I just wrote a blog post on my companies website about the DIY approach (Do-It-Yourself) and how much I love pinterest.com! I was on Facebook tonight and saw this wonderful DIY idea on this page I "liked" called Inspirations:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=356083207828883&set=a.165441596893046.29633.165402083563664&type=1&theater
This picture of pallet furniture immediately sparked my interest. I immediately showed my boyfriend and I was like, "I can totally do this." My mind always jumps ahead of my physical ability to actually follow through with certain things. I know I can gain access to pallets. They are all over Craigslist. I could even find free paint, nails, screws, ECT. What I don't have is a saw, drilling tools, or a place to conduct this creation. I need others to accomplish this DIY. So...I started looking through Pinterest "DIY" section for ideas. I pinned so many awesome DIY ideas for my booth at the local market. I really believe this might be a building block to my entrepreneur lifestyle. I want to manufacture and sell mineral makeup. I also want to attract more customers at the market. DIY projects will do just that. I can't be closed-minded. I need revenue to make Love Me Recovery successful. I must invest in myself.
What DIY project should I chose first? I purchased almost everything I need today for sugar scrubs. This product fits my companies product line. Sugar scrubs are wonderful. I found a different way to make them on Pinterest. It's a little bit more expensive than my way. I might have to wait on that idea. For now, I just need some almond oil and I can start making 12 sugar scrubs for market the week after next. I love peppermint. I was thinking about choosing peppermint oil because that tingling sensation you get from it wakes you up in the morning. Maybe tea tree oil. That stuff is expensive!
I got a customer lead today from Homemade in Oregon on Facebook. I am truly excited. My DIY take on foundation is excellent. I just need people to take advantage of this opportunity to perfectly match your foundation to your skin tone. I also love the idea of offering the color correctors along with the foundation. This way, customers can cover up that purple under the eyes, redness, blochiness, or whatever before applying the mineral foundation. I will also have concealer too. My goal is to offer a kit: color corrector, foundation, and concealer. Full-coverage!
Let me share my DIY pins:
http://pinterest.com/lovemerecovery/diy/
Please feel free to re-pin, like, and share!
Love,
Jenny
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Investing in yourself is vital
I took a significant break from promoting fundraising for my new mineral makeup company. I started to feel like a beggar. I was sending out too much information all at once about different ways to help my business. I needed time to reflect and decide what my next move would be for Love Me Recovery Mineral Makeup. I started reading my book again. Can't think of the name right now. I decided it was time to invest myself. I was presented with a financial opportunity to invest additional funds into my business. It wasn't a lot of money. But it was enough to buy a logo, rent my space at the Jane Austen Fair, book my first few weeks at the local market, and buy all my products/supplies for foundation and blush. Now, I have personally invested over $800 into my company. I feel confident that results will come with time.
I hope by sharing this, I can influence investors/contributors that my company is worth investing in. I believe in my business. I know what it takes to be successful. I am working hard and I am not giving up. The next few weeks will involve a lot of planning for events and manufacturing makeup. I need to make a lot of foundation and blush. I bought a few new eyeshadow colors but not much because I have a lot of eyeshadow inventory. My last purchase is labels for my product. I think I will accomplish that tonight or in the morning. Tonight I want to attempt to promote my two fundraising campaigns. They are PayPal and Indiegogo:
Indiegogo:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/start-up-funds-love-me-recovery-mineral-makeup
PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N73U4W8SPPKPN
The first, Indiegogo has 51 days left to raise $1,000.00. This money is specifically for marketing. I plan on doing several things with this money:
1) Re-ordering business cards with my logo
2) Banner for Wed/Sat. Market and other local events
3) Car decal
4) Website Upgrades
5) Catalog/Brochure
6) Chamber of Commerce/Network group sign-up
7) Display case for makeup
Marketing is vital to the success of Love Me Recovery Mineral Makeup. I can make $1,000 go a long way with my local connections.
Secondly, PayPal fundraiser is for the immediate needs of my business including:
1) Liability insurance
2) Packaging and labeling
3) Tent for market booth
4) Makeup carrier case
5) High-capacity grinder
6) Storage containers
7) Supplies/product for beauty products: scrubs, cleaners, moisturizers
Liability insurance is required to sell at the vendors market and just important in general. In order to stand out, I need to upgrade my packaging and labeling. I am committed to using recyclable packaging and materials. The tent is very important for outside when the wonderful Oregon weather kicks in. I have to carry a lot of makeup around and need a large rolling case. My grinder is OK but it could be a lot better. If I get the grinder I need ($70), I can product more product, quicker and create a higher-quality product. Storage containers are necessary for bulk fillers and pigments. Lastly, to be successful at the market, I need to offer products every customer buys: bathroom products. I can make these cheap, organic, all-natural, and they will bring in revenue.
I hope you will share this blog and post. I need feedback on fundraising. PayPal contributors can donate any dollar amount. Indiegogo contributions start at $25. I am offering wonderful perks for these donations. PayPal contributors receive a $5 off coupon (purchase over $9.99).
I appreciate you reading this blog and please help Love Me Recovery Mineral Makeup start off strong!
