The Handmade Beauty University (HBU)

HBU Quicklinks
Student Testimonials
Go To Registration Page
Detailed Class Descriptions

How dM's HBU Classes Work

This overview describes how you can enjoy HBU classes (formerly known as "telenars"). If after reviewing this information you still have questions, please contact dM at (301) 464-4515 or email.

1. What is HBU? HBU is a one-of-a-kind series of classes that condense the tools you need to successfully launch, own and manage your own handmade beauty business. Taught by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, a wife, mother, attorney, entrepreneur and HBN's founder and president, each class is designed to cover a specific issue of critical importance to the success of any beauty business. Many class participants are new to the industry while others who have owned their businesses for a while benefit from the fresh new ideas and concepts dM shares at HBU. HBU is the most convenient way to enjoy this useful information because you can take the classes wherever and whenever you want to, and you need not leave the comfort of your own home or office. HBU classes are available for purchase a la carte or as an entire semester of classes.

2. How have other benefited from Handmade Beauty University's classes? For testimonials from other handmade beauty business owners about how HBU has helped them save time, money and headaches, click here.

3. What equipment will I need? To enjoy a class, you only need a computer with Internet access and Real Player access. Real Player can be downloaded FREE on the Internet at this link. Classes are easier to enjoy if you use a cable or DSL Internet connection. Dial-up connections will work but they do not download the stream of audio as fast as other connections, resulting in gaps in audio. While the gaps will not cause the loss of any audio, they may last up to several minutes.

4. How do I join a class? Simply purchase either the entire semester (which includes the FREE Bonus Business Planning Class and FREE hour of email coaching) or purchase individual classes using our secure shopping cart. Within 1 business day of your purchase, you will be emailed links to all of the classes you registered for, along with a username and password to allow you to access the links. The username and password combination you receive is unique to you and is not to be shared with third parties under any circumstances.

• Your username and password will be activated for 1 week from the date of processing if you purchase one class.
• Your username and password will be activated for 12 weeks from the date of processing if you purchase the entire semester of classes.

Use the links and username/password combination provided to enjoy each class. I recommend setting aside specific time each week to listen to classes and review class notes, just like you would a class that you had to attend in person. Planning your schedule in advance maximizes the benefits you will receive from HBU and ensures that you do not register for classes without first making sure you have the time to actually take them. Once your username and password expire, you will no longer have access to the classes you registered for. You may register in the future as many times as you'd like. Your class notes will be mailed to you within a week of your registration.

7. Will I be able to ask questions during the class? No. Since the classes have been previously recorded, you will not be able to ask questions but you will benefit from the questions that were asked by previous participants. Those students who register to attend the entire semester will enjoy a FREE hour of email coaching, plus the FREE Bonus Business Planning Class where your own personal questions can be asked and answered.

8. How does the FREE email coaching work? You simply email me your questions, either during a semester or after the semester and I answer your questions by email. I let you know how much time is left on the hour with each answer provided. Once the hour is used up, you may purchase coaching/consulting services on an hourly basis. Free email coaching must be concluded no later than 30 days after the conclusion of a semester. Free email coaching is available only to students who register for an entire semester.

9. Some of the recordings refer to evaluation forms and the opportunity for students to ask follow up questions within a week of the class. Does that apply to me? No. Because the calls are previously recorded before live students, there are necessarily some things said that apply to who students attended the live class which do not apply to HBU students who are taking the classes via the recordings. Details about what is included with HBU in recorded form can be found in this FAQ, in our Detailed Class Description page and at our Registration Page.

10. I signed up for a class and did not receive an email about how to access it online. Since all of the links to enjoy the classes online are sent to you via email after you register, there is a possibility that there is a problem with an email or Internet connection somewhere along the way. The most likely culprit is your spam folder or some other email spam blocking or filter mechanism that you use to prevent your email box from being filled with unwanted email messages. If you have a spam blocker, disable it or ensure that HBN's emails are allowed through. If your email service maintains a spam folder for you and you have not received an email from us within 2 business days of registering, check your spam folder to be sure our message is not there. Of course, feel free to call or email HBN anytime at (301) 464-4515 f you need any kind of technical assistance.

11. Can HBU help me if my business is not in the handmade beauty industry? Yes! While most of the examples used in classes to illustrate points are examples of handmade beauty businesses, the principles and concepts explained in the class can help any business owner regardless of what industry they are in.

12. Do I receive class notes if I only register for one class at a time? No. While all class participants receive and enjoy the same audio, written class notes from each chapter are compiled into a spiral bound notebook and mailed only to students who register for the entire series of classes at once.

13. What is HBU's copyright policy? As you will learn in HBU, intellectual property such as copyrights are a valuable part of any business including yours. Therefore, unauthorized recording or duplication of classes, or sharing of username and passwords with persons who have not paid HBU's registration fee is strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted and their usernames and passwords will be deactivated without refund. 

14. What is the cancellation policy? As with any major purchase having to do with business, please carefully consider in advance whether HBU is for you. Ask yourself whether you are fully committed to making your business a success, using HBU as a tool to help you do that. If you are, HBU will help you, guaranteed. HBU represents the culmination of a decade of experience in this business and a great deal of resources have gone into making it the best it can be.

There is no refund for cancellation of registration after your username and password have been activated.

15. Is there a money-back guarantee? Yes. If you are not 100% satisfied, simply return your class notes within 30 days of your registration for the semester or within 3 days of your registration for a single class, along with an explanation of why you feel HBU is not helpful to you, and you will receive a refund, minus a 10% processing fee. Your class notes and the reason for your dissatisfaction must be mailed to HBN at this address: The Handmade Beauty Network, PO Box 158, Bowie, MD 20719-0158. Even if the class notes are returned, there will be no refund without an explanation of why you are dissatisfied with HBU.