The Indie Experience
November 24, 2008
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 9, Issue 41
To subscribe, click here
-- Media Partner --
1. Indie Beauty: Connect, Collaborate, Succeed @ Our Social
Media Site!
2. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
3. New at the Blog: The Indie Business Challenge
4. Featured Indie Business Radio Show: Birthing Your
Business
5. Indie Candy: Donna Lang :: The Aromatic Way ::
California
Make It Yourself!!: Chocolate Milk Bath
1. Indie Beauty: Connect, Collaborate, Succeed @ Our Social Media Site!
If
you're a member of IBN and you haven't checked out the
new site, you're missing out on tons of great discussions, blog posts,
questions, answers and tips. Here are some highlights happening now!
- About a dozen beauty bloggers, sales reps and freelance writers
have joined because they want to network directly with IBN members -- more
to come!
- Tomorrow's teleseminar to help members properly understand what is and is
nor organic when it comes to personal care products!
- Tons of new media leads for health and beauty Indies.
If you're not a member, once you join the Indie Beauty Network, you can join the networking site and the fun right away! Once you're a member of IBN, just click here and complete the quick application!
For those who are not quite ready to step up to the business plate, our new Indie Beauty Academy is a good place to get your feet wet and decide if the beauty business is for you. It's free! Check it out here!
2. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
Welcome Renewing Members!
Black Pearl Botanicals | Jill Gibbs | New Mexico
* Member since October 2006. Founded in 2001 offering
natural perfume, skin care and home spa products. All of the products are
handcrafted with 100% natural ingredients. Product line includes: solid perfume,
jojoba based perfume oil, rose body butter, scented shea butter, nail oil,
facial elixir, smoking cessation oil, foot balm, pregnancy belly balm, lavender
bar soap, gardenia bar soap, vanilla lip balm, botanical milk bath, bath salts,
massage and bath oil, salt scrub, foot soak, organic tropical body oils,
massage, bath and personal care accessories such as foot rollers, sea sponges
and bamboo moisture gloves. Variety of gift collections. Free Shipping $75+.
Retail/Wholesale.
Birch Hill Happenings Aromatherapy | Alan and Penny
Keay | Minnesota
* Member since December 2004. We provide 100% Pure
Therapeutic essential oil for use in aromatherapy. We have developed our own BHH
Massage Oil blend for use by massage therapists. Several essential oil synergy
blends are available for a wide range of health concerns and massage
applications. Free consultations provided. Unscented personal care products are
available for personalize scenting.
Monave Mineral Cosmetics | Debbie Bilezikian | Maryland
* Member since May 2003. At Monave, we are dedicated to
providing fine quality natural cosmetics. We supply raw cosmetic colorants to
handcrafters of soaps and toiletries, as well as bulk blended mineral cosmetics
for those who can supply their own packaging and labeling.
Santa Fe Lavender | Gabrielle Graham | New Mexico
* Member since November 2007. We grow lavender and other
herbs and make lavender and other herbal products for personal care and
household use. These include but are not limited to soaps, scrubs, salves,
lotion, hand and body cream, lip balm, nail butter, essential oil, bath oil,
massage oil and wood polish and leather conditioners. At Lavender Acres we are
committed to providing our customers with the finest products and customer
service.
NaRayance | Diana Brahms | Indiana
* Member since November 2007. NaRayance is a handcrafted
line of natural cosmetics and body care products. Our mission is to provide our
customers with a complete line of products that are crafted with safe, natural
and beneficial ingredients. We offer beautifully packaged products in Victorian
designed bottles. NaRayance is a natural product line with a touch of elegance.
Starring Fragrances | Ashley Peldon | California
* Member since November 2006. Unique & custom
fragrances created by actress, Ashley Peldon. Scents range from Gourmand &
Sweet to Sexy & Sultry! High quality packaging with genuine star gemstones
in every bottle.
Gennie Salve | Teresa Carter | Ohio
* Member since November 2007. Gennie Salve is a all natural
salve that helps with dry, cracked and irritated skin.
Welcome New Members!
Eden Essentials | Angela Prevost | Ohio
* All natural bath and body personal care product. No artificial scents
or flavorings.
The Farmer's Daughter Candle Co. | Joy Hackett |
Florida
* The Farmer's Daughter Candle Company specializes in 2 main hand made
product lines at this time. Highly scented 100% natural soy wax candles with
natural fiber wicks that are clean burning, long burning, biodegradable,
individually hand poured and made from soy beans grown ONLY in the US. The
second product line is Soy by Joya soy based hand and body lotion. This
outstanding lotion is made exclusively by The Farmer's Daughter Candle Company
and is a special formula that provides the skin with natural essential oils and
extracts to prevent aging and dryness.
