The Indie Experience
September 10, 2007
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 8, Issue 36
To subscribe, click here
-- Sponsor --
1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members!
2. New At the Blog: Win a $100 Gift Certificate From Staples!
3. Today On Indie Business Radio: Are Bad Manners Killing Your Business?
4. Indie Candy: Lisa Rodgers: Cactus & Ivy
Indie Beauty Ritual: Mango Mud Mask
1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
Welcome
Renewing Member!
Moonshine Soap Co. | Ellie Trinowski | Georgia
* Moonshine Soap Company offers two complete lines of pure shea butter soaps made with certified organic ingredients. In June 2007, we introduced "Moon Dog," launching with "The Original Shea Butter Doggie Wash", an eco friendly, all natural dog soap designed to refresh fido's coat. Our "Signature Collection" offers a unique suite of aromatic soaps wrapped in elegant organza bags. The
"Georgia Collection" will remind you of a perfect country day with ten soap personalities including, Appalachian Trail, Red Dirt Road, and Mint
Julep.
New Members!
Moon Shadows & Rain Forests | Christopher
Keating | Florida
* Essentials NW signature product line is PUR ESSENTIALS;
aromatherapy products for the home and body care. We utilize only the purest
essential oils and natural bases.
Cocoa Pink | Ilona Timoszuk | Florida
* Apprentice Indie
Melange | Shanese Sibley | Indiana
* Apprentice Indie
Sterling Mineral Cosmetics | Katherine Corkill |
Idaho
* Sterling Minerals Cosmetics are unique in formulation and are
unlike any other loose mineral makeup brand you can find on the market
today. Our age defying mineral cosmetics may actually improve the condition
and texture of fragile skin since many of the ingredients we use are still
used today in the Ancient Art of Ayurveda. Out of a desire to reclaim our
natural beauty, we created the exclusive Rose Petal Line™ of crushed
minerals and soothing botanicals.
Kaylala, LLC | Heather Dodge | Maryland
* We handcraft all-natural and organic face and body care products
utilizing the healing and skin rejuvenating power of emu oil from our own
farm.
Jessie New World Beauty | Melissa | California
* Jessie New World Beauty, a San Francisco based company, offers a
wonderful perfume.
Soaplady, Ltd. | Susan Coleman | Virginia
* SoapLady, Ltd. is the love-child of a retired chemist turned
fanatic soap maker. We believe that skin just gets happy and beautiful with
natural skin care. And we believe that natural skin care should nurture both
the body and the spirit.
Tlop | Teri Llop | Nevada
* Truth About Youth has created an anti-aging face cream with lots of
vitamins and other natural, healthy ingredients. It is rich in anti-oxidants
and improves skin elasticity/firmness, clarity and radiance. This product
will keep your skin supple and in good repair.
Learn more about Indie members and their exciting products, services and
activities by visiting their websites through our Online
Member Directory. You can search for your favorite Indie by
state/country, business name, keyword or alphabetical listings.
2. New At the Blog: Posts of Interest to the Indie Community
Blogs
of special interest to the Indie Beauty community:
2007
Love To Be Indie Contest:: enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Staples --
deadline is next week! is TODAY!
Preparing
For Rain: the importance of readying your fields
Beware
The Green Monster: the dark side of going green
Beauty
Boom or Beauty Bust: 10 things to do to boom, not bust, in the beauty
business
Don't
Get Punk'd: take care of your money and your money will take care of you
Boot
Camp Bonanza: take aim at your business
Great
Eggspectations: funny, just plain funny
3. Today on Indie Business Radio: Are Bad Manners Killing Your Business?
Indie Business Radio offers practical advice and workable strategies to achievement-oriented, independent entrepreneurs who are trading in the traditional corporate ladder to enjoy life and business on their own terms. Enjoy downloads and audio streams of recent shows at this link.
This
Week's Show: Are Bad Manners Killing Your Business?
Guest:
Shawn Gilleylen is a business etiquette trainer and author of Success
With Etiquette and other books helping people put good manners to work
to improve their lives. Today, she'll share how manners, etiquette and
attitude can make or break your business.
How To Enjoy the Show: To join live, log onto Indie Business Radio 1:00pm EST. Email your questions to info@indiebusinessradio.com.
Upcoming Shows:
September 17: Lorraine Morris Cole and Pamela M. McBride: How Women of
Color Achieve Professional Success (confirmed)
September 24: IBN's own Dawn Fitch of Pooka
Pure & Simple: shares tips from her new book and how to achieve in
the indie beauty business and in life (confirmed)
-- Sponsor --
4. Indie Candy: Lisa Rodgers: Cactus and Ivy
Lisa Rodgers knew she needed a change. But unlike so many other people who get up in the morning and go to a job they hate, Lisa decided to do more than complain. She decided to start her own business. Today, she owns Cactus and Ivy in Saluda, South Carolina. Since her husband returned from Iraq last year, things have really bung to take off.
How did you start your business and what was the inspiration for it?
