The Indie Experience
September 21, 2009
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 10, Issue 21
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1. Notes and Highlights From dM, the Chief Executive
Indie
2. Meet Our New and Renewing IBN Members
3. Where's dM?: Seminars and Events With dM
4. Today's Indie Business Radio Show:
Erik Qualman on the Economics of Social Media
5. Featured Indie Beauty Network Member: Joan Morais ::
California
6. Indie and Small Business Resources
7. About dM, the Chief Executive Indie
Make It Yourself!: Tangy Honey Apple Facial Toner
1. Notes and Highlights From dM, the Chief Executive Indie
I
had a dynamite weekend! For two days, at the invitation of
Dennis Fioravanti, a valued business colleague and longtime sponsor of my
work, I attended a
surprise "chick all-weekend birthday party" that he threw for his wife. For
an evening and one entire day, along with Kayla's mother and I and 4 of
Kayla's friends celebrated Kayla's 42nd birthday in awesome style.
As you may know, Dennis and Kayla co-own Essential Wholesale, the world's largest supplier of naturally derived cosmetics bases. They serve as stellar examples of how a husband-wife team can grow a profitable business in a relatively short period of time by following their passions, cooperating with one another and successfully integrating their unique strengths. (Some of these links go to Twitter posts, which open up fun photos of the times we shared!)
After a seriously delayed flight, Dennis picked me up at the airport and deposited me at The Melting Pot where the chicks had already gathered. For four hours, we ate all kinds of vegetables, meats, fruits and sweets dipped in all kinds of cheeses, chocolate, spiced sauces and broth. If it could be skewered, we skewered it.
We woke up Saturday morning and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. (If you're ever in Portland, you must have the French toast at the The Country Cat.) Afterward, we headed out for pedicures, then rushed off to see Julie & Julia, a most charming movie. (I blogged about it in this post that every small business owner should read!) After that, we picked up dinner at a fabulous Lebanese restaurant. I think we must have eaten one of everything they made. While we were waiting for them to bring all the food out to the car, we ate a delicious pastry type dessert drenched in rosewater syrup right there on the street. (I am so not kidding!)
After that, we enjoyed the last of two trips to the the Essential Wholesale warehouse where Kayla generously shared from an abundance of scrubs, serums, salts, conditioners, lip stains, foundation, balm, handmade soap, cream, lotion and every other imaginable thing a girl loves. My stash is huge and I now have products to tell you about for months to come!!
Alas, all good things must come to an end, so here's a photo I snapped of Kayla and Brambleberry's Anne-Marie Faiola just before our flights left Sunday morning.
I am so thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves throughout my life, and this one is very high on the memory list. Dennis, if you're reading this, I know you did this for your wife, but I have to tell you that you also made several other remarkable women very happy this weekend. I have enjoyed a very
2. Meet Our New and Renewing IBN Members
Mundo Botanica | Sevi Kay | Maryland
* Member since 2006. Honest, vegan, earth-friendly,
cruelty-free and as-natural-as-it-gets Cosmetic care products formulated
with aromatherapeutic essential oils and certified organic botanicals. Our
handcrafted products include artisan natural perfumes, mineral cosmetics,
taklon makeup brushes, skincare, hair care as well as a canine grooming line
dedicated to coat, paw and ear care since 1997. Our entire line is vegan and
we are dedicated to using non-toxic, biodegradable ingredients for
environmental protection. We do offer retail, wholesale and private label
services.
A Little Ol'Factory | Christine Ziegler | Texas
* Certified vegan skin care.
Soap Rehabilitation | Sara Addington | Michigan
* Member since 2008. Made from scratch soaps, lotions, and
other bath and body products. Natural ingredients, detergent free. For the
EcoConscious, yet Marvelously Modern Maven.
Milk and Cookeez | Tammy Brodbeck | Ohio
* Member since 2008. A savory bathery that specializes in
gourmet bath cookies cookeez, fizzy milk drops bath bombs with milk, all
natural shea whips, frosting a soft fluffy soap, bath salts, and the newest
sensation, bath taffy bath melts and more.
Must Have Minerals/Lumiere Mineral Cosmetics | Kimberly Jones | New York
* Member since 2007. Providing high quality, affordable
mineral makeup, skincare and cosmetic brushes.
CT River Candles | Brenda Hunter | Connecticut
* Member since 2007. CT River Candles makes Hand Poured
Natural 100% Soy Container Candles. The inspiration for these candles has
been the scenic Connecticut River. Each candle label features seasonal
photos of the river and the candles have been scented and colored with that
in mind. We currently offer a diverse variety of fragrances including
bakery, floral, fruit and holiday scents. We use natural dye in our candles
however candle colors may vary slightly by batch due to the characteristics
of working with a handmade product.