Love,
Jenny
I hope by sharing this, I can influence investors/contributors that my company is worth investing in. I believe in my business. I know what it takes to be successful. I am working hard and I am not giving up. The next few weeks will involve a lot of planning for events and manufacturing makeup. I need to make a lot of foundation and blush. I bought a few new eyeshadow colors but not much because I have a lot of eyeshadow inventory. My last purchase is labels for my product. I think I will accomplish that tonight or in the morning. Tonight I want to attempt to promote my two fundraising campaigns. They are PayPal and Indiegogo:
Indiegogo:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/start-up-funds-love-me-recovery-mineral-makeup
PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N73U4W8SPPKPN
The first, Indiegogo has 51 days left to raise $1,000.00. This money is specifically for marketing. I plan on doing several things with this money:
1) Re-ordering business cards with my logo
2) Banner for Wed/Sat. Market and other local events
3) Car decal
4) Website Upgrades
5) Catalog/Brochure
6) Chamber of Commerce/Network group sign-up
7) Display case for makeup
Marketing is vital to the success of Love Me Recovery Mineral Makeup. I can make $1,000 go a long way with my local connections.
Secondly, PayPal fundraiser is for the immediate needs of my business including:
1) Liability insurance
2) Packaging and labeling
3) Tent for market booth
4) Makeup carrier case
5) High-capacity grinder
6) Storage containers
7) Supplies/product for beauty products: scrubs, cleaners, moisturizers
Liability insurance is required to sell at the vendors market and just important in general. In order to stand out, I need to upgrade my packaging and labeling. I am committed to using recyclable packaging and materials. The tent is very important for outside when the wonderful Oregon weather kicks in. I have to carry a lot of makeup around and need a large rolling case. My grinder is OK but it could be a lot better. If I get the grinder I need ($70), I can product more product, quicker and create a higher-quality product. Storage containers are necessary for bulk fillers and pigments. Lastly, to be successful at the market, I need to offer products every customer buys: bathroom products. I can make these cheap, organic, all-natural, and they will bring in revenue.
I hope you will share this blog and post. I need feedback on fundraising. PayPal contributors can donate any dollar amount. Indiegogo contributions start at $25. I am offering wonderful perks for these donations. PayPal contributors receive a $5 off coupon (purchase over $9.99).
I appreciate you reading this blog and please help Love Me Recovery Mineral Makeup start off strong!
Love,
Jenny
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Just keep swimming....don't give up!
Don't give up. You can do this!
I keep saying this, believing this, and acting according to this philosophy. I reignited my passion for makeup tonight just by sitting down and creating four new colors of eyeshadow. I made 60 new eye shadows in less than 3 hours. I was totally in the zone. Each color is brilliant in my eyes. Individualistic. The first color I conjured up was inspired by the campaign for marriage equality and gay and lesbian rights sweeping Facebook today. I follow RuPaul's page on Facebook and just loved this featured drag queen on the cover of her article. I mixed up "Queen B." I shinny, sultry, sexy pink tone. It pops out and represents the very essence of beauty. I can't wait to post it! I just need access to a better camera. My boyfriends ipad sucks at taking pictures.
My point is, I was losing faith a bit today. I am working so hard. Planning, developing, organizing, fundraising, spreading the word....but no sales. I've only had two sales. It really gets me down sometimes. Is it my pictures? Lack of brand name recognition? Lack of logo design? Then, I remembered. I heard that little voice that pushes me out of that line of thinking. "Jennifer. Stop feeling sorry for yourself." I did. Immediately. I got to work making eyeshadow. I started a networking list tonight. I decided to slow down on a few things. Baby steps. Tomorrow, I get to meet the owner of our vendors market. I also did get some pretty awesome news today. My mom is giving me $500 in the next two weeks. That is going to help me expand my product line.
I also posted my Mother's Day specials today on my website. I'm offering a great custom-kit including eyeshadow, blush, and foundation. It's a steal of a deal. I'm hoping it will bring in a lot of new customers and give me an opportunity to shine. I am paying for my logo this Friday and should have it ready for labeling by late April. Just in time for the Jane Austen Fair and the market. I don't want any fancy labeling. Just real simple but beautiful. I just have to recoup the costs through my customers. I'd rather just give them awesome makeup that isn't ridiculously expensive.
I was scoping out competition again the past few days. I looked at so many websites! Some of the mineral makeup was pretty cheap. I realized something. Website after website all the colors were the same. I realized one of my niches. I really use mixology to create new colors more than the average mineral makeup company. I blend three or four mica pigments to create stunning, individual color. Also, I customize my mineral makeup for customers. I'll create any color they want. I think those are two great marketing and competitive edges.
I am keeping my head up and working hard. My immediate needs and goals require selling my current inventory of eye shadows in order to purchase new product for foundation and blush. I've marked my products down to $1.99-$3.99. They still aren't moving. This is what must change. I need to focus on local business while Love Me Recovery starts to get noticed on the web. It is happening. I have more website hits, more "likes" on Facebook, and Twitter is now my best friend!
So....thank you for reading my blog and taking this journey with me.
Love,
Jenny
I keep saying this, believing this, and acting according to this philosophy. I reignited my passion for makeup tonight just by sitting down and creating four new colors of eyeshadow. I made 60 new eye shadows in less than 3 hours. I was totally in the zone. Each color is brilliant in my eyes. Individualistic. The first color I conjured up was inspired by the campaign for marriage equality and gay and lesbian rights sweeping Facebook today. I follow RuPaul's page on Facebook and just loved this featured drag queen on the cover of her article. I mixed up "Queen B." I shinny, sultry, sexy pink tone. It pops out and represents the very essence of beauty. I can't wait to post it! I just need access to a better camera. My boyfriends ipad sucks at taking pictures.
My point is, I was losing faith a bit today. I am working so hard. Planning, developing, organizing, fundraising, spreading the word....but no sales. I've only had two sales. It really gets me down sometimes. Is it my pictures? Lack of brand name recognition? Lack of logo design? Then, I remembered. I heard that little voice that pushes me out of that line of thinking. "Jennifer. Stop feeling sorry for yourself." I did. Immediately. I got to work making eyeshadow. I started a networking list tonight. I decided to slow down on a few things. Baby steps. Tomorrow, I get to meet the owner of our vendors market. I also did get some pretty awesome news today. My mom is giving me $500 in the next two weeks. That is going to help me expand my product line.
