Save the Free Market Warrior at Concord Mills

The past week has seen huge news stories being broadcast by the media in widely differing lights (healthcare reform, the Cambridge Police siutation) but coverage of the closing of the small kiosk known as the Free Market Warrior in the Concord Mills Mall in Concord, NC has been neglected by the mainstream national media, with the exception of the conservative Fox News.

In a letter to the Observer Forum, Jennifer Ibanez complained about items at the Free Market Warrior kiosk that, "support ideas such as racism, sexism and even slavery." Fast forward a couple of weeks and apparently as a result of this letter, the owner of the mall, Simon Properties Group, refused to renew the lease of the Free Market Warrior kiosk. According to the Free Market Warrior website, the items that were deemed offensive were in reference to anti-Obama sentiments and pro-life topics.

I have a couple of opinions on this that quite frankly land a bit on both sides of the backlash that has since erupted. Let's be clear, Simon Properties is a private company and as such is able to rent space to whomever it deems worthy and not to whomever it does not. I don't think that anyone with a cool head would debate that issue. Had Simon Properties gone to Loren Spivak (the proprietor of Free Market Warrior) and simply said that they were not renewing his lease, then I don't think that there would be quite as much of a firestorm as there is today. Instead, Simon informed Free Market Warrior that there were particular items that expressed opinions that were leaning to far to one side of the political spectrum. Simon opened this can of worms on themselves.

Simon Properties Group's owner is a big supporter and donor to both the DNC and the campaign of now-President Obama. This connection opens up the idea of favoritism and prejudice against those who have opinions that differ from the administration's. If they didn't expect to get a fight and backlash, they were seriously short-sighted. In the current political climate, when our local and national legislators are being taken to task for not bringing the types of "change" that they promised, Simon should have stepped back and taken a deep breath.

Instead, the have unleashed protests outside of and impending boycotts of Concord Mills and ts retailer. Already all of the local television stations in Charlotte have covered the initial protest outside of Concord Mills on July 26. At least one of these local station's reports have been picked up by a cable news outlet (Brian Blakely's reporting on WCCB was shown on Fox News this morning) and the story has been covered by the entertaining and always conversation-starting Glenn Beck.

Obviously whether its a private enterprise or not, when you tell someone that they can't sell his wares that include some that they don't agree with you are going to get people who are up in arms. Either side of the aisle, we all have the right to free speech. So if you don't want to fight a First Amendment argument don't start it because there are plenty of people that will pick up the flag when the front soldier is tired.

In this particular case, this kiosk was located (by no accident I am sure) outside the Bass Pro Shops location at Concord Mills. The target audience for Bass Pro Shops and the NASCAR SpeedPark (another big anchor at Concord Mills) is largely conservative and I am sure that the purveyors of the Free Market Warrior brought in products that would appeal to their audience. That's pretty much the idea in retailing, "Give the customer a product that they will BUY."

Yes, I am a conservative but I feel quite confident that if a kiosk that featured bumper stickers that said "Impeach Bush" had been the one closed down for the same reasoning, I would be just as pissed off. It all boils down to how you handle it. And I truly believe that Simon knew what they were doing and they chose to take on this fight.

There will be protests and boycotts (I for one have already contacted both Simon Properties Group and Bass Pro Shops and informed them of my decision to no longer shop at their locations) and that's the right of all of the rest of us who are upset and will not have our First Amendment rights taken away with so many other of the liberties that are being debated about and taken away every day.

For their part, the anchor stores such as Bass Pro Shops are not commenting on the controversy and the City of Concord has no public stance other than SPG is a private corporation that can rent to or not rent to anyone that they wish.

I for one for hope that there is enough backlash and commotion that Free Market Warrior is either able to open again in Concord Mills or is offered a lease in another local shopping center. I continue to believe that one voice can make a difference (as was evident last week with Sue Myrick's signing of the Pledge to Read the Bill) and when all of our voices join together, we can very surely make a "change."

Okay so I'm behind

Alright well it appears that I've revealed one of my flaws. I have been so sidetracked with all of my recent projects that I have been very neglectful of my blog and I have missed it.

