All small/mid-size businesses MUST be aware of the new changes.  The following is an article from the Arizona Republic about the new changes.  Be informed and start to speak out against this before it is too late: "New Law May Hurt Resellers of Children's Toys" by Max Jarman, (http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2009/01/18/20090118biz-toys0118.html) A law set to take effect Feb. 10 will for the first time set limits on lead and other hazardous materials found in products manufactured for children ages 12 and younger. It was passed by Congress in response to a flood of lead-laden products coming into the country, especially from China. Although it is aimed primarily at manufacturers and importers, its reach extends to thrift shops, online sites and yard sales.They can be held responsible if they sell products containing too much lead and other banned items. The law could threaten resale stores, operators say, threatening their business and creating a hardship for bargain hunters and the growing number of cash-strapped consumers who increasingly rely on them. They can be held responsible if they sell products containing too much lead and other banned items. The law could threaten resale stores, operators say, threatening their business and creating a hardship for bargain hunters and the growing number of cash-strapped consumers who increasingly rely on them. "Short of not taking any more children'sclothingand toys, there's no way we can be completely compliant," said Sherri Collins, operator of three Phoenix area Other Mothers resale stores. One problem for thrift shops is identifying the banned items among inventories of thousands of products, which were often made years ago and lack identifying marks. With possible fines as high as $100,000, some stores are closing and others are phasing out children's products, said Adele Meyer, executive director of the Michigan-based National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops. She is leading a fight to gain exemptions for resale stores. Under the "Save Second-Hand Children's Clothing & Toys" heading on the group's Web site, consumers can sign a petition to be sent to Congress calling for the retroactive compliance requirement for children's clothes in the law to be removed. Lead scares Before the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was passed in August, high levels of lead were found in dozens of products, including children's jewelry, backpacks and ponchos. Lead can be found in buttons or charms on clothing and on appliques added to fabric. "We have had lead limits on paint for years, but, up until now, no specific protections for children's products," said Charles Margulis, a spokesman with the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland. The organization has led the charge for safer children's products. Last year, it helped test 1,500 toys found on store shelves for lead, arsenic, mercury, a flame retardant known as bromine and other substances. The study found that one in three toys had significant levels of toxic chemicals, and that helped push through the new law. As of Feb. 10, children's products with lead content more than 600 parts per million cannot be sold in the U.S. That drops to 300 ppm in August. The law also sets limits on phthalates, a plastic softener that has been linked to liver disease and cancer. Manufactures are required to test and certify that new products are free of hazardous materials, and existing hazardous products can't be sold. That includes items sold online and at yard sales. "We're not going to have compliance officers out visiting garage sales," said Sonia Hayes-Pleasant, a spokeswoman with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington, D.C. "But they do need to be aware that is illegal to sell those items." Weeding-out process The law stops short of requiring thrift and consignment shop owners to test second-hand clothing and toys. But, it does hold them, and other sellers, liable for civil and criminal penalties if they sell products that have been subject to a recall or that have lead or phthalates content that exceeds the new limits. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has come up with a list of about 1,700 products that thrift and consignment stores must clear off their shelves by Feb. 10 and avoid selling in the future. But the list is only a starting point. There are probably many more hazardous products that have never been tested and aren't on the list. There, shop owners are on their own in weeding them out. Collins plans to stop selling car seats but will try to verify the safety of other products. She has brought on a new employee to help buyers recognize products that have been recalled or that may contain lead paint or phthalates. "We're turning away anything that's questionable," Collins said. With the potential fines, owners of some resale stores could determine the risk is too great, even if their shops are valued by customers. Linda Herring, a retired Kmart employee inPhoenix, raised five children with clothes from Collins' store and now shops there for her 22 grandchildren. "I've got to stretch my dollar," she said. Suggested revisions Chandra Stewart, a spokeswoman forGoodwillofCentralArizona, said the agency is aware of the new law and intends to comply but hasn't developed a plan for its 39 Arizona thrift stores. "We need to get a better picture of what it means," Stewart said. Kaitlin Goodall, a spokeswoman for Bellevue, Wash.-based Savers Inc., said the company already has strict policies in place for identifying and eliminating hazardous merchandise. The chain has 210 thrift stores, including 18 in Arizona. Shauna Collins, founder of Kid to Kid, a Salt Lake City-based chain of about 80 children's resale shops around the U.S., with four in Arizona, says the law is too broad and needs to be modified. She would like to see the 12-and-younger age range lowered. "It's primarily toddlers that put things in their mouths," she said. She also would like to see the list of banned products cut to those that pose serious concerns. "Some of the items are ridiculous," she said, noting one banned product is a Barbie purse with a red dot of lead paint inside a decorative sunflower. ...read more

