The Indie Experience
June 23, 2008
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 9, Issue 22
To subscribe, click here
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1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
2.
New At the Blog: Indies In The City! And then
some!!
3. This Week On Indie Business Radio:
Starting and Managing a Business In a Down Economy
4. Indie Candy: Brenda
Tucker-Johnson :: Brenda's Body :: California
5. New at Indie Business Forum: FDA Globalization Act
of 2008
Indie Beauty Ritual: Fresh Cucumber Vitamin Clay Mask
1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
Welcome Renewing Members!
Bramble Berry | Anne-Marie Faiola | Washington
* Member since June 2001; Bramble Berry Inc. supplies
fully-tested fragrance oils (suitable for both candles and all types of soap),
as well as a wide range of colorants. We also sell a large variety of molds and
unscented toiletry bases. Bramble Berry Inc. stocks numerous bottles (including
hard-to-find items), as well as a unique innovative flavor oil line. We have a
Monthly Specials page on our web site, so be sure to check our web site often!
DSA Aromatherapy | Diane Seago Atkins | Texas
* Member since June 2007; Exquisite spa soaps and creams
to rejuvenate your beautiful skin and make you smile. Home of anti-aging
Sapphire Face Oil, Totally Tangerine Body Butter, and famous Lavender Mist!
Fields of Ambrosia | Deborah Jasien | New
Hampshire
* Member since June 2002; FoA was developed in a search
for cleansing, nourishing and therapeutic body care products that would be earth
friendly and beneficial to the human body. Combining the life force energy of
plants with the healing powers of pure essential oils gives each creation a
signature fragrance which can help to enhance health and psychological
well-being. All formulas are tested, (on willing family and friends) to ensure
that they are functional, safe and effective. These products are free from
synthetic, petroleum, and animal derivatives and they are handcrafted and
packaged here at Intervale Farm using recycled glass, plastic, paper and cork
and locally harvested timber.
Rinse Bath and Body | Heather Swanepoel | Georgia
* Member since June 2007; Delectable handmade bath &
body products including soaps, soon to be famous skin sticks, lip balms... using
a blend of exotic oils & butters (all of which are known for their benefits
to the skin.) Let the Pampering Begin!
The Long Rose | Marita Len | New York
* Member since June 2007; Handcrafted natural soaps and
bodycare products using very high quality essential oils. We specialize in soaps
with uncommonly used oils, fats and butters. Some bars contain real vanilla
essential oil. Exceptional products, naturally.
Welcome New Members!
Chandrima | Elisabeth McKinney | Arizona
* Handmade beauty products and jewelry.
Mollycoddle Kids | Kafi Babilonia | California
* Come explore aromatic handmade eco-luxe bath and
body products for children and adults, made from phthalate free fragrances and
essential oils. Recognized for our rich emollient body butters, our products are
Paraben, mineral oil, Formaldehyde, petroleum, and artificial color FREE!
Everyone deserves to be naturally pampered!
Theraroma | Heather Demarest and Michael Sanchez |
North Carolina
* Theraroma makes 100% pure, natural therapeutic
essential oil blends, lotions and oils. You can visit us online or at our
storefront in downtown Manteo on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina
where you can also browse our soaps, candles and fair trade items or make your
own blends!
The Luttrell Stillroom | Mary Lutrell Stoner |
Pennsylvania
* Assisting the feeling of well being through
synergistic blends. Historically, in every large household a room was dedicated
to the purpose of compounding remedies needed by the family, staff and workers.
The lady of the house crafted blends to enhance and ease every day living in her
stillroom. Although the days of large manors are past, the stillroom remains!
Combining essential oils with natural ingredients the luxurious comforts of ages
gone by have been recreated and are available though The Luttrell Stillroom.
Saponifier Magazine | Kathy Tarbox | Washington
* Saponifier Magazine is the educational and
encouraging voice for handcrafters of soap, toiletries, cosmetics, and candles.
Saponifier disseminates the news and information about the industry relevant to
the interests of manufacturers and suppliers.
Learn more about Indie members and their exciting products, services and activities by visiting their websites through our Online Member Directory. You can search for your favorite Indie by state/country, business name, keyword or alphabetical listings.
2. New At the Blog: Indies In The City, Indies On TV and Indies Quitting Their Jobs!!
Just look at those gorgeous Indies! Our first Indies In The City was a smashing success, and so much fun that I had to create this video blog about it. What a joy it was to invest time in their success and see how much positive energy and enthusiasm flowed between us. At the "end" of our time together, everyone stayed for another hour to get more inspiration.