Here's a brief (or not so) recap of what's been happening for the past few weeks:

The Red Wings lost in Game 7. As previously mentioned, I HATE game 7's!! Book club was held the night of the game and against my better judgement I attended and TiVO'd the beginning of the game. My next door neighbor (a Penguins fan) did the same and as we walked home from book club we agreed that we'd still be friends in the morning (we are but it's tough! LOL!). I was so supremely confident is was scary. We were at home and we're the Wings! Well apparently the coach didn't get that memo and he went away from several key things that had been working - namely using some very talented rookies from the AHL. But I digress (or at least I force myself to or "my playoff aneurysm" might return) - there's always next year!

As for books, I am deeply immersed in the Twilight series. I will wait until I complete the final book (Breaking Dawn) to post my full review but suffice as to say, I am enjoying the journey immensely.

Now we come to one of the things that I have been most concerned with since my last post. Affiliate Marketing. Some people love it, some people hate it. There is no denying however that if done properly, you can make money. The great state of North Carolina however apparently could care less about people who earn their living this way. The NC legislature is in budget negotiations and is prepared to enact new tax provisions that would now force companies like Amazon and Overstock to charge state sales tax to consumers (no matter their location) purchasing via links originating from associates and affiliates in NC. So in a state where the unemployment rate is 11.1% (as of May 2009), the legislature is creating a tax structure that has forced several large businesses to end relationships with NC residents and taking away income with no recourse. And now that the big companies have terminated these relationships, what's to stop every other affiliate program from following suit? The "honorable" Governor Bev Perdue stated within the past week, “I will be very surprised if any of the major click through retailers refuse to sell to our state, which is the seventh largest in America". I'll bet she's surprised when the Groundhog sees his shadow in February too!

Also included in this budget is a provision that will tax digital downloads (such as iTunes). Very surprisingly I haven't heard many complaints in regards to this particular provision but I feel pretty confident that if this particular phrasing goes into effect there will be a huge backlash especially for those consumers in Charlotte who will suddenly be paying almost 5% more for their iTunes than their SC counterparts a mere 15 minutes away. And that's only if Apple and Amazon agree to collect the sales tax instead of eliminating the sale of digital products to residents of the state.

I have talked to numerous staffers for state congressmen (and women) and state senators as well as a particularly unhelpful aide within the Governor's office trying to voice my incredibly strong opposition to this taxing. The aide in the Governor's office told me that the Governor would not address complaints until the (passed) budget was on her desk. So much for "For the People, By the People".

So since I have rambled on at length on this topic, I urge anyone who lives in NC to please call their representatives in the Legislature and tell them how unfair this tax is to each and every North Carolinian.

I miss Mamah

Okay so maybe I was wrong. (Please note date and time for future reference) While I am still firmly against the style that the book was written in, I now find myself wishing that there were more of Loving Frank to read. I really enjoyed the character of Mamah Borthwick. I was stunned by the events near the end - if you haven't read the book and you don't know anything about the characters, please don't spoil it for yourself and Google Mamah. I have found myself over the past couple of days actually missing the book now that I have finished. If you've read any of my previous entries regarding this book you'll know that this was not an easily reachable feat. I resisted this book from the start and only continued because I wanted to finish this for book club.

Mamah (pronounced MAY-muh) was a very intriguing character. Combine the choices and struggles that she made and faced with the fact that she made them in the earliest years of the 20th century and you have a heroine that is likeable, detestable, consistent, heartfelt and very sad. I would assume that women of today reading her story will find many similarities in the struggles that are faced a hundred years later. So many women wrestle with work and family obligations with being responsible yet still free enough to still find and acknowledge the "real" person inside of herself.

In reading the author's notes at the end of the book I was disapponted to know that there was not much more material available to give me more insight into the real life of this amazing woman who made me actually want to read more about an architect.

Since finishing I returned to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society which I was about 20 pages into while reading Loving Frank. I LOVED this book. I am sure that I could use much more flowery prose to tell you all its virtues but this is hand's down the BEST book that I have read in years (yes bypassing Firefly Lane) . Written in a series of letters, the authors (there are two - one of which who unfortunately passed away before the book was released) created a family of characters that was funny, endearing, heartbreaking, frustrating and altogether inviting and warm. Given that these characters have just come through the German Occupation during World War II, this was a daunting task, I'm sure.

