The Indie Experience
October 5, 2009
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 10, Issue 23
To subscribe, click here
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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:
Mike Michalowicz, author of "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur"
5. Featured IBN Member: Savannah Moon :: Karen Seremak
:: Ohio
6. Indie and Small Business Resources
7. About dM, the Chief Executive Indie
Make It Yourself!: Vanilla Milk & Honey Bliss Bath
1. Notes and Highlights From dM, the Chief Executive Indie
As
the leader of the IBN, nothing pleases me more than to see my members
collaborate with one another to create new products and business
opportunities that help other people be successful. That's why I am grinning
from ear to ear at the news that IBN members Debbie Chialtas of Soapylove
(IBN member since 2007) and Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry (member since
2001) have collaborated to create "Soap'lebrity," an exclusive line of
melt and pour (M&P) products inspired by 1980’s, ice cream parlors, and all things sweet and
cute.
Over the years, have enjoyed watching both Brambleberry and Soapylove grow.
I have also had the privilege of getting to know both ladies personally.
Both of them are incredibly talented women who love making soap, and even
more, love teaching other people how to make soap. In fact, Debbie leads the
"Melt & Pour Mania" Group at our social networking site. The photos here is of the
two of them on the set of Anne-Marie's Soap Queen show.
Debbie and Anne-Marie met when Debbie became a customer of Brambleberry. She tells me that, last year, she approached Anne-Marie with an idea for a branded line of supplies which would offer fun, spirited colorants, yummy fragrance oils, high quality soap bases, and adorable molds.
You can read more about it at the Soapylove blog and you can head over the Brambleberry's site to buy some of the goodies right away! (You can check out Brambleberry's blog here.) You'll find wonderful treats like a Candy Jar Fragrance Set with scents like Lemon Drop, Cherry Pop an Tutti Fruity. You'll also find Jewelry Box Soap Colorants, with tones like Fiery Fuchsia, Sunshine Yellow and Sparkle Dust.
There are lots of reasons to love M&P soaps. They are easy to make, you can color and shape them in tons of ways using inexpensive household items and you can use them right after you make them. No curing time!! But these new kits from Debbie and Anne-Marie make them so much more fun. These ladies have worked incredibly hard on these new products and their dedication shows in spades. If you like experimenting with M&P soap, this is exactly what you need to play with next.
2. Meet IBN's New and Renewing IBN Members
Dr. Maples Emotion Potions | Maureen Maples | North Carolina
* Member since 2008. Dr Maples Emotion Potions is a natural,
organic personal care line based on Dr Maples background in Chinese
Medicine, Chakra Balancing & Energy Psychology. Each formula is designed to
bring energetic harmony to the chakras & raise the body's overall
vibrational tone. Most customers report feeling more calmness, clarity,
motivation & less stress, brainfog, apathy and tension. Our goal is to bring
awareness to many of how to replace toxic habits with healing habits.
The Joy of Soap | Melissa Hutcheson | California
* Member since 2008. At The Joy of Soap we create natural
handmade soap using the finest quality ingredients resulting in a soap that
is gentle on your skin. Our all vegetable recipes use food grade oils,
sustainable herbal essential oils, floral essences, and natural botanicals
that result in a luxurious bar of soap with soft, fluffy bubbles that leave
your skin clean and smooth. Essential oils, fragrance oils and natural
exfoliants are used for aromatherapy and skin healthy benefits.
Grace Body Essentials | Natalie Myers | Oregon
Apprentice Indie.
Paradise City Herbal | Sherri Lee Pierce | Massachusetts
Member Since 2006.
You can feel good about my handcrafted organic herbal
bodycare, soaps, perfumes, and incense. I use herbs fresh from my own garden
and never any synthetics, chemical preservatives, or petroleum products. All
the ingredients are natural and are listed on the label. Vegan blends
available. And of course, there's never any animal testing. Everything I
make is tested by volunteer humans and is unconditionally guaranteed.
Packaging is reusable and / or recyclable. Also featuring bulk herbal
supplies you need to DIY!
Drippin' Nectar | Janell Green | California
Created to nourish the skin and enhance the beauty you
already have!
Oyin Handmade | Jamyla Bennu | Maryland
* Member since 2006. Our hair & body products speak for
themselves, in the silky skin and happy hair of our satisfied customers. Our
goodies are designed with a focus not only on aesthetics and styling, but
the nourishment and health of hair & skin.
