Skyscrapers and subways! Chloe Pink's big adventure to the Atlanta Gift Show at America's Mart in downtown Atlanta

A friend is like a lollipop. XO, Chloe Pink

 

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2013. All Rights Reserved.

I've got an important meeting today. XO, Chloe Pink

Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Chloe Pink interviews Lysi of Too Scoop Kids and Dream Follower Extraordinaire.

Chloe Pink is SUPER excited to be a part of Too Scoop Kid's awesome gift guide & giveaway this holiday season. Visit Too Scoop Kids now to enter & win Chloe Pink coloring books, pink rain boots, Burpin' Baby, Flik Floks & more! Ends December 18, so enter today!

 

Alysia "Lysi" Muhammad, owner Two Scoop Kids

CP: You're a true Chloe Pink girl – following your dreams with Too Scoop Kids. What’s your secret? Stay positive and work towards a goal everyday. 

CP: When was the first time you followed a dream? Honestly, I can't remember the 1st time but I've always been somewhat of a "dream chaser." From a young age, my mom always told me that as long as I wasn't afraid of hard work, I could do or be anything and I found that to be true.

CP: Why do you think it’s important for people to do what they love? When you do what you love, it doesn't feel like work. Doing what you love is freedom and happiness, and we all want to be free and happy.

CP: You are, yourself, a very encouraging person to others to follow their dreams. How did you become that way? My best friend and business partner, Jenny always says, "There is enough success for everybody." And I agree. For me, there's no better feeling than seeing my hard work pay off and a dream come alive. If I can help anyone feel that way, well, why wouldn't I? 

CP: What inspires you? The kids inspire me! They are fearless, fun, mischievous, sweet, carefree, perfect little beings. They make life enjoyable and hearts happy.

CP: What’s your favorite time of day? I do my best work late at night. (Well, more like early in the morning when most people are asleep.)That's when I feel unstoppable. 

CP: Favorite drink? Sweet Tea...Really SWEET Tea! 

CP: Favorite food? Pizza, I LOOOOOVE Pizza!

CP: Biggest pet peeve? Oh my! there are too many to name. I am a crazed perfectionist so anything less than perfect drives me insane. 

CP: Favorite show? I can't get enough of TLC's "Long Island Medium."  I don't know if it's entirely real but, I love it. 

CP: Biggest dream for the future? It's our goal to create more than just a blog. We want to build a community, an on-line family. Whenever someone is in need of fashion inspiration, fun projects/activities, support and/or advice, I want them to think of Too Scoops Kids. 

CP: You are a social media buff and a design snob by your own admission. Tell me a little bit more about that  and how it helps you grow your blog. Well, what I meant by that is...I like things to look pretty! I am a super girly girl so I'm drawn to all things beautiful. I like blogs and pages that are neat and pretty and I want to bring the same aesthetics to our readers.  I'm far from where I want to be but always trying to improve my photo shop and photography skills to bring eye catching content to our TSK family.  

CP: What do you enjoy most about running your own business? The freedom to live, learn, and grow. To know that every win or fail is to our benefit makes it worthwhile. 

CP: Who supports you as you follow your dreams and how does it help you and your business? I couldn't do anything without my business partner, Jenny and our Marketing Coordinator, Kharena. I have the vision and they make it come to life! I'm nothing without them.

CP: It takes guts and courage to believe in yourself. But every day isn’t always perfect. How do you recharge and get over life’s little bumps to keep on following your dream?

JENNY! Jenny talks me off the ledge at least once a week. When things don't go as planned I get really frustrated. Luckily, I have an awesome friend and partner that helps me to see that every setback is a lesson learned. 
CP: I like that answer a lot! We all need the courage AND support to follow our dreams. Thankfully, I have Pete! Thanks for your time, Lysi. Have a wonderful day following YOUR dreams. XO, Chloe Pink

Shop Small! Get FREE crayons for tiny hands. XO, Chloe Pink

 

 Copyright © Sharna Fulton 2013. All Rights Reserved.

Girls can be whoever they want to be!

Okay. So it was a Halloween/book signing/Chloe Pink event with Troop #3080!  But even though these girls were dressed as someone else in their costumes, they each were totally unique one-of-a-kind girls of their own! Song writers. Animal lovers. Artists....What I love about these "CP meet-ups" is the chance to hear from girls what's in their hearts, what they love about life at the age of eight, what hopes they have for their futures...and how they plan to follow those dreams. It's also fantastic to see a group of young ladies supporting each other like Pete supports Chloe Pink. It's true. They really do!

