I created a business promotional page on
Facebook, along with using Google’s promotional tool of blogging.
My Facebook account, which I consider more of a social networking
environment, keeps me in touch with friends from college to connect
with my blog page account for updates, news, events, etc… Currently, I
post each one of the soaps I create, with ingredients, sizes
available, along with a tidbit of information as to how I came about
creating that particular bar of soap. I’m finding more comfort
in using Google’s tools and enhancing my page as I continue to create
new products, test market them at shows and winter farmer’s markets,
and eventually make readily available my creations. I no longer feel
the stress I did with the website building, as I’ve cancelled my
account with the company who was hosting my site, and continue to
research other companies out there for the chance at a website later
down the road.
I am happy with the choices I’ve made with my
business, as it has taught me that, to effectively succeed, you have
to start with an idea. Move ahead, one step at a time, find your
target consumers and where to market and sell to them. Packaging is a
very important element with personal care products, and now that I’m
on the verge of moving into the retail storefront, it’s important that
my low impact on the environment packaging make a positive impact on
the consumer interested in purchasing my product.
I also keep in mind that I’m still a parent,
one who can stay at home with my child and that although I own and
operate my home based business, giving 24 hours a day to my venture is
not feasible. I’m ok with this, because it gives me time to
brainstorm for new ideas, try some ideas at home and choose what to
test market with the public. And each day I look at the individual
who started this whole campaign to offer natural ingredient personal
care products to others: my now two-year-old son, Tristan. Children
do change the lives of the people they live around; it’s amazing to
see just how much my little man is affecting the world around him.
Since I've begun my own business, it has
become my main source of income. I find being my own boss has pros
and cons. Yes, I have only myself to answer to when it comes to my
hours put in for the day and the amount of product resulting from a
day's work but what's missing, so far, are health benefits, vacation
and sick days. Yet, being able to be with my child, to not miss a
moment of his growth and development at this stage in his life, is my
number one benefit. With having established a customer base,
currently on the local level, I've become part of the "Buy Local"
movement. I am providing natural ingredient based personal care
products that are also eco-friendly. Now that we are in more quiet
times, what income I do bring in is divided between purchasing any
necessary additional supplies/materials and securing the continuity of
my business. When the open air market season comes around again -
May/June 2010 - and business picks up once again, expanding my
clientele base and finally being able to pay myself will come to
fruition.