I also posted my Mother's Day specials today on my website. I'm offering a great custom-kit including eyeshadow, blush, and foundation. It's a steal of a deal. I'm hoping it will bring in a lot of new customers and give me an opportunity to shine. I am paying for my logo this Friday and should have it ready for labeling by late April. Just in time for the Jane Austen Fair and the market. I don't want any fancy labeling. Just real simple but beautiful. I just have to recoup the costs through my customers. I'd rather just give them awesome makeup that isn't ridiculously expensive.
I was scoping out competition again the past few days. I looked at so many websites! Some of the mineral makeup was pretty cheap. I realized something. Website after website all the colors were the same. I realized one of my niches. I really use mixology to create new colors more than the average mineral makeup company. I blend three or four mica pigments to create stunning, individual color. Also, I customize my mineral makeup for customers. I'll create any color they want. I think those are two great marketing and competitive edges.
I am keeping my head up and working hard. My immediate needs and goals require selling my current inventory of eye shadows in order to purchase new product for foundation and blush. I've marked my products down to $1.99-$3.99. They still aren't moving. This is what must change. I need to focus on local business while Love Me Recovery starts to get noticed on the web. It is happening. I have more website hits, more "likes" on Facebook, and Twitter is now my best friend!
So....thank you for reading my blog and taking this journey with me.
Love,
Jenny
Monday, March 25, 2013
Planning is necessary for success
I accomplished a lot today. I started by managing my inventory on lovemerecovery.com. I currently have a blowout sale on all my mineral eye shadows. They are only $1.99-$3.99. My goal is to sell my current inventory in order to purchase everything I need to make custom-ordered products. I also sat down today and organized my current inventory into a nice, portable designer makeup bag. Everything is labeled and looks awesome. I have all my ingredient labels in there, my business cards with their 10% coupon for custom-orders, and samples for people to try on. Tomorrow, I am hitting the streets of Monmouth to hand out business cards and get strangers to try my makeup. I want to talk to another consignment store in town as well.
Lets see...I also contacted my local Monmouth Market and found out they are a way better deal than the Independence Market. I am going to meet the owner Wednesday and set up my booth. Only $10 a week for 2 days a week. Not a bad deal. I need to expand my product line in order to be successful at these local markets. I need soaps, sugar scrubs, washes, conditioner. I just can't do any of this until money starts coming in. Fundraising isn't going the way I hoped it would. I am planning a car wash for May. I'm just afraid I won't have enough money to pay for the market and the Jane Austen fair. That is all due in the next couple weeks. I have consignments at the consignment store but we haven't sold a lot yet. Not to mention we are really broke in general right now because it's spring break and Chris is waiting for financial aid.
I keep making leaps and bounds in planning. I've contacted my colleges drag show to see if I can help sponsor with some free makeup for the drag queens. It's more publicity. I set-up my google+ account, started a newsletter for future publications, and posted some business cards at our local laundry mat today. Tomorrow, I will update my website with my Mother's Day promos. I will be offering gift certificates for custom-orders and a fundraising gift certificate for housecleaning. Yes. I will be cleaning the houses! I have experience and will probably enlist some help.
This business cannot fail. I want it to be successful and I need it to be successful. I am hopeful, hard-working, motivated, and passionate. I just need campaign contributors who believe in me. I won't let you down. Those who know me, know I love a challenge and thrive under pressure. I am putting both feet forward and I won't give up!
Love,
Jennifer
Lets see...I also contacted my local Monmouth Market and found out they are a way better deal than the Independence Market. I am going to meet the owner Wednesday and set up my booth. Only $10 a week for 2 days a week. Not a bad deal. I need to expand my product line in order to be successful at these local markets. I need soaps, sugar scrubs, washes, conditioner. I just can't do any of this until money starts coming in. Fundraising isn't going the way I hoped it would. I am planning a car wash for May. I'm just afraid I won't have enough money to pay for the market and the Jane Austen fair. That is all due in the next couple weeks. I have consignments at the consignment store but we haven't sold a lot yet. Not to mention we are really broke in general right now because it's spring break and Chris is waiting for financial aid.
I keep making leaps and bounds in planning. I've contacted my colleges drag show to see if I can help sponsor with some free makeup for the drag queens. It's more publicity. I set-up my google+ account, started a newsletter for future publications, and posted some business cards at our local laundry mat today. Tomorrow, I will update my website with my Mother's Day promos. I will be offering gift certificates for custom-orders and a fundraising gift certificate for housecleaning. Yes. I will be cleaning the houses! I have experience and will probably enlist some help.
This business cannot fail. I want it to be successful and I need it to be successful. I am hopeful, hard-working, motivated, and passionate. I just need campaign contributors who believe in me. I won't let you down. Those who know me, know I love a challenge and thrive under pressure. I am putting both feet forward and I won't give up!
Love,
Jennifer
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Welcom Russia!
I was looking at my blog stats and noticed I picked up a Russian audience! How exciting. I wonder what the sudden interest is? Please do share. I am under the weather today. Got the flu. I've been lounging around the house and haven't been very productive. I need to create a brochure for my makeup parties. My next step in the business is to advertise parties for bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays, ECT. I want to push custom-made products. I will have a whole kit the customer can order that will include a custom foundation, blush, and eyeshadow for each participant. I'll make them on-the-spot. It's a new concept for parties. Everyone is always looking for something new and fun. Women love makeup and they especially love makeup that is just the right color and texture/tone for their skin. I should say just women. I am targeting everyone. I am excited to send some samples to this guy I met on Twitter yesterday.