And speaking of Pete, I have to thank Rebecca Pinckard. Not only did she invite me and Chloe Pink to take part -- she also recently began fostering a real Pete! Yes, there was a gray Schnauzer who bore an amazing resemblance to Chloe Pink's Pete. He was working that room of scouts and their parents with nothing but kisses, hugs and support. If that's not a sign that girls should follow their dreams, what is?

Changes coming to Chloe Pink. The fictional character...the licensing property...the brand!

In the coming weeks, I'll be making changes to Chloe Pink that I believe will only make her better. In fact, I've already started. I'll be putting my energies toward making her a global licensing brand. Sound like a lofty goal? Like I'm attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro? I am. But that's okay. Chloe Pink is a strong, determined girl. And she's got the pink rain boots for it to get her past any obstacle.Not to mention, the unwavering support of her bestie, Pete, the terrier.

So why am I telling you? I need you to hold me accountable for my plans, goals and dreams. I need your support. Like Chloe Pink needs Pete by her side to help her follow her dreams. It's just like that.

I've been thinking about this project all my life -- since 2nd grade. And I've been drawing her the past seven years. There have been hits and misses. More misses, actually. But the misses have been good for they have shown me what to cross off my list for Chloe Pink and where she is telling me to go next. Like a mini Chloe Pink dream map where forks in the road direct her to the next place, the next adventure.

Along the way, one thing's always been the same. Chloe Pink and her bestie, Pete have been with me every single day to help me share something near to my heart.

I want girls to know that they can be loved and appreciated by their individuality and enthusiasm for life -- not by trying to fit in, appease others and be like all the other girls. Puhleez. And listen, I'm not against fashion or tutus..or stylish hair..or ballet or girly stuff. I love all that, myself. But really, it's time (2013) that "we" stop defining girls by their "girliness." Hooray for Sheryl Sandberg, the author of Lean In, who in her own words tells girls to follow their dreams just like Chloe Pink does.

I also want adults to know that seven year old girls are smart, perceptive and highly creative problem solvers. You don't have to talk down to them...or "cute" things up for them. I've worked with lots of seven year old girls and boys at my doodle and cartoon workshops, in schools, etc. They are very real and very down-to-earth and they get what Chloe Pink is trying to tell them. It's simply grand to be YOU.

So with that said, here's what's happening.

• The retail website for Chloe Pink will shut down at the end of the month. All Chloe Pink books will still be available on Amazon.com and on chloepinkcartoon.blogspot.com. (Look on the right side of the page to order them through Pay Pal. You can also request they be personalized and signed by the author. I'll tell her.

• A new website geared towards manufacturers is on the horizon for early 2014. This portal will enable children's apparel, textile, toy, publishing and tabletop manufacturers as well as pet industry, etc. buyers to view the "brand" of Chloe Pink and envision how it will help them move more tees, lunch pails, art sets, softies and whatever off their shelves. Do I want Chloe Pink plastered on every cool kids and pet product? Absolutely. But I want it to be done well - on classic, wholesome, high quality, trendsetting products that promote old fashioned values.

• Yesterday, I stopped following about 500 Twitter accounts.Why? I was one of the first tweeters and did not have the focus I do today. I'm now looking to engage with, create and nurture relationships with licensing, manufacturing, publishing professionals. There are also great voices out there like Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta promoting equality for girls and you can bet your pink rain booties, I'll still be following you. I'll also use the page to tweet new Chloe Pink eCards that I've already started putting up on Facebook. Oh yeah...and I need to start using Instagram as well. I hear it's all the rage. (LOL. Just kidding.) I've had an account for a long time, now. Just need to use it.)

• Of course, being a better writer and artist are my number one goal. I've been loving working on my iPad SketchBook Pro to create the eCards lately. Since technology is such an integral part of the new "art licensing" world, I need to educate myself on what to be using to further Chloe Pink and make her and her message of "follow your dreams" more accessible to her consumers and "friends."

If you have any ideas, suggestions, thoughts or leads for me, I would love to hear them. Thank you for reading and thanks for your continued support.
Sharna Fulton
Creator, Chloe Pink