Very often, I want for more when a book is over but with Guernsey I ache to know more about the rich characters that I got to know. There are so many stories left to tell and I am so sad that Mary Ann Shaffer is no longer with us to continue the incredible journey that "the society" has taken me on. I think that given the reception that this book has received from reviewers and book clubs alike, there could defintely have been a host of sequels.

In addition to the fabulous characters this book celebrates the universal love of books that I have and that I hope to share with my children. I will definfitely share this book with both of my girls as they get older.

On a completely different note, I am so mad tonight! My Detroit Red Wings had the chance to finish off the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight and win the Stanley Cup - no luck and now its on to a winner take all Game 7 on Friday. I hate Game 7's!

StephieB in NC

Twitter......My New Obsession

I am a relatively new participant in the Twitter craze but somehow I have been quickly addicted.  

The very first person that I "followed" was Karl Rove.  I know, I know that sounds silly even I as I say but I thought it would be fun to watch all the "interesting" things that he would have to say in the Twittersphere.  He does have some interesting posts and some good links but mostly he reminds his "followers" to tune in and watch whenever he's on one of the FoxNews shows.

Little by little I added new people to follow and was (pleasantly) surprised when some even decided to follow back.  In the beginning, I had convinced myself that I would only use Twitter for business purposes so I continued to search out people that shared interests (conservative policies, tea parties, etc) so that I could promote my t-shirt designs that featured the same types of topics. 

In my desire to keep my tweets for business, I was actually drawn into one of those "Increase your Targeted Twitter Following on AutoPilot" posts.  I can't even really tell you why I clicked on it because normally I would never click on some get rich quick link.  However, I am really glad that I did - and probably not so much for the reasons that most would think.

Yes, I did purchase the Twitter Traffic Machine product and I must say it is the best $27 I have spent in the past 6 months!  I learned so much about Twitter and the different types of applications out there.  This is the newbie Twitterer's best friend.  Can you make money?  I would have to say that all depends on how you utilize the tools that are given to you. 

I found cool applications like TweetLater and bit.ly that will help you manage your Tweets and Content.  I learned a lot more about some Google products that I would have never even known about.

I have taken the tools, tips and tricks provided in the Twitter Traffic Machine information and have begun to apply them in different ways for my differnt business' needs.  The automated follow tools that are outlined have been EXTREMELY beneficial to me and I have absolutely generated new sales that would not have been possible without Twitter and these tools and applications.

For example, I started an account for my cellular accessories website (CarolinaCell) and began to find people who were interested in the latest and greatest cell phones and technology.  Within ONE day, I was able to see sales for models that I hadn't had sales for in months!  The only difference being the traffic generated to my website from the Twitter page.

Another example is for some new tshirt designs I have from one of my other venures (FunTShirtOutlet).  I launched several new designs last week and only announced them via Twitter in order to gauge success.  Within two days we've had our first sales on the new designs. 

So yes, very enthusiastically, I would encourage everyone who wants to learn to use social marketing effectively for YOUR business (affliate based or not, which I am not) to take $27 (come on, you know you have it in your PayPal account) and learn how to make Twitter work for you!  I did and I am making money from my real businesses and not just because I talk about a system or product.  

Give it a try - you'll be glad that you did.

I now have several Twitter accounts (and no not all for work anymore, I broke my own rule and now both my husband and I have personal Twitter accounts as well) and follow all kinds of fun and interesting people.  

Twitter is growing by leaps and bounds - adding almost 19 million users in April 2009 bringing to over over 30 million total.  Some estimates have users growing to 100 million by the end of the year (although that was before China limited use).  A recent survey showed that 84% of businesses polled felt that Twitter usage could increase their business.  With stats like that, it makes sense to be sure that you know what you are doing and how to do it easily and efficiently.

Sure, I still follow Karl Rove and various other "big" Twitterers, but I also follow people that I would never have known about if not for Twitter and most of them are funny, engaging and super smart.  And some of them are even consumers that are interested in my products!  My guess is that they might be interested in yours too!

I'd love to hear your feedback!  Post a comment or follow me on one of my many Twitter accounts - StephieBinNC  and send me your Tweets!

  

A Little Better .....

So I have gotten a bit farther into Loving Frank and it may be marginally better than my first impression.  I am liking the character of Mamah Borthwick but still not in love with the style that this entire book has been written.  I should have it finished within a day or two in plenty of time for book club next Friday.