Affordable Artisinal Soaps | Shila Lang | Washington
* Member since 2007. MoonMaid Botanicals is an herb company
dedicated to providing safe herbal alternatives for the good health of
people and the planet. Since 1995, Cynthia Johnston has been creating a line
of products for women. We are currently expanding our line of to include
products for menopause, PMS, andropause, soap, bath and aromatherapy
products. Raw materials are organic, wildcrafted or grown in our garden.
Anthesis Organic Skincare | Anna Almiroudis | New York
* Anthesis organic skincare is committed to making
handmade, natural skincare products that are free of harmful ingredients
such parabens, petroleum, mineral oils, pthalates, artificial fragrances,
silicone, and synthetic dyes.
Tilvee | Kristie McNamara | Colorado
* Member since 2007. Specializing in effective,
sophisticated, luxurious skin care products that are toxin free. Whether you
want to soften wrinkles, prevent sun damage, tone your pores, soothe dry
skin or treat your baby's diaper rash...we have it! A full line of face,
body and baby skin nourishing products. We have fused botanical ingredients
with the science of producing safe products.
Rituel Skincare | Krissy | Macaluso | New York
* Apprentice
Indie.
Dirty Girl Suds and Scents | Kelly Dunagan | Georgia
* Specializing in handmade Soy Candles, Artisan
Vegan Soap, and other Deliously scented body products.
Seju Au Natural | Yvette Lyde | North Carolina
* Apprentice Indie.
Desert Whale Jojoba Company | Katie Grogan | Arizona
* Since 1978, Desert Whale has been supplying
natural and organic ingredients to the personal care industry. Raw materials
include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, shea
butter, and much more!
Silk Naturals | Karen Gould-Stark | New York
* Member since 2007. Silk Naturals creates and
sells beautiful hand-made mineral makeup and skin care enhanced with
luxurious silk.
Nanu Blends, LLC | Brianna Haller | Washington
* Nanu Blends, LLC A Fabulous Product, For A Fabulous You! All Natural and
Organic Products. Our products are blended by hand in small batches to
ensure freshness and quality. Simple yet very effective!
3. Where's dM?: Seminars and Events With dM
Here are some other exciting things coming up!
Today's Indie Business Radio: My guest will be Mike Michalowicz, author of "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur" More about today's show, and how you can listen and chat live, here.
dM and Organic Expert Gay Timmons: 10/6/09 at 12:00Noon EST. Gay, a longtime organic industry expert, will share what you need to know in order to properly use the word, "organic" on your product labels. Learn more and register at this link.
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! Learn more and register at this link.
dM on "Online Marketing With RSS Ray". Ray will interview
me on "The 7 Characteristics of Highly Effective Twitter Pages and the
Importance of Twitter Follower Numbers" on 10/28/09 at 1:00pm EST.
4. Today's Indie Business Radio Show: Mike Michalowicz, author of "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur"
<
--- Featured photo: Mike Michalowicz, author and today's radio show guest
Mike Michalowicz, author of "The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur," joins us to share his best tips for cleaning up in business, even if all you have is, well, toilet paper.
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 Chat: Once you activate your audio player (above), you can join us for the accompanying live chat on Savorchat at 1:00pm EST. Just click the link, sign in using your Twitter or FaceBook account, and you can join us live!
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.
-- Sponsor --
5. Featured IBN Member: Karen Seremak :: Savannah Moon :: Ohio
dM: How did you start your business and what was the inspiration
for it?
Karen: It all started on my honeymoon night! My
husband and I spent that night at a beautiful B&B called the Inn at
Brandywine Falls which is located in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in
Sagamore Hills, Ohio. I knew they had a Jacuzzi, so I bought some lovely
“blue” bath salts to use. To our surprise, when we drained the tub, it was
stained blue! We called the Innkeepers and they said they would take care of
it in the morning and to enjoy our evening. Turns out they needed to get a
special cleaner from the manufacture and still had trouble getting the
stains out! WOW! What a night to remember! Needless to say, I vowed to never
us a commercial bath salt again and started to make my own. A few years
later, being that I enjoy cooking, I ventured into old fashioned handcrafted
soap making. Then one thing led to another...
In the spring of 2004, with only 3 products, my husband suggested that I do
the Wadsworth Herb & Craft Fair. That was the official start of
Savannah
Moon as a company. It’s come a long way in 5 years! We now have 28
products in many different scents, all handcrafted from my own original
formulas. Visit our home page for more details. We also offer Custom Wedding
& Party Favors, and YOUR Company’s Signature Scent.
dM: What is your professional background or prior work experience help prepare you for entrepreneurship?
