INVITING SUCCESS; Local Invitation Designer Brings Unique Product to Retailers Nationwide.

While experts warn of the pitfalls in starting a new business during a recession, Viola discovered the opposite to be true as her virtual store front proved to be one of the premiere online stops for brides and party planners searching for invitations.

CRANSTON, RI (PRWEB) September 3, 2003 --Every morning youll find Dawn Viola frantically typing away at her computer with a giant, stuffed, chenille, yellow ducky tucked under her arm and a juice box delicately poised between her knees. Her three-year-old daughter isnt far behind, sitting quietly by her pajama-clad mothers side, comparing which combination of giant beaded necklaces the ducky should wear that morning.

Its a daily ritual for the newly-appointed, work-at-home mom as Viola, thirteen-year veteran in the advertising industry as a creative director and copywriter, unexpectedly became part of the reported 5.4 percent of unemployed Americans resulting from the September 11th tragedy.

"The loss of my paycheck was devastating," said Viola. "Earlier that year we decided to be a one-income family, allowing my husband the opportunity to be a stay-at-home dad to our then 21-month old daughter."

While most would consider this a major set back, Viola decided it was the perfect time to implement a business plan she had been developing for over a year - an online invitation studio now known as Blue Moon Invitations,Inc.

Since the birth of my daughter, owning my own business had become a priority," said Viola. The advertising industry is not very family-oriented in terms of the schedule you have to keep - your hours are definitely dictated by deadline, not by your daughters bed time."

Utilizing every spare moment to its fullest, Viola began researching and writing a detailed business plan with the hopes of someday retiring from the advertising world and becoming her own boss.

The business plan was really a rainy day, back-pocket venture. However, that all changed when I lost my job," said Viola. With nothing left to lose, my husband and I decided to take a leap of faith by putting the finalized business plan into action and taking the necessary steps to begin dictating our own schedules for a change."

While experts warn of the pitfalls in starting a new business during a recession, Viola discovered the opposite to be true as her virtual store front proved to be one of the premiere online stops for brides and party planners searching for invitations.

You can always count on weddings and babies," stated Viola. The two industries are almost 'recession-proof. And, without having to pay rent for traditional retail space or storage space for inventory, I've always been able to keep my profit margins very high."

With a well-established online presence, Blue Moon marks their national debut to the retail industry on September 13 at the Atlanta Stationery Show.

"I'm excited beyond words," stated Viola." The company is barely three years old and I'm amazed at the demand the industry has had for Blue Moon's designs. We've always sold nationally on our web site, but now we'll be available
in stores throughout the country. Consumers can walk into select boutiques and actually feel the quality of our paper and see the designs in person."

Blue Moon's line of imprintables will make their debut on September 13, 2003 in Atlanta, GA, represented by JPS The Signature Collection. Blue Moon's Wedding Album will debut at the National Stationery Show in New York on May 16 - 20. A preview of the Wedding Album and select imprintable designs and products will be available at Paper Moon in Cranston (995 Oaklawn Ave., 401-943-1123) at the end of September.

As her business grows, Viola hopes to mentor other women wanting to begin their own business. In the meantime, she is enjoying the benefits of being a work-at-home mom.

Unlike the grueling schedule I kept for thirteen years in advertising, entrepreneurship allows me to incorporate everything that is important in my life and prioritize accordingly," said Viola. Im home for dinner, Im raising my daughter, and Im not working until 2 a.m. -- unless I choose to do so. I really look forward to checking my morning e-mail in my pajamas every day."

For additional information on Blue Moon Invitations, Inc., their products or services, visit their web site at http://www.bluemooninvitationsinc.com.
Or contact them by phone during regular business hours at 401-383-9078.