The Indie Experience
November 19, 2007
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 8, Issue 47
To subscribe, click here
-- Sponsor --
1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
2. New At the Blog: More link love, tips for using business credit cards and
more
3. Today On Indie Business Radio: The Sales Diva
4. Indie Candy: Rosina Solano :: 2 Frogs On A Log |
Mountain View, Missouri
Indie Beauty Ritual: Sweet Eye Makeup Remover
1. Meet IBN's New & Renewing Members
Welcome Renewing Members!
Monave Mineral Makeup | Deborah Bilezikian | Maryland
* At Monave, we are dedicated to providing fine quality natural
cosmetics. We supply raw cosmetic colorants to handcrafters of soaps and
toiletries, as well as bulk blended mineral cosmetics for those who can supply
their own packaging and labeling.
Bubbly Creations | Gina Caudillo | Nevada
* Providing good, clean fun for everyone! Bubbly Creations handcrafts
soap the old fashioned way, with pure vegetable oils and the finest ingredients.
Try some today!
Eden Essentials | Angela Prevost | Ohio
* All natural bath and body personal care product. No artificial scents
or flavorings.
HPO Spa Treatments | Debra Small | Missouri
* HPO Spa Treatments is a natural alternative to hair and bodycare,
combined with therapy for everday living. All products are made with the highest
quality, clean ingredients ensuring high potency and optimum results. We have a
full range of products for all textures and types of hair. Our products are
great for sensitive skin.
The Washtub | Suzanne Goss | Mississippi
* From top to toes, The Washtub is your final destination in the search
for a full line of proudly handcrafted skin products. Save time, money, and
effort by shopping at the only place to truly specialize in a variety of
products with an emphasis on skin health. Our passion for research and
development outshines the competition. We feature soaps, lotions, creams, body
butters, and lip butters. Join us for a head-to-toe body pampering experience.
Welcome New Members!
Reflections on the Bayou Candles | Deborah Ledet
| Louisiana
* We produce highly scented, luxury hand poured candles. Our candles are
created using premium quality wax and fragrance oils. We also offer B&B
products and gift baskets.
Blessed Home Creations | Tamara Thuotte | California
* MenScents: When a manly scent is needed. The candles that bring familiar
scents to men and remind us of what we as men love.
NaRayance | Diana Brahms | Indiana
* NaRayance is a handcrafted line of natural cosmetics and body care
products. Our mission is to provide our customers with a complete line of
products that are crafted with safe, natural and beneficial ingredients. We
offer beautifully packaged products in Victorian designed bottles. NaRayance is
a natural product line with a touch of elegance.
JMB Enerprises, LLC | James Woodbury | New Mexico
* Maker of very high quality organic and natural personal care products,
including soaps, deodorants, bath bombs, lip balms and glosses, facial masques,
cremes, and lotions. We also make candles, including 100% natural beeswax
candles, in addition to other spa products including natural sea sponges, pumice
stones, relaxation CDs, aromatherapy, massage oils, and small water fountains.
In addition, we grow and sell specialty flowers.
Bliss Candle Company | Justin Decker | California
* Toujours Toujours offers individually hand poured palm and soy wax candles
blended with high quality fragrance and essential oils. We also specialize in
custom orders for birthdays, weddings and other special occasions.
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:
Video Post: excerpts from Indie Business Radio with Real Coupon Queen
When
Link Love Hurts: all link love is not created equal
Giving
Credit (a little bit of) Credit: I couldn't believe I had nice things to say
about a credit card company
The
Sick Indie: thanks for your calls, and for telling me I sounded like a movie
star!
... 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: The Sales Diva Tells All!
Live Calls Are Back! 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:
The Sales Diva Tells All!
Guest: Author and super sales
guru Kim Duke will share her secrets to motivating customers to buy from you,
plus the one thing you must do in order to boost your sales.
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: Rosina Solano :: 2 Frogs on a Log
What's
the story of 2 Frogs On A Log?
2 frogs on a log as a business started about seven years ago as a business called Naturally Yours. But about two years before that, my first son was diagnosed at six months old with congenital glaucoma, I was told that he should not have any cortizones or antihistimines at all. At that time, I began to look into making chemical-free products for our family.