Well, first off I love to cook! And all of us on this site can relate to how
cooking goes hand-in-hand with handcrafted bath & body care products. But,
what I believe has been my greatest asset is that I was a commercial artist,
I did photo retouching and illustration along with production before I had
my daughter, also with my husband is an art director at a top Cleveland ad
agency. He designed my logo and all of my packaging and I take care of the
production. I have also created my own website.
Some real world experience helps also. About a year ago I decided that if I
wanted to make my company continue to grow, I needed to understand the other
side of it. Not just me owing a business making and selling products, but
what happens on the other side once my products are on the shelves of a
store. So I went to work part time at a local gift shop to find out what
really happens with products on the shelf. I worked there for about 10
months and got an awesome education! Small store owners deserve every bit of
that 50% margin to sell your products for you, believe me!!! I also learned
that “NOTHING” flies off the shelf! So don’t feel bad when your products
aren’t all sold out in a week. :o) Slow and steady is the most you should
hope for! But, if you have an excellent product word will start to get out.
One day as I walked my daughter to school I was stopped by a women telling
me how much she loves my Savannah Moon products and that she sends them to
her friend in Alaska! She was so excited that I make them right here in
Wadsworth, Ohio and that she can buy them right in town at The Three Roses
Gift Boutique. I have no idea who this women was, but she knew me! :o)
dM: What are some of the things you did in advance of starting your business that have helped make it successful?
Karen: As far as running my
business, right from the beginning I have done everything by the book! I
have always believed that a good solid foundation is very important. If you
are working out of your home, be sure you have all of the permits needed by
your city to run a business there. I had to apply for conditional zoning,
being that we are in a residential area. But even with that permit I am
still not allowed to have a sign, even in a window, displaying my company.
Also PROTECT your brand. Donna Maria talks about this all the time. As a
courtesy to others working in your field and to also protect your own
brand... Please be sure to research the ideas you have for naming your
products or businesses before you actually start using them in business. And
as long as no one else in your field is using it... Go for it and then
remember to protect your brand also. I know it costs money and time, but if
you feel your brand is worth protecting look into having it registered with
the US Patent and Trademark Office. You work hard to make the wonderful
products and offer the fabulous services that you share with others, you
should consider it.
dM: What's your niche?
Karen:
Savannah Moon offers a comprehensive line of all-natural handcrafted
products that are healing and nourishing to the Body, the Mind and the Soul.
We offer organic or natural options in our Sewn Relaxation products. And in
our Bath & Body Care line we use relaxing essential oils including:
LavenMint™, Lavender and Chamomile/Lavender. For those who prefer, we also
offer unscented versions of most of our products called Moonbeam. Our Baby
Angel line is gently scented with Chamomile essential oil.
We also offer Savannah Moon Scents, intoxicating, some hard to find,
fragrances. The lovely scent of Rose. The nostalgic scent of Lilac. The
delicate floral scent of Lily of the Valley. The intoxicating scent of
Moonflower. The exotic scent of Jasmine Tea. The yummy scent of Cherry
Almond. The sensuous scent of Orange Sandalwood. And the opulent scent of
Egyptian Musk.
We turn to our premium fragrance oils for the scents we love when they
cannot be created as an essential oil, or are not cost effective. They smell
as close to the real thing as you can get. They’re absolutely incredible.
We also offer flavor oils in our Lip Balm line, Cherry, Orange, Watermelon
and Bubble Gum. They taste as good as they smell. I receive lots of great
comments about my products. Here's an email I received last week from a
wholesale customer.
Hi Karen,
Just a brief note to let you know the products have just arrived!
They are fabulous! The packaging, the colors, the scent. This is a very fine
and attractive line of products and I sincerely hope to sell everything and
keep ordering from you.
Thanks again! Gracias! ~Carmen
dM: How do you market your products and services?
Karen: I have a retail website and a separate wholesale website. Having a separate wholesale site is very convenient and payment is made with a credit card at the time the order is placed. I only extend net 15 days to my local wholesale accounts because I know all of them.
I also tend to do local shows. I am looking forward to participating again this spring at The Green Dream Showcase. This is a fabulous show hosted by the Beachwood High School Junior Achievement Class to help fund their Ultimate Green Classroom.
dM: What's new and exciting with your business these days?
Karen: On August 19, 2009 I had been selected by Martha
Stewart as her
“Doer of the Week”. I have also been recognized by Martha
Stewart Living Omnimedia as a featured member on the Martha Stewart’s
Dreamers Into Doers website since July 14, 2009. A few weeks ago I was
contacted by WE ADD UP and asked to participate in
The Climate Action
Giveaway. It was such a compliment to have been contacted by them and asked
for my participation. I have donated a gift basket full of Savannah Moon
products. They really are working for a wonderful cause and it is so awesome
to be able to be a part of it!
