The Indie Experience
April 20, 2009
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 10, Issue 11
To subscribe, click here
-- Check out our new Apprentice Program for Startups! --
1. Lifestyle CEO Note From dM: Connect and create!
2. Featured Indie: Rochel Roland :: Joyful Bath Co. ::
Maryland
3. Pick & Click: Choose your fun!
Make It Yourself!: Lavender Bath Syrup
1. Lifestyle CEO Note: Connect and create!
Last
week, I attended a local business networking group at the invitation of
Charlotte mayoral candidate Anthony Foxx (pictured with me at left). I had a
great time connecting with lots of other independent business owners:
attorneys, construction contractors, website search engine specialists,
motivational speakers, realtors, photographers, small business consultants and
more.
Not only did I enjoy hearing the candidate share a little about his vision for my adopted hometown, but I also enjoyed listening to other business owners share their passions and concerns for the local small business community. While we all do different things, we share a common desire to increase opportunities for businesses in our area and to create new ways to encourage young people to view entrepreneurship as an attractive option -- not just for business but for lifestyle reasons. We want to see more "Lifestyle CEO's!" -- people who own businesses for more than financial reasons, but also for how the entrepreneurial lifestyle helps improve their lives!
It's a wonderful thing to gather with other Indies and come away with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. Not only that, I was able to re-connect with someone I met at the Morehouse Entrepreneurship Conference earlier this year (click for Facebook photo album) where I spoke on the topic of how all small business owners must become their own best media outlets. He's interested in consulting with me to help him build his brand as a motivational speaker. I also connected with a few people whom I will interview for features in the North Carolina Startup Blog and explored the possibility of syndicating the Indie Business Minute.
I
didn't expect all of this to happen, but I got out there, made the
connections and the opportunities actually naturally created themselves. No
matter where you are or what kind of business you have, I encourage you to
get out in the community on occasion to meet and connect with other small
business owners in your area. It's fun, it's invigorating and you never know
what opportunities are just waiting to be created when you get there!
And speaking of opportunities, don't miss meeting Monique Hayward (pictured), author of "Diva's Doing Business: What the Guidebooks Don't Tell You About Being a Woman Entrepreneur," on today's Indie Business Radio Show at 1:00pm EST. To listen to the show, just click here. If you also want to join the live chat during the show, click here. (It's free but login is required.) Monique is the owner of the Dessert Noir Cafe & Bar, where our Indie Business Breakfast: Portland will be held on August 1. Monique will be one of the speakers, along with Indie Beauty's own Kayla Fioravanti of Essential Wholesale! You can register to attend at this link. Tickets are going to move fast and there are only 30 seats.
Thank you for having me again this week. I hope you have a fantastic day as you also enjoy your life, build your business and have your way!
-- Media Partner --
2. Featured Indie: Rochel Roland :: Joyful Bath Co. :: Maryland
Last
year, I met Rochel Roland at
The Nova Studio's
week-long Beauty Business Boot Camp where I made daily presentations to help
Indies launch successful beauty businesses. (You can enjoy the photos album
from the week at our
Facebook Group!)
One of the fantastic people I met was Rochel Roland. At the time, Rochel was
in the process of setting up a company to sell her signature bath salts. Rochel was a bit
guarded about the details, preferring to share them after she launched her
business. The big day came late last year, and I'm pleased to introduce you
to Joyful Bath Co.,
where Rochel makes so much more than bath salts!
dM: When did you start your business and what is the inspiration for it?
Rochel: I have always been a bath person. Much of my great inspiration has happened in the tub! I have never really liked most of the products out there since I do not like strong fragrances, oily residues and all of the un-natural ingredients. I had been fooling around making my own bath concoctions and also trying to figure out what my next business adventure was going to be. Then the business vision started to form and I knew that I was going to follow the bath muse. I officially launched late last year, but I was in the planning stages for many months before that.
dM: How did your professional background help you launch your venture?
Rochel: Coming from the advertising and design industry I have experience in marketing and branding plus I have a lot of friends who do too. I have always been a creative person and love making things plus I have always been an entrepreneur so I am used to taking risks.
dM: What are some of the things you did in advance to get you started on the right foot?
Rochel: Educating myself in the bath and body business by taking formulation and business workshops. Being organized, making a plan and working steadfastly.
dM: What's your niche?