SBE Multi-Media sets new standards in price and selection range to fill a much needed gap in the Print-On-Demand (POD) apparel industry Custom printed apparel, or Print-On-Demand (POD) apparel, is becoming a large industry, not only in theUnited States, but across the world. “With the advances in internet/website technology consumers now have the ability to truly create products that are unique to them,” states Doug Walter, Production Manager for SBE Media. Café Press, Zazzle and Spreadshirt were some of the pioneering companies which paved the way for customers and aspiring entrepreneurs to design products and create a marketplace in which to sell those products. The only problem, according to Walter, “they grew too big, too fast. Although they have broad selections this has also resulted in higher operating costs, which in turn, gets passed on to the customer or affiliate store owner.”    SBE Multi-Media, a relatively new company in the marketplace, has expanded steadily focusing more on core consumer tastes in basic apparel products, such as shirts, hoodies, underwear, etc., then on other textile items. By focusing on basic apparel products, SBE has been able to control its inventory levels, thus assisting in its low price strategy and allowing its customers and affiliates more room to set reasonable prices. An example of SBE’s price strategy was its implementation of the $8 custom t-shirt program.   In addition to lower base prices on products, new affiliate store owners are promoted through SBE’s various media outlets at no cost to them. This, in turn, helps affiliate store owners the ability to reach a greater audience faster.   Please follow the links below to see a sample of our affiliate store owners xscreamhalloween.hauntgeeks.com ipimpshirts.hauntgeeks.com donscustomdesigns.hauntgeeks.com   ###   SBE Multi-Media (www.sbemedia.com) is a Print-On-Demand (POD) and multi-media solutions provider with e-Commerce store owners across the world. ...read more

SBE Multi-Media Sets the Price Bar on Custom Printed Apparel SBE Multi-Media announced that it will continue to provide, both its customers and affiliate e-store owners, with the most affordable and high quality custom shirts through the implementation of its $8 custom t-shirt program.  "Unlike other Print-On-Demand (POD) apparel companies, such as CafePress or Zazzle, both of whom have high operating and production costs, we have streamlined our production and management process from our company's inception," states Doug Walter, Production Manager for SBE Media.  "As a result, in a time when many companies have had to reduce staff or hike prices to cover costs, our adherence to a low cost structure has enabled us to maintain high customer satisfaction and quality of product, without the need for a single price increase.  Most importantly, we believe that a custom shirt shouldn't cost $30." In addition to lower base prices, free affiliate e-Store owners and their customers, now have the capability to quickly upload their designs, change their e-Commerce settings and/or order custom apparel all from their iPhone or other similar smart phone device with no hidden fees or charges.  Through SBE Media, powered by DecoNetwork and PikiCentral, designing custom apparel is as easy as taking a picture on your iPhone, upload to your store, order and pay $8. ### SBE Multi-Media (www.sbemedia.com) is a Print-On-Demand (POD) and multi-media solutions provider with e-Commerce store owners across the world. ...read more

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from SBE Multi-Media, LLC. Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: SBE Multi-Media                              mediarelations@sbemedia.com www.sbemedia.com   SBE Multi-Media Redefines Business On-the-Go   SBE Media’s e-Commerce Platform Easily Integrates with Smart Phone Technology   SBE Multi-Media announced that both affiliate store owners and customers now have the capability to quickly upload their designs, change their e-Commerce settings and/or order custom apparel all from their iPhone or other similar smart phone device. This is in addition, to providing free hosting and fulfillment services to their affiliate store owners.   “Traditionally, e-Commerce store owners, as well as their customers, had one outlet, and that was purchasing, customizing and selling by desktop or laptop,” states Tom Brophy, President of SBE Media. “With the development of smart phone technology, such as the iPhone, and use of our user friendly e-Commerce interface, our affiliate store owners can now take their business anywhere and everywhere, there’s limitless opportunities. This also allows their customers to upload, design, and pay for their custom apparel anywhere in the world.”   Through SBE Media, powered by DecoNetwork and PikiCentral, designing custom apparel is as easy as taking a picture on your iPhone, upload to your store, order and pay. Additionally, affiliate store owners can track orders, website traffic, and update their store wherever and whenever.   ###   SBE Multi-Media (www.sbemedia.com) is a Print-On-Demand (POD) and multi-media solutions provider with e-Commerce store ownersacross the world. ...read more

Coming in January 2009, join SlightlySickâ„¢ and the rest of our dysfunctional family as we celebrate the misadventures of Sicko the Clown.  Check outwww.slightlysick-u.comfor more info ...read more