The Cleveland Plain Dealer has featured Savannah Moon in an article for
offering local eco-friendly products. We have been recognized by the New
York Times proclaimed “Queen of Green” Debra Lynn Dadd, along with meeting
the standards to be part of many other “Green” affiliations. On January 29,
2009 our LavenMint Lip Balms were placed into 200 “Green VIP Gift Bags”
that were distributed at a premier party for the NYC television industry.
This party was held at the new Greenhouse, NYC, the only eco-friendly
nightclub in New York City!
dM: What forms of social media do you use in your business and why?
Karen: Social networks are great. Of course I love Indie Beauty, and I really do enjoy Martha Stewart’s “Dreamers into Doers” site. Because of my participation and sharing about my business I was selected by Martha Stewart as her “Doer of the Week”. This has led to a lot of wonderful contacts for me and Savannah Moon. I have really enjoyed learning about what other incredibly talented women entrepreneurs are also doing in there businesses.
My blog is here. I also recently started using Twitter.
dM: What tips can you offer other home-based business owners?
Karen: I was once asked by someone if I had any
suggestions about taking a handcrafted product and turning it into a
business. I thought I would share my thoughts and experiences with all of
you also, so I started a discussion on the Indie Beauty site called
“Importance of Product Packaging and Wholesale”. Please feel free to join in
and add your experiences too.
I have also started a group here called
“How do you give back?” Because
being in business is not only about selling your product or service for
profit, it is also about giving back to your community. I was hoping to
share some ideas with others on the Indie Beauty Network on what ways, big
or small, do you give back?
The one and only Body Care Business book that I have ever read is “Creating an Herbal Bodycare Business” by Sandy Maine. She gives the most down to earth and practical advice.
dM: Who helps your business be successful?
Karen: If it weren’t for the support of my husband and my daughter Savannah, I would have never had the opportunity to bring this dream to being a reality. I also have a very strong network of friends and community that I just love! They have supported me all the way. As I mentioned earlier, my husband designed all of my packaging, along with my logo and he creates all of my advertising pieces for me. He is also my roadie... He halls all of my things, with my help, when I do shows. My daughter Savannah likes to help out where she can.
I love how Donna Maria keeps us all up to date on the latest information and how she is always out there watching out for us! :o) She has shared her knowledge with me about writing articles and breaking up my thoughts with using a headline. Donna Maria, you have no idea how much that has helped me to share my experiences with others. It may sound simple... But it has made a world of difference in how I present my information. Thank you!
dM: How did you discover the Indie Beauty Network and what do you think of your membership?
Karen: I was looking for insurance for Savannah Moon and found Indie Beauty. I was really impressed by all of the wonderful things that Donna Maria had to offer. Along with all of the great business resources and advice she provides for all of us. It is also a great social networking site where so many talented professionals share just a wealth of information about their business. It is so nice to have a place where everyone understands the challenges and is happy to lend advice from their experiences.
dM: What do you think are the best things about being Indie?
Karen: I love being able to create. And being an Indie allows me the freedom to do things my way.
dM: How has owning a business enhanced your life? Any regrets?
Karen: I am always amazed at all of the opportunities that I have had because of Savannah Moon. I posted a blog called “Gems in the Sand” reminding us to keep reaching for those gems of opportunity, because they hold a treasure!
dM: What has been your biggest business challenge and how did you overcome it?
Karen: One thing for certain, in business and in life we
need to be flexible and ready to make changes and decisions in a moments
notice. And to do what is best for us in that moment. Last month after I
learned that my landlord more then doubled the rent on my studio, I decided
that I needed to bring Savannah Moon back home where she began. Savannah
Moon has been completely self funded since the beginning, and this was the
only decision that I knew I could live with as a business owner that would
allow me to continue keeping my business self funded. I’m not willing to
give up my dream because the rent is more then I can comfortably handle, I
just needed to make a change in plans for the time being. That’s all.
So... We moved all of my things out a few weeks ago and my daughter Savannah
and I have repainting my basement to give Savannah Moon the nicest home we
can for now. A lovely medium shade of Lavender on the walls and a wonderful
medium shade of Mint on the floor. This is where products and ingredients
will be stored, soaps will be cured and sewing will be done. All of my
products will be handcrafted once again in the kitchen of my lovely 1883
Painted Lady. I must say, it is nice to have her back home... Fills a void,
and my house smells wonderful again! :o)
I’ve been contemplating a renovation of the second floor of my Carriage
House. It already has walls and insulation with electricity, it’s set up as
more of a storage/handyman space right now. I would need to have a water and
sewer line put in, a basic kitchen installed, walls built to close it off
from the first floor, a heating and cooling system put in, a new floor laid
with baseboards and the walls to be painted, a new roof probably wouldn’t be
a bad idea either. This will be quite an undertaking. So as of now I’m just
dreaming.
dM: How, if at, all is the current unusual economy affecting you and your business?
