JoAnne of Oh Goodie Designs {Blogger Interview}

I am so excited to share my interview with the gal behind Oh Goodie Designs and Style. Inspired. JoAnne is such a sweetheart, has great style, and is active on social media sites as often as I am (which of course is ALL the time!). She has a great eye for party decor and is always up to date on current trends and products… I visit her site regularly to see what’s currently cool. I was lucky enough to meet JoAnne at the DiD Event in NYC last year, although we didn’t get lots of chat time it was a pleasure getting a fancy ride to the mix and mingle event with her. True Story- JoAnne had an suv waiting outside of our hotel and we all hopped in for a fun ride to The Crown Plaza. She’s just cool like that.

Why did you start blogging?

Blogging helps me share my parties, style and inspiration with others. I started blogging over 4 years ago and I truly did not know what I was doing. It was so new to me, but I kept on posting everyday and grew a following.

What does your business name stem from?

Years ago I started out planning small parties and making treats for holidays and party favors . I couldn’t decide on a name to save my life. In the very beginning I got a gig making treats for all the holidays for a local coffee shop. The owner would say “oh, goodie! what goodies are you bringing us today?” and that was my a-ha moment.  oh goodie designs + events was born. Recently, once I started planning more parties and taking on more larger events like weddings and corporate events I added a second name to my business, Style.Inspired to incorporate my event styling business.

Take us through a typical day:

My day starts as a Mom. First I get the kids up and out the door to school. I then clean my house, make beds and get dressed. I can not work or “act” professional if my house is not picture perfect and I am not dressed in a way that I would if I were to meet with a client. Not that anyone can ever see me or my house, but it clears my mind and makes me feel good about what I am doing. I then follow up on emails, Etsy shop convos and Facebook. I am constantly answering emails as I pride myself to be an immediate responder. I live on my iphone as anyone close to me can atest to. But customer service is very important to me. Social media is right up there too for without Facebook, Twitter and Instagram I would not be in business. I may have to produce some pictures or party products to ship out, contact clients, coordinate event plans or maintain my site. Then when all work is complete I get the kids from school and become Mom once more. Don’t kid yourself, my phone is in my pocket at all times.

What’s on your blog playlist, what songs keep you motivated?

Let’s see, lots of Madonna, Bruno Mars and anything current. I usually play the “Today’s Hits” station on Direct TV. That helps me get through the day. It can not be silent.

What a few of your favorite sites?

Studio DIY, funkytime, Oh Happy Day, goop, Best Friends for Frosting

Favorite online/blog moment thus far:

It’s been huge to be featured on great sites like Hostess with the Mostess, Amy Atlas and Martha Stewart and more. As much excitement that brings to me, I have kinda gotten away from sending in my parties for feature. I feel like it’s time to promote myself and feature my own work on my own site. I really feel I turned a corner when I had my blog redesigned last year. A new logo and grown  up image drew a new fan base. Now I truly believe image is everything. That was a great feeling because my style and taste shows on my front page.  I am very selective on pictures and content I post.

Leave us with a blogging tip to inspire fellow bloggers.

First, just keep posting. So many days I feel like I am talking to a wall, nobody is listening or I wonder if anybody even sees my site. But I just keep posting and numbers don’t lie. I receive comments out of the blue on posts I did years ago that frankly I am embarressed about now, but somehow somewhere people are seeing them and taking whatever bit of inspiration I shared away with them. Secondly, it’s a fact I am my biggest critic, but I am everyone’s biggest cheerleader. I am one for always promoting other’s talents and dreams. I truly believe that is what has made my fan base. My next tip is to remember we are all in this together. Share their work, share the inspiration and share a smile. It’s what makes the blogging world go ’round.

Where to find JoAnne:

Blog. Shop. Facebook. Twitter.