Cactus & Ivy was formed in 2000. It's my first business. Before that, my prior employer had begun to micro-manage me. Also, I was sales representative and territories were not respected by other reps. A job that I once loved had become a chore and I absolutely loathed getting up in the morning. That's when I decided to quit and go another route. I signed up for freelance work through Guru dot com and took a sales position for a company that made handmade soap. After six months, the owner asked me to start making the soap so she could focus on other aspects of her business. Six months later, she decided that she didn't want to be in the business. Since I was already making soap, I decided to delve into other areas of personal care, and voila! Cactus & Ivy was started.
What are your annual gross revenues? You may describe it in terms of increased annual revenues from last year to this.
I started in 2000 and by the second year in business, gross revenues had increased by 150%. I picked up "the big account" during my third year, and revenues increased by 300%. I let my business drop a little while my husband was deployed to Iraq. (He returned October 2006, so I am in a building phase again right now.
Describe your typical day.
A typical day begins with checking email and phone messages. I then search the
Internet for new spa and hotel openings. I have been very successful catering to the private label/custom blended client. I try to send out free sample mailings every other day to generate traffic to my site.
Do you make your products yourself?
Yes. Cactus & Ivy presently has 39 products. Our Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray, Peppermint Tree Foot Balm
and Lip Service Lip Balm are our best sellers.
Peppermint Tree Foot Balm is packaged in a deodorant tube for ease of application. The oils in our foot balm are
moisturizing and leave your feet tingly & fresh. Not to mention....soft.
Lip Service Lip Balm contains the oils of spearmint, eucalyptus & peppermint. Your lips feel softer & tingle long after application.
What tips do you have for other people who might want to start a business?
Remember that "no" is just another two letter word. There are plenty of prospects that will say "yes" to you, you just have to find them.
Who helps make your business successful?
When I first started out, I had the help of a friend and my parents. Now I am an old hat and can handle most things myself. There are instances where a custom blend order will require the use of additional hands, especially if there is a deadline.
You just revamped your website? Why? What changes were necessary?
I revamped the website because it needed a change. Though I am not a web designer, I started out doing my own thing. When I realized it was time for a logo change, I decided to
hire the Logo
Design Guru to do a one-page template for me. I can't say enough about this company!
Once you describe the feel and look you want, they run like the wind and give you multiple
choices in an effort to capture what you really want. Then you provide feedback on what you like
and don't like and they work until it's just what you desire. They also
design brochures, stationery and offer printing services.
How do you market your products?
I market Cactus & Ivy products mainly through mailings. I plan to do America's Mart next year. Sending out note cards with a return, postage paid postcard has beeb very effective in drawing interest. Once the postcard is returned, I supply samples
(usually 2) and company information, press info, order sheet and my wholesale catalog on a disk.
Tell me more about your horse products.
Natural Buzz Off Horse Spray was created after I had used other products that failed. Not to mention that they were full of toxins
and chemicals. I researched the essential oils that had repelling
properties and went from there. Since the product worked well for me, I decided to
ask a neighbor who was a horse roper, to put it to the test. After he used it for about 2 weeks, I was receiving orders just on his
referrals. The product is really bitter sweet for me. Our horse, Blaze, the
inspiration for the product, passed away in June. It was like losing a member of the family.
What are the best things about doing what you do?
Creating products that are natural and good for my clients. I also love the freedom that comes with owning your own business. If you manage your time effectively then you can have the best of both worlds. Time making products that you love and time with your family.
What are the biggest challenges and how do you overcome them?
I've found that in the beginning, the biggest challenges were finding unique ingredients or packaging in small quantities. Things have changed a good bit in 7 years. Being a career sales rep has given me thick skin so I can't say I've had other challenges.
Why do you love being Indie?
Being Indie offers me the ability to think outside the box, to really focus on the needs of clients wanting something different. Large companies all seem to offer the same thing, just in a different package. You can also make a very nice living being an Indie, but you have to really work. Work the Indie Media Leads, send out your mailings, offer free samples, attend craft shows and trade shows -- whatever works for you.
Your husband has been in the military, serving in Iraq for many months. How did that affect your business?
My husband returned from Iraq in October, 2006. It was overwhelming having him home after being on my own for 15 months. I let my business die down a bit while he was gone. We had instant messaging so we talked several times a day. Most days were very stressful since his unit was responsible for route clearance, which is searching for
explosive devices.
What business book have you enjoyed lately that has helped you in business and why?
When I first started my business, I read The Business of Bliss: How To Profit From Doing What You Love from the publisher's of Victoria Magazine.
Why do you love being Indie?
Being Indie offers me the ability to think outside the box. To really focus on the needs of clients wanting something different. Large companies all seem to offer the same thing, just in a different package.
This is Indie
Candy. If you were a brand of candy, what would
you be and why?
I would be a snickers bar. Snickers offer a mound of chocolate right from the beginning & as you bite down, you hit the creamy caramel and peanuts and then more sweet, sweet chocolate. It's full of surprises!
Learn more about Cactus & Ivy and get some of Lisa's products here.
Best & Success!!
Donna Maria
Editor, The Indie Experience
The Indie Beauty Network | www.indiebeauty.com
Copyright (c) 2000 - 2007 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 The Handmade Beauty Connection (HBC) 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 the HBC 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, HBC 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.
