The Indie Experience
November 5, 2007
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 8, Issue 45
To subscribe, click here
-- Sponsor --
1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
2. New At the Blog: Link Love and more
3. Today On Indie Business Radio: Real Coupon Queen
Cometh
4. Indie Candy: Shari Lohner :: Masque Apothecary
5.
Sponsor This Newsletter: Indie Candy connects you with your target customer
Indie Beauty Ritual: Ginger Orange Cayenne Warming Foot Scrub
1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
I
am always excited when an Indie renews membership or joins afresh. Aside
from being happy to be in business, I just get a kick out of meeting so many
exciting Indie brothers, sisters and families who are making a living doing
things they love. So today, it's not that I'm partial to Rhode Island
(though I do like watching occasional re-runs of Providence),
but after nearly 8 years in business, a Rhode Islandian has finally joined
Indie! After having members in 49 states, it's way cool to finally get the
attention of an Indie in Rhode Island!
Welcome Renewing Members!
B.Soapure | Hendirka Ter Elst | New York
* Pure skincare.
RAESIN IMAGES Mineral Cosmetics | Rae Kat Switzer |
Tennessee
* RAESIN IMAGES Mineral Cosmetics that ROCK! We carry over 500+ eye
shadows, including the famous Chiffon Eyeshadows, high pigment, crease
resistant, delivering exceptional wearability. Especially designed for women of
all ages who genuinely care what goes on their skin. Personal consultations from
KAT Switzer, 17 year freelance makeup artist/image consultant.
Annie's Soap Barn | Bobbie O'Brien | Texas
* Handcrafted natural soap, formulated by a registered nurse at Erin
Ranch Wildlife Habitat. We strive to keep our ranch environmentally safe for all
domestic and wild animals and birds.
Good Earth Store, LLC | Alyce Penn | Virginia
* At The Good Earth Store we believe in keeping things simple. This basic
philosophy is carried through in the creation of our simple, natural, nourishing
bath and body products. Each product is individually created JUST FOR YOU using
our carefully chosen list of ingredients. Our line includes lip butter, bath
milk, bar soap, lotion, accessories and more.
Starring Fragrances | Ashley Peldon | California
* Unique & custom fragrances created by actress, Ashley Peldon.
Scents range from Gourmand & Sweet to Sexy & Sultry! High quality
packaging with genuine star gemstones in every bottle.
Greek Goddess | Alexandra Pacella | California
* 100% Hand Poured Soy Candles.
Welcome New Members!
Blessed Bee | Lora Goley | Rhode Island
* Nourishing, natural products for bath and body. Handcrafted in small
batches by an herbalist and aromatherapist.
We're No Angels Soap Co. | Lee Cloward | Alaska
* We're No Angels creates fabulous soaps, soy candles, T-Shirts and Bath Salts. Additional future bath and body products will be continually added. The product lineup is fun and naughty and depicts the notorious individuals of the Alaska/Yukon Gold Rush. You'll enjoy a tantalizing, entertaining sordid story revealed about the person on the front, on the backside of each label? From brothel owners, dance hall girls, madams, prospectors, miners and hotel moguls.
Christina's Candle Lights
| Christina Baldenchini | North Carolina
* All of my candles are made by hand in my home studio. I use only the
finest waxes, wicks, scents and jars. Your nose can tell the difference!
Moonshine Lavender |
Patricia Combs | Oregon
* We are a small Lavender & Herb Farm. We also wild craft a lot of the
Herbs we use in our products. Our Lavender and Herbs are naturally grown, no
pesticides! Most of our salve and ointment recipes have been handed down for
generations, mainly from the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee: Calendula, Old
Man's Beard, Horsetail, Comfrey, Teasel Salve, Mullien eardrop oil, Lavender
Whipped Shea Butter, and a blend of Lavender & Wild Sage after shave lotion.
Included in our products is a "Road Rash Salve, a special herbal blend made
just for the cyclist or motorcycle rider in your life!
