A lifelong scrapper, Caroline Meisel recalls always being teased on vacations for taking so many pictures. "I also remember using tops of drinking glasses as my templates for circles. In high school and college, I was a layout designer on the newspaper staff, so I was definitely destined to get into this industry!"

Indeed she was - armed with a business degree and vast business background, Caroline evolved from a CM consultant to a sole proprietor of her own Internet store, My-Memories, and catalog business, Scrapbook Discount Club. What propelled her to launch out on her own? "I have always preferred owning my own business versus working an 8am-6pm job for someone else.  I believe business owners should love what they are doing and believe in what they sell, so it seemed only natural that a scrapbooking business was perfect for me! 

"My family has owned small businesses my whole life, so I had an idea of what to expect," she continues. "My business was given a jumpstart when I won second place in the 1999 Chamber of Commerce Small Business Start-Up contest. That was a great honor, and a great boost for me. I was assigned an advisory panel who became my cheerleaders and advisors on various topics. It was nice to have that business support. I also joined many local business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, National Organization of Women Business Owners, and other local groups." 

After trying a variety of different routes, Caroline realized that there wasn't a large market in her small town. The solution? The Web. "I am not computer literate at all," she explains. "I first started out by hiring a Web design company. They were very slow and not receptive. I quickly realized that I needed full control and to learn how to do it on my own. I own my own domain name, and have it linked through another site and shopping cart company. It has worked out so far, although I'd like to expand even more in the future." 

About My-Memories
Caroline sells online through her Web site, and travels to national and regional scrapbook shows, retreats and crops on weekends. "I sell just about anything related to scrapbooking, rubber stamping, embossing, punching, and paper crafts. My Web site has many products, and my catalog business (Scrapbook Discount Club) includes tens of thousands of items, all sold at discount prices. I also love my special apparel and gift items line.  I've got several designs in t-shirts alone, as well as jewelry, mugs, totes, and more. Many of the designs are unique."

Caroline also offers a unique service: free tshirt personalization. "So many regional scrapbooking groups have been started, and many weekend retreats and conventions are forming. I offer free printing on the back of tshirts - usually the name of their group, retreat, or store. The event organizer emails me their 'group name' and the tshirt designs and sizes. The scrappers then get to proudly wear the shirt that advertises their group's name. This service is available on tote bags too."

For those who want a more "upscale" look, Caroline also offers a custom-made embroidered line of accessories. "These pieces all coordinate with each other, and the really neat thing about it is that we have mother/daughter combinations available too. I think scrapbooking is a great thing to share with your children, so I'm glad to help them show it off!" 

And that's not all: Caroline has also teamed up with scrapper and Web site designer Jennifer Driller to launch LSS Links, the first free online "yellow pages" source for finding scrapbook stores and rubber stamping stores. "It lists not only storefronts, but also large online stores," she explains. "And as a bonus, we include listings from all around the world. It will also include a listing of wholesalers, as well as a show/convention/event/retreat directory. We really want this to be a one-stop resource guide for scrappers and stampers." 

LSS Links began when Caroline realized there was a definite need for a free source for scrappers. "I found that many directories and listings were outdated, and/or not complete," she explains. "And since most directories print only paid listings, they miss a majority of the stores. Helping consumers find scrapbook stores should be easy. And by doing so, we're helping promote the scrapbook industry!"

Learn Much More! Want to get the scoop on Caroline's marketing secrets, trade show tips, profit factor, and more? Read the entire interview with Caroline - and learn what she has learned in her journey through the industry - by picking up a copy of the newly revised edition of Secrets of Scrapbooking Success: Making Money, Making Memories - The Definitive Guide To Turning Your Passion Into Profit! Read more here.