Ok. So...I am in love with Twitter! I followed some simple guidelines last night because I only had two followers. I boosted that to 50 in under 24 hours. Thanks to Wiki:
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-More-Followers-on-Twitter
These steps were easy. I did get a couple crazed sexual deviants following me. I quickly blocked them. Here's my Twitter page: https://twitter.com/LoveMeRecovery
One of the most important things to getting followed on Twitter is having a good picture and header. Also, Tweeting at least twice a day. Make sure to follow the peeps who are following you. Oh! You gotta retweet and ask to be retweeted on your posts. I forgot to do that! I need to step up my blog too. I need more color and more pictures. Also, more resources and interesting information. I need followers! Please follow my blog and make comments. I am sad that I don't have anyone commenting. Tell me what you want to see on here!
I am limited to how much time I have on the computer right now. Peace and love.
~Jennifer
Ok. So...I am in love with Twitter! I followed some simple guidelines last night because I only had two followers. I boosted that to 50 in under 24 hours. Thanks to Wiki:
http://www.wikihow.com/Get-More-Followers-on-Twitter
These steps were easy. I did get a couple crazed sexual deviants following me. I quickly blocked them. Here's my Twitter page: https://twitter.com/LoveMeRecovery
One of the most important things to getting followed on Twitter is having a good picture and header. Also, Tweeting at least twice a day. Make sure to follow the peeps who are following you. Oh! You gotta retweet and ask to be retweeted on your posts. I forgot to do that! I need to step up my blog too. I need more color and more pictures. Also, more resources and interesting information. I need followers! Please follow my blog and make comments. I am sad that I don't have anyone commenting. Tell me what you want to see on here!
I am limited to how much time I have on the computer right now. Peace and love.
~Jennifer
Friday, March 22, 2013
Mineral Eyeshadow Only $1.99
Blowout sale on mineral eye shadows! Only $1.99 for 3g jars and $3.99 for 5g.
Shop now: www.lovemerecovery.com
Shop now: www.lovemerecovery.com
This is a perfect time to try out Love Me Recovery Mineral Eyeshadow!
Shop today and save!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Started Fundraising Today
Fundraising is a scary word. I came to the reality that in my circumstances it's absolutely necessary for the survival of my small business adventure. I've pushed really hard the past few weeks to jump start Love Me Recovery Mineral Makeup and I've had success planting some seeds. This past week I've started selling at my local consignment store, donated makeup for a silent auction (Oregon Peace Works), signed up for the Jane Austen Fair in May, and booked a table for the Independence Saturday Market. I've also scheduled a photo shoot and makeup party for next month. Trouble is, I'm running out of money and supplies. Fundraising is necessary in order to be successful. I've started Indiegogo.com to raise funds for marketing expenses. I have two months to raise $1,000.00. I initiated a Facebook and LinkedIn fundraiser today asking friends and family to each donate $10 towards immediate needs: supplies and booking costs for events.
Here's my Indiegogo Campaign:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/start-up-funds-love-me-recovery-mineral-makeup
My PayPal Campaign (Facebook and LinkedIn Fundraiser)
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N73U4W8SPPKPN
I really need a logo. I was thinking about running a contest for a logo. I have a very specific design in mind. I want an eye with a heart for a pupil, the lashes should be lavish and peacock colors, the colors should be shinny, bright, and vibrant. I want the logo to represent with beauty in each of us. The beauty in our souls. I like the saying, "the eyes are a window to our soul."
I have a very detailed plan. I know exactly what I need to be successful. I am implementing my strategy and trying to be patient with myself. I have so much on my plate. Love Me Recovery will save my life if it flourishes the way I hope it will. Please share this blog and donate if you can.
Love,
Jennifer
Here's my Indiegogo Campaign:
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/start-up-funds-love-me-recovery-mineral-makeup
My PayPal Campaign (Facebook and LinkedIn Fundraiser)
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N73U4W8SPPKPN
I really need a logo. I was thinking about running a contest for a logo. I have a very specific design in mind. I want an eye with a heart for a pupil, the lashes should be lavish and peacock colors, the colors should be shinny, bright, and vibrant. I want the logo to represent with beauty in each of us. The beauty in our souls. I like the saying, "the eyes are a window to our soul."
I have a very detailed plan. I know exactly what I need to be successful. I am implementing my strategy and trying to be patient with myself. I have so much on my plate. Love Me Recovery will save my life if it flourishes the way I hope it will. Please share this blog and donate if you can.
Love,
Jennifer
Monday, March 18, 2013
Business is looking up!
I've made so many new business connections. I am excited for Love Me Recovery. I've signed up for my first fair. It will be in May at a popular local coffee shop called Ike Box. The name of the fair is "Jane Austen Fair." One of my favorite writers of all time. I will be the only makeup vendor which is pretty exciting. I am going to plan an entire Victorian themed table. Gotta love having an artist for a boyfriend. He doesn't even know what he's in for yet. I will have lots of pink shades and white satins, light mineral foundations, and plenty of rouge. I have so many ideas. The host suggested I name the makeup after Jane's novels or characters. I think that's an awesome idea!
I went to my local consignment shop to show samples to the owner and ran into this lady who's hosting a silent auction this Saturday. She is picking up some makeup to sell at her auction. I have 10% coupons attached to my makeup for custom-eyeshadow and foundation. I'm giving her a bunch of business cards and hopefully I'll get a few clients this way. I also contacted a few photographers and models I know and they've agreed to use my makeup in photo shoots. I am sending those samples out tomorrow in the mail. This marketing isn't expensive and I'm hoping it will give Love Me Recovery Cosmetics some brand recognition and gain me some customers!