Karen: In the summer of 2008 I started having a
hard time getting some of my ingredients from my suppliers. So I decided to
reformulate my products and in the process I formulated them to all be nut
oil free. This was actually a very happy accident, as now my products are
open to a wider range of people. Especially being that I sell to natural
food stores and a lot of people shop them who have this sensitivity.
As far as if now is a good time to start or expand a business, who can say?
If it’s something you love doing and you have the passion and drive, who can
stop you? I believe those of us that stick to it during times like these
will definitely be stronger as businesses and as individuals when everything
finds its way back around.
dM: What are you doing when you're not working in your business?
Karen: Sleeping! :o)
My husband has a side photography business,
Allen Seremak Photography. I am
the second photographer and assistant when we shoot weddings. I also do any
extensive photo retouching, he can do the little stuff. And I create the
photo websites for the couple along with pulling the photos for the proof
book. Basically I manage all of it! Then we also have a free lance Art &
Advertising Studio,
AllenKaren Studio. My husband does all of the art
direction and design and I do all the rest, again I manage it all along with
doing the production work. Since school has started I have been slammed with
Spirit Wear Sales from our local school system. We offer screen printing and
embroidery, we contract out for it, and I create individual catalog sheet
and order forms for their sales, Al designs the logos for the items.
I like to sneak in a much needed massage once in a while. And I so enjoy my
10 year old daughter Savannah, she’s my biggest supporter!
dM: What are your annual sales like?
Karen: Well, since I was announced as Martha
Stewart’s “Doer of the Week” I can say that my monthly sales have more then
doubled this month! I have also had a lot of wholesale inquiries.
I’ve been contact by and already had a meeting with a sales rep that is part
of a group that services four states surrounding Ohio. She found out about
me from being Martha’s Doer of the Week and was delighted to realize that my
products were already in a local boutique that she service. We met at the
boutique, she loved my products and will be setting things up with her sales
group.
I’ve had a flood of people joining my email list. Been contacted by “Beauty
Bloggers” wanting me to send them products for review, I’m always leery
about them... What a great way to get FREE products! ;o) And of course,
inquiries for non-profit donations.
I’d say... It’s been “A Good Thing!” :o) It’s amazing, people really sit up
and take notice when Martha puts you in one of her newsletters!
As far as what does next year hold??? All I can say is that I am ready and
willing to go where ever Savannah Moon wants to take me. Who knows what’s
coming next!
How to connect with Karen:
Website
http://www.SavannahMoon.com
Blog
http://www.SavannahMoon.blogspot.com
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/MySavannahMoon
Indie Beauty
http://www.indiebeauty.com/profile/KarenSeremak
Martha Stewart's “Dreamers into Doers”
http://dreamers.marthastewart.com/profile/KarenSeremak
6. Indie and Small Business Resources: Explosion of Activity at Social Network!
There
are over 3,800 people at our site! Each week, I make additions to the site
so you can enjoy it even more. Each day, a new IBN member is featured and
there's also a fun new poll where you can share your favorite fall
fragrance oils.There are also some brand new fun and informative discussions going on all the time. Here are some recent highlights -- join us with your thoughts and experiences, and find out what other people in your industry are doing!
The First Three Things To Do When Starting A Business: this article is great, no matter what industry you're in!
How To Stop Starting A Business: an inspiring article with interesting discussion about how moving from starting a business to actually running one.
The Spotlight You Don't Want All To Yourself: an article about the importance of connecting and collaborating with colleagues using social media.
7. About dM, the Chief Executive Indie
<--
That's me on vacation with my kids last week
I am an entrepreneur, speaker, blogger and more. But I am also a mother, and as such, I understand the challenges associated with managing a business and a home without compromising either. I started my business before my first child was born, and for me, it was a good decision. For me, it would have been far more challenging to start a business after my child was born. My experiences have caused me to be very passionate about helping other women start businesses that they can run from their homes. I have helped thousands of women do just that, both before and after their children were born.
How can I help your women's group or conference gathering?!!
Donna Maria Coles Johnson, the Chief Executive Indie, helps small and independent businesses owners, mostly women, combine smart sales and marketing strategies with branded digital media tools 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
IBN Social Network | www.indiebeauty.com
Copyright (c) 2000 - 2009 by 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.
