The Indie Experience
March 2, 2009
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 10, Issue 5
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-- Check out our new Apprentice Program for startups! --
1. A Note From dM: Like a Hungry Mosquito in a Nudist
Camp
2. Featured Indie: Angela Bowman Wales :: Lillian
Skincare
3. Pick & Click: Choose your fun!
Make It Yourself!: Natural Dark Circle Remover
1. A Note From dM: Like a Hungry Mosquito in a Nudist Camp
Last Saturday, Warren Buffet
(pictured), CEO of Berkshire
Hathaway, Inc., released his
annual shareholder letter. In it, he recaps 2008, including detailed
overviews of his company's performance in key areas of operation: regulated
utilities; insurance; manufacturing, service and retailing; finance and
financial products; tax-exempt bond insurance; and investments. I enjoy
reading Buffet's annual reports because they always contain things I can put
to work in my business.
One of the things he said in his report stood out to me. He likened his experience in the insurance industry to being "a hungry mosquito in a nudist camp." What a great reminder of how important it is for Indie Business owners to be hungry and always on the lookout for new opportunities. Of course, we don't want to be pesky and obnoxious like mosquitoes. On the other hand, anyone standing out in the open naked is certainly inviting the mosquitoes in for a feast!!
If people invite you into their world, be like the hungry mosquito and don't take your time sharing what you have to offer with them. Use your email newsletter, blog, Twitter and everything else at your disposal to get the word out. Be quick about it too. After all, you never know when they'll put their clothes back on and you don't want to miss your opening!
If you'd like to learn how to more effectively engage people and build relationships that expand your sphere of influence, then I invite you to attend "The Media Is You," a complimentary live video webcast on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. It's up to you to tell your story, and thanks to technology, you can do it better, more efficiently and more cost effectively than ever -- and I want to show you how to be like the hungry mosquitoes! To learn more and register, click here!
Thank you for having me in your inbox again this week. I hope you have a fantastic week as you enjoy your life, build your business and have your way!
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
-- Media Partner --
2. Featured Indie: Angela Bowman Wales of Lillian Skincare in Nashville, TN
Have
you launched a Twitter page
yet? I don't care if I sound like a broken record, but if you have a
business, you would do yourself a big favor to also have a Twitter page. One
of the new benefits for Premium Indie Beauty Network members is a hefty
discount on a professionally designed Twitter page by Maria Mora, one of our
new Premium members. Maria designed by Twitter page -- what do you think?
Check out the details here. But I digress. My point in mentioning Twitter
really had to do with telling you that Twitter is how I connected with this
week's Featured Indie, 33-year old Angela Wales Bowman of
Lillian Skincare
in Nashville, Tennessee. Like many other Indies, she sort of fell into
business ownership without even trying. Let's let her tell a little about
how it all happened.
How did you start your business and what was the inspiration for it?
The number one inspiration (hands down) for my business is my Grandmother, Lillian. She had the most amazing, beautiful skin. She never wore loads of makeup or used the “latest” beauty products. Instead, she just used simple skincare concoctions that she whipped up and a little bit of lipstick. While Grandmother Lillian is the inspiration for my business, it's really hard to pinpoint a launch date.
I guess you could say that it all started in 2000 with my own personal need for natural skin care products. I loved the idea and coverage of mineral makeup but was having a hard time finding a brand that I could use, due to my sensitive skin. After trying many different brands, I decided that I would just make my own. After much research, trial and error, I started passing the mineral makeup out to my family and friends – anyone that I could convince to try it. Then I decided that I should try making a facial moisturizer, then body lotion and so on. Before I knew it, I had started a little business and it’s been growing ever since.
How did your professional background help prepare you for launching your own venture?
Before I started my business, I had a glamorous position as a pencil pushing cash manager in the accounting department of a corporate credit union. My background in accounting has obviously helped me with the book keeping side of my business but more importantly, the complexity and high stress levels of my previous position have prepared me for the same types of experiences that I encounter in my own business.
What are some of the things you did in advance of starting your business that have helped make it successful?
Since my business was sort of started "by accident," I am not sure how to answer this question. I just woke up one day and realized I had a business.
Tell me more about that. What's it like to wake up one day and realize you're in business?
The first time I actually realized I had a business was when someone that I didn’t know, called me out of the blue and asked if I would sell her some makeup. She was a friend of a friend who was so impressed with my friend’s makeup that she had to get some for herself. It was an amazing feeling. Once I got her order, packaged and sent it out, I remember thinking to myself “I just sent out an ORDER!!!” I never really thought of it that way before, with my friends and family. That really energized me and I think that is when the true passion really started to come out. I had a purpose that I did not feel I had before. With my newfound passion came a rush of submerging myself in my work. I read book upon book, read clinical studies and of course came up with lots of new ideas and formulations.
Who helps your business be successful?
My husband, Sean, is my biggest cheerleader. He is always here to support me, even when I am pretty sure he is more interested in anything other than my latest idea for soap or my newest body candle fragrance. He is great and always willing to help if I need him. He is also my Network Engineer, Director of Computer Operations and Chief Technology Specialist. Sean is a handy guy to have around. J
My mom is also a huge support. She is my number one (and probably most honest) product tester. I know I can always count on her to give me an honest opinion and sound advice. I have lovingly named her my Director of word-of-mouth Marketing.
How do you market your products?
Most of our current business comes from online sales (retail and wholesale). I exhibit at women shows and high-end craft shows (for lack of better term). I have found that you have to be pretty picky when it comes to craft shows, if you have a high end product. I also have some part time sales representatives, and plan to add more in the near future.
Whatis your niche? What makes your products special?
