Friday, 24 February 2012
ending this blog
as nice as it has been to post about the business side of things, my new website design has a blog page included in it all. Since it is part of my main customer store front, it will be more from that side of things than this has been, but I will leave these posts online for now in case anyone finds them for reference. Please feel free to keep up with me on my website at www.perrynoia.ca, www.facebook.com/PerryNoiatheClown, or on twitter @PerryNoiaClown
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Payments
Before I start this blog post, I want to preface it with the fact that I was not asked to promote anything and do not expect any kind of thanks for mentioning anything either.
When you have a home business, you start out on pretty much a "cash only" basis. Not much choice really, right? I started with just cash or cheque for my options. Then I added paypal for deposits. That was ok for a while, but they recently changed some stuff with the way "requests for funds" works and now the email that I send doesn't have the big, friendly yellow button that says "Pay Now" and instead just gives them a link to sign in to their account or create one. So I had to put a button on my website instead which is, sadly too complicated for some customers to figure out compared to an email directed at them with a big, shiny button on it.
I was drooling!! Soooooo incredibly jealous of my USA neighbours who had access to the Square reader. Canadian versions of such a thing required buying an expensive reader and paying $30+/month!! No fair!!
Finally!!!! There is something like it in Canada!!! There are promises of one on the intuit website, but no dates announced (you can wait for them if you want, no monthly fee, but different rates for swiped or keyed transactions)... too late, I got one from PAYD. It is affordable for a home business (very low monthly fee, free reader and the same transaction rates as pretty much all the others) and it WORKS!! I promise you, this recommendation was not solicited and I don't expect any thanks for the recommendation either... but I hope that it might help some of you that read this. The PAYD card reader is run through Moneris and Royal Bank (these should be familiar and trusted names to you if you are in Canada) and the reader works very well.
I can't have my bumper cover on my phone when using the reader, but my bumper is huge, so that's no surprise. I also have to be a LITTLE bit careful when swiping that I don't press too hard on the reader and accidentally press the power button with it, BUT you can turn it sideways off of the button or hold the reader more than the phone while swiping to avoid that too. I have to keep in mind that they made it for android phones as well as iphones, so some of the androids might not have a power button in the same place as my iphone. It is a great reader, it lets you key in transactions from people who aren't with you at the time (same rate as swiped), you can also access it from your home computer or ipad (over wifi) to key in transactions while you are on your phone. The reader plugs into the headphone jack and even comes with a neck strap so you can keep it handy without keeping it plugged into your phone all the time as well as a nice little plastic case to keep it safe and clean.
As a clown, my business is pretty much everywhere BUT home (with the occasional exception of taking a deposit or someone picking up balloon sculptures), so being anywhere with my phone and being able to say, "Yes, I can take credit cards!" Is awesome.
Happy Clowning!! :oD
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown
When you have a home business, you start out on pretty much a "cash only" basis. Not much choice really, right? I started with just cash or cheque for my options. Then I added paypal for deposits. That was ok for a while, but they recently changed some stuff with the way "requests for funds" works and now the email that I send doesn't have the big, friendly yellow button that says "Pay Now" and instead just gives them a link to sign in to their account or create one. So I had to put a button on my website instead which is, sadly too complicated for some customers to figure out compared to an email directed at them with a big, shiny button on it.
I was drooling!! Soooooo incredibly jealous of my USA neighbours who had access to the Square reader. Canadian versions of such a thing required buying an expensive reader and paying $30+/month!! No fair!!
Finally!!!! There is something like it in Canada!!! There are promises of one on the intuit website, but no dates announced (you can wait for them if you want, no monthly fee, but different rates for swiped or keyed transactions)... too late, I got one from PAYD. It is affordable for a home business (very low monthly fee, free reader and the same transaction rates as pretty much all the others) and it WORKS!! I promise you, this recommendation was not solicited and I don't expect any thanks for the recommendation either... but I hope that it might help some of you that read this. The PAYD card reader is run through Moneris and Royal Bank (these should be familiar and trusted names to you if you are in Canada) and the reader works very well.