Divine Chalice Botanicals | Lorraine Frongillo-Dower |
Florida
* A fine line of aromatherapy facial and body products, containing pure
essential oils and an abundance of botanical ingredients, as well as offering
custom holistic blends to assist in achieving perfect radiant health physically,
mentally, emotionally and spiritually, to restore and balance body, mind and
spirit.
Immortelle Earth | C. Malafronte | Arizona
* Personal care products.
McManey Design | Bonnie Maney | Minnesota
* We manufacture Lip Balm, Pedicure Soaks, Bath Salts and Shower scrubs,
made with the finest butters, oils and salts.
Sinfully Sweet Soap | Sindy Anderson | Georgia
* A brightly colored line of moisturizing bath & body items. Soaps,
Bath Balls, lotions and a few candles along with a line for little cheerleader
and dance luxuries. Because bathtime should be fun~!
Rayna Marnee | Darlene Brockenbrough | North Carolina
* Experience the difference with Rayna Marnee's handcrafted soaps, lotions, shower gels and more. Natural products that will leave your skin soft and moisturized. Rayna Marnee creates luxury for your skin.
Synergy Healing Arts | Cathleen Tulloch | California
* My business Synergy Healing Arts is involved in blending aromatherapy oils for spa's, internet sales, and private clients. One of the main areas I have focused on is making oils for the dying and their caregivers. These blends are specifically to be used through this spiritual journey.
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.
3. New At the Blog: The Indie Business Challenge
Here
are some current new and popular blog posts. Enjoy and feel free to make your
opinion known. And don't forget to leave your blog or website address so we can
learn more about you, your products and your services. Do you have something to
say? Post a comment and join the discussion!
The Indie Business Challenge: if my action items don't work for you, I'll cut you a check
Dreams Are Not Just For Dreamers: how dreaming HUGE can transform your life and your business
Your New Career: Publisher: embrace the role that makes business fun and profitable
How David Slew Goliath: a shepherd boy's example could save your business
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.
4. Featured Indie Business Radio Show: Birthing Your Business
Featured
Indie Business Radio Show: Birthing Your Business
We all know that women are different. Special. And we have a reputation for being, well, emotional. Whether it's a well deserved rep or just another stereotype, author and small business expert Karin Abarbanel says that women launch businesses differently. So she wrote a book about it and she joined me on today's show.
If you missed it, the download is coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy hundreds of other shows at Indie Business Radio.
-- Media Partner --
5. Indie Candy: The Aromatic Way :: Donna Lang :: California
Indies
are geniuses when it comes to the art of reinventing themselves. Today's
sweet treat is no exception. She's Donna Lang, owner of The
Aromatic Way in Sunnyvale, California, where she makes handmade
aromatherapy bath and body products and also owns and manages a retail
store. Like so many Indies, Donna started out doing what she was
"supposed" to being doing in her career. Then, circumstances
showed her a different way. For Donna, the discovery of aromatherapy and
essential oils lead to learning how to make beauty products. Here is some of
Donna's story.
When did you start your business and what was the inspiration for it?
I started my business as a part-time hobby in 2001. I have a degree in Advertising Design from Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, in my home state of Michigan. I was a full-time graphic artist for 22 years, doing mostly airbrush illustration. You can see some of my work at my graphc artist website. As technology changed, my clients started closing their doors and my graphic art career slowly died.
In 1996, I was diagnosed with a medical condition that I wanted to use alternative ways to treat. Aromatherapy was suggested as one of those alternatives. I began to investigate essential oils and my whole life changed. I’ve always been powerfully affected by scents and aromas, good ones and bad ones. I was so fascinated by essential oils, the various aromas, and their therapeutic properties, that I began to read every essential oil book I could get in my hands. Aromatherapy became my number one hobby.
In 1998, when books were no longer enough, I decided to pursue more formal study with Kurt Schnaubelt and Monika Haas at Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy, and I received my certification. At the time, I wasn’t sure where I was going with the certification, or why I was willing to spend money on the study to get it. (I was -- or was supposed to be -- a graphic artist, after all.) In 2000 I wrote and taught an Introduction to Aromatherapy class at Integrated Healing Arts in Palo Alto, CA. The class was designed to let the students experience essential oils and get some basic knowledge on how to use them for self treatment of minor medical and mood concerns.