The Aromatherapy Shoppe |
Cheryl Teets | Virginia
* Fine Line of Handmade Products. Olive Oil Soaps, Bath Salts, Aromatic
Spray-n-Spritz, and Balms made Naturally for You.
Juventas, LLC | Marla deNiord | Minnesota
* Juventas sells lotions and unique bath products that have soft scents that
last throughout the entire day.
twenty|nine & Co. | Amanda Meier | Illinois
* We use only the finest ingredients that protect, nourish, and heal the
skin while keeping in line with our end goal…a product line containing
ingredients nature has so generously supplied to us without the unnecessary
fillers. Everything in our product line is paraben-free and we never test on
animals. Our mission is simple…we strive to become your nature infused bath
and body boutique of choice.
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
Posts of special interest to the Indie Beauty community:
Link
Love: if you don't show and get Link Love, you should, and here's why
Fall:
The Season of Me: thoughts and musings on the fall season and how it can be
used to find your way back to yourself
... and this is just a sampling. Start at Indie Business Blog for more informative and entertaining tips that you won't find anywhere else on the Web!
3. Today on Indie Business Radio: Real Coupon Queen Helps Us Save Thousands!
Live Calls Are Back! Can call your questions in live via a toll free number: (800) 773-0355!
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.
Today's Show:
Real Coupon Queen Cometh
Guest: Suzanne Phillips, also
known as my next door neighbor, has yet to be discovered by Meredith Vieira!
We've got her all to ourselves today so join in before she gets famous and won't
take my calls anymore. Don't know who Real Coupon Queen is? Find out at my blog
and learn how to save thousands on today's show.
How To Enjoy the Show: Enjoy Indie Business Radio live at the website. Call your questions in at (800) 773-0355.
"I Love Indie Business Radio!"
"I have listened to all of your shows and I think they are terrific. I just wanted you to know that even though people can't always call in, we are out here listening, and your shows are so valuable. Your questions for the guests are right on. I am amazed at how well spoken they are. After listening to one of the shows focusing on the importance of email newsletters, I decided to send out my first one. I got an order within 2 hours, after not having one for several days! Also, I just started doing business with one of your sponsors as a result of listening to the show. Keep them coming! ~ Julie Ann Price, Beauty With A Cause
-- Sponsor --
4. Indie Candy: Shari Lohner :: Masque Apothecary
I've been making facial masks for over a decade. When I had a retail store, I made them fresh on Sunday mornings and sold them on the sidewalk at the local farmer's market. I'll never forgot how excited my customers were to get colorful little containers of clay mixed with fresh goodies like fruit juice, yogurt, herbal tea, eggs and oats. Mine came in little plastic containers, already mixed. Orange Geranium French Clay Body Mask was one of the first ones I sold that became a best seller.
Fast forward a decade to today's tasty treat, Shari Lohner of Masque Apothecary. The inventive 33-year old launched her business just a few months ago, but a quick look shows how far the Indie beauty industry has come since I was selling fresh masks at the farmer's market. It's easy to make a facial mask. What's not so easy is to carry the concept from a sidewalk farmer's market to a bottle that can be sold online and in spas. Here's how Shari does it.
How did you start your business and what was the inspiration for it?
The Masque Apothecary line was launched in July 2007. The inspiration came from my love of both homemade masks that use natural ingredients, mostly found in the kitchen, and professional masks used by estheticians during facials that are tailored according to skin type. I wanted to create a product that combined the best of both and was available for home use.
My undergraduate degree is in Biological Science but I worked in a sales and marketing capacity for ten
years before starting the business. In addition to this business, with a partner, I will soon launch another
business designed to provide affordable cosmetic INCI label translation services
for crafters and small cosmetics companies.
What's your typical day like?
A typical day might consist of any or all of the following; checking email, updating the website, creating new promotions, filling product orders, ordering raw materials, cold calling potential accounts, creating and sending out marketing materials. My advice for juggling multiple responsibilities? Prioritize and plan. Have a realistic plan for each day and work it. Without a plan, it’s easy to get lost in activities that waste time and don’t further your business.
What's the "hook" for your products, as in what distinguishes your products from other products making similar claims?
