Rachel...sharing

A big surprise :)
I just feel so grateful, and touched, by all our loyal customers, that shopped with us during these tough financial times, and wanted to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
I also wanted to take a moment to 'share' how lucky I feel to have the staff we do here at Giving Tree Jewelry. After a truly 'challenging' day, on Thursday, when a power outage took away our ability to process orders, this team rallied like you wouldn't believe, and we got EVERY package out! I went home that night and wrote to them. I share an excerpt here (unedited) to let you in on how things are here at Giving Tree. how we really are a team of hearts, all working together.
Sorry if the letter is a little 'rough'.. but it's true, and worth sharing I think:
Read on:

Dear Laura, Kristen, and Deanne:
I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OR GRATEFUL OF AND FOR THE THREE OF YOU.
today wasn't easy. and EVERYONE was absolutely amazing..

Laura.. the fact that you came to work when you were so under the weather.. dealt SO beautifully with all the customers..wrote to kelly, stayed calm, happy, etc.. even as you descended into a sneezing mess.. AMAZING! you should realize a customer like xxxxx.. is EVERYTHING WE ARE ABOUT.. and I cannot imagine a more perfect, personable, patient customer sales manager..
not to mention the CONSTANT sense of support and GRATITUDE I RECEIVE, DAILY, from you!
THANK YOU!!

Deanne.. I am simply blown away by you.. this entire month, you have been FOCUSED, COMMITTED, ON POINT AND ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!! i am so happy to have what we do in stock, to have you manning the inventory, and to have you PHYSICALLY THERE! its been just stunning to me..
and today.. you rallied ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY!! you have been totally selfless, inspired, and undaunted all month
THANK YOU!!!

Kristen.. truly.. you were and are.. a constant example of work ethic and devotion to the business.. THANK YOU! as i have said before. whether it lasts for another month, or another year.. Giving Tree, and ME! are so so SO lucky to have you there.THANK YOU!!

i acted a bit CRAZY today. i was just panicked.. b/c i feel like the way we 'perform' now, at this crucial time, w/ customers getting their packages in time for xmas.. is what is GOING TO DEFINE US AND SAVE US for another year!

that being said, I actually had a huge wave of HOPEFULLNESS today, when we were looking at those 'other' companies out there! 'xxx.com"? WHAT THE HECK IS THAT!??
WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS A LONG TIME, OVER 20 YEARS.. AND WE ARE RESPECTED!!
XXXXX CAN SHOP ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.. AND SHE SHOPPED WITH US!
that is NO LITTLE THING!!!

thank you.. again!

ok, a bit more.
i didnt leave tonight until i got everything back up!!..well, almost! there is a chance we might not be able to fax out.. but as of NOW ..we have internet, a printer, AND A PHONE! WHEW!


i wish, more than anything, we could have the most INCREDIBLE systems, computers, etc.. and WE WILL..
but you have all rallied incredibly well without it.
and i am FULLY AWARE that no technology, no computer, etc.. could match what i have in the three of you
THAT IS WHY
even though its not a 'good year'.. we SURVIVED! and actually, i think we will only GROW!

i am VERY VERY excited for us all to communicate. .via email if one of us is say, nursing :)
about what to do w/ the next year..

think of this time as 'making way' for what comes next!
WE WILL DECIDE THE NEXT STEPS TOGETHER!!

Happy December!! Rachel has a LOT to say!

Hello!!Maybe it's the still lasting effects of one of my two favorite holidays (thanksgiving) and all the yumminess and gratitude that comes with it..or maybe it was the shocking 55 degree weather we had today, or the beautiful moon tonight..but I am FULL of love and thoughts tonight!! I will attempt to keep this brief.. but i can't make any promises! :)
Many of our customers (friends) know this already, but I'm a triple Virgo.. which basically means I ADORE lists.. so here goes.. some thoughts for this brand new month...December!

1)I am so amazed and grateful for the women around me every day! Last week, Laura, Kristen and Deanne did the most fantastic job getting GTJ ready for the holidays!
I am talking FULL ON holiday decorations in the gallery! I don't know how they did it, but I emerged from our offices, (pack and ship central) to find the gallery positively illuminated! Lights everywhere, candles (one burning all night.. oops, and phew!), and like these little 'holly/berry/glass ball thingys in EVERY window! I think Laura channeled all her years of owning a florist shop into one day! WOW!
So, after a great day off on Thursday, I had a blast working in the gallery this weekend. The most fun customers came in! we drank cider, ate cookies, and shopped. It was awesome!!

2) We are SO STOCKED UP for the holidays! Deanne has been unbelievable with her ordering this season! She didn't miss one thing!! and as a result, we have so many amazing gifts ready to send out to everyone.. Free shipping and gift wrap..

3)Speaking of 'getting ready'... I don't want to spill any beans here, but GTJ is getting ready for it's most beautiful, miracle-proving, addition EVER!! (think.. well, 8 months in.. one to go.. you can guess the rest!!) (not me, but we did a practice 'run' of 'what happens if it happens HERE today!! I couldn't be more excited!! STAY TUNED!

4)Our emails/newsletters we are sending out.. PLEASE tell me if they ever get to be 'too much' or ANNOYING in any way.. I would hate that!! It's just that YES. it has been a tough year for everyone..but/and we so want to be the place you do your holiday shopping.. because we know we will 1) do a great job getting the pieces to you quickly and beautifully, and 2) We know the recipient will LOVE the gift of jewelry with meaning! and 3) we have the best prices, so it's a win win!
(look at that, I found a way to make a list ..within a list! TRIPLE virgo I tell you!

5)More exciting news! Our house lines, namely the livegreen bracelet and Cape Cod Rocks, are ROCKIN' the nation!. In fact, when I was in L.A. last week, I gifted some of my favorite 'celebs' with these pieces. One dear friend was about to shoot the COVER of Vanity Fair with Annie Lebowitz!! He really wanted the piece in the shot.. but we will have to wait and see.. lately, he's developed a reputation for being 'in the buff' more times than not.. so.. stay tuned for THAT too! :)

6) Speaking of L.A. .. I'm once again, 'back and forth' a LOT!.. Both spreading the word about Giving Tree Jewelry (I made 2 amazing friends that started a company called www.someonespoilme.com BRILLIANT.. CHECK IT OUT!)AND trying to spread my 'revolution of kindness' to the world!!
You really have to, again, stay tuned.. but just know.. I'm trying! :)

7) Did I mention how grateful I am feeling these days? For the chance to try (daily) to run the best, most considerate company out there, with the most awesome women, the chance get to interact with people (YOU GUYS!) that completely encourage, inspire and motivate me? Well, I am grateful. And honored and touched..

And I better stop now because I can tell I'm slipping into melodrama!
So in closing.. here is the 'short list'
HAPPY DECEMBER!
THANK YOU LAURA, KRISTEN AND DEANNE!
MOMMY I LOVE YOU!
AND
GET YOUR GIFT ON! WITH GIVING TREE JEWELRY Because we will do right by you!

So much love,
Rachel