In 2001, I discovered wo handy little books that helped chart my current career course. One of them, Susan Miller Cavitch’s
The Soapmaker’s Companion, got me started in handmade soap. I gave my first batch, Rosemary Mint, as Christmas gifts. They were a hit, and I’ve never looked back. The other highly influential book for me was Donna Maria’s
Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions. It was from this book that I discovered emulsifying wax. Until then, I had been making creams for my own personal use with beeswax, a somewhat unreliable emulsifying agent. The creams and lotions made with emulsifying wax were more stable, and I then had the confidence to try selling my handmade products at the local farmer’s markets and craft fairs.
For the past 3 years The Aromatic Way has been my full time job. Now it is back to about ¾ time, because as of September 1st I bought a store in Sunnyvale California called
Tangerine Gifts and Accessories.
We carry Aromatic Way products, of course, and also handbags, jewelry, shawls, and gifts. I have an employee that runs the store most of the time and also helps with wrapping soap.
What's so special about Aromatic Way products?
What is special about my line of products is that I do not use ANY synthetic fragrance oils in any of them. They are only scented with essential oils. I have not customized products in the past, I feel it’s too much for a one person operation.
How do you market your products?
I wholesale my products, and besides being available at my retail store and on my website. I also currently have about 6 wholesale accounts.
What's new at your business these days?
What’s new and exciting is my newly opened retail store, Tangerine! Now, my local customers can conveniently get Aromatic Way products 7 days a week.
Who helps your business be successful?
My mom and my close friends are very supportive of my business and help spread the word. My loyal customers are also wonderful and help with word of mouth. They are my best marketing tool.
How do you market your products?
In hindsight, I did too many trade shows this year. I'm going to cut back to 4 per year. My marketing strategy boils down to sell all the time and always talk with people about what I have to offer.
What tips can you offer others who are thinking about starting a business?
The best advice I can offer to people starting out is to start small, make sure you have some savings to rely on, have a back up plan, and mostly maintain a good credit score.
What business book have you read that's been especially helpful to you?
Lisa Price’s “Success Never Smelled So Sweet” is my favorite. Even though it’s not a business book in a traditional sense, the inspirational account of how the Carol’s Daughter line was born and grew provides lots of insight into how to be successful in business. Back in the summer of 2002, I was sitting in my living room with a calculator, some early product recipes, and ingredient price lists all spread out on the coffee table, trying to come up with prices for my products. I turned on the Oprah show, and there was Lisa Price. A woman who was doing what I was trying to do was on the Oprah show! I got very excited, because I thought, if she can do it, I can do it!
What do you love about being Indie?
Being Indie allows me to do the work I love on a flexible schedule.
How did you find the Indie Beauty Network and what do you think of it so
far?
I first found the Indie Beauty Network because I had Donna Maria’s book, Making
Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions. The Indie Beauty Network is great for the discussions, advice, and inspiration from other members, and also for the insurance.
What are the biggest challenges you face as an Indie and how do you overcome them?
My biggest challenge in anything I do is reconciling my enormous ambition with my low energy level. I need to keep my expectations of what I want to accomplish realistic and I need to take care of myself to function well – eat well, get enough rest and exercise. I also need to make sure I have priorities in the right order to maintain balance in my life. Most of my life I have been self-employed and a bit of a control freak. Now that I have the store I am learning that I can delegate responsibility and rely on others for help.
When you're not working, what can we find you doing?
I enjoy spending time with friends, a special guy friend in particular, and I enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and gardening.
I am a cat owner and am currently still reeling from the sudden loss of one of
my cat kids, Socks (pictured). I also love music and enjoy hanging out with folks from the San Francisco Folk Music Club. I plan to make space in my life for painting again soon.
What do you think of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008?
Well, it actually scares me, because it will drive many small handmade beauty product companies out of business in an already desperate economy. It’s definitely the wrong law at the wrong time.
This is Indie Candy, so if you were a brand of candy, what would it be and why?
A chocolate covered cherry – who doesn’t love chocolate, and I love cherries and chocolate, so I’d love me too!
If you enjoyed this issue, please feel free to share the link with others! See you next week. In the meantime
Enjoy your life, build your business and have your way!
Donna Maria
Editor, The Indie Experience
The Indie Beauty Network | www.indiebeauty.com
Copyright (c) 2000 - 2008 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 this newsletter 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 this newsletter 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, this newesletter 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.