What makes our products different from the majority of face masks available at retail is that they can be customized according to the user’s skin type and they are all natural. Most masks are not all natural because they are a hydrous formulation and therefore require a preservative. They are also unable to be customized for each use. Our masks are made to be customized for each use and are free of harsh, unwanted chemicals.
Who helps make your business successful?
I am married to wonderful man. He is very supportive and puts his creative thinking cap on when I need it. He is also an objective sounding board. My business ventures would not be a reality without his support. For Web design, I realized quickly that I needed outside help. TSM Designs had the experience and fit our price range. (Always ask to see portfolio before hiring a site designer.)
How many products are in your line?
There are currently nine products in the Masque line. So far, the most popular products have been the Cacoa Noir (pictured, made with cocoa, kaolin, buttermilk, oats, papaya enzymes and honey) and Papaya Enzyme Exfoliate and the Sea Clay and Kelp Detox masques.
How do you market your products?
Since we launched a few months ago, we have used a multi-pronged approach to market our products. This includes direct to consumer online marketing and PR activities and marketing to wholesale accounts. We have not attended any trade shows yet and it’s too early to say what the most effective technique will be.
What business tips can you offer to others wishing to start a business of their own?
While there are a lot of aspects to starting a business one can do themselves to save money, it’s best to know your limits. For example, the fact that you have good design software does not mean you are a good enough designer to design a company logo that's good enough to build your business image around. Your logo is the face of your company and there's a lot more to designing it than having workable software. Ditto for a website. Just because you know HTML or can figure out how to load a picture does not mean you should design your own site. Knowing your limits means knowing when to hire a professional.
Another overall tip is to plan and do your homework before you start. Once you jump in, you’ll find that there is so much that needs to be done. It can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared.
What is your biggest challenge and how do you overcome it?
The biggest challenge is having myself as a boss. I tend to push myself (and others around me) very hard and often I have to force myself to take a step back and breathe.
Here's a strange discover. The most surprising thing about being my own boss is that I’m not my own boss. My customers and potential customers are. When you work for someone else’s company, you have one boss. When you own a business you acquire a multitude of bosses, really. And that’s not good or bad, just different.
Why do you love being Indie?
The best thing about being Indie is the creative freedom to steer in whichever direction I want and to try new things.
Being Indie is great because I can respond quickly to trends and market changes.
What are you doing when you're not working?
When I’m not working…I’m working. Seriously. My business keeps me busy.
This is Indie Candy, so if you were a brand of candy, what would
you be and why?
I’d be a PayDay! The name pretty much says it all. Everyone loves pay day.
Editor's Note: Even though Shari's brand new to the Indie Beauty scene, it's plain to see that she's going places with her masques. Not trying to offer all products to all people, Shari's focused on masques and by seeking customer feedback, her website is fast becoming a place for product users to share what they add to Shari's clay base to make their own masks. The clean look of her labels and clear bottles makes it fun to even think about using the masks. If I had a spa, I'd want a whole shelf full of the colors on display so it was super easy and enticing for my customers to pass by and take one of each.
I predict that Pay Day is not far off! You can learn more about the great products offered by Shari and try her masques and customize your own here.
5. Sponsor This Newsletter: Indie Candy Connects You With Your Target Customer! Just ask The E-Commerce Diva!
Indie
Experience reaches 6,000 opt in subscribers each Monday, and all issue are
archived at our website forever. This means that not only do our
subscribers get your message, but new and regular site visitors do too!
Jamila White, a busy Indie with an e-commerce consulting business and a growing Indie Beauty product line, consistently receives a huge return on her investment when she sponsors Indie Candy. A recent campaign to promote her popular E-Commerce Bootcamp, which sold out after Jamila's sponosrship, resulted in over $2,000 in sales -- all within a month from $150 sponsorship. Jamila says "that's money well spent!" Learn more about Jamila's products and services at j.blossom and E-Commerce Diva.
To find out more about how Indie Experience can help you reach the people who want to do business with you, contact IBN at donnamaria@indiebeauty.com or (704) 291-7280.
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.
