Category "Business"

Recreate the Pose of a Famous Photo

Queen Darlene - November 2, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Retirement

My boss, Dennis, loves the Beatles. And yes, he’s a baby boomer! His favorite album is Abbey Road with John, Paul, Ringo and George walking across a striped crosswalk on the cover.

The Beatles had many famous photo albums but this may be their fans’ most favorite.

For one of his retirement gifts, I recreated the famous Beatles photo with Dennis and his three Team Leaders who have worked with him for 20 years.

I scoped out the many streets in our city and found the white stripes in an intersection that would allow us to recreate the photo.

Genie Makes A Visit to Employees

Princess Diana - October 17, 2017 - Business

My friend, Jennifer, sincerely cares about the employees she supervises. More importantly, she doesn’t just tell them she cares, she shows them with her actions.

Every two or three years, she does this thing for every member of her staff that she calls “Genie Makes A Visit!”

It’s such a fabulous concept because she is the genie and she grants them their wishes!

The Genie Grants Three or More Wishes

She hands out pieces of paper to her employees that ask the question, “What can I do to make you love your job or love your job even more?” and with space to list up to 20 wishes.

She requires them to write down at least three wishes.

Jennifer told me she tries very hard to grant every wish. If necessary, she’ll even take a wish request to the higher ups in her company if it’s not in her power to fulfill it. Wow!

Talk about going the extra mile for her people!

If she cannot fulfill a wish request, she takes the time to explain to the employee why she can’t.

Welcome Gifts for New Boss

Queen Darlene - October 6, 2017 - Business

I have a new boss for the first time in 20 years!

Deborah has worked at our agency for 34 years, and when our previous executive director announced he was retiring, she applied and was selected.

We are so fortunate to have a new leader that is someone we already know and love!

First Day as Executive Director

Our Administration Team planned something fun and special for her first day to welcome her and show our support. We came up with several gifts and paired them with creative sayings.

Gift #1 – Lotion
Don’t worry if it’s extremely rough & bumpy, your Admin Team will help with a smooth transition!

Gift #2 – House Slippers
The Admin Team is like these slippers, we are your fiercest supporters! Welcome to the Team!

The Power of Words | Book Inscription

Queen Darlene - September 28, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Retirement, Thank You

The power of words give joy, move you to tears, show encouragement, inspire imagination, express love and admiration.

There are millions of books, letters, quotes and sayings in support of how powerful words can be.

Words of Appreciation

My boss of 20 years is retiring, and we had a retirement celebration of 100 current, retired and ex-employees in attendance.

Throughout the celebration, many employees were involved in giving gifts, performing funny skits, and sharing heartfelt words of his leadership and friendship.

After the accolades were bestowed upon him, Dennis expressed thankfulness and love for working with such an amazing dedicated staff.

Then he shared a story about a gift I had given him years ago…

The Power of Words

Vintage Golf Throw Blanket & More

Queen Darlene - August 31, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Retirement

When my friend Jeff invited me to his birthday/retirement party, I knew immediately what gift to give–anything golf related! He loves the game!

Other friends were giving him golf shirts and golf balls, but I was on a mission to find something a little different.

Cool Golf Gifts

If you Google golf accessories, endless items will pop up. I have saved you some time by putting together a curated list of some pretty unique and cool gift ideas.

My favorite is a Vintage Golf Tapestry Throw Blanket Made in the USA. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I favor Made in the USA products! Continue Reading

Oklahoma Shaped Grass Doormat

Queen Darlene - August 17, 2017 - Anniversary, Birthday, Business, Congratulations, Housewarming

Friends, Bryan and Janiece Vest, and my husband and I celebrate our anniversaries within a couple of weeks of each other in the month of July. This year is our 46th wedding anniversary!

Randy and I enjoy exploring the state of Oklahoma for “mom and pop” restaurants. The food reminds us of “grandma’s cookin!”

Bryan and Janiece gave us an Oklahoma Shaped Grass Doormat to commemorate our travel adventures.

Such a thoughtful gift! And… it’s made in Oklahoma! We love that! Continue Reading

Massage Gift Package

Queen Darlene - August 11, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Christmas

What is better than a massage? A package of two or more massages!

I recently received a massage gift package, and for people like me who truly enjoy them, it’s a perfect gift idea.

It’s soooo relaxing!

Massages relieve stress, pains and muscle tension, and who doesn’t want to get rid of that yucky stuff?

Many massage clinics offer specials in packs of two, five, ten or more. Continue Reading

Donkey Milk Soap & Skincare

Queen Darlene - August 3, 2017 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Business, Family, Get Well, Gifts for Me, Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts

donkey-milk-soap-Dulce-de-Donke'-thoughtful-gift-idea

Moisturizing Donkey Milk Soap

My husband and I enjoy going out for breakfast on Saturday mornings. Lately, we have ventured to nearby small towns like Luther, OK.

We also like to shop and support local businesses. We stopped in the Urban Sixty-Six store. It’s a darling boutique with lots of unique gifts.

A display of natural and organic donkey milk soap called Dulce de Donké caught my attention. I was intrigued while reading about its beauty benefits and that it’s all the rage in European skincare. Continue Reading

Compact Car Jump Starter | Road Safety

Princess Diana - July 5, 2017 - Birthday, Business, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Gifts for Me, Graduation

My car battery died after work one day, and thankfully a co-worker came to my rescue.

He didn’t use jumper cables.

He used something even better called a compact car jump starter.

It’s better than jumper cables because you don’t need another car to jump you!

Peace of Mind on the Road

Think about it, your battery could die when no other car is around. Or you’re parked in a spot where another car can’t pull up close enough for the jumper cable to reach. In both situations you’re out of luck.

Every car should seriously have one of these! It gives you peace of mind on the road that a dead battery won’t leave you stranded.

A compact car jump starter is so small it can fit in your glove compartment, and it can be used as a USB charger to charge a phone or anything else with a USB cord.

College Graduation Gifts for Networking in Style

Princess Diana - May 16, 2017 - Business, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Graduation

A college graduate needs to be prepared for networking events.

Networking is often a critical component of career success. Say it with me, “It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you know.”

When my husband graduated with his Master’s degree, I gave him two gifts that would allow him to network in style.

Thoughtful College Graduation Gifts for Him

His first gift was a watch made of natural wood. Wooden watches look amazing, professional and serve as a conversation piece.

They come in different colors depending on the type of wood you choose, and they’re very lightweight.

No one can show up at a networking event without business cards. So for my husband’s second graduation gift I gave him a wooden business card holder engraved with his initials.