Bringing the Newborn Business Home

With a great deal of Buddha belly rubbing, www.mamacuna.com finally went live, very quietly on September 8, 2007. But behind the silent birth of our brand new Internet baby, our doctor (known to most people as a web master) was still busy with life support (otherwise also known as tech support). You see, those of you who shop onthe Web, never see the wizards behind the curtain. For those of you insane enough to spend all your hard earned money (or better yet, someone else's) on creating a Web based business complete with online shopping capabilities, it's not so apparently seamless. There are various layers; the design shell or the pretty website, the merchant services or those kind people that service your credit card transactions leaving only small bruises on your bottom line, the shopping cart itself, the all-too very important accounting software, and finally, the software that acts much like a conduit between all of them, making everything appear magical. You shop, you find, you like, you buy, you click!

Not necessarily so. For about a week after we went live, one system wasn't fully talking to another and no one on either side seemed to be able to figure it out even when we were able to provide the snippet of information that needed to be changed. Here is where a good technical person is invaluable. Our guy was on point that entire week dogging these companies up the ladder from bored receptionists to self-important techs to the invisible but all-seeing programmers. I like to think that our guy not only made our lives easier from that point, but brought two companies together in a more spiritual way - at least through the divine province of code.

So, if the insane idea of opening a restaurant isn't for you, but the insane idea of starting an Internet retail site is, then make absolute sure you invest in a good web master. He or she is not only responsible for creating a wonderful illusion for your customers, but building that business rocket you can ride.

Now, back to Buddha. This Fair Trade Laughing Buddha from the Mitra Bali Foundation in Indonesia is the first prize to be given away at the end of September to some lucky Mamacuna Traders Enewsletter subscriber. So, if you aren't on the list, you won't be rubbing belly anytime soon. Subscribe at www.mamacuna.com.

And, just to keep you salivating. I unpacked some beautiful Talavera ceramics from Mexico and some very cool scarves, bowls and shell purses from Vietnam. Keep your eye on Mamacuna Traders for new stuff every week!