My friend Shawna came over to with a co-worker and we made her custom eyeshadow and foundation. It was a lot of fun sampling and getting just the right shade. Especially, the foundation. That is one makeup product that really needs custom-tailoring. I hate shopping for foundation. I can never find the right one. Now, I can make it! I am working on my website content. I added an "about us" page tonight. Tomorrow, I'll start my custom-consult page where customers can order a custom eyeshadow, blush, and foundation kit. This is really cool because it comes with consulting on the right color, sampling, and refills! So..when the customer runs out of product, they will have a refill packet to fill up their containers when they run out. Mineral makeup lasts so much longer than pressed makeup.
I have a lot of work ahead of me. But, I am having so much fun. Owning my own business is really a dream come true. I hope I can be successful and stay home.
Love,
Jenny
I went to my local consignment shop to show samples to the owner and ran into this lady who's hosting a silent auction this Saturday. She is picking up some makeup to sell at her auction. I have 10% coupons attached to my makeup for custom-eyeshadow and foundation. I'm giving her a bunch of business cards and hopefully I'll get a few clients this way. I also contacted a few photographers and models I know and they've agreed to use my makeup in photo shoots. I am sending those samples out tomorrow in the mail. This marketing isn't expensive and I'm hoping it will give Love Me Recovery Cosmetics some brand recognition and gain me some customers!
My friend Shawna came over to with a co-worker and we made her custom eyeshadow and foundation. It was a lot of fun sampling and getting just the right shade. Especially, the foundation. That is one makeup product that really needs custom-tailoring. I hate shopping for foundation. I can never find the right one. Now, I can make it! I am working on my website content. I added an "about us" page tonight. Tomorrow, I'll start my custom-consult page where customers can order a custom eyeshadow, blush, and foundation kit. This is really cool because it comes with consulting on the right color, sampling, and refills! So..when the customer runs out of product, they will have a refill packet to fill up their containers when they run out. Mineral makeup lasts so much longer than pressed makeup.
I have a lot of work ahead of me. But, I am having so much fun. Owning my own business is really a dream come true. I hope I can be successful and stay home.
Love,
Jenny
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Friends are your best customers!
My friend Jessica came over today and sampled my eyeshadow. I had over 8 colors that are intended for darker skin tones. She loved them all! I gave her a one application sample of each color and sent her home with an mineral eyeshadow brush. I really appreciated her input and seeing her apply the eyeshadow and really like the way it smoothed out and stayed on. I gave her some business cards and we talked about other ways I can market my products. I am going to start hitting up organizations on our college campus.
I had another burst of inspiration and made another eyeshadow color tonight. This one took some work! I started with brown/red and violet. It turned out awful! I mixed in some browns and pinks and ended up with a shimmery and sultry brown. I call it brazilian bronze. I had tons of product and quickly got it posted on my website. I still haven't had any shoppers. I am sad about that. I've had two friends buy and that is great. I hope they enjoy their eyeshadow and foundation and refer friends, family, co-workers and others to my site.
I am flabbergasted at how expensive my competitors are when mineral makeup is so inexpensive to make. Jessica and I were talking about this tonight. Why is natural makeup so much more expensive if it costs less to make? It's all a marketing ploy. I can charge $5.99 for an eyeshadow and $9.99 for a foundation and still make a decent profit. As long as people start buying my products! I have a marketing book I bought this weekend and I plan on reading up. I just want to book 5 house parties and start out that way, along with the consignment stores, and my website. I did list on Craigslist tonight. Maybe that will bring in local business.
It's getting late and I want to snuggle with my boyfriend. My son Harlan had a great weekend so far. I need to really get my business organized! I have so much to do. I do have plenty of time to do it though. Just gotta plan. Lots of planning to do. I want to be successful and have fun at the same time. We are thinking about signing up for the Salem Saturday Market. I need to research that possibility.
The whole Search Engine Optimization thingy is killing me. It costs so much money to get noticed online. I know there are back doors to the process but I haven't figured them out yet. I need a web developer and someone who knows about online marketing. I just cannot afford that service right now. Focus on local markets. That's why I need to keep reminding myself. There is plenty of time for the big internet. If anyone is actually reading this blog I would appreciate comments. I haven't had any. I need to know why people aren't buying my makeup. 800 visitors to my website and only 2 purchases! That is truly sad. I added a few pages and more text to my site. I know I have a ways to go. I thought the pictures were pretty good and I have decent info about my product. The price is spot on and way competitive. I just don't think I am reputable yet.
Give it time. That's what I keep telling myself. I need to share some storefront space with someone locally. That would help. Just who?
Love,
Jennifer
ps. Here is my new eyeshadow: Brazilian Bronze: Only $5.99
I had another burst of inspiration and made another eyeshadow color tonight. This one took some work! I started with brown/red and violet. It turned out awful! I mixed in some browns and pinks and ended up with a shimmery and sultry brown. I call it brazilian bronze. I had tons of product and quickly got it posted on my website. I still haven't had any shoppers. I am sad about that. I've had two friends buy and that is great. I hope they enjoy their eyeshadow and foundation and refer friends, family, co-workers and others to my site.
I am flabbergasted at how expensive my competitors are when mineral makeup is so inexpensive to make. Jessica and I were talking about this tonight. Why is natural makeup so much more expensive if it costs less to make? It's all a marketing ploy. I can charge $5.99 for an eyeshadow and $9.99 for a foundation and still make a decent profit. As long as people start buying my products! I have a marketing book I bought this weekend and I plan on reading up. I just want to book 5 house parties and start out that way, along with the consignment stores, and my website. I did list on Craigslist tonight. Maybe that will bring in local business.
