Beta Launch Giveaway!

Michael Hyatt's post on permanent beta, just this past Monday, has had a profound effect on me this week.  As a result, I am going to do a Beta Launch Giveaway.

When a company launches its Beta Project, they know it is imperfect.  The whole idea is to launch the product "as is" and get the customer's feedback.  Now...particularly in technology, quite often the customer still pays for the product, even in its beta state!  The price is reduced, but customers willingly pay to be part of the project, and to get to use the product.

I've been working on my own line of bags, cuffs, and altered couture - not just art!  I have a basic design for a bag in mind - I want it to be smaller, reversible, and to always have an inspiring word embroidered  somewhere on the bag - sometimes very inconspicuously, sometimes boldly.

My vision is to help women live well-defined lives...artfully and soulfully...in context of the Gospel.  

Typically, under the old "wait until it's perfect" mindset, I would tweak until I thought it was perfect - which isn't a bad idea in this context;  however, I have a perfectly-imperfect, very use-able bag and a beautiful leather cuff, both of which would be wasted just because I am still tweaking the design!

I hate waste.

So, after mulling over Hyatt's thoughts on beta all week long, I thought, "Why not do a Beta Giveaway?"

I will give you my very, very, very first bag, and my very, very second cuff (first one went to daughter Hannah) - and you use and wear and give me feedback as to how I can improve the design.  Tell me how it wears for you and what you might like for me to do better.

Go ahead.  I can take it.

Here is the cuff:

...this is a narrow leather cuff, in a medium size, trimmed in a rich mustard gold embroidery - stamped with the word "LOVED"   Who doesn't need to be reminded of that?  If you have a tiny wrist (as I do), it fits like a bangle.  If you have an average or large wrist, it will fit close - more like a cuff should.  But I like how it looks on me!  I wore this out to breakfast with the Preacher just this morning, and got a compliment on it!



Here is the bag:


Upholstery grade vintage-style fabric outside...


...ticking on the inside, a cell phone pocket (fits all Smart Phones), and a hand-embroidered label, just to whisper to you about the key to - not just a beautiful eternity - but also the key to a beautiful day...

It is reversible...here you see it with the embroidered pocket on the outside...

...and the vintage-style fabric on the inside.

Now I know three things about this bag:  1.  It is a bit too floppy to suit me.  I will have to tweak that - using something to make the sides stiffer.  2.  I think it needs another interior pocket (or exterior, depending on which side you prefer facing out) and 3.  There are tiny flaws, here and there.  But overall, this is a super cute bag, and is use-able.  I still love the shape and the size and the drop of the bag (distance from your shoulder to the start of the bag, when the bag's straps are on your shoulder.  Perfect drop!).  I know I am on the right track.

Hey - even if you only enjoy it for two days, you enjoyed it for free.  If you decide it isn't right for you, you could pass it along to a daughter or granddaughter.  Just please give me some feedback!


If you would like to participate in my Beta Launch, here's what I need you to do:


1.  Please follow me here on my blog - click "join this site" on the button you'll see in the right hand sidebar.  


2.  Leave a comment, telling me that, once you receive your gifts, you'll let me know how these items wear for you.  I truly want the feedback! 


3.  If you either:  A.  "like" Sheila Atchley Designs on Facebook, or B.  share the link to this post on Facebook (click on the Facebook link in my sidebar) or C. tweet about my website (sheilaatchleydesigns.com) I will enter you twice.  Just please come back and leave a second comment, letting me know that you did either A. or B. or C. and your second comment will be your second entry!

That's it!  I will draw a name in one week - Friday, one week from today.  If only one person enters, you win!  That won't hurt my feelings.  I just love to give.

Even if you are local (which lots of you who read my blog are!) I still want to mail your prizes to you, USPS, because I need for you to get the full experience - design, packaging, everything - and give me honest feedback on how special your package made you feel.  This is an important aspect of developing my business.  (Did I really just call it that??)

Whew.  I am so Beta right now.  Nothing is perfect.

If I succeed, you succeed with me.  If I fail, just don't let me fail alone.


I could never design anything I would not wear myself in an East Tennessee Second.  Imperfect as they may be, I.  Love.  These.



22 comments:

Kelly said...

I will so give you feedback if I win :) I also tweeted your link and liked you on facebook...wahoo!!! Love it, love it :)

Unknown said...

Pick me! PICK ME!!! I follow & will give you feedback.

I love the bracelet & the bag is fine just the way it is, Shelia.

TTFN
Have a great weekend ~
Marydon

Andrea said...

I want to win for my daughter, who will definitely give you feedback! I followed your site.

Andrea said...

I "liked" Sheila Atchley Designs on Facebook. :-)

Unknown said...

So far, I Tweeted and liked the blog. I can't find the facebook page, but my daughter would love and look adorable in the cuff thingies!!! Not to mention the bag thing is cool, too!!!

Unknown said...

I tweeted: My id is @rcelliott1005
The HTML won't go in the link.

I also signed up for the blog. I also will like the facebook page in a minute. I will give you positive feedback before AND after. My daughter would love the cuff thingie!!! She would also look adorable in it. The bag looks nice, too. Do you make them in a man style, Euro???

Anonymous said...

EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!
and
i'M EXCITED !!!!!!!!!!

ADaughterAbidinginGrace said...

I want it!!!!! Pick me!!!!

Unknown said...

I have liked you on facebook and am commenting here... But the best part is that I like YOU! Can ya tell I'm in a goofy mood? I do love the bracelet. The bag, I would have to hold, touch, but cute from what I can tell so far. Love you, my friend!

Liz Overton said...

I would gladly give you some feedback. :) I liked your page on Facebook and will tweet/Facebook share the link momentarily.

Ursula said...

I liked your facebook page and I'd so give you feedback! I'd wear it for a day or two and then I already have a new home in mind...and they would give feedback!

Jame said...

I did the facebook thing!!! I will leave feed back if I win!!

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh that purse is beautiful!!!! I follow you and will give feedback :) I tweeted your link, like on facebook. :)
Love it :)

Susan said...

Sheila, I will definitely give you some feedback if I win ... I will let me daughter "test" them out as well :) I've already joined your reader list.

Susan said...

And I have tweeted your giveaway link ... JustGranny08

PS -- after Mrs GI Joe & I enjoy your designs, we would like to brighten a wounded warrior's wife by re-gifting if you don't mind ... sharing your lovely designs with the gift of God's grace to special ladies.

(I also couldn't find the facebook page)

Susan said...

Not sure how I did it, but I found your facebook page .... and I *like* very much :)

Ursula said...

I facebook shared it toooo!!!! I don't really care about being entered twice...I just wanted to share it!

Robin in New Jersey said...

I subscribed to your blog and I will be happy to give you feedback! :)

I liked you on FB last week. :)

Anonymous said...

Love all you create! Have one hanging on my wall ;-)

Vickie E

Rays of Sunshine said...

I would love to win and yes I will give feedback if I win :)

Rays of Sunshine said...

I shared your link on facebook.

Javamom said...

Love this, Sheila, and am so happy that you are finally realizing your dream that you shared with me over coffee in the summer of '09! I can't wait to share your site with our only daughter (of 4) who can appreciate grace so very much right now...

With His Love,

Kim in TX