The Handmade Beauty University (HBU)
Newly updated and revised Handmade Beauty University! Classes Start April 18!!
HBU Quicklinks
Student Testimonials
Go To Registration Page
Frequently Asked Questions
First launched in 2002, Handmade Beauty University is the first comprehensive group of classes designed to empower you to launch, own and manage your own handmade beauty business! Classes are held via telephone conference call and are specifically designed to break down every element of starting a beauty business, from start to finish.
Are you ready to launch your handmade beauty business, but afraid you'll miss some detail or leave something out that will come back to haunt you later? You won't have to worry if you take Handmade Beauty University and apply the principles discussed.
In order accommodate as many people as possible, and considering that many people who can benefit from HBU have full-time jobs, the next session of HBU will take place on Saturday mornings. All you have to do is register and call in for the class at the number provided to you. Each class is about 15 minutes of lecture, followed by 45 minutes of interactive questions, answers and results-oriented coaching designed to propel your business from dream to reality! This creates a relaxed and fun learning environment. Here's what you get!
- Access to the exclusive conference bridge for each 1-hour HBU class, held Saturday mornings at 11:00am EST
- All classes are recorded so if you miss one or miss a details, you can listen later.
- Access to the HBU students only social networking site where you can ask questions and work one-on-one with me and other students to make your business a reality.
- Handmade Beauty University workbook, with over 100 pages of learning materials, samples and the advice you need to make your business a success.
- Continued coaching at the social networking site where you'll continue to enjoy one-on-one mentoring as you start your business.
You may be in business, but if you don't understand how business works, you cannot be successful. At HBU, you'll learn how business works and you will discover such things as:
- How to answer the questions that allow you to set up the best business structure for you
- How to choose the right target market and niche for your business
- How to create your own marketing, media and PR materials to get the word out about your business
- How to launch an e-commerce site, blog and other branded online locations that gets results
- How to generate more referrals for your business
- How to label your products to comply with FDA regulations and what to expect from the FDA Globalization Act of 2009
- An hour of FREE email coaching (a $200.00 value!)
- Written class notes for each chapter
- Exclusive access to the HBU students only social networking site
- Much more!
Before registering, please read our FAQ which contains helpful information about our cancellation policy and 100% money back guarantee! To read more about how HBU classes work, review our FAQ here.
You can read all about HBU's exciting classes on this page. Pricing information is on our Registration Page. When you're ready to register, click here!
HBU CLASS SCHEDULE1. So You Think You Want To Own A Handmade Beauty Business??! (Moving Beyond "Betty's Lotion")
2. Setting Up Your Business Structure &
Minimizing Personal & Business Liability (Covering Your Assets)
3. Labeling Your Products In Accordance With FDA Regulations,
and What to Expect From the FDA Globalization Act of 2009 (A Dirty Job But Someone's Gotta Do It!)
4. Branding & Trademarking (When Good Things Happen To Your Good Name)
5. Marketing Magic: Blogs, Email Newsletters and Other Media
Tools (Untangling The Web We Weave)
6. Publicity & Public Relations (The OR of PR)
7. The Importance Of Pricing Goods For Sale
(Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?)
8. Building Your Business Through Referrals & Effective Networking (Schmooze Or Lose)
9. How to Choose, Participate In and Make the Most of Trade Shows, Craft
Fairs and Conferences
IBN members save 30% when you purchase Handmade Beauty University!
- 10% discount on the series of classes
- Your HBU spiral bound notebook with all chapters
- FREE 1 hour of email coaching with dM ($200.00 value) during the semester
- and MORE!!
There's no better investment you can make in the future of your handmade beauty business!! Backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee! To register, click here.
April 18: 1. So You Think You Want To Own A Handmade Beauty Business??! (Moving Beyond "Betty's Lotion")
You know your passion is handmade beauty! You have perfected some recipes and are receiving rave reviews from friends and family members. The holidays are approaching -- can you make some money this year? Can you make some money next year? Now is the time to get serious about business and this module is designed to help you move beyond "Betty's Lotion" to take the steps needed to position your business for the duration. You'll discover the importance of having a niche and how to identify one and make it your own, plus how to take an idea for a common product and refine it into something unique and special. This class is the foundation for anyone who is starting a business, is new to the handmade beauty industry or who has already started their business but could use some help making it fresh and fun again.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- how to adjust your mindset for business success
- how to receive confirmation that the handmade beauty business is for you
- how to avoid the 10 most common handmade beauty business mistakes
- the 3 things you absolutely MUST do to succeed in the handmade beauty business
- how to identify a niche and make it your own
- how to prepare yourself for the competition
April 25: 2. Setting Up Your Business Structure & Minimizing Debt and Personal & Business Liability (Covering Your Assets)
Every one and every thing has a structure -- a framework which they inhabit. And just like we humans are situated inside of our own personal structure (our body), a business must have a structure in order to function as well. A business without a structure is like a house built out of straw. It may stand for a while, but eventually, it will wither under the stress of lack of foundation. This class will review the various business structures and help you decide which one may be best for you.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- the importance of minimizing debt
- benefits of formalizing a business structure
- the various business structures that exist in the US
- the most important factors to consider when selecting a business structure
- how to form and organize the two most common business structures
- the tax implications of various business structures
- the importance of professional financial and accounting expertise
May 2: 3. Labeling Your Products In Accordance With FDA Regulations, and What to Expect From the FDA Globalization Act of 2009 (A Dirty Job But Someone's Gotta Do It!)
