What is so great about my soup!

I  recently was looking back at the time when I started my small business, at both the successes and the challenges I faced as a small business owner and entrepreneur, but also as one who had no startup capital, no loans, no savings... Nada! ....Zero!...Zilch!

I only had the desire to work for myself, and frankly I was at a time in my life where I had little left to lose. I figured it was as good a time as any to try something different, follow my dreams and take a risk I probably would not have taken under any other circumstances.

I had a wealth of two resources - ample time on my hands (to do research, plan, dream and brainstorm) and the desire to not take another job I hated going to everyday. 

So, I researched. 
Day in and day out for months. I researched how to open a small business and the necessary paperwork and forms to legally do so, wholesalers, how to build a website, (I couldn't afford to hire a designer or consultant) and how to do all of the things I didn't know how to do. From website design and submitting my site to search engines to everything about e-commerce and of course where to find resources I needed like graphics, tools and resources and I needed them to be CHEAP! 

I stumbled upon various sources of free graphics and templates, tutorials, vector art and stock images and through the course of this I grew increasingly frustrated by sites that said "free", but really weren't! Following endless blind and invalid links, being redirected, and scrolling endlessly through cyberspace when all I really wanted was a link that led me to the resources it claimed so I could get the information I wanted and download the items I sought. 

Sounds simple, right ?

It was anything but simple and more often than not, I grew frustrated to the point of logging off, closing my laptop and just about throwing it across the room on more than one occasion!

I began to compile a personal list of website URL's , sources and download links to use as a handy reference for myself and sites that I frequented often had the same qualities: their ease of use, clean links, clear information and, of course, their great resources.

This is a pattern I use in many aspects of my life, not only for the resources I use for my business, but also in where I choose to shop, what places I frequent, things I read and refer to and what I recommend to friends, associates and clients.

I like shopping at places that I am familiar with, that are easy to navigate, have products I like regularly use and I'm loyal to the businesses I buy from for that reason.
I like 'getting in and getting out'. Easy. Peasy. 

If I get frustrated with a website's design or navigation I am done with it pretty quickly. Same thing for a store I shop from or a service that I use: if it is pleasant, easy to use and navigate and gives me what I want, than I am loyal and visit often. It is something I would recommend to friends and generally am a happy camper. 

If not, I search for a new service, shop around and then settle in with what gives me the satisfaction and comfort that I expect and desire. 

I will even pay (a reasonable amount - because I am frugal!) for the services  and resources I want if it is a good value and appeases my sometimes difficult to please nature, doesn't change it's ease of use and stays appealing to me. 

As my personal list of resources grew and time passed I felt a desire to share these resources with others.....

 That is what I want for Cre8ive Soup to be for you. A great resource for the information, tools and resources that are my favorite, that I have found helpful, and that have great and value - in my opinion, and in a clean, clear and easy to use way.

I hope that you find these resources as great as I have, that they prove useful and valuable to you as they have to me, whether you use them in your personal, school or community projects and day to day life, or as a small business owner, entrepreneur, a creative or a designer and anything in between.

It is my goal that we provide clean, easy to use and easy to navigate information, that the resources we provide meet your expectation and satisfaction and help in your project or venture. It is my hope that Cre8ive Soup continue to stay fresh by adding new resources and updating often. 

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Cre8ive Soup