I can't have my bumper cover on my phone when using the reader, but my bumper is huge, so that's no surprise. I also have to be a LITTLE bit careful when swiping that I don't press too hard on the reader and accidentally press the power button with it, BUT you can turn it sideways off of the button or hold the reader more than the phone while swiping to avoid that too. I have to keep in mind that they made it for android phones as well as iphones, so some of the androids might not have a power button in the same place as my iphone. It is a great reader, it lets you key in transactions from people who aren't with you at the time (same rate as swiped), you can also access it from your home computer or ipad (over wifi) to key in transactions while you are on your phone. The reader plugs into the headphone jack and even comes with a neck strap so you can keep it handy without keeping it plugged into your phone all the time as well as a nice little plastic case to keep it safe and clean.
As a clown, my business is pretty much everywhere BUT home (with the occasional exception of taking a deposit or someone picking up balloon sculptures), so being anywhere with my phone and being able to say, "Yes, I can take credit cards!" Is awesome.
Happy Clowning!! :oD
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown
Friday, 27 January 2012
A New Costume
I make my own costumes. You can probably see that my costume is pretty unique. As a professional clown, you don't have to make your own. There are a lot of really beautiful and well made costumes from places like Pricilla Mooseburger Originals or other such places. But when you are just starting out, or once you have found something that works for you, making it might be the cheaper way to go.
If you can't sew, you may have to settle for combining eccentric pieces that you find at the thrift store, etc. As long as you can put together a Simplicity pattern, you can probably get a couple of pretty good costumes done yourself.
My first costume was a Raggedy Ann pattern from Simplicity. I made it out of pink and purple broadcloth on the sale table and shortened the sleeves on the under-dress. It worked out fine for a year or so before I got tired of it and the colours started to fade a little. Some knee socks and colourful shoes and that's pretty much the costume.
From there, I wanted to find a way to streamline it a little. I liked the shirt/pinafore feel, but didn't like how many pieces I had to deal with and thought I might be able to combine the bloomers and pinafore into one thing by creating a romper/overall type thing. This is where we went from easy (assembling Simplicity patterns) to kind of hard (creating your own design and pattern and then trying to make it fit on YOU. I started with the basic idea of the pinafore, switched out the ruffled top for just a band, measured just enough to make it all the way around the widest part of my hips (plus some so they aren't even close to tight)... straight up (with a couple pleats into the band at the top), straight down on the legs and ruffle the bottom. That's the simplified version of my thinking. The reality involved a lot more naughty words, wasted fabric because it was cut wrong/didn't fit/looked stupid/etc. In any case, my first set of overalls, wasn't bad, but I've been refining it with each new pair since then.
Then comes my latest creation. Built upon the things I've learned from the last few overalls. I like them and they match my new custom Converse X-Hi Chuck Taylors!
Happy Clowning!!
Perry Noia :oD
If you can't sew, you may have to settle for combining eccentric pieces that you find at the thrift store, etc. As long as you can put together a Simplicity pattern, you can probably get a couple of pretty good costumes done yourself.
My first costume was a Raggedy Ann pattern from Simplicity. I made it out of pink and purple broadcloth on the sale table and shortened the sleeves on the under-dress. It worked out fine for a year or so before I got tired of it and the colours started to fade a little. Some knee socks and colourful shoes and that's pretty much the costume.
From there, I wanted to find a way to streamline it a little. I liked the shirt/pinafore feel, but didn't like how many pieces I had to deal with and thought I might be able to combine the bloomers and pinafore into one thing by creating a romper/overall type thing. This is where we went from easy (assembling Simplicity patterns) to kind of hard (creating your own design and pattern and then trying to make it fit on YOU. I started with the basic idea of the pinafore, switched out the ruffled top for just a band, measured just enough to make it all the way around the widest part of my hips (plus some so they aren't even close to tight)... straight up (with a couple pleats into the band at the top), straight down on the legs and ruffle the bottom. That's the simplified version of my thinking. The reality involved a lot more naughty words, wasted fabric because it was cut wrong/didn't fit/looked stupid/etc. In any case, my first set of overalls, wasn't bad, but I've been refining it with each new pair since then.Then comes my latest creation. Built upon the things I've learned from the last few overalls. I like them and they match my new custom Converse X-Hi Chuck Taylors!
Perry Noia :oD
Monday, 2 January 2012
Clown Boot Camp for Kids!
This March Break, I will be teaching a day camp on the basics of clowning for kids aged 9-12 (or 13). In the class, we will cover things such as clown makeup, face painting, basic balloon twisting and we will prepare several clown skits to be performed in front of a video camera (and an audience if there is one). Some areas of clown history, comic movement, making large stage movements, and of course working as a group will also be covered.
