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