Bella and Max

John Stewart, I can't resist

So again, this has nothing to do with the store.  But I needed a little humor and John Stewart provided that laugh I needed this morning.  This probably goes against the "be nice" blog I just posted, but I think it just fun and games for with John Stewart.  This is for Alison, I laughed out loud and it felt good...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Obama's First 100 Days - Privileged Executive

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things w/ Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Jim Cramer

There were some other funny videos, but too many beeps...... her's a link to one http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=72167745199&h=wqowG&u=yHRmC&ref=mf 

 

 

Sales Tax

So, I was totally unaware of this until yesterday when I was talking to a couple shop owners and I thought they were joking with me, because they always try and pull my leg and ruffle my feathers.

Sales tax, at least in Snohomish County, is going from 8.9% to 9.5% April 1st.  Yes, you would think it was an April Fool's joke, it is not.  It's true.  Most of it goes to cover mental health and chemical dependency programs, a minor percent goes to RTA.  I'm not sure if this is going to affect King County as well, but I'm sure it will considering what the tax increases are going to.

As a small business owner and consumer I am shocked at this increase.  Not only will our customers have to pay a higher tax rate, I will also have to do the same when I go to make my own purchases.   We already pay a 1.5% B&O tax, which is on everything we sell but not passed on to the consumer. 

Employment Security, L&I, Federal Income Tax, Social Security, Property tax, gas tax.  Hmmm, am I forgetting anything?  Taxes, taxes, taxes.  I hear a rumor that they are also considering a State Income Tax, on top of State Sales Tax (like California does), but after all the taxes I pay, I don't have to worry about that one, thanks goodness.

Babystyle filed Chapter 11?

A shoe line sent me an email so I wanted to see what stores carried it in Washington State.  I went to the store locator and Babystyle was the only store in the U.S. so I clicked the link.  This was what came up....

We're sorry but we have suspended internet sales from our site.

babystyle is sad to announce that we have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At this time, we will no longer accept online orders. Any pending orders that have not yet shipped have been cancelled and your credit card will not be charged.

If you are interested in purchasing any of the items seen on babystyle.com you may do so, in person, at any of our remaining locations. Please understand that due to this filing we are prohibited from accepting or issuing returns, babystyle Gift Cards and babystyle Merchandise Cards at any of our remaining stores.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your patience during this difficult time.

Oh my gosh. This is bad news. 

Oprah

So the news has been depressing.  I watch all the time, but that is my mistake.  Business feels slow, but I looked and we seem to be keeping up with last year, if not a tiny bit better.  I think listening to the news, hearing all the terrible things going on convinced me that things were bad.  If that makes sense.

So I opened my email this morning and there was an email from Oprah.  Well, not from Oprah herself, but an email that somewhere along the line I managed to subscribe to.  There was a quote that is at the top of the email.  One that I need to print and put above my computer.....

"Find what you love to do. Find your passion. Know what makes you want to get up in the morning, that's all you need." ~ Condoleeza Rice

So my kids top that list for getting up in the morning but this is a good quote for work.  That's why I started Bella and Max and that is what I need to remember.  Even during these hard times.  It will all work out if I remember this.  I'm certain.