How Did We Do in 2009?

At the beginning of 2009 we set some goals for La Casa Mexicana. It's been a busy year and our second one in business. Below is the list of goals that were set for this year and also my commentary on how well or poorly we met those goals.

GOALS FOR 2009!

1) INCREASE SELECTION AND INVENTORY - From artists in which we already carry, we will be getting in more ROMERO GURMAN JEWELRY and GORKY GONZALEZ POTTERY. In addition, we will soon carry MAYAN HAMMOCKS, SERVIN POTTERY, HUICHOL BEAD ART, and MEXICAN PEWTER.

What Actually Happened:
a) We increased our selection of Romero Gurman Jewelry and Gorky Gonzalez Pottery in addition to increasing our selection of Talavera (which was not one of the goals).
b) We now carry a good selection of Mayan Hammocks and Servin Stoneware Pottery.
c) We decided against buying Huichol Bead Art and are still debating purchasing Mexican Pewter. The Huichol Bead Art is absolutely admireable, however, it's extremely pricey due to many many hours of work that is put in to each piece. Basically, it's out of our budget right now.
d) As for the Mexican Pewter, the debate is still out on whether or not we can compete with other online companies that specialize in just Mexican Pewter. At La Casa Mexicana our goal is to offer you a great selection of several different areas of Mexican art and not just specialize in one. Therefore, pewter may be out of our reach for now as well.

2) BLOG MORE FREQUENTLY - We want to better inform you in 2009 with what's going on, changes that we make, cool deals, and interesting information that we come across!

What Actually Happened:
We have published 20 blog posts for the year of 2009 so far compared to only 5 in 2008. We did blog more frequently, but still not at the rate we would like. A blog every two weeks would be ideal for La Casa Mexicana to keep everyone up-to-date on new products and sales.

3) HAVE MORE SALES - We thought you would like this one! You can expect major holiday sales and sales just for the heck of it! We have big plans for an incredible Easter sale coming up!

What Actually Happened:
More sales did happen, but what happened to that incredible Easter sale? It wasn't as incredible as we had imagined. But what is working well are introductory prices! Each new shipment of items that we get in, we put on introductory pricing for a limited time. Introductory pricing of that certain shipment generally lasts until we get a new shipment in.

4) KEEP SHIPPING COSTS LOW - In an effort to keep shipping costs as low as possible, we use recycled newspapers, boxes, bubble wrap, and peanuts! We will continue to source more recyled materials in 2009 which keeps shipping costs low and is environmentally friendly.

What Actually Happened:
This in fact did happen! We have contacted local brick-and-mortar stores and requested that they give us their used shipping materials instead of sending them off to be recycled again. We consider it saving you money and saving the environment by using the materials again before they are sent off to be recycled.

5) WRITE MORE FREE SPANISH GRAMMAR LESSONS - Our FREE SPANISH LESSONS are great for anyone studying or just trying to learn a thing or two about the Spanish language. Lessons to be up soon include: Tú Commands, Usted Commands, Double Negatives, Tener + que and Hay + que, and Present Progressive.

What Actually Happened:
To put things bluntly, MAN! Do I need to get started on these NOW! I haven't done any of them! (Writing this on my to-do list)

6) IMPROVE THE FREE MEXICAN RECIPES - Many of our FREE MEXICAN RECIPES lack descriptive pictures which are wonderful when learning a new dish. We will have pictures up for all of the existing Mexican recipes up this year!

What Actually Happened:
Maybe the word "all" was a little too optimistic. We have added some pictures to the recipes but overall, we have a lot left to do.