Creative Indulgence | Stacey Inklebarger | Florida
* Member since 2008. All natural, clean burning soy candles
and tarts along with Paraben and Sulfate free bath & body products.
3Ps in a POD | Carissa Pankey | Oklahoma
* Member since 2008. Handmade soaps and other
products.
Lites of Avalon | Cyndy Menn | Texas
* Member since 2008. Handmade soap and hand poured
candles. Our specialty candle is our Kolache Candle. All products are soooo
good.
Sinfully Soy Candles | Sintia Maus | Connecticut
* Sinfully Soy Candles offers all Natural, ECO Friendly Soy
Candles, All Natural Lip Balms, Sugar Scrubs, Body Lotions and Creams.
Hair Habitat | Suzy Procopio | New York
Hair Habitat is all about providing the most organic, natural, safe and the
gentlest hair and beauty products. Our focus is also on doing our part in
the preservation of the enviornment.
KK Ayurveda | Karen Klutznick | Chicago
Karen Klutznick, an ayurvedic practitioner, uses her knowledge of
aromatherapy, herbology and perfumery to handcraft KK Ayurveda natural
beauty preparations, massage oils, fragrances and ayurvedic products.
Opivibe, dba FantasyBath | Denise Blackwell | Georgia
* Member since 2008. Environmentally friendly
treats for the body and soul. Bath fizzies, lotions, shampoos, candles and
much more. All made with natural ingredients with no sulfates or harsh
chemicals. We mix our own aromas and pack rich natural shea butter and aloe
into almost everything we can. Pamper yourself!
Keen Kandles and Creations | Anita Miller | California
Lotion, soap, bath salts, essential oils, room fresheners, fire starters,
candles, melts, powders, masks and scrubs.
2. Where's dM?: Seminars and Events With dM
Here are some other exciting things coming up!
Today's Indie Business Radio: My guest was Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms The Way We Live and Do Business" on September 21at 1:00pm EST. The audio will be edited and polished in a few days. In the meantime, enjoy my other 2009 shows here!
"How I Landed A Spread In Southern Living Magazine": Indie Beauty Network member Lisa Rodgers of Cactus and Ivy join us on 9/24/09 at Noon EST (Please note that the session is for IBN members only.) Click here for information.
dM on "Small Biz Chat": 9/30/09 at 8:00pm EST. Along with my husband, I will be sharing on this Twitter chat some of our experiences working in a business together at the same time as we run our home and raise our children. It has some really incredible advantages, but for us, it has not been easy. We look forward to helping other couples who may be wishing to work together both in life and in business. You know me, I plan to tell it like it is! In the meantime, if the topic of being in business with your spouse interests you, you may enjoy Part 1 and Part 2 of How to Start a Couple's MasterMind Group.
dM on "WAHM With Vonetta Booker-Brown": 10/15/09 at 8:00pm EST. I'll be sharing my most insightful experiences and tips for working at home while also managing a home and a family at home! Mark your calendar so you hold the date. I'll have a registration link for you soon!
3. Today's Indie Business Radio Show: Erik Qualman on Socialnomics
< --- Featured photo: Erik Qualman, author and today's radio show guest
Erik Qualman has done extensive research on social media and how anyone can use it to make the world a better place. On today's show, he shared specifically why social media is not just a fad (did you already know that?!) and also, what small and independent business owners can do to maximize it. You'll be able to enjoy the stream and audio downloads in a few days.
In the meantime, visit the Indie Business Radio Show 2009 Archives to enjoy past shows. You can also subscribe to the show on iTunes by searching on Indie Business Radio.
Next week's show features Thom McKinney, author of "Play The Game to Win." Thom will join us to pass along what he learned from his no-nonsense, take no prisoners single mother and his life in the military, and offers motivation for all who think that a successful business is just beyond their grasp.
Indie Business Radio airs live every Monday at 1:00pm EST. There are two ways to join the live show:
Listen Only: Click here at 1:00pm EST and follow the instructions to choose your audio player.
Listen and Video: Once you activate your audio player (above), you can join us live on Twitter via Savorchat! Just log in using your Twitter or FaceBook account to join the live chat while you listen to the show!
Visit the Indie Business Radio Show 2009 Archives to enjoy past shows. You can also subscribe to the show on iTunes by searching on Indie Business Radio.
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4. Featured Indie Beauty Network Member: Joan Morais :: California
dM: When did you start your business and what is the inspiration
for it?
Joan: I have always loved plants and natural remedies for wellness. I took many herbalist training courses 10 years ago. One of the classes was on herbal body care products. I made my first cream that day. It triggered a passion I had no idea was in me and that passion is formulating and making body care products. I started making my own products and my sun damaged skin became vibrant and balanced with fewer wrinkles. I knew I wanted to share this with others. I have always loved to teach and I began teaching natural product making classes at our local community center.
