Now, of course, there are lots of things I’m thankful for outside of my business; my family, friends, and the doctors who figured out what was going on with me and prescribed the B12 shots that have made me feel so much better.

But when it comes to my business, I do have a lot to be thankful for. I’ve made a lot of great friends through my business in the past two years since I’ve started my site. I’m thankful for the flexibility and the ability to work on my business wherever I want to work on it. I am thankful for the creative outlet it provides and am extremely lucky (and thankful) that I love what I do (not a lot of people get to say that).

Most of all, I am thankful for you, my readers. Without you, there wouldn’t be a business. When I first started this, a little over two years ago, I had no idea if people would like the site, if they would keep reading or if it would just be a fly-by-night thing. But thanks to you, the site keeps growing. Thank you for coming back to see what I have to write about, time and time again. Thank you for all the notes you send throughout the year (they make my day).

Thank you for giving me a voice. I truly appreciate all of you.

My name is Deanna Collins and I am the owner of JDDesigns, LLC and the co-founder of the Gratitude Collection a unique line of inspirational jewelry and apparel that reflects the benefits of positive thinking and acts of gratitude and thankfulness.

Gratitude, being appreciative and recognizing the good in life is a concept that resonates with millions of people right now.  From a spiritual standpoint, people are tired of the gloom and doom and are longing to connect in a more meaningful way.

Research has shown that grateful people have higher levels of positive emotion, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism, and lower levels of depression and stress.

I believe that my work, my mission, and my brand are having an impact – even if it’s one person at a time.

I see often in my work the effect that gratitude has on those who feel it, believe it, and share it.

I like to think of my life and my career as a journey and not a destination.  I am so grateful for being able to continually grow and learn with each new twist and turn of my life and business.

My gratitude list could go on forever, but here are a few highlights I am grateful for…

* Experience – each experience I have had has shaped me into who I am today.  I know my business has evolved because of this.  I look at all experiences (even the “bad” ones) as potential opportunities for growth and ways to add value to my business and to who I am.  I’m still on my journey.  I keep moving forward and taking something positive out of each experience as I go.

* Being able to do something I love! – I truly am passionate about what I do.  I love my brand and I love being able to express my creativity in this beautiful and meaningful way.

* Connecting – I am amazed at how much my business has evolved since I started it nearly 3 years ago.  Social media has connected me with so many people that I otherwise wouldn’t have known.  I have met many inspiring and motivating people who I learn from each and every day.  I truly value these connections.

* Inspiration – I love to inspire!  I always love to get feedback from my customers.  It’s so much fun to see what inspired them to buy one of my pieces.  I love to hear what they have to say and how the Gratitude Collection inspired them to think of expressing gratitude (for themselves or someone they love).

* Making a difference – I want to make a difference.  It was Gandhi who said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.”  I do feel like I am making a difference, even if it’s one person at a time, that’s okay with me.

Early on with the Gratitude Collection we were featured in a newspaper article and I was quoted saying that “my dream was to be on Oprah’s couch.” (I know it’s Crissy’s, too!)

Whether or not I make it to Oprah is irrelevant, but I do believe that someway, somehow, and somewhere – I will find my “Oprah” – I just keep moving forward with a positive attitude and deep abundant gratitude.

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Deanna Collins, owner of JDDesigns, LLC and founder of the Gratitude Collection, is a Connecticut native born with entrepreneurial spirit. Always inspired by the arts and creativity, she is thrilled to combine a message of gratitude and inspiration with her creative flair in the beautiful Gratitude Collection.

Deanna has been a featured speaker on many topics on the arts for a variety of civic and social organizations and has been a past speaker at the WOW! (Women of the World) Forum on the topic of “Today’s Entrepreneurial Woman.”  The Gratitude Collection has been featured in various newspapers and was showcased several times on WTNH Channel 8 in New Haven, Connecticut.

Deanna is very proud to showcase Kazuri beads in the Gratitude Collection.  Kazuri, a fair trade organization, provides employment for several hundred needy people, especially women.  It has created a source of income for many women who would otherwise have had few options to provide for themselves and their families, including many women with disabilities, single mothers, and women widowed by the Aids epidemic that has swept through Africa.