It's getting late and I want to snuggle with my boyfriend. My son Harlan had a great weekend so far. I need to really get my business organized! I have so much to do. I do have plenty of time to do it though. Just gotta plan. Lots of planning to do. I want to be successful and have fun at the same time. We are thinking about signing up for the Salem Saturday Market. I need to research that possibility.
The whole Search Engine Optimization thingy is killing me. It costs so much money to get noticed online. I know there are back doors to the process but I haven't figured them out yet. I need a web developer and someone who knows about online marketing. I just cannot afford that service right now. Focus on local markets. That's why I need to keep reminding myself. There is plenty of time for the big internet. If anyone is actually reading this blog I would appreciate comments. I haven't had any. I need to know why people aren't buying my makeup. 800 visitors to my website and only 2 purchases! That is truly sad. I added a few pages and more text to my site. I know I have a ways to go. I thought the pictures were pretty good and I have decent info about my product. The price is spot on and way competitive. I just don't think I am reputable yet.
Give it time. That's what I keep telling myself. I need to share some storefront space with someone locally. That would help. Just who?
Love,
Jennifer
ps. Here is my new eyeshadow: Brazilian Bronze: Only $5.99
Hold the squirrel with my mineral makeup brush!
So...I wake up from a nightmare to get on the computer and start researching my competition again. I come across a local competitor website and see mineral makeup brushes and I start to Google them to find wholesale prices. I come across PETA's website and find out most of these brushes are made of squirrel! Yuck! I will be going with synthetic brushes for my customers thank you very much. I'm keeping it vegan. Back to my competitors website. I see their prices on eyeshadow and foundation and I cannot believe it! First, their eyeshadow is almost all mica. Their jars are 3 grams like mine, and they charge $12.50! I charge $3.99 for 3 gram jars and $5.99 for 5 gram jars of eyeshadow. I go to their mineral foundation and they are 7.5 grams and $25! I plan on selling 10 gram jars for $9.99. My mineral foundation is all-natural and vegan. It just baffles me how something that is all-natural is more expensive. It takes less ingredients and these ingredients aren't expensive! I am still making a profit at my price.
I just need a customer base and I am working on that. I have a lot to do. I just need time to get there. I worked on my website today. Changes some colors and added meta tags. Still working on product descriptions and overall layout. I need a web designer and SEO guru. Just cannot afford one right now. I am working with a book called Social Media Bible. Great book. I have my first client appointment next week where we are customizing eyeshadow and foundation in-person. That should be fun. Oh...FYI don't pay $25 for a vegan mineral brush. They are all over the internet for less than $10. Start with kosmetech.com.
Love,
Jenny
I just need a customer base and I am working on that. I have a lot to do. I just need time to get there. I worked on my website today. Changes some colors and added meta tags. Still working on product descriptions and overall layout. I need a web designer and SEO guru. Just cannot afford one right now. I am working with a book called Social Media Bible. Great book. I have my first client appointment next week where we are customizing eyeshadow and foundation in-person. That should be fun. Oh...FYI don't pay $25 for a vegan mineral brush. They are all over the internet for less than $10. Start with kosmetech.com.
Love,
Jenny
Thursday, March 14, 2013
My shrink says...
I used to make fun of people who sought therapy. Now, I am involved in so many different therapy sessions, I have to take back that line of thinking. One can never have too much therapy. My son attends counseling weekly and every other week we all attend something called multifamily group at our local mental health agency. It's where families get together to support one another. Every family is dealing with either schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder. I attended my first session last week. We each had to commit to something we wanted to change. My commitment was creating a schedule and fitting time for ME in that schedule. I plan on working on that tonight and over the weekend before our next meeting next week.
I also attend individual therapy and sometimes attend therapy sessions with my boyfriend. I started my individual sessions three weeks ago. I haven't reaped any serious benefits yet other than the fact I feel better when I leave. Martha, my therapist has helped me to make certain choices in my life. I always overwhelm myself with burdens. I have one major issuethat I won't discuss in much detail except to say it is family related. I started to implement our plan this week and the other party isn't exactly responding with kindness. I have to learn how to stand up for myself. I have a REALLY had time accomplishing that task.
So..I see my therapist tomorrow and I am excited. I need that time alone with someone who doesn't really know me personally. I need advice without feelings involved. I need a place to vent where I feel safe. My life is so busy. I feel overwhelmed and stressed a lot of the time. Yet, I have those moments where life feels really good. I feel proud and accomplished about my makeup line. I dropped off product at my local consignment store today, made contact with another consignment store, and started advertising my free makeup classes on Craigslist. I need to get really organized and start putting an agenda together for sales and marketing campaigns.
I hope this weekend I can relax. The week days are full of appointments, errands, housework, cooking, cleaning, hardly any sleep, and lots of laundry. I need to start walking. I keep saying I want to but I just don't. I've nose dived off my no sugar thingy a couple of times this week. I have an unused yoga mat next to my closet that I bought to workout. How time goes by so quick!
I hope my website picks up more traffic and I get some more sales. I am going to a friends workplace next week to sell some eyeshadow and make her a custom foundation. I am excited about that. I hope it turns into more referrals. Harlan is back in school and doing sort of ok. It's really hard to gauge and he's under a lot of stress with peers and explaining his reason for being out of school for so long. Spring break is right around the corner and so is registration for my last undergrad class. Dreaded biology! I have so much to do in order to get registered for summer graduate classes. I have put off that process and need to start to get things moving.
In the meantime, I am getting by and trying my best to enjoy life.