Realizing that the real product I am selling is myself, I chose to name my business using my name.
dM: How did your professional background or prior work experience help prepare you for entrepreneurship?
Joan: I am an entrepreneur at heart. Everything I have done, from selling everything from Avon products to painted gourds to real estate, and to being an involved mom and starting my own publishing company. All of it has served me well as a business owner.
dM: What are some of the things you did in advance of starting your business that have helped make it successful?
Joan: Starting my own publishing company and publishing my own book, A Time to Celebrate: A Celebration of a Girl’s Menstrual Period helped prepare me tremendously for starting this business. Because of the book, I faced so many fears while marketing it. It is probably one of the hardest subjects to talk to others about and I pushed myself hard to get past these fears. Facing my fears, my embarrassment and my insecurity served me the best to face the many adversities in my business. I also went through the process of creating a website to sell my book and I learned how to work on my website.
dM: What's your niche?
What makes your classes special?
Joan: My niche is teaching people how
to make organic and natural body care products and also aromatherapy.
I love and use the products I make. I see the difference on my skin and from
the feedback I receive from others. But my product really is me.
I love teaching others to create exceptional products and to have a
successful business selling them. My passion is felt by others. My trials
and continual persistence to be successful also helps others to keep going
in their own business.
dM: What is your most popular class and why do customers tell you they like it?
Joan: My lotions and creams class. There is something so ancient and in our memory about making lotions and creams. The alchemy of blending water and oil together is pure joy. When you massage a beautiful cream onto your face you touch your soul at the same time. It is instilling love within oneself. Here's what a recent customer wrote to me after completing one of my classes:
“Class has motivated me to start doing my own products. Great information to be able to build on for personal formulations. I am looking forward to creating my own and hopefully sell them. I liked how you touched on everything, your great energy, the fun, great information on sources and products.” ~Jessica Morales, California
dM: What's new and exciting with your business these days?
Joan: I am so excited to be finally offering online classes and e-videos. I have been asked for years from people all over the world to do this and now it is going to happen. In fact, that's me with Comfort Adjahoe who traveled all the way from Ghana to take classes from me in person!
I am thrilled about my new Level 2 Body Care Product Making Course and Natural Hair Care Course. I am also working on selling a face cream of my own. I want to go through the entire process of labeling, UPC, etc., so I can help others more in the area of selling their products. Plus the cream is beautiful, gentle and nourishing. I want others to feel beautiful when they apply it.
dM: What forms of social media do you use in your business and why?
Joan: I enjoy my Blog and Twitter. I was contracted to
teach at method’s pop-up store in Chicago and they found me through my blog.
I have a high percentage of people that first learn about me from an
internet search and a link to my blog. Kripalu Center in Massachusetts where
I will be teaching next month also found me this way.
dM: What tips can you offer other home-based business
owners?
Joan: Listen to yourself, acknowledge and honor what you know. There is only one you and you are the only one that can live your purpose. Most others do not understand your purpose and why should they? You have the information and picture inside of you, validate yourself with what you know and have to do. Don’t ask others for permission for you to live your purpose.
Speak up and ask for what you want. There are people all around who can help you. Don’t sabotage yourself when you do start to succeed. If something isn’t working, learn to let go, reflect on it and begin again. Think of how many times a child falls down while learning to walk. It is not a failure to fall. It is a step forward on your path of serving your purpose. Start looking at all the good things that happen in your business and focus on those.
dM: Who helps your business be successful?
Joan: First, myself because I try and try again and keep going through all the trials and challenges in life. I continue to put my energy into my business and take the risks.
My husband is a strong support along with my three daughters. My husband helps with the shipping, filming of my classes and being there all these years through the early struggles of starting out. My daughters help me when I travel and assist me with classes. They also help me with administration work. That’s very exciting? What’s it like to work together as a group to achieve goals and provide for yourselves? I am very fortunate to have their involvement and to create capital together which helps to enhance our lives and others lives.
Donna Maria and the Indie Beauty Network is a huge support system that helps my business be successful. Other women that are business owners also inspire me.
dM: How did you discover the Indie Beauty Network and what do you think of your membership?
Joan: I discovered the Indie Beauty Network many years ago from searching the web when it had the title of handmade in it. I am grateful to be a member and I finally understand the concept of the community. It is so important to connect with others in similar fields through the internet. I am able to learn about others and they learn about me. It makes life easier for marketing my business and finding other professionals that can help me in my business.
I recommend the Indie Beauty Network to everyone that comes to my classes and on my website as a great resource.
dM: What do you think are the best things about being Indie?