Deanna is a devoted mother to her young daughter, Faith (8 years old), and wife of 12 years to her husband Greg.

Join us at the Gratitude Circle for inspiring stories, motivation and helpful tips – it’s FREE!  Sign up by clicking here

To shop the Gratitude Collection, click here

Maybe I should give a little background — my name is Jenny Ingram. I have been married almost 15 years. Whoa. That flew by! I have 3 kids. My son is 10, and my two girls are ages 7 and 4. I was a history teacher before becoming a mom and for a short time after having my son. But in the years since having kids, I fell squarely into the “stay at home mom” category, and I think I still do. But… in 2004 I started a blog.

Uh-oh.

Does having a blog mean one has a business?

In the past year(s) I have gone from blogger and casual (OK, borderline obsessive) social media user to — blogger who now considers herself a “writer”, a product reviewer, as well as social media consultant with local businesses… While I enjoyed teaching, I knew as soon as I left I did not want to continue in the traditional path of education. However, I love working with people, and I love teaching… I also love sharing with others things I am passionate about. Blogging has been a springboard for my passions.

Therefore… I AM thankful for my business and here’s why

1) For years I held the perspective that I am “just a blogger”… a gal who uses social media… who looks to others for ideas, inspiration and frankly at times, with a bit of jealousy. Growth opportunities seemed to abound, and I often felt like I was missing the bus by 1 minute. What I wasn’t seeing was the journey, the building of character through commitment and challenging oneself. When I tell IRL people about some of the fun stuff I get to be a part of they often respond, “I can do that! I’m gonna start a blog!” I always temper their enthusiasm with, “I have also been at this over 5 years.” It takes time to build, and I still have LOTS of building to do…

I am thankful for the fruit of hard work. The “overnight sensation” fruit would have been welcomed, but I must admit I am more thankful for the story… the story of this journey.

2) Slow but consistent growth… the journey and it’s story… the little opportunities and connections with great people as my anchors.

I am thankful for the opportunity to build relationships with great people. I am blessed to have quality people in my life today as a result of what I do. I sometimes feel a *little sorry* for people not connected with the blogging community. What a rich community I have found! A world of encouragement not accessible before the age of the interwebz, as well as connecting with the funniest people my funny bone has ever been tickled by!

3) I have seen my business grow in ways I have hoped for, but also in ways I never imagined.

I am thankful to be in a network of creative and crazy people or integrity who inspire and challenge me to think outside the box… and encourage me to step out of my comfort zone.

4) I am writing this post while sitting in my friend’s super-comfy kitchen. The smell of coffee is tickling my nose, and sounds from Wendy’s sewing machine are tickling my ears. I dropped my youngest off at her preschool down the road, stopped here to chat with Wendy over coffee and a cinnamon roll for 45 minutes, then pried open my laptop to write this post while she sews a cushion cover.

I am thankful I don’t have to go to an office everyday to get my work done. I can set my own hours and work around the schedule and needs of my family… or my need to have coffee with a friend

5) Connection. This is almost repetitive to the other points, but…

I am thankful that what I “do” requires connection. I am very much a “people person”, and blogging… using social media requires connection — to people. I am over-the-moon about the fact I have “met” so many like-minded women… passionate about their families, making new roads in this exciting time, caring for and encouraging one another in womanhood/motherhood/sisterhood.

Simply, this an exciting time. I want to thank Crissy here at Indie Biz Chicks for the opportunity to share my reasons for being thankful. Crissy, as I mentioned in #3… I am thankful to have made connections with people who challenge me, and you have:) It was a challenge to write this. It has been a leap to go from considering myself a casual blogger to recognizing it has become more. This makes me feel pretty darn thankful, a push and opportunity to realize and recognize the victories and blessings in my journey.

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You can find Jenny on Twitter here:  http://twitter.com/jennyonthespot and you can read her blog here: http://www.jennyonthespot.com