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May Newsletter 2009
In This Issue
Portrait of the Month: Sherry Barndollar Rock
Open House chez Sherry Rock
Please Tell us what you Think
Join Our Mailing List
Quick Links
Greetings!
 
Alix with tulips
This month we celebrate our newsletter's first anniversary!  When we sent out our first issue last May, we hoped to establish a dialogue with you, our friends and customers, to learn how Swan Ways could better meet your needs and interests and contribute to the beauty and grace of your lifestyle.  Judging from our steadily increasing subscribers' list - we now count 344 active readers! - and by the comments many of you have sent, we appear to be on the right track.  
 
There is, however, always room for improvement, and I urge you to send us your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this issue so we can do our best to provide you with the products and services you deserve.  To encourage your participation, all of those who respond will be entered in a raffle for a $50 gift certificate towards any purchase from Swan Ways' collection. 
 
In this issue, we feature Sherry Rock as our portrait of the month, and we share a few snapshots of the very successful open house she hosted on May 2.  We were very pleased to see so many of you there enjoying the company, the refreshments, and Swan Ways' new spring collection.  For those of you who could not make it but would like to find that special finishing touch to your spring wardrobe, or the perfect gift, please remember I am only one  e-mail or phone call away.  Do get in touch, I am always delighted to see you any time.
  
With warmest regards,  
 

Alix Sundquist
Portrait of the Month - Sherry Barndollar Rock
 

Sherry Rock is a native of New Hampshire and a resident of Washington, D.C. since 1975.  Sherry and her Foreign Service family have lived in Tel Aviv, Brussels and Paris, returning to Washington DC between assignments.  She has devoted her career to nonprofit management, both as a professional and as a volunteer, and was recently selected as the new Executive Director of DACOR and the DACOR Bacon House Foundation. DACOR is an association composed predominantly of Foreign Service Officers, many of whom are retired but continuously engaged in foreign affairs.  

 
  Pauline's breast cup
 

Sherry's volunteer activities have included serving for seven years until January 2009 as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music. As Vice President and Chair of the Development Committee, Sherry promoted the organization's signature program, "Playing for Peace."

Sherry is married to Anthony "Bud" Rock, retired senior Foreign Service Officer and now Vice President for Global Engagement at Arizona State University. They have two children, Katie, a student at the University of Virginia, and David, a student at Arizona State University. 
 

Sherry developed her love of scarves and shawls while living in Paris and regularly adds to her lovely collection - the hand-loomed Cambodian silk she is wearing in the picture was her first purchase from Swan Ways! A member of Swan Ways' advisory board, Sherry has hosted two very successful open houses and introduced many of her friends to our Collection.  We appreciate her outstanding support and friendship more than words can say. 

Open House chez Sherry Rock

May 2, 2009 
 

Jill Pauline's breast cup 
 
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 Pauline's breast cup     parvaneh jewelry
Please Tell us what you Think
 
The best part of growing a venture such as Swan Ways is the opportunity to build personal relationships based on trust and friendship with one's customers.   The open house on May 2 and those that preceded it were wonderful opportunities to talk to you and find out what you think about the Collection, what items you like best, and how we are doing and could improve. 

The Newsletter is also a means to learn more about you, your interests and desires, and your opinion of what we have to offer.  Our growing base of loyal customers who come regularly to our events and read  our newsletter is very encouraging.  Since our first open house in December 2006, Swan Ways has developed into a beautiful but still very small enterprise - and we feel ready to take it to the next level!  To do that, we would really appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to tell us what you think. Your views and suggestions are the most important input we can get to help us grow and blossom by doing the job you deserve - the best possible!
 
Please e-mail us at alix@swanways.com with your comments on one or more of the following questions: 
 
1.    Would you buy again from Swan Ways and         
       recommend us to your friends?  Why? 
2.    What do you think about our web site and
       newsletter?  Do you find them interesting
       and attractive?  Do they communicate a clear
       brand identity? How can they be improved? 
3.    What additional products or services would
       you recommend we add - internet store,
       boutique space, other? 
4.    Do you have any suggestions for marketing
       venues for Swan Ways, e.g.,  trade shows, 
       fundraising events, other? 
5.    Would you or someone you know be interested
       in hosting an open house or trunk show for
       Swan Ways?
6.    What would you like us to do better or
       differently?  
 
 

 
articlewritingInvitation to contribute to the newsletter
 
We welcome your thoughts on articles or questions you would like to see addressed in the newsletter.  If you write an article and it is selected for publication, we will post it with your byline and picture and we will send you a $25.00 certificate valid on any purchase of Swan Ways' collection.
 
We look forward to hearing from you! 



Alix Sundquist
Swan Ways