I am trained as a Junior/Intermediate teacher in my BEd, so I have plenty of experience with teaching grades 4-8. My training from two sessions at Mooseburger Camp as well as 3 years of clowning locally will be drawn upon to create an engaging and educational curriculum that is sure to excite young performers in the art of clowning!
For $200, each student will receive 5 days of instruction from 9 am to 3 pm (pick up between 3 and 4 pm), a Qualatex red balloon pump, one 100 count bag of Qualatex twisting balloons, use of clown makeup and face paints in class, foam clown nose and graduation certificate.
Reserve a space for your child early as I need to have at least 4 commitments to the class by February 1st to have enough time to order materials. Call (519)562-7371 or email hawkerin@gmail.com today.
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown :oD
I am trained as a Junior/Intermediate teacher in my BEd, so I have plenty of experience with teaching grades 4-8. My training from two sessions at Mooseburger Camp as well as 3 years of clowning locally will be drawn upon to create an engaging and educational curriculum that is sure to excite young performers in the art of clowning!
For $200, each student will receive 5 days of instruction from 9 am to 3 pm (pick up between 3 and 4 pm), a Qualatex red balloon pump, one 100 count bag of Qualatex twisting balloons, use of clown makeup and face paints in class, foam clown nose and graduation certificate.
Reserve a space for your child early as I need to have at least 4 commitments to the class by February 1st to have enough time to order materials. Call (519)562-7371 or email hawkerin@gmail.com today.
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown :oD
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Are you ready??
The hectic time of holidays is almost here and will quickly be gone.
Are you ready to gear up for a new year of business?
Are you ready to file your taxes from this year?
In the aftermath of the holidays, it's probably a good idea to get all your receipts in order and make sure your spreadsheet of income/expenses is up to date (you do keep track, right?) Even if your business is coming out in the red after all the deductions, it's good for your own peace of mind to know exactly where you are. You can't get anywhere if you don't know where you are starting from! If you didn't keep careful track of your income, expenses and kilometers this year, start January 1st for next year. It's a good habit to get into and it's not hard to do. A simple spreadsheet with the headings: "date," "description," "income," "expense," "kilometers." Works well for me. At the end of the year I sum the income, expense and kilometers. Be sure to subtract the expenses from the income to see how much money you REALLY made and on your taxes you can deduct kilometers as well as a portion of your house expenses because you have a home business. If you lease your car, I think you can deduct some of that too, but I'm not an accountant, so check with the person that does your taxes to see what things you can give them to deduct in there. If you do your own taxes and know of a resource for looking up things like that, please post a link in the comments below for others who might find it useful. Lucky for me, my dad is an accountant and he does my taxes for me.
Make 2012 your best business year yet!!
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown :oD
Are you ready to gear up for a new year of business?
Are you ready to file your taxes from this year?
In the aftermath of the holidays, it's probably a good idea to get all your receipts in order and make sure your spreadsheet of income/expenses is up to date (you do keep track, right?) Even if your business is coming out in the red after all the deductions, it's good for your own peace of mind to know exactly where you are. You can't get anywhere if you don't know where you are starting from! If you didn't keep careful track of your income, expenses and kilometers this year, start January 1st for next year. It's a good habit to get into and it's not hard to do. A simple spreadsheet with the headings: "date," "description," "income," "expense," "kilometers." Works well for me. At the end of the year I sum the income, expense and kilometers. Be sure to subtract the expenses from the income to see how much money you REALLY made and on your taxes you can deduct kilometers as well as a portion of your house expenses because you have a home business. If you lease your car, I think you can deduct some of that too, but I'm not an accountant, so check with the person that does your taxes to see what things you can give them to deduct in there. If you do your own taxes and know of a resource for looking up things like that, please post a link in the comments below for others who might find it useful. Lucky for me, my dad is an accountant and he does my taxes for me.
Make 2012 your best business year yet!!
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown :oD
Monday, 12 December 2011
Resolutions and Goal Setting
Yes, it's coming to that time of year!! Take a look at your books from 2011 and see how you did. Are you happy with the year compared to previous years? We always want to do better, we all want to see improvement, but I hope that you are happy with how far you've come enough to be able to push yourself to do more and not bring yourself down with the grumpy gusses.