Love,
Jenny
I also attend individual therapy and sometimes attend therapy sessions with my boyfriend. I started my individual sessions three weeks ago. I haven't reaped any serious benefits yet other than the fact I feel better when I leave. Martha, my therapist has helped me to make certain choices in my life. I always overwhelm myself with burdens. I have one major issuethat I won't discuss in much detail except to say it is family related. I started to implement our plan this week and the other party isn't exactly responding with kindness. I have to learn how to stand up for myself. I have a REALLY had time accomplishing that task.
So..I see my therapist tomorrow and I am excited. I need that time alone with someone who doesn't really know me personally. I need advice without feelings involved. I need a place to vent where I feel safe. My life is so busy. I feel overwhelmed and stressed a lot of the time. Yet, I have those moments where life feels really good. I feel proud and accomplished about my makeup line. I dropped off product at my local consignment store today, made contact with another consignment store, and started advertising my free makeup classes on Craigslist. I need to get really organized and start putting an agenda together for sales and marketing campaigns.
I hope this weekend I can relax. The week days are full of appointments, errands, housework, cooking, cleaning, hardly any sleep, and lots of laundry. I need to start walking. I keep saying I want to but I just don't. I've nose dived off my no sugar thingy a couple of times this week. I have an unused yoga mat next to my closet that I bought to workout. How time goes by so quick!
I hope my website picks up more traffic and I get some more sales. I am going to a friends workplace next week to sell some eyeshadow and make her a custom foundation. I am excited about that. I hope it turns into more referrals. Harlan is back in school and doing sort of ok. It's really hard to gauge and he's under a lot of stress with peers and explaining his reason for being out of school for so long. Spring break is right around the corner and so is registration for my last undergrad class. Dreaded biology! I have so much to do in order to get registered for summer graduate classes. I have put off that process and need to start to get things moving.
In the meantime, I am getting by and trying my best to enjoy life.
Love,
Jenny
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Makeup Diaries
I got my ingredient labels printed off today along with a categorized list of all my products. Next, I have to work on a recipe book. I do plan on selling it on my website. I have a lot to do to get my business off the ground. It's overwhelming. I did get organized today. I finally finished making eyeshadow for now. I have over 100 eye-shadows for sale on my website. I am developing a game plan to start making blush and foundation. I have enough product for foundation except I need the containers. For blush, I need the soy wax and I am running out of jojoba oil and preservative. I have to special order my natural preservative. If I can sell my current inventory, I will have enough money to restock my pigment collection. My goal was to test out colors first. I've made a variety of colors and I want to see how customers respond to my selection. I've been conducting research on mineral eyeshadow versus pressed eyeshadow. Not only is mineral eyeshadow better for your skin, but it takes way less to beautify your eyes. Your mineral eyeshadow will last 3x longer than a pressed shadow. In order to get the same feeling of pressed eyeshadow, you can simply add a little jojoba oil or water to your eyeshadow applicator and brush aside a little mineral eyeshadow to apply to the brush. You don't want to just dip a wet brush directly into your container.
I was also researching my competitors online. I was astonished at the prices for mineral eyeshadow! One website was selling mineral eyeshadow with similar ingredients and it was almost triple my price! Not only that, but it was 3x as small! This website was selling 1 gram of mineral eyeshadow for $11.00. I sell 3 grams of mineral eyeshadow for $3.99. I also searched around for mineral foundation. The average price was anywhere from $11-$23 for vegan, natural, mineral eyeshadow. I plan on charging $9.99 for 10 grams. Quality is important. The great thing about mineral makeup is it is all-natural, vegan, gluten-free and not expensive. So, most of these companies are profiting over 300%. I just want a decent profit and want customers to choose my product because of its high-quality and reasonable price.
I just need to get my companies name out there. I need to work on website development and promotion. I just don't have the capital to dish out on search engine optimization. That is why I have to start local first. This Weekend and next week I am going to go to local businesses to try and develop partnerships for selling my makeup. My local consignment store has already offered me 75% of all sales. Now that I have my labels, I can get them some product! I need to develop a flyer and brochure. That is hard to do without a logo. We are still working on that. I know it will be great. My boyfriend Chris understands my vision and he's an amazing artist.
I am done making product for awhile. At least a few days. Today I am running a sale on eyeshadow. Buy two and get one free. I am even throwing in a free sample of mineral foundation. That is a good deal. Still, no one is buying. I am so proud of my makeup. It is colorful, environmental, healthy, quality, and reasonably priced. I just need to work hard and in the end everyone will love my makeup.
Love,
Jenny
I was also researching my competitors online. I was astonished at the prices for mineral eyeshadow! One website was selling mineral eyeshadow with similar ingredients and it was almost triple my price! Not only that, but it was 3x as small! This website was selling 1 gram of mineral eyeshadow for $11.00. I sell 3 grams of mineral eyeshadow for $3.99. I also searched around for mineral foundation. The average price was anywhere from $11-$23 for vegan, natural, mineral eyeshadow. I plan on charging $9.99 for 10 grams. Quality is important. The great thing about mineral makeup is it is all-natural, vegan, gluten-free and not expensive. So, most of these companies are profiting over 300%. I just want a decent profit and want customers to choose my product because of its high-quality and reasonable price.
I just need to get my companies name out there. I need to work on website development and promotion. I just don't have the capital to dish out on search engine optimization. That is why I have to start local first. This Weekend and next week I am going to go to local businesses to try and develop partnerships for selling my makeup. My local consignment store has already offered me 75% of all sales. Now that I have my labels, I can get them some product! I need to develop a flyer and brochure. That is hard to do without a logo. We are still working on that. I know it will be great. My boyfriend Chris understands my vision and he's an amazing artist.
