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Printable To Do List - Jennifer Tankersley Of List Plan It

By sandy.naidu | Category: Home & Work Supplies

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My guest today is Jennifer Tankersley of List Plan It. Jennifer has built a successful business by writing and selling lists. She has lists for almost everything one can think of - more than 200 lists. She has a list for menu planners, a list for medical fund, a list for dinner time conversation, reading list and the list goes on and on…..Her printable to do lists help you stay organized. In this interview she shares more information about her business and reasons of her success.    
How did you come up with the idea for your business?
   
Printable To Do List I have always loved lists and make them frequently. Just after the holidays this past year, I felt my home was particularly lacking in order. I pondered all of the lists that I would be working on the next day. Then I began to think how nice it would be if instead of scribbling everything down in a random spiral notebook, I could have list forms that gave me some kind of direction. Sometimes it is not enough just to write down everything I have to do. I like the idea of uniformity. Then all of a sudden, a subscription website that I had seen before popped into my mind. I thought it would be great to create a community of list-makers and list-lovers and allow subscribers to have access to all of the lists and new lists on a website.
   
   
How many lists do you currently have?
   
I know the count is over 200, but I think it is acutally very near 250 at this point.
   
   
How do you come up with the idea for a new list?
   
Most of the lists you would find on List Plan It all come from the very first night when I got the idea. I just sat down and started writing furiously everything that popped into my mind. I was so excited. I thought of categories that I would like to have lists for, and then started writing down as many list ideas as I could think of for each category. I still have about 200 ideas from those original notes that I want to create lists for, and I am thinking of more all the time. Usually, since I am a busy mom of 3 children and new WAHM, I have no trouble coming up with new ideas for lists. We are constantly running into situations that would be more convenient if we had some sort of organization to it.
   
   
What kind of research do you do before you put a list together?
   
For many lists, I just think of my own experiences and how I would want the lists to be organized and what information to include. However, there have also been a lot of lists for which I have needed to do research. I mostly use the internet to find information, but I also pay close attention when moms are talking. I am the founder and president of our new chapter of the MOMS Club and therefore, I have access to a lot of mom-conversation. This is really useful in finding out what moms want and need.
   
   
What has been the biggest hurdle so far?
   
This is a tough one because I feel like things have gone relatively smoothly. It was a challenge to figure out how to pay for the web design. I also spent many hours contemplating the rates for the subscription plans. I think probably my biggest hurdle, though, has been patience. I am currently in Phase 1 of my business, which is to start a subscription website filled with lists and resources for Self-Serve organization. Phase 2 is my plan to sell all of the components of a binder organizer that would contain all the lists that a customer chooses and other organizational products. I have already spent a great deal of time researching the items that I would like to sell, but I am waiting until I have built up enough capital.
   
   
I had a look at some of the sample lists you have on your website. They are all very detailed. You come across as a very organized and thorough person. Can you please share with us your time management tips?
   
I am in many ways very organized. I like things to be well-thought-out. I like things to be thorough. I wish that I could say that if you just dropped in at my house you would say ,”Ahhh, now this is very together person!” However, I am the mother of 3 young children and I do value my own time and interests (translation: my house is not nearly as organized as I would like it to be). Therefore, I am one of my own best clients! As for time management tips, these are a few that work for me:
 
 
a) I watch very little tv. This is a HUGE time drain. I hate to give this one, because if you are like me, you already have enormous guilt about television watching. Try to limit the tv as much as you can.
 
 
b) I am a person who greatly values daily routines. I take comfort in knowing that there is structure to my day. On the other hand, I try not to fret about doing something spontaneous occasionally.
 
 
c) Master your procrastination. In college I remember that I would be assigned a paper and then not begin it until 8 pm the night before. I feel that part of growing up for me has been to accomplish what I need to accomplish early and get it done with. I produce much more quality work when it is not last-minute.
   
   
Finally, your five keys to success?
   
  1. LISTS! Honestly that is how it all began and that is how I prepared to get List Plan It launched. Everything was put down in list-form.
  2. Supportive Family. Everyone in my family, from my husband to my children to my parents and sister, have all been very supportive of my idea. Even in the beginning when they could not share my vision for what List Plan It could be.
  3. Internet. I could never have started something like this 15 years ago. The internet levels the playing field and makes it possible for creative, hard-working moms to enter the workforce and have an outlet for their skills.
  4. Creativity. Not only does it help to be creative when you are building a business from scratch, but it helps to be creative when you have obstacles that need solutions. There is usually more than one way of accomplishing something, you just have to think through all of the possibilities. Try to develop a new idea. It’s not easy to blaze new trails, but you have to keep brainstorming.
  5. Determination. There have been many days when I wonder what I have gotten myself into and how much easier it would be to just give up. However, I LOVE having my own business. I LOVE having the final word. I LOVE every victory that comes with going out on your own. Every success happens because I dared to take a chance and see it through.
 
 
Sites Of Interest
http://www.listplanit.com
 
 
 
This interview was published on 25th July 2007
 
Visit Jennifer’s website to get more information about her printable to do lists that help you stay organized.
 
To read more stories about women who make products for home and office click Products To Sell From Home.

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