I always had extra left over and everyone loved them. When my second son was born with the same condition, I decided to make items specifically for sale since I really needed to be able to stay at home with my children. I was making the products for them already anyway so it just made sense.
Family Changes Force Business Changes
A year later, I became divorced so I stepped things up with a website and got serious about everything. My boys sell the items as I really needed a job that I could stay home and do and I was already making the products anyway. When I went through a divorce a year later I got a web site and got real serious about it.
My boys grew up watching me make things and it was only a few years when they began to pester me to let them make "stuff" too. After a little over a year I finally gave in, but because they wanted "fun" scents and colors that did not fit with the natural core value of the company, I started a separate business called "Son Spots" to differentiate their products from the others. I hated the extra paperwork that two businesses involved so I eventually merged the companies into one and the search for a new name began.
I wanted something that sounded natural. My sons wanted a "creepy crawly" name -- typical boys. We settled on "frogs" since they are creepy and from nature. "Two" comes from the concept that we carry two types of products: all natural, almost natural. I'm not sure how the "log" fits it, but it sounded good. So there: 2 Frogs On A Log.
How do you manage motherhood and business?
I have two boys with congenital glaucoma. My oldest is legally blind with my second not far behind. I also have a new baby girl with no eye conditions. I think that the only way that I can juggle this is that we do so much together since they make products with me. I also have the most understanding new husband. He is very supportive of us.
What's your typical work week like?
Week days I get the kids off to school and then get to work in the shop. Every day is different. The boys get home around 4:00 and we usually have free time then. On weekends, the boys help make products that they are low on. I make the bases for them and then they finish with color, scent and any other design.
How many products do you have in your line?
We did have about 200, but we are cutting way back to just soaps, salves and other products that can be packaged "green". We are focusing on improving our packaging at the moment. We don't like the plastic bottles because they contribute to landfill problems. contributing to the landfill problems.
What's your best selling product?
Our number one, hands down, best seller is without a doubt, my original "Herbal Itch Salve". We harvest our our herbs to infuse and then make the salve with our infused oils. Everyone raves about it.
What's the "hook" for your products, as in what distinguishes your products from other products making similar claims?
I don't really have a "hook". We just like to help others that we know
are out there that can't use certain ingredients. We can't be the only
ones. We have fun making things and we really try to help our customers
out. We make custom products for people as well.
Who helps make your business successful?
Of course, my kids (pictured in the tub) help me, but my mother is my greatest boon. My shop is right behind her house and she always helps out. From watching kids to helping label, to any and all possible things. She is my angel.
How do you market your products?
Most through word of mouth. I used to go to Farmer's Markets and shows, but it took too much time away from being with my family, which was why I started in the first place. We have a website, and my father still sells for me at the local market with his fruit. We also do fundraisers for schools and non profit groups.
What business tips can you offer to others wishing to start a business of their own?
Laugh often, don't kill yourself over anything, and make sure that it is something that you love to do.
What are your biggest challenges and how do you overcome them?
Money. There are a lot of things we would like to do, but as a small start up company, we don't have the funds to do many of them. We would like to get better packaging," but we're not at the point where we can custom order it yet. We'd also like to advertise more. For now, most of the funds go back into the business. We are working hard to change that as we grow.
What do you love most about what you do?
I get to stay home with my kids, and I get to work with my kids. I love being able to enjoy them while they are young and enjoy their childhood wonder. This helps me remember that life is really amazing and should not be rushed. I really enjoy being able to take off if my kids want to do something like go to the park or play. I also love being available to answer their never ending questions about life and the world.
What are you doing when you're not working?
Braille, braille and more braille. Other than that, we like the outdoors so we hike and bike a bit. Mostly we just wrestle on the floor if we have 3 extra minutes.
This is Indie Candy, so if you were a brand of candy, what would
you be and why?
I guess it would have to be "Jordan Almonds". If you have ever had them you know that they last forever. You cannot just bite into them. They are way to hard. You have to savor them until you get to the almond. We are like that. Our soaps last forever, but they are better savored for it.
What are your annual gross revenues?
Well we hope to see a 20% increase this year.
You can learn more about the herbal products offered by Rosina at her website. To find out how you can help children with glaucoma, visit the Children's Glaucoma Foundation.
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.