A few days after Indies In The City, IBN member Dawn Fitch called me to tell me she and her company, Pooka Pure and Simple, were going to be featured on the CBS Evening News. Yeah, you heard me right! After making sure that other people in my house committed to dinner clean up, I perched myself in front of the tube to cheer on the Pookalitas. So I had to blog about that too, because it would be a crime for you to miss it!! Here's the post, with video of course!
Then, because there's been so much talk at the Indie Business Forum about creating an exit plan to take you from traditional employee to Indie, I interviewed California-based Kristin Fraser-Cotte of The Grapeseed Company who just quit her job last week. Check out the details of Kristen's very well orechestrated exit plan here.
Do you have something to say? Post a comment and join the discussion!
Want more great information to help you grow your business? Then click here to get my blog posts automatically delivered directly to you through our RSS feed. If you prefer email, provide your email address at the blog, upper right corner.
3. Today on Indie Business Radio: Starting and Managing a Business in a Down Economy
Today's
Show: Starting and Managing a Business in a Down EconomyRieva Lesonsky, author and former editor of Entrepreneur Magazine, joins me to talk about how best to start or maintain a business in a down economy. My guest Indie co-host today, Lori Nova of The Nova Studio, will join me with a special announcement!
And last week's show is ready! Click here for my interview of Jeff Wuorio, author of "The Idiot's Guide to Retirement Planning. Jeff shared great tips for how Indie Business owners can plan for retirement without the stress.
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4. Indie Candy: Brenda's Body | Brenda Tucker-Johnson | California
IBN has nearly 700 member companies, which makes it difficult for me to get to know members individually. That's why I'm so glad that I have an open door, open phone and open email policy, meaning that I love hearing from my members! A few weeks ago, 58-year old Brenda Tucker-Johnson, a relatively new IBN member, emailed me asking if I had ever heard of a company that was marketing products to her through the Internet. I answered her question, and because I am insatiably curious, I also visited the Brenda's Body website. I was very intrigued with the shape of her soaps (see below), and we struck up a conversation. And you know what that means Indies! I just had to tell you about her!
How did you start your business and what is the inspiration for it?
After retiring from 20 years of teaching in
January 2005, I spent three wonderful weeks doing exactly what I wanted to do - Nothing! I had
absolutely no plans to start working again, let alone start a business. However, one day on my way to the gym, I took a turn and ended up at the
city business license office and filled out an application for a home-based business. Without hesitation I filled in the name of the
business, paid my fee, and left the office feeling euphoric while at the
same time trying to figure what I had just done. When I came off "cloud
nine." I knew I had taken the first step to following my daughter's advice in reference to my home-made body butter; "Mom, this stuff is
great, you gotta sell it!"
Brenda's Body was born.
In the beginning I followed my gut instinct and still do, BUT in addition to that, I have attended product-making classes, business workshops, conferences, trade shows and subscribed to several business magazines. Along with a nightly dose of "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch" and constant referral to the Indie Beauty Network website, continuing my business education is top priority and a daily activity.
What's your niche?
My niche is female, 35 years+ who shops for attractive, quality products for herself and her loved ones.
Besides the abundance of natural ingredients used in the products, I am most proud of the 'look' of my products and everything associated with them. From the logo, to the label design, to the colors, to the brochures, to the website; the 'look' of Brenda's Body is attractive and professional. That holds true for each collection. Also unique to Brenda's Body is that I had my trademarked logo made into a soap mold to create my Body Cleansing Bars that many people just buy to look at. They often say "It's too pretty to use!" And finally, I have collections for men, women, and children and the Bath Bone which is a natural soap for dogs I designed for our dog Jak.
How many products are in your line and what are the most popular ones?
Currently I have eleven
products in my line. My Body Cleansing Bars (pictured) and most of the
items in the "Especially for Him" collection sell well.
What's new with your business these days?
What's new is another line for men, one product in three fragrances. The name is currently going through the
trademark process and the products are due out this fall. Also, I'm especially excited about my
bath collection in its custom designed box due out this fall also. I have so many new products in my head that sometimes I feel like a
volcano that has finally erupted after lying dormant for over half a century! Who knew!
How do you market your products?
I sell my products online and at a few vendor sales around the holidays. Since marketing is my weakest area, I recently started
reading "Marketing Kit for Dummies" and plan to join networking groups to
learn more marketing techniques to increase sales.
Who or what helps your business be successful?
