helped them. I even encouraged them to comment on any snafus they encountered, and how they were fixed.

I am also taking down every listing on our eBay Store, editing them line-by-line, and finding every way possible to cut product costs down as far as they will go. This has already begun, with our Verifone VX510 Point of Sale Terminal being sold for $1 (regularly listed for $195). I should note that 100% of the $1 item fee will be directly donated to the American Red Cross.

Finally, I am working on learning the languages of the business owners who I so genuinely want to help. I’m going to tell you a story each week about how our product works, in terms you can understand.

I hope these alterations will bring about positive change, making it easier than ever to work with Swipe-Rite. What a difference some paint makes.

Have you made a change recently? What color are YOUR walls? Tell me here @AmySwipeRite

In Iowa, the corn is always sweeter

A little variation this week, in honor of Iowa's signature crop.

It's corn harvest time in Iowa, and little stands are popping up on every corner. I bought our first helping of Iowa corn this week, and could hardly wait to get it home.

Having grown up in Tucson, Arizona-land of arid desertion, I am in complete amazement every time I see a corn field. I must sound like a broken record, pointing out my car window like a tourist telling the kids "look at that field, look at that barn, WOW!" Each field is so meticulously manicured, a point of pride amongst Iowa farmers.

But who has the sweetest corn? I dared to ask that very question of a native Iowan in my pursuit for the best corn in the Cedar Rapids area. The response, short and sweet- "In Iowa, all the corn is the sweetest." This "all for one" attitude is very indicative of the Iowa mentality.

With this in mind, I stopped at three different stands, buying a half dozen ears at each. At home, I shucked two ears from each bag, and prepared them all the same way (boiled and topped with butter and Cookie's Seasoning). My Iowan friend was right- all the corn in Iowa is sweet. This fabulous feast reminded me that I am truly blessed to call this land of bounty "home." Whether you are growing a business, growing a family, or growing corn-there is no better place to be than Iowa.

Where do you buy Iowa corn? Have a favorite recipe? I want to hear from you! @AmySwipeRite