Joan: I am happy and love what I do. I know the energy I put into my business will come back to me. My business is a reflection of me. It doesn’t define me but it allows me to connect with others sharing something I love and enjoy doing. I am living my purpose. It is freedom.
dM: How has owning a business enhanced your life? Any regrets?
Joan: I enjoy my life and look forward to waking up and going to work. I am a better person because of my business. Financially I can make as much as I want. I make powerful choices that directly influence the wellness of people, animals and the earth because I decide where to purchase everything for my business. I feel vibrant and young because I love what I do. No regrets what so ever.
dM: What has been your biggest business challenge and how did you overcome it?
Joan: Facing my fears and focusing. It has always been hard for me to focus and finish a project. I am a creative person and I am filled with ideas. My business forced me out of necessity to focus and learn how to pace myself. I have put in way too many wee hours in the morning finishing projects. I finally realized I can’t treat my body this way. I am learning to schedule and plan out projects. I still work in a creative flow but with a focus.
dM: How, if at, all is the current unusual economy affecting you and your business?
Joan: The current economy has allowed me to get organized, have clarity on the direction I want to take my business and connect with others more. It also has allowed me to have more time to formulate new products. I know the tide will turn and I will be ready because I have taken advantage of this down time.
dM: What are you doing when you're not working in your business?
Joan: Reading, walking, taking baths and spending time with my family. What are you hobbies? Being in nature especially by the ocean, eating at nice restaurants, gourmet coffee houses, time with friends, getting a massage and anything to do with aromatherapy and body care products.
dM: What are your annual sales like?
Joan: My business continues to grow each year. My income has grown 200% this year.
How to connect with Joan:
Blog
http://www.naturalskinandbodycare.com
Indie Beauty Social
http://www.indiebeauty.com/profile/joanmorais
Group: How to Make Natural Body Care Products
http://www.indiebeauty.com/group/howtomakenaturalbodycareproducts
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/srch.php?nm=Joan+Morais
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/joan-morais/2/b21/4b7
Twitter
http://twitter.com/joanmorais
5. Indie and Small Business Resources: You're Invited To Share In Our New Widget!
<-- Featured photo: NEW Indie Business Blogger's Network Widget
Li I am excited to introduce our new Indie Business Bloggers Network widget! This is an exciting new way for IBN members to share their passions across multiple networks without having to do extra work!
The first thing you'll notice about the new widget is that it is more
attractive than the first widget. The graphic housing the feed is clean and
clear, and the text inside is dynamic and easy to read. The rounded corners
and muted blue and green colors make it compatible with just about any blog
theme. The dimensions were chosen to fit nicely into the sidebar of any
blog. And there's more!
All IBN Members Can Participate!!
The original widget listed participating blogs in alphabetical order,
without regard to whether the blogs appearing the top contained any fresh
content. I required bloggers to update their blogs at least 3 times a week
in order to be included because this was the only way to ensure fresh
content feeds. This eliminated hundreds of IBN members who are just getting
started with a blog or who don't blog frequently.
Join the growing number of people who are displaying the widget at their blogs as a way to bring more fresh content to their readers every single day! Read more about the widget and how your blog can be included at my blog!
6. About dM, the Chief Executive Indie
<--
Featured product:
Calendula
Sunshine Body Soap by Cactus and Ivy
This week, I am enjoying this wonderful handmade soap. This lemongrass soap is a favorite of mine and my husband's (but I'm hiding this one from him at the moment). There's nothing like pure essential oil of lemongrass to wake you up in the morning, not to mention and bar of soap that's made with love and contains moisturizing jojoba and olive oils and real golden calendula petals. Lisa Rodgers makes these and other soaps and body care products and you can get them all at her website. Get some! It's fantastic!! 4 oz. bar for $5.50.
Oh! And don't miss Lisa in the Indie Business Movie!
How can I help your group or conference gathering?!!
Donna Maria Coles Johnson, the Chief Executive Indie, helps small and independent business combine smart sales and marketing strategies with new media to create relationships and expand their sphere of influence. Through her blog and weekly radio show, dM delivers helpful and entertaining content that inspires, encourages and informs small business owners worldwide. Known for her innovative yet friendly style, dM's expertise has been showcased in Entrepreneur, Global Cosmetics Industry, Working Mother, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, National Public Radio, ABC World News This Morning, WUSA-TV9 (CBS Washington, DC affiliate), Ebony and a host of other regional and national media outlets.
Whether the topic is integrating career and family, leadership, small business ownership or new technologies, dM has a life-changing presentation for you and your audience. Contact dM today at donnamaria @ indiebeautynetwork.com to discover how she can contribute to your unforgettable conference or gathering event.
If this issue of The Indie Experience has been useful to you, please feel free to hit the Forward key and share it with a friend, or you can link directly via URL to this issue here.
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 Social 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.
