Donna Maria's Handmade Beauty Connection
July 21, 2003

A Publication of The Handmade Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Vol. 4, Issue 29
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THIS WEEK'S SPONSOR: Valuable Aromatherapy Business For Sale

FOR SALE!!
Successful Internet-based company in business since 1997

1. HBN Update: Welcome New & Renewing HBN Members & HBN Members On The Move!
2. Handmade Beauty Recipe Of The Week: Cinnamon Sugar Scrub
3. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question: win a generous 5-ounce bar of Canus Goat's Milk Soap!
4. Create The Life You Love™: Making A Go Of It The Smart Way!
5. Handmade Beauty Product Review: Emu Oil Lotion Bar by The Purple Sage
6. Create The Life You Love Summer 2003 Small & Home-Based Business Success Series!!

ATTENTION: Ms. Terri Cosenzi, please contact me by email at donnamaria@handmadebeauty.com.

Welcome New & Renewing Members & HBN Members On The Move!

Naked Sudz | Gillian Brody | Georgia
* renewing member; Mirth Line of products focused on the naked scent

Natural Indulgences, LLC | Margaret Helm-Duell | Oregon
* renewing member; Body care for peace of mind! Handmade soaps & toiletries crafted in small batches

Jersey Thyme Farm | Patrice Buck | South Carolina
* goat milk soap

Dailey Essentials | Shari Dailey | New Jersey
* products that are not just luxuries -- but essentials!

Prairie Sage Soaps | Melveena Whitney | Oklahoma
* specializing in goat's milk soaps and lotion bars made with scents like peppermint and pearberry

HBN Members On The Move!!

Gail Adrian of HBN member Gail Adrian Fragranceur is excited to have been chosen by Airwick Corporation to provide consulting services in the field of aromatherapy so the company could gain some insight into some of the world's most exquisite natural aromas. She introduced the research team to genuine plumeria, variations of rose and several absolutes -- natural aromas they had never experienced before!

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When you visit MakeYourCosmetics.com, it's easy to buy the ingredients you need by clicking on our Selected Supplier links:

I receive emails and calls frequently from would be entrepreneurs who have a great desire to own and manage their own companies. Many of them have some idea of the general field they want to be involved in, but often times, do not have anything specific in mind. Make no mistake about it -- it's a jungle out there! It's easier and more popular than ever to hang out nearly any kind of shingle these days!! But even if all you have is a general idea, don't be discouraged. That's a start and if you nurture it properly, it could be the launching pad to something wonderful. If you fall into this category, here are some general guidelines to help you make a go of it the smart way!

1. Be Honest With Yourself.
Make an honest assessment of your background and experiences, including work history, educational background, volunteer experiences, etc., and draw some honest conclusions about your abilities. Are you a good money manager? If not, you might want to consult with a financial planner before setting up shop so you can have a good idea of how you will make a profit. If you're good with and like being around people, find a business that allows you to express that strength in a commercial application.  Remember that whatever you do should force you to stretch yourself and grow, but it should not challenge your natural capabilities to the breaking point.

2. Talk To Anyone You Can With Expertise.
While it's great to learn from my own mistakes (and I do so all the time!), it's much more "fun" to learn from the mistakes of others. Make it a point then to talk to any and everyone you can with any experience in your desired field. Ask them questions about the good and the bad. Collect as much information as you can. Learn how they started, what mistakes they made, what they like and don't like, how much money they make, how long it took to make a profit (if they are making one). If they never made a profit and went out of business, find out why so you can do what you can to avoid the same fate. Ask for help -- most entrepreneurs love helping other entrepreneurs! It's even worth it to pay for some quality consulting services -- what's a few hundred dollars when so many thousands of your dollars are at risk when you launch out on your own??! (And don't forget to check out the services offered by the US Small Business Administration or an equivalent agency in your town or country!) Be direct, courteous, respectful of their limited time and make a good impression. Something will be learned from every situation.

3. Volunteer To Volunteer.
As you meet people with small businesses in your field, ask them if you can volunteer to assist them with the understanding that you will be paid in experience and not in dollars and cents. Some business owners may be reluctant to take you up on your free offer for fear of helping launch a competitor. But more often than not, there are things you can do to assist them that provide you with a necessary learning experience without depriving them of a trade secret. In any event, you never know unless you ask. Be up front and honest about your goals -- the worst thing they can say is "no thank you."

4. Research Your Field On The Internet, Libraries and Book Stores.
I once heard somewhere that a man surprised is already defeated. I think there's a lot of truth to that, especially when it comes to small business ownership. If I had a dollar for every business owner who said to me, "I wish I had done things differently," I'd be rich. The sad part is that the information to help them was out there from the very beginning. Frequently, they were just so excited about getting started that they did not take the time to stop and plan. A year or two down the road, they are surprised by how much it costs and how much work it is to run your own business and they feel deflated and defeated. Save yourself the heartache. No matter how novel you think your business idea is, it has probably been done before, which means you can probably find information about it online, in libraries and in book stores. Research and planning is not a guarantee against business hardship, but it can only help to be as prepared as possible.

Emu Oil Lotion Bar
$15.00 | .25 ounce roll-up (deodorant type) container

Made with some of the best-loved staples in the dry skin arsenal like emu oil, jojoba oil and shea butter, this lotion bar has a light naturally scented aroma on loan from a dash or two of lavender and rose geranium essential oils. Even though it's "lotion," the lack of water and addition of beeswax gives it the texture of a balm. The deodorant-type roll on container makes it easy and convenient to carry in your purse or whatever.

You can use Emu Oil Lotion Bar just about anywhere. I started slathering it on my pregnant tummy and it minimizes itching. (We'll see what it does for stretch marks later!) Since I was too lazy to get up and get my lip balm a few weeks ago while preparing for bed, I smashed my Emu Oil Lotion Bar onto my lips. It felt great -- can't find the lip balm anymore! I keep this on my nightstand, and like to rub it into my elbows and heels. (My husband asked me why I was putting deodorant on my elbows, but he doesn't understand ...). I think it will last a long time!

You can find Emu Oil Lotion Bar and lot of other delicious things (lots and lots of soap!) at HBN Member The Purple Sage.

Create The Life You Love™ at dM's 2003 Summer Small & Home-Based Business Success Series, Washington, DC

Only one informative seminar left for the summer, and this one promises to be every bit as valuable as the others! Learn from an award winning public relations pro:

How To Get Inexpensive Media Attention For Your Business, August 6, Guest Speaker, Katherine Hutt, Media Relations Expert!

In this seminar, you'll discover the secrets to :

• creating effective press releases and media kits
• getting media attention in publications
• interacting successfully with the media
• and much more!

Spaces are limited so sign up early to reserve your spot! To register online, click here.