Are you worried about what to get that special someone for Christmas but do not want to break the bank??!!  Well we have the solution for you: $6.90 custom white t-shirts (print area 8.5" x 11") on sale until December 31st. You can upload any design (such as portraits, family pictures, funny sayings, etc.) or pick from many of our own.  We'll print and ship.  Check out one of our affiliate's design, which can be found atwww.slightlysick.com Or you can always place your order atwww.sbemedia.com. ...read more

SlightlySick University (www.slightlysick-u.com), the New Name in Higher (Blogging) Education, has select openings for qualified professors to teach class. Due to tremendous public response, SlightlySick U, a community, or student, based blog is currently seeking professors to teach various classes for the winter semester.  SlightlySick U is based, in part, on a traditional online University, however, unlike other blogs available online, does not exclude or limit content.  SlightlySick U allows its students to pick the topics or courses they want to learn more about.  "Because of the broad spectrum of potential classes to be offered, we only limit the number of classes, or professor blogs, to a maximum of ten (10) classes per semester," states Dan Slatkin, IT and Content Director for SlightlySick.com, which hosts SlightlySick-U.  "This allows our students and professors to have a truly interactive and unique online blogging experience."  For those professors who do not have enough time to teach a full semester class, Sick-U, allows professors to teach special lecture series. Professors who are chosen to teach class are allowed, and encouraged, to market their product or services, which include free banner postings and links to their website, during their teaching tenure.  In addition to free advertising, through SBE Multi-Media (www.sbemedia.com), SlightlySick's parent company, professors can create their won free online e-Commerce store and sell class related products and designs on various apparel, with fulfillment services being offered through SBE Multi-Media. ### SlightlySickâ„¢ Univeristy is a non-accredited public blog and social forum serving the world community.  Our focus is on a community which engages in teaching, learning, research and discovery which not only allows personal growth but improves the overall dour humor of society. SBE Multi-Media is a Print-On-Demand (POD) service provider with e-Commerce store owners in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Northern Ireland, and Australia. ...read more

SlightlySick University, the New Name in Higher (Blogging) Education SlightlySick.com officially announced the creation of its new on-line, non-accredited SlightlySick University (www.slightlysick-u.com). SlightlySick U, or blog, "allows our users to have a truly interactive and unique online blogging experience, much like that of a traditional online University," states Dan Slatkin, IT and Content Director for SlightlySick.com.  "Unlike other blogs which dictate content, we allow our users or 'students' to choose the topics they want to read and learn more about and we, in turn, seek 'professors' to accomodate their interests.  Class schedules run daily and cover a variety of topics including, Pick-Up 101, Language and Religion, and Software Basics to name a few." SlightlySick U is also involved in collaborative projects, such as the production of an open source horror film entitled, 'Dark Places' where students are encouraged to participate in the development, writing, and animation of the film.  Unlike many blogs available online, SlightlySick U looks for professors who want to actively brand their business and incorporate their services and/or products within the confines of their class.  As such, professors are allowed free advertising on the site, with banner ads which link back to the professor's website.  Through SBE Multi-Media, SlightlySick's parent company, professors can create their own free online e-Commerce store and sell class related products and designs on various apparel. SlightlySick is a Las Vegas inspired apparel and promotions company and is a registed trademark of SBE Multi-Media. SBE Multi-Media, the parent company of SlightlySick, is a Print-On-Demand (POD) apparel service provider with e-Commerce store owners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, UK, Northern Ireland, and Australia. ...read more

Tis the season.  Just wanted to let everyone know that we are offering a truly unique special.  You can now order custom white t-shirts with any design (you can either choose for our design templates or upload your own).  Print area is 8.5" x 11".  Custom t-shirts are great Christmas presents, special give-a-ways, or you can order a few to be used in promotional or other fundraising activity.  Order now as supplies are limited!! For more information please go to our website:www.sbemedia.com. SBE Multi-Media is a Print-On-Demand (POD) service provider with e-Commerce store owners in the United States, Canada, Mexico, UK, Northern Ireland, and Australia. ...read more

We've just published a new edition of our newsletter! You can check it out on our website and get the latest information from SBE Multi-Media, LLC. Let us know what you think! Read It Now Here ...read more