Our motto is Be good to your skin. We believe that caring for your whole body not only means being careful about what you eat, but also what you feed your skin from the outside. Not only are we providing high end, healthy skin care products, we are also committed to being environmentally friendly. All of our packaging and paper products are recycled and/or recyclable and we use Fair Trade ingredients when possible. We want our customers to feel good about the products they are using.
What is your most popular product and why do customers tell you they
like it?
Everyone loves our mineral makeup and Monoi and Coconut Milk Primer, but one of our most popular products right now is our Body Candle (pictured). Our customers love it because it leaves your skin soft and smooth without being greasy.
What's new and exciting with your business these days?
I am SO very excited about our new website design as well as our new Skincare Essentials line – both launched just this week. Our new Essentials line features our new essential oil blends as well as some products from our original Classics line. We have also recently made the transition to an all Vegan product line eliminating honey, beeswax and goat milk from our products.
What forms of social media do you enjoy using?
I absolutely love and participate in social media. I think it is one of the most important things a business owner can do – especially owners of small businesses. I will admit that I do not participate as much as I would like to, but I am learning to make time for it. I especially like Twitter and LinkedIn. Twitter is fun, fast and easy and has been good for business. I have also made some great contacts on LinkedIn. I find it to be more professional that some other social networking sites. I also have a blog and participate in several forums.
What books have you used that have helped you start your business off on the right foot?
Skin Moisturization (Cosmetic Science and Technology Series) by Anthony V. Rawlings and James J. Leyden - is one of my favorite skin care books.
As for business, I have enjoyed Birthing the Elephant by Karin Abarbanel and Bruce Freeman, Counselors: Conversations with 18 Courageous Women who have Changed the World by Elizabeth Vrato, The Girls Guide to Building a Million-Dollar Business by Susan Wilson Solovic and Capitalizing on Being Woman Owned by Janet W. Christy.
What do you like most about being Indie?
What I love most about being self employed is the ability to use my creativity to benefit others. Not only am I producing a product that I am proud of but I am able to use some of the profit to really make a difference in the world. Whether by donating to charitable causes, giving back to the community or offering someone a part-time job it feels good to know that I am helping.
How did you discover the Indie Beauty Network, and do you enjoy your membership?
Honestly, I do not remember how I first heard about the Indie Beauty Network but I am sure glad that I found it! I absolutely love it here. I have met some wonderful, intelligent women here and I am proud to call myself an Indie Beauty. I would absolutely recommend the network to others (and have already).
What other tips do you have for others starting a business?
Believe in yourself and treat your business like the business you WANT it to be. If you are small potatoes that does not mean you have to act like it.
Also, do your research. Know your ingredients and the products you make and sell inside and out. Surround yourself with positive people and eliminate toxic people from your daily life. Surround yourself with other business owners. They know what you are going through and can often be a great source of encouragement. Have a plan. Know where you intend to take your business.
Finally, set goals. Big lofty goals as well as smaller, more realistic goals.
What has been your biggest Indie Business challenge so far, and how are you overcoming it?
My biggest business challenge was myself. Being somewhat shy, apprehensive and nervous about going out and marketing my product was a huge challenge for me at first. Getting over the fear of rejection can be a hard thing to do.
A very wise woman once told me that what others think of me is none of my business. That was a big turning point for me.
What are you doing when you're not working in your business?
Not working? What does that mean? But seriously, when I am not working you can find me playing with my wonderful dogs, Jack, Lucy & Mable or out motorcycle riding with my husband, Sean. I am also addicted to the news and educational TV channels like Discovery, History & the Science channel. Oh and the series, 24.
What do you think of the FDA Globalization Act of 2008?
First, I appreciate all of the hard work that dM and so many others have done in order to get this act to the place it is today. I understand and support the need for the Act, and hope that it will ultimately prove to be a benefit to the cosmetics industry rather than a hindrance.
3. Indie Happenings: Connect, collaborate and have fun!
New @ Indie Beauty: Our new social site now has well over 1,200 people, all of them thirty to connect with people who make and sell natural, handmade, artisan, Indie products. Here are some of the latest activities, discussions and fun things to do at the site:
- Indies Strut Their Stuff!
- As I write this, there are 1,1115 lovely Premium Member product photos -- check them out!
- Premium Member Andrea Butje of Aromahead International shares essential oils from around the world in this video
- Premium Member Rachel Lane of Barcelona Bath & Body On Indie Shopping TV!
- Check all the fun Events you can attend -- some in person and some via video webcast or chat
-
Check out Premium IBN Member Lela Barker's
Bank of America International Business teleseminar! - it's
tomorrow!
- Join the Conversation around Hot Indie Topics and Fun Things to see and do
Indie Business Radio Show: Today's guest on Indie Business
Radio is life coach Jacqueline Wales, author of The Fearless Factor.
Also known as the Midlife Blackbelt Millionaire, Jacqueline will be on hand
to talk with us about overcoming our fears, doubts and anxieties that stop
us from being our best selves now. Are you read to go beyond the fear??! It's the perfect show for Indies, don't you
think? Join us live at 1:00pm EST today. You can listen to
the show live at my radio show site,
but if you really want to have fun, you can
listen and chat at the same time at this link. (It's free of
course, but login is required.)
Facebook: Join me at the Indie Beauty Network's new Facebook page!
Indie Cafe: Premium Indie Beauty Network members will gather gain for another Indie Cafe next Monday night, March 9. In the meantime, you can watch the stream from last week's Indie Cafe here! (Anyone cant enjoy the streams after the Cafe, but attendance live is now a Premium IBN Member Benefit.)
LinkedIn: Join me at the Indie Beauty's new LinkedIn Page, where I've started a discussion about the future of "natural" ingredients!
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 - 2009 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 newsletter 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.