My support system helps me make my business successful. My husband Curtis maintains and supports the home front. My daughter Ayana motivates me and helps with various tasks. My dear friend Renata Gray drew my logo. My talented graphic designer David Alexander helped create my brand. My informed web master Michael Swartz maintains my website. My friend and very patient administrative consultant, Freda Pleasants creates charts and databases and helps keep me organized.
Family members and friends brave enough to let me use them as test subjects for my new products. And of course the people who buy my products!
What are the best things about what you do?
The best thing about doing what I do is knowing, after all these years, that I am a creative person. I always thought creative people had to sing, dance, draw, play an instrument or act. However, once I started to get serious about making a business out of something I had done since I was a teenager, I realized that making products that make people feel good and smell good is certainly creative. I feel that the intellectual side of my brain has finally met the creative side, which makes me feel complete!
What is a challenge you face, and how do you overcome it?
The two biggest challenges for me right now is controlling the number of products I want to create and deciding the best way to market my products. Other than word of mouth, I'm looking for new ways to expand my current 'sphere of influence' and introduce Brenda's Body to different markets.
What are you doing when you're not working?
When I'm not working, I'm working out. I love to exercise. It's my therapy. I go to the gym several days a week and do my own routine and work up a sweat and work out the problems of the day. On other days I love to take long walks up and down the hills in my neighborhood. Going to various holistic spas and retreats around the country is a way I treat myself when I can and lots of quiet time with a good book or an old black and white movie is also a great escape.
What business tips can you offer to others wishing to start a business of their own?
My advice would be to always approach your business as a business but don't be afraid to let your taste and
personality show through your products, website, brochures, and any other physical aspect of your
business. Also, don't be afraid or intimidated by the trademark process. I completed the first one myself using a material application
for my business name, logo, and slogan. I currently have three more pending including an international application which were filed online
by Freda. I have yet to work with an investor but plan to in the future once I complete a business plan and the time is right for me to expand.
What do you like about being a member of the Indie Beauty Network?
Being an Indie helps me get real. I read the newsletter, I listen to the recorded group coaching, I read some of the blogs and it all
helps me put things in perspective. Not to mention how you promptly answer e-mails personally! That still amazes me. The coaching session
on getting ready for the holidays in June was an eye-opener. I put a
trip on hold to begin working now for later. Being connected to the Indie Beauty Network makes me feel connected to the pulse of this
industry with a life line to help reel me in if I need it. Thank you Donna Maria for doing what you do!
What are your annual gross revenues?
Getting my financials in order is at the top of my to-do list so that in the future I can answer that question in real numbers.
Meanwhile, from June, 2005 (which is when I sold my first products), until now, my sales have tripled. My projection for June of 2009 is to
increase sales year round and not just around the holidays (ok, I know
that's vague but it's honest)...
This is Indie Candy, so if you were a brand of candy, what would you be and why?
A Starburst fruit chew, because that's how I feel - like a shooting star, brightly colored, soaring, feet barely touching the ground, been around for quite some time but feeling brand new. I feel truly blessed to be at this stage in my life. With a wealth of life experience behind me and the prospect of new life experiences and prosperity ahead. How sweet it is!
Now that you've taken the time to answer all of my questions (thank you!), what can you tell us about your philosophy of life and business that can encourage us to be the best we can be?
One of my favorite places to eat lunch is a vegan restaurant called Café Gratitude in Berkeley, CA, which I visit as often as I can with my dear friend, Virginia. All the menu items begin with 'I am ...' and each name describes something positive and something to be grateful for. That's me, positive and always grateful.
5. New At The Forum: FDA Globalization Act of 2008
New
At The Forum
The draft of the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2008 continues to be a topic of great interest at the forum. I posted the outcome of last week's member Strategy Session here.
Join the discussion and share your opinion on this important industry issue!
Best & Success!!
Donna Maria
Editor, The Indie Experience
The Indie Beauty Network | www.indiebeauty.com
Copyright (c) 2000 - 2007 by The Indie Beauty Network (IBN) and Donna Maria. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction is prohibited. IBN does not necessarily endorse any product, event or ideology featured in The Handmade Beauty Connection (HBC) or on IBN's website. All information is provided on an "as is" basis and no express or implied warranties are given. Any use of the information contained in the HBC or on IBN's web site, including recipes, is solely at your own risk. IBN and Donna Maria disclaim any liability in connection with the use of all recipes, products reviewed and other information. Except for sponsorships, HBC refuses compensation from companies to feature or mention their names or products. Opinions expressed in any Product Review are personally those of the reviewer and do not represent the views of IBN, Donna Maria (unless she is the reviewer) or any other person or company.