Setting goals for the upcoming year is often a daunting task. You don't want to set your goals so high that they are unattainable, but you also don't want to set them so low that you don't feel like you really accomplished much by reaching them. There are often one or two on my list that go onto the list the next year or two as well... There are sometimes one or two that have been there for a couple of years already and need to be removed so that I can move on to other things (juggling was one of those for me).
I thought I'd take this post to talk about setting those goals so that they can be meaningful and helpful. I'm no expert (as usual), but I hope that some people find my thoughts helpful in setting their own goals.
1. Write them down - put them in a place where you can look at them, often. Studies have shown (ok so I don't have exact references to the studies, but trust me they are out there) that having your goals visually in front of you every day makes it far more likely that you will accomplish them. Keep them at the front of your mind and push for them.
2. Be Specific - REALLY specific. Not, "make more money." Look at your income for the last few years, is there a trend in the amount that you are increasing each year? So take the next number you would expect and bump it up (just a little) for your goal. Make it a little harder than coasting along, but not so far out there that it is a ridiculous expectation. Then, be even MORE specific... HOW are you going to make more money? Are you adding to your offered services? Advertising more? Raising prices? Cutting back expenses?
3. WORK on your goals - ok, is that too obvious? Then why does everyone sit back with their business and wonder why it's not going anywhere? A really important quote that everyone should keep in mind with their goals, "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." ~ W. L. Bateman
4. Share your goals - well, some of them at least. If there's something that you want to be held accountable for working on, then tell someone about it. Once you've said to someone, "hey, I'm going to learn to ride a unicycle!" ... the next time they see you, they're bound to ask how it's going! And won't you be happier to say that you've come a long way with it rather than embarrassed to say that you haven't gotten on it since you fell three months ago? You don't have to tell your customers your annual income and income goals for next year (unless you have investors and such), but let a few friends know what you're working on so that they can encourage you to get it done too!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Make 2012 your best year yet :oD
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown
Setting goals for the upcoming year is often a daunting task. You don't want to set your goals so high that they are unattainable, but you also don't want to set them so low that you don't feel like you really accomplished much by reaching them. There are often one or two on my list that go onto the list the next year or two as well... There are sometimes one or two that have been there for a couple of years already and need to be removed so that I can move on to other things (juggling was one of those for me).
I thought I'd take this post to talk about setting those goals so that they can be meaningful and helpful. I'm no expert (as usual), but I hope that some people find my thoughts helpful in setting their own goals.
1. Write them down - put them in a place where you can look at them, often. Studies have shown (ok so I don't have exact references to the studies, but trust me they are out there) that having your goals visually in front of you every day makes it far more likely that you will accomplish them. Keep them at the front of your mind and push for them.
2. Be Specific - REALLY specific. Not, "make more money." Look at your income for the last few years, is there a trend in the amount that you are increasing each year? So take the next number you would expect and bump it up (just a little) for your goal. Make it a little harder than coasting along, but not so far out there that it is a ridiculous expectation. Then, be even MORE specific... HOW are you going to make more money? Are you adding to your offered services? Advertising more? Raising prices? Cutting back expenses?
3. WORK on your goals - ok, is that too obvious? Then why does everyone sit back with their business and wonder why it's not going anywhere? A really important quote that everyone should keep in mind with their goals, "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." ~ W. L. Bateman
4. Share your goals - well, some of them at least. If there's something that you want to be held accountable for working on, then tell someone about it. Once you've said to someone, "hey, I'm going to learn to ride a unicycle!" ... the next time they see you, they're bound to ask how it's going! And won't you be happier to say that you've come a long way with it rather than embarrassed to say that you haven't gotten on it since you fell three months ago? You don't have to tell your customers your annual income and income goals for next year (unless you have investors and such), but let a few friends know what you're working on so that they can encourage you to get it done too!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
Make 2012 your best year yet :oD
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown
Monday, 28 November 2011
Happy Holidays!!
I wanted to be sure and put this out there early enough that I wouldn't miss any of the wonderful holidays that stream their way throughout December! There are so many great things that all happen around the time of the winter solstice and however you celebrate, I hope that everyone stays happy, safe and well fed in the company of friends and family!
Merry Everything!!
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown :oD
Merry Everything!!
Perry Noia the Scaredy Clown :oD
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