PicFlips – the mobile flipbook studio

Those lucky enough to get an invite to Martha Stewart’s Bridal Market Party were in for a treat!  After a full week of the latest fashion and trends for the wedding industry, the Martha Stewart party was the perfect way to celebrate the end of Bridal Fashion Week in New York City.

The color scheme was “clearly color” – translucent pinks and oranges lit up the Martha Stewart Omnimedia Headquarters.  It was simply gorgeous!   Guests were treated to everything “mini” – tiny hamburgers (we’re talking quarter-size maybe?), itty bitty Coca-Colas and Guinesses and, of course, “mini-movies” with PicFlips flipbooks serving as entertainment plus the party favor.  More pictures coming tomorrow….here’s a sneak peak!

While at the 2011 Inc. 500 Conference, the PicFlips team enjoyed hearing a talk given by Jessica Herrin, the founder and CEO of Stella & Dot.  For those of you that don’t know Stella & Dot, it’s a company that has over 10,000 stylists who sell custom jewelry and accessories at home parties.  Did you know that Jessica Herrin was also the co-founder of WeddingChannel.com at the age of 24?  She sold it to The Knot for $90 million…not bad.  This woman has entrepreneurial blood running through her veins!  Here are some of the points I took away from her speech about running a successful business:

1.) Stay curious and nimble.

One of the advantages of small businesses is that we can move faster than large corporations.  If we sense a change in the marketplace, we can meet the needs of our customers quickly and efficiently.  Good entrepreneurs are always on the lookout for new ideas, new ways to serve the market and are flexible enough to change quickly, if needed.  “Sometimes you have to throw back a small fish in order to catch a larger one.”

2.) People are everything.

a.) Trust your gut when hiring. Don’t just hire because of an impressive resume.  Make sure the person fits your needs and is a good fit with the team.  b.) Recognize and reward your team members for a job well done. Doesn’t have to be much – a bottle of champagne or flowers goes a long way.  c.) Declare the soul of your company. Tell your team the vision of your company, what you stand for, what makes the company tick.  It helps create an atmosphere that everyone wants to be a part of.

3.)  Love your life.

Build a good support system around you.  Stay healthy – it keeps you on the top of your game.  Keep perspective to stay grateful.  And, finally, leave the right things undone.  We can’t do it all.  “When juggling balls, find out which ones are glass, which ones are rubber, which ones need attention right now, and which ones can wait.”

Halloween is the perfect holiday for PicFlips flipbooks!  Everyone is already in costume and ready for some fun!The PicFlips calendar is almost full for Halloween weekend, so book soon!  Look for the PicFlips’ mobile flipbook studio at church Fall Festivals, Halloween soirees and costume parties at the end of October.  Don’t be left in the dark!

Inc. Magazine consistently has articles that are interesting and relevant to the entrepreneur.  Check out this fun one!  50 Songs (and Albums) to Listen to at Work

Matt Hendrickson, who used to write for Rolling Stone, still has the knack for picking a great playlist.  He covered all his bases – from Music to Play on a Long Flight to China to Music to Jam to at a Company Party.  The team at PicFlips has found some new favorites – I have a feeling you’ll find some too!

PicFlips Flipbooks was honored to be included in the recent celebration of the most anticipated country wedding since Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.  Congratulations to Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton on their marriage Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Don Strange Ranch in Boerne, TX!  True to their nature, the wedding was a mix of down-to earth fun and tailored details, surrounded by family and friends.

The couple put some unique twists to their celebration – Miranda wore her mother’s wedding dress, the menu included game that the couple shot on their ranch, and instead of a typical photobooth, guests made short video clips that were turned into custom flip books.  Red 55 – Miranda’s beloved truck – was the backdrop for the photos and guests had a blast making funny and sweet videos for their flip books using signs, an open picture frame, scarves, hats and various props.  The videos were printed out, cut and bound into pocket-sized PicFlips flip books and handed to guests within minutes.

To see a full listing of the carefully-selected vendors that Blake and Miranda chose for their wedding, check out US Weekly’s article here. And don’t forget to pick up a copy of US Weekly on newsstands to see pictures of the gorgeous day!