SECRET TO SUCCESS: NO CASH REQUIRED?   Print-On-Demand (POD) Apparel Companies Offer Business Opportunities at No Cost or Risk   PHOENIX,AZ– November 19, 2008 -- An amazing, and often, overlooked business opportunity is just one click away. Many of us have received emails and ads proclaiming such, but hidden amid the online scams is a genuine no cost, no risk opportunity and it lies in the Print-On-Demand (POD) apparel industry. POD companies are the printing and drop ship fulfillment centers for its customers, while allowing customers to create their own designs.   Industry sources estimate that annually, inNorth Americaalone, consumers buy approx. 1.4 billion t-shirts with an estimated retail value of $20 billion. Thanks to enterprising companies like SBEMedia.com, CafePress.com and Zazzle.com, just to name a few, all it takes to create your own online custom t-shirt and apparel site is an e-mail address, a little time and some creativity.   Most POD providers allow their users to design their own free web store, hosted through the POD provider’s website, with easy to use templates. Once a store has been created, users then define the designs and products they want to sell. The base price of each product is set by the individual POD provider, which then enables the user, or e-store owner, to set a ‘mark-up’ on the base unit price which equates to profit. For example, at SBE Media the base price for a t-shirt is $11, the e-store owner can then set their mark-up to $15, or to any appropriate price selected by the owner, which, in this example, translates to $4 profit for each shirt sold, with SBE Media printing and drop shipping the order. At the end of each month, e-store owners are paid their commissions, or ‘profits,’ via a PayPal account.    By using POD providers, there are no start-up costs or risks associated with traditional business operations. Use of POD services can be a great second source of income, especially when e-store owners market via free social networking sites, such as MySpace, Craigslist and FaceBook. Additionally, artists, small businesses, groups, nonprofit organizations, etc. can easily use these services to create an e-Commerce presence quickly and for free. ...read more

That's right to all our motorcyle enthusiasts Las Vegas BikeFest, Nevada's largest motorcycle rally located at Cashman Center (near the Strip and the Freemont Street Experience) starts this Thursday October 2, and runs through October 5, 2008,SlightlySick will be giving two (2) free tickets to the event, as well as, free SlightlySick Gear and (1) $100 FREE GAS CARD. In order to win, you have to be 18+ and be a registered user at SlightlySick University.  Once you have registered you need to send us at promotions@sbemedia.com a 'Rant and Rave' where you can discuss anything really irritates, aggravates, or just plain ticks you off.  All rants must be received by us by no later than Sunday, September 28, 2008.  The winner, which will be based on content, style and general creativity, will be notified on Monday, September, 29th.  The winner will receive a pair of tickets to Las Vegas BikeFest, a custom SlightlySick Gear t-shirt, and $100 Free Gas Card! Also, if you're going to Las Vegas BikeFest make sure you stop by Booth #2267 and check out the SlightlySick Crew and beautiful women of DejaVu Showgirls to get custom t-shirts and pictures starting at only $20 for both or, if you are a Merchant Circle member, make sure to print out the coupon and get both the custom t-shirt and picture for only $15. We look forward to seeing you there. ...read more

To all those motorcyle enthusiasts who are planning on attendingLas Vegas BikeFest, Nevada's largest motorcycle rally located at Cashman Center (near the Strip and the Freemont Street Experience) between October 2-5, 2008,SlightlySick will be giving two (2) free tickets to the event, as well as, free SlightlySick Gear and (1) $100 FREE GAS CARD, for registered users atSlightlySick University.  In order to win, you have to be 18+ and be a registered user at SlightlySick University.  Once you have registered you need to send us at promotions@sbemedia.com a 'Rant and Rave' where you can discuss anything really irritates, aggravates, or just plain ticks you off.  All rants must be received by us by no later than Sunday, September 28, 2008.  The winner, which will be based on content, style and general creativity, will be notified on Monday, September, 29th.  The winner will receive a pair of tickets to Las Vegas BikeFest, a custom SlightlySick Gear t-shirt, and $100 Free Gas Card! Also, if you're going to Las Vegas BikeFest make sure you stop by Booth #2267 and check out the SlightlySick Crew and beautiful women of DejaVu Showgirls to get custom t-shirts and pictures starting at only $20 for both or, if you are a Merchant Circle member, make sure to print out the coupon and get both the custom t-shirt and picture for only $15. We look forward to seeing you there. ...read more

To all those motorcyle enthusiasts who are planning on attendingLas Vegas BikeFest, Nevada's largest motorcycle rally located at Cashman Center (near the Strip and the Freemont Street Experience) between October 2-5, 2008,SlightlySick will be giving two (2) free tickets to the event.  In order to win, all you have to do is go toSlightlySick University and register online.  Once you have registered you need to send us atinfo@sbemedia.com a 'Rant and Rave' where you can discuss anything you want.  All rants must be received by us by no later than Sunday, September 28, 2008.  The winner, which will be based on content, style and general creativity, will be notified on Monday, September, 29th.  The winner will receive a pair of tickets to Las Vegas BikeFest, a custom SlightlySick Gear t-shirt, and much more! Also, if you're going to Las Vegas BikeFest make sure you stop by Booth #2267 and check out the SlightlySick Crew and beautiful women of DejaVu Showgirls to get custom t-shirts and pictures starting at only $20 for both or, if you are a Merchant Circle member, make sure to print out the coupon and get both the custom t-shirt and picture for only $15. We look forward to seeing you there. ...read more