I am finally feeling better from all of the crazy allergy symptoms and my nose feels almost normal again.  I must say Zyrtec D is a wonder drug - thanks to my pharmacist for the suggestion.

I have posted a link on the side of the blog to one of my web ventures!  Please feel free to browse the designs that I have done and put onto t-shirts and other fun stuff!  If you like what you see, please tell your friends.

Has anyone else been watching Harper's Island for the past few (okay several) weeks on CBS?  I must day I am completely hooked and have a couple of interesting theories on the killer's identity - anybody else wonder if the first victim (under the boat) was really the cousin that they made us think that it was?  I also wonder why they have chosen to try so hard to make me think that its not Jimmy.  (as a side note, I just took a minute to try go look up Jimmy's name - I couldn't remember it - and so just found a very addicitng discussion thread at harpersglobe.com  Yikes!)

Well enough random thoughts for the day - thanks for listening!  

Wow I'm really not sure about this......

So I started Loving Frank by Nancy Horan yesterday and wow! I am having a really tough time with it.  It feels very choppy to me - the chapters are only a few pages each and so far there is nothing that's captivated me.  I'll keep going since its the Book Club book this time around but so far this is not one I would recommend unless you have a love affair (yes pun intended) with Frank Lloyd Wright.

I am sure that this factors into my not getting into the book since I've had little sleep - allergy season has finally settled into my house and I feel like the tap has been opened inside my nose!  Hope it clears quickly since its the holiday weekend AND I have people coming to visit next week.  The girls (my daughters) and my hubby have so far stayed healthy and don't seem to be affected by the same thing that's bogging me down.

  

I am spending the afternoon catching on up on emails and Twitter stuff and getting the girls out to play after nap.  I wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day.  Be sure to remember those who have fought (like my grandfather Joe and my uncle Milford - though neither died in battle) to give us the freedoms that we take for granted (or not) every day!  Thanks to all of the veterans and as well  to the families of the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and our freedom secured.

Hello.....

Hello all.  I am new to blogging but I think that I might like or (gasp!) even be good at it.  Time will tell I guess.  I don't think that I want to categorize my blog as I think that I will jump topics too much for the category to be relevant.

So what to start with?  Well I guess it would have to be with the fact that the last six weeks have welcomed back a ritual that I have missed -reading!  I am a book-aholic and devour books as I get them.  My husband asks me I don't slow down as I read and enjoy it?  I'm just the opposite - I enjoy it so much that I have to finish and have more!  I have always been that way.  And God help the author who writes a book that really strikes my fancy and doesn't have a sequel or other titles for me to equally fall in love with.

My daughters are two and four and I also run two businesses from home.  Needless to say, reading has fallen to the wayside for awhile.  Six weeks ago though, my next door neighbor very generously invited me to join a book club.  The first selection was Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.  I procrastinated and ended up not even getting the book until a week before the book club was to meet.  My neighbor as well as another member had told me that they weren't that thrilled so I had very limited hopes.

However, on page 29 I looked at my husband and told him that I as hooked.  A day and a half and a box of Kleenex later, I was finished and drooling/sobbing for more.  Not just more from these characters (whom I loved) and  more from the author but really I just wanted more words.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone but be forewarned everyone I know that has read it (with the exception of two of the 25+) needed quite a bit of Kleenex to get through the ending.

Within the following month, I finished the following:  Wicked and Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire (both fabulous), Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (enjoyable and easy read) and Summer Island by Kristin Hannah (not quite as good as Firefly Lane but I liked it).  (I did mention that I devour books right?)

So now I'm back with an original love and I couldn't be happier.  I went on a book buying spree (I had a ton of gift certificates) and am now ready to go with the following:   Loving Frank by Nancy Horan (the next selection of the book club), the rest of the Twilight Series (New Moon,Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer), Tall Dark & Dead and Dead Sexy by Tate Hallaway, Friday Night Knitting Club and Knit Two by Kate Jacobs and (the one I am most looking forward to) The Literary and Potato Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer.

Should keep me busy for a month or so............

P.S.  If you have kids (probably ages 9-12), I also highly recommend the recent release George's Cosmic Treasure Hunt by Lucy & Stephen Hawking.  It's the sequel to George's Secret Key to the Universe which my daughter loved when we read it together.