The PicFlips team is in full swing this prom and wedding season…And don’t forget the company picnics, tradeshows, marketing tours, and birthday parties!  Whew!  To ensure that the office team doesn’t get burnt out, Shawn and Amy decided to take the team on a surprise mini-getaway…enjoy!

PicFlips is based out of the DFW area in Texas.  We’re the ones who started the flipbook craze at events and have the patent to prove it!  We’ve been doing events in the Dallas Fort Worth area for 5 years now and have become quite the fixture at parties and events in the metroplex…from heart-warming non-profit galas and action-packed bar/bat mitzvahs to dreamy weddings and memory-filled proms.  We have the best job ever because we go to parties for a living!  The PicFlips team is so privileged to be included in our client’s most precious milestones and events, and we take pride in the job we do!

We have a professional graphic designer who tailors the custom covers to match each event, which are then beautifully printed on glossy paper by a local print shop.  Our event teams are thoroughly trained and held to a high standard.  Even our props are specifically chosen to go along with the theme and colors of the party!

We hope our passion comes through in our work.  We do more than take photos.  PicFlips captures memories and wraps it up in a sweet little pocket-sized book.  No batteries required, the flipbooks fit easily in a pocket or purse, and they can be flipped through anytime you need a good laugh or when you want to re-live that memory.

If you’ve got an  upcoming party, gala or soiree, send us an email or give us a ring!  We’d love to add that special touch to your event!  Our mobile flipbook studio will create a buzz at the event and give your guests a sweet reminder of the fun they had.

PicFlips Flipbooks is in FULL SWING for Prom season 2011!  The mobile flipbook studio is the perfect way to capture this memorable event, while providing an element of fun entertainment for students and their dates.  These photo party favors will be the hit of the event!

Check out ILoveFlipbooks.com to see if PicFlips Flipbooks is available for your date!

Spaces are filling up quickly for the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, so if your school hasn’t booked PicFlips yet, email us ASAP at mandi@iloveflipbooks.com!

People from all over the world make the trek to Austin, TX each year for the interactive, film and music festival called South By Southwest, or SXSW for short.  From March 11th-20th this year, downtown Austin is transformed into a buzz of activity – buildings get a facelift and revamped into new venues, parking lots are converted into branded places to hang with friends, and people line the streets.

One place that has really made a mark at the 2011 SXSW festival is the Pepsi MAX Lot at 3rd Street & San Jacinto.  Last week, it was a plain old parking lot.  This week, it’s the place to be for happy hours, a wi-fi lounge, delicious food, foursquare & ping pong, lots of free Pepsi MAX and even CUSTOM FLIPBOOKS!

Guests were blown away when they received a free flipbook within minutes of making a short video clip inside the PicFlips studio.  Make a funny video with friends…get a flipbook…flip the pages and see you and your friends inside the pages!  The response was unbelievable!  The PicFlips mobile flipbook studio was set up on Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at the Pepsi MAX Lot for an after-party.

PicFlips Flipbooks will be back for Pepsi MAX’s Monday event featuring Big Boi at the Seaholm Power Plant and for next Saturday’s event at the Pepsi MAX Lot, Snoop Dogg’s Funk n Soul Extravaganz featuring Snoop Dogg, Mayer Hawthorne and the County, and DAM-FUNK.  See ya there!

My love of reading was cultivated when I was young.  I’ve always been an avid reader, and even now when I want to relax, I curl up with a good magazine or book.   That’s why I think it’s great that the Fort Worth “I Have a Dream Foundation” holds the Reading Rocks Brunch each year to raise money for the non-profit organization.  The Ridglea Country Club is transformed into a land of stories that literally pop off the pages.  Each of the 50 or so tables are sponsored and decorated with the theme of a story book.  Dan Yaccarino’s book, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, was the theme of the 2011 Reading Rocks.  Watch the video and see for yourself:

…Isn’t it magical??  I think the adults enjoyed the event as much as the kids!