Rochel: Joyful Bath Co. is all about discovering the simple joy of a bath. Our luxurious, therapeutic bath salt blends are based on the natural healing powers of the ocean and inspired by bathing rituals and remedies from around the world. We use mineral-rich salts from the Mediterranean and Dead Seas and create unique mixes with honey, buttermilk, ginger root, green tea, oats, coconut milk and pure essential oils. No synthetic fragrances, parabens or artificial colors or dyes are used. Only pure essential oils and good stuff from the land and see are used.
Our salts come in these mixes: Citrus Buzz, Nilla Buttermilk, Ginger Snap, Mellow Yellow, Oatsy Floatsie and Green Tea Glee. They can be mixed and matched to create different bath experiences.
dM: How do you market your products?
Rochel: Emails, Facebook ads, Google Adwords, Twitter and a good old fashioned sidewalk sign in front of my office building. Plus some local sports program sponsorships.
dM: What is your most popular product?
Rochel:
Oatsy Floatsie (pictured) and Nilla Buttermilk have been our
big sellers for the winter months since they are skin soothing and softening
plus they mix together well. Our customers love the way they smell and how
luxurious it feels.
dM: What is new and exciting with your business these days?
Rochel: We are just about ready to launch The Bath Mixologist which is very exciting and that will have to be the teaser for everyone to come visit the website May 1st. We are also excited to have recently opened a retail showroom in the front of our office. We just introduced the Perfect Bath Bucket which is a galvanized metal bucket filled with three of our bath salt blends and a classic yellow rubber duck. It is very cute and practical. And we are preparing for a gift show at the Landon School, a private school in Bethesda, MD coming up the end of April. A lot going on!
dM: What forms of social media do you enjoy using and why?
Rochel: I am on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In. I have met many wonderful, interesting people and learned many things especially through the Linked In groups and articles that people post.
Who helps your business be successful?
Rochel: Many friends and family and especially my man, who are all very supportive and help with plenty of great ideas and physical labor.
dM What are some of the challenges you have encountered and how have you overcome them?
Rochel: Being impatient and not having
enough time to do it all fast enough. I remind myself that everything has a
gestation period and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I
also remind myself that this is the JOYFUL Bath Co. and then I laugh and
say, “Oh yeah it is supposed to be fun”, and then I get back on track
Overall, no matter what challenges come your way, I always believe that when
people follow their passion, stay committed and all things are possible.
Do not listen to those who may be scared for you and do not let their fear
deter you. Pray a lot. Trust it!
dM: I met you at The Nova Studio Boot Camp last year? What did you take away from that event?
Rochel: It was so helpful to be in a place with people with similar dreams and to learn from their positive experiences and challenges. Lori Nova (owner of The Nova Studio) is very smart and creative, and the environment inspired and stimulated all sorts of ideas.
dM: What do you think are the best things about being Indie?
Rochel: I love being able to provide people with a product that is healthy and makes them feel good. I love being creative, not only in the formulation and marketing of the products but in running a business which requires creative problem solving in order to succeed.
dM: How did you find the Indie Beauty Network and what do you think of your membership?
Rochel: I think it was through Googling during my early Internet research. I was thrilled to find that such a valuable resource for Indie beauty businesses actually existed!! It has been a tremendous resource for education, networking and insurance.
dM: What book have you used that has been helpful to your business?
Rochel: The E-Myth, by Michael Gerber.
dM: What are you doing when you're not working on your business?
Rochel: Uhm, when is that exactly? Seriously, I short track speed skate and hang out with my man and our dog.
dM: What do you think of the FDA Globalization Act?Rochel: I am happy that Donna Maria and the Indie Beauty Network are actively involved in the legislation in order to protect indie businesses like mine. I do not have the time to keep up with all the changes that have occurred in the drafting of this legislation and it is nice to know that I’ve got someone looking out for me.
Rochel's story shows how a simple product can be turned into a line that is unique and stands out in the crowd. Bath salts are nothing new. What is new is a great brand name, lovely graphics and a combination of ingredients that lend themselves to fabulous names and memorable bath time experiences. Oh! And did I mention the door knob hanger that comes with your order? It says: "Shhhhhh, quite please. Bath in progress." Now that's what I call a little something extra that makes a big difference! Learn more about and buy Joyful Bath Co. products at Joyful Bath Co.
3. Pick & Click: Choose your fun!
|
New Discussions: New Blog Posts: |
New Photos and Videos: Upcoming Events: |
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.
