Renewal, rebirth, new start, fresh, hope, reawakening, regeneration, revival, new beginning, resurgence, renaissance are all words that relate to the spring season. For many of our members, work is bridal related; in many cases, bridal business increases in the spring. Therefore, as I have heard it said numerous times, spring is a busy time of year for our members.

Bridal is the main theme for this month’s newsletter. We have an article about bridal gowns that have had many “lives” over the years as they made their way through the generations.

As with the discuss list, information learned here in our newsletter can be filed away for future reference if it isn’t needed immediately.

Fitting issues and finding the right dress to compliment a particular figure will give inspiration to those who are now or will be working with a challenging figure type, and Erin Young has written information about sharing her business with a bridal boutique.

As my Minnesota winter continues to hang on, I yearn for spring. I find that in the spring I like to plan ahead for the next year and reconsider my personal goals. This is a good time to re-evaluate a business plan. Remember that Member Resources on the ASDP website has helpful links about writing business plans and other links for running and improving a business.

Spring is also a time for the ASDP Board to evaluate the past year and to make new goals for the future. Part of our recent Strategic Planning Meeting was spent reviewing our long-range plans. We are happy to report that the goal of a Canadian chapter has been achieved a year early! Pressing short-term ASDP goals are to continue changing and improving the website, conference planning of Oh Sew Country in Nashville, and increasing membership involvement within ASDP. My hope is that all of our members will take some time this spring and make a decision to be more involved in ASDP.

Written by Teresa Nieswaag, President