I am done making product for awhile. At least a few days. Today I am running a sale on eyeshadow. Buy two and get one free. I am even throwing in a free sample of mineral foundation. That is a good deal. Still, no one is buying. I am so proud of my makeup. It is colorful, environmental, healthy, quality, and reasonably priced. I just need to work hard and in the end everyone will love my makeup.
Love,
Jenny
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
New mineral eyeshadows!
I suffered inspirational insomnia last night. I literally didn't sleep at all. I was extremely productive all the way into the morning. I uploaded all of my new photos, opened my Facebook store fronts, got my EIN, upgraded my Moon Fruit website in order to have more space and post new listings, and had way too much coffee in the process. This afternoon and evening I made $269 worth of product to sell. I developed three new colors: purple rain, brown sugar, and radiant mahogany. I took some photos of the process and I am sharing in this post. These eye shadows are larger in size. They cost $5.99. I still think that is an amazing price for talc-free, vegan, natural, no paraben, and high-pigmented eyeshadow.
I started talks with my local consignment store in regards to selling my eyeshadow there. They are going to give me 75% of each sale. I have yet to call the other local consignment store. I need to make a day of walking around and talking to local businesses, giving away business cards, and finding a local networking group. My internet sales haven't even begun. I've only sold 2 eye-shadows! I am confident once my name and quality of product get out into public view, things will get better.
I also finished making my ingredient and direction labels for most of my eye shadows. I am printing those off tomorrow and getting things organized. I will start focusing soley on sales and marketing this weekend. I need to work on making contacts. I need a local network. Right now, my body wants to crash from lack of sleep.
Love,
Jenny
I started talks with my local consignment store in regards to selling my eyeshadow there. They are going to give me 75% of each sale. I have yet to call the other local consignment store. I need to make a day of walking around and talking to local businesses, giving away business cards, and finding a local networking group. My internet sales haven't even begun. I've only sold 2 eye-shadows! I am confident once my name and quality of product get out into public view, things will get better.
I also finished making my ingredient and direction labels for most of my eye shadows. I am printing those off tomorrow and getting things organized. I will start focusing soley on sales and marketing this weekend. I need to work on making contacts. I need a local network. Right now, my body wants to crash from lack of sleep.
Love,
A picture is worth 1000 words....
I wouldn't dare say that to my English professor. In my case, the phrase truly fits. My makeup pictures were pretty awful on my website. I rented a camera from college today and took new photos. They are so much better! I had some technical difficulties getting them all to load and I have a trouble ticket in with moonfruit.com my domain folks. I had my first custom-eyeshadow order today. I made a beautiful light-teal color and had plenty of leftovers so I put them on the website for sale. I called the color: Mystic Green. They are in my larger containers and cost $5.99. They are worth every penny. Plus, I am running a special right now. If you buy an eyeshadow, I send you a free sample of mineral foundation (while supplies last).
I can't sleep tonight. All I can think about is sales and marketing. I need to boost sales quick or I won't make my 100 units by the end of the month. That is absolutely necessary in order to keep my company going. I have to purchase new supplies and start making mineral foundation and blush. I had to pay to update my website today because I'd already used all of my available storage. Moonfruit is only $12 a month and that includes a Facebook store. I am satisfied with their service. I even had my domain name registered through them and my company email. It is convenient and their website is easy to use for someone who knows nothing about how to build a site. I do need professional web design assistance when I can find someone willing to help me for nothing.
My mom loved her beige mineral foundation I made her. I also made blush with my niece Natalie today. I put a little on her checks before she went off to the YMCA today. Just the process of making makeup with her was so fun and relaxing. We had a blast. I came home, whipped together my samples for my customer's custom-color and emailed those off. Then, I took the extra eyeshadow, packaged it, and took lots of pics.
Tomorrow is a busy morning. We have this big meeting at my son's high school with his vice principles and counselors to help get him back in school. He hates home school. The high school has the stigma with Harlan based on how he was when he was experiencing psychosis. Harlan is a lot better. I was glad he had a weekend with grandpa. I took him to Michaels Craft store to buy some beads he wanted for a necklace and he was pleasantly surprised to come home to a clean and organized bedroom.
So.. I have to wake up in like 3 hours. Should I sleep? Probably.
Love,
Jenny
I can't sleep tonight. All I can think about is sales and marketing. I need to boost sales quick or I won't make my 100 units by the end of the month. That is absolutely necessary in order to keep my company going. I have to purchase new supplies and start making mineral foundation and blush. I had to pay to update my website today because I'd already used all of my available storage. Moonfruit is only $12 a month and that includes a Facebook store. I am satisfied with their service. I even had my domain name registered through them and my company email. It is convenient and their website is easy to use for someone who knows nothing about how to build a site. I do need professional web design assistance when I can find someone willing to help me for nothing.
My mom loved her beige mineral foundation I made her. I also made blush with my niece Natalie today. I put a little on her checks before she went off to the YMCA today. Just the process of making makeup with her was so fun and relaxing. We had a blast. I came home, whipped together my samples for my customer's custom-color and emailed those off. Then, I took the extra eyeshadow, packaged it, and took lots of pics.
Tomorrow is a busy morning. We have this big meeting at my son's high school with his vice principles and counselors to help get him back in school. He hates home school. The high school has the stigma with Harlan based on how he was when he was experiencing psychosis. Harlan is a lot better. I was glad he had a weekend with grandpa. I took him to Michaels Craft store to buy some beads he wanted for a necklace and he was pleasantly surprised to come home to a clean and organized bedroom.
So.. I have to wake up in like 3 hours. Should I sleep? Probably.
Love,
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