Every business that sells products to consumers must comply with some federal government regulations having to do with labeling. The reasons for this are obvious: educated consumers are the best customers and beauty products manufacturers have the privilege and the duty of providing them with at least the minimum amount of information required by the Food & Drug Administration. This class discusses all of the resources you need to consult in order to comply with FDA rules and regulations and provides an overview of what's coming down the pike with the FDA Globalization Act of 2009.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- a brief history and review of the FDA rules that apply
- all of the required resources to comply with cosmetics labeling laws
- clarification of the "soap exemption"
- how to comply with various state labeling and/or registration rules
- what to do when the law is unclear on a labeling point
- an introduction to bacterial growth and product testing
- what to expect from the FDA Globalization Act of 2009
May 9: 4. Branding & Trademarking (When Good Things Happen To Your Good Name)
Trademarking and branding are two of the most significant tools used to characterize the public perception of your personality and abilities, as well as of the products you sell. What do you want people to think about when they hear your business name or see your products? Of course you want them to think positively, and this class will show you how to do that.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- what is branding and how do create one?
- how to make your brand work for you, every hour of every day
- how to brand yourself as "distinct" and special in a sea of other handmade beauty businesses
- how do you legalize your brand?
- a step by step introduction to how the US Patent & Trademark Office works and how to file your own trademark application
- how to defend your brand online, whether or not you have a registered trademark
May 23: 5. Marketing Magic: Blogs, Email Newsletters and other Social Media Tools (Untangling The Web We Weave)
You have a wonderful product and a website with a shopping cart. You even have pretty good traffic statistics. So why isn't anyone buying anything? In this class, we discuss how to maximize technology to your benefit as a business owner.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- top 10 things you need to know about doing business online
- how to make people come to your websites --- and bring their friends
- how to create and launch a dynamic email newsletter that increases sales
- how to select a good online marketing program that incorporates every conceivable social media tool
- how to partner and collaborate with others (at little or no cost) to increase online visibility
May 30: 6. Publicity & Public Relations (The OR of PR)
You're on a bit of a roll now. People are buying, holiday seasons are busy, the newsletter is garnering more and more new customers each quarter. You have a few really nice customer testimonials and some nice product photos. How can you get your products featured in the magazines that your customers buy without purchasing an ad? This class is packed with business-building PR tips!
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- how to publicize your business on a budget
- how to get and keep the attention of members of the press, and get them to call you over and over again
- how to prepare for, deliver and follow up on a successful interview
- how to prepare for interviews
- the "dos" and "don'ts" of dealing with writers and magazine editors
- how to assemble an eye-catching media kit on a budget
June 6: 7. The Importance Of Pricing Goods For Sale (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?)
Creating profits starts with one thing and one thing only: pricing. Sure it's important to have a good product and market it well. But if you don't price your products to make a profit, you may be selling a lot, but you're not making any money. And if you don't make money for too long, you won't be in business for too long. This class is designed to help you set prices for your products based on the factors that need to be considered before doing so.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- getting past the "I don't want to be greedy" thing
- the 5 things that must be considered before a price can be set
- how to factor your time and energy into your price
- how to price products to ensure that costs are covered, maximize profits and still attract paying customers
- how and when to know if it's OK to raise or lower prices, and how to do it
June 27: 8. Building Your Business Through Referrals & Effective Networking (Schmooze Or Lose)
If you could get 10 new paying customers every week and not have to spend a dime on advertising, would you do it? Of course you would!! This class will show you how to use effective networking and referral techniques to build your business.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- why "schmooze or lose" is more than a catchy phrase
- why every person you meet is a potential sale
- how friendships generate new sales
- how incentives generate new sales
- how to turn "small talk" into "big bucks"
July 11: 9. How to Choose, Participate In and Make the Most of Trade Shows, Craft Fairs and Conferences
An online business is great, but your business can never reach its full potential unless you show up in person now and then. This class will share the most popular types of trade shows, craft fairs and conferences and how to choose the ones that are most likely to be profitable for you. It will also cover the things that must be done to get the most out of these experiences.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- how to choose your first onsite show location
- what to do in advance of the show to make it as successful as possible
- how to define and set up your show presence
- what not to do at a trade or craft show
- the importance of starting small and working up from there
July 25: 10. BONUS CLASS! Preparing A Business Plan That Positions You For Success (Getting Your Ducks In A Row And Making Them Quack)
THIS CLASS IS FREE TO ALL SEMESTER ATTENDEES!
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It sounds cliché but it's true. This class combines everything discussed in prior classes to help you create a business plan that positions your business for maximum success. Our business planning discussion outshines all others because not only do we consider your business, but we also consider your life to help you create dM's signature "Lifestyle CEO" business plan -- a plan that lets you build your business around your life instead of your life around your business.
Some Of What You Will Learn In This Class
- how and why you should create your personal Lifestyle CEO business plan
- the 14 crucial sections of your Lifestyle CEO business plan
- how and when to change your business plan to take advantage of new opportunities
- tips on how to analyze the handmade beauty market
- preparing a company overview that inspires you to new heights
- how to identify and describe your target market so you can pursue it aggressively
