Indie Business Launchpad: Sacred Glo

Let the Calm Come to You

Ederle Greene Ramirez is a 49-year old Florida wife and mother who has been a banking industry executive for many years. With the banking industry's current situation, it's no wonder Ederle is delighted to launch her business at this time. Ederle is moving a mile a minute these days. She is extremely active on Twitter, with 1,205 loyal followers. She's also involved on nearly every level with issues associated with the draft FDA Globalization Act of 2008.

                        

Amazingly, Ederle launched her business, Sacred Glo, while maintaining her challenging full-time job and also having to comply with what some would call some of the most onerous state-imposed small business startup requirements in the nation. I asked this amazing Indie Business Owner to share the milestones, high points and low points of the process she went through to make Sacred Glo a reality.Here is some of her story.

dM: What is the inspiration for Sacred Glo?

Ederle: Stress-induced health challenges inspired me to research natural, healthy alternatives in every area of my life. From nutrition to household toxins, I began to devour holistic information a few years ago. I would come home in tears after a stressful day at work and just sit in the tub and pray about all that was going on in my life. One night as I lay in my bed, crying yet again, I asked God what He would have me to do because I was not sure if I could last much longer. I felt led to continue on my healthful journey.

Eventually, I learned how to make natural soaps, then other products with pure essential oils and other eco-friendly fragrances, sustainable natural ingredients and earthy textures. I devoured books on natural cosmetics. I experimented with soapmaking and created all-natural lotions, body butters and foot creams.

As I blended and hand-stirred the aromatic ingredients, fresh ideas filled my mind…ideas on being an entrepreneur, thoughts on turning a hobby and passion into profit. Those thoughts coupled with the knowledge and experience I have gained is how Sacred Glo was birthed.

dM: Of all the beauty products you could have made, why lotion candles?

Ederle: I wanted to offer a product that would make a unique stamp in the health and beauty world, and which would make my brand name memorable. I was not content with just a lotion or just a candle. I wanted to make something that would last beyond its expected use. I played came up with a product that can be used as a candle, then as a lotion to moisturize the skin, and which was contained in recyclable glass that can be utilized as a drinking glass or bathroom accessory.

dM: What exactly are lotion candles?

Ederle:My lotion candles are handcrafted with soy ingredients and eco-friendly scents. The scented candles burn without releasing harmful toxins into the air, creating a home spa aura without the soot found in traditional paraffin wax candles. The lotion candles are infused with natural ingredients, primarily soy and shea butter, and the scents are derived from natural essential oils and fragrances.  

My candles are manufactured in compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices Guidelines imposed by the US Food & Drug Administration. In fact, we had to have our manufacturing facility inspected by the State of Florida before we could sell the products. I am proud to say that we passed with flying colors and are a Florida certified manufacturing facility.

dM: How do you use location candles?

Ederle: The first time you use a Sacred Glo lotion candle, trim the wick to about ¼ inch, light the candle, and allow it to burn for about approximately 10 minutes or until a small pool of soy bean oil and shea butter, and essential oils form. Once a melted pool of lotion is formed, then you can gently blow the flame on the candle to extinguish the flame. Dip your finger tips into the lotion or pour the warm lotion into the palm of your hands and massage it into your skin.
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dM: How do you manage Sacred Glo With a Full-Time Job and a Family?

Ederle: I limited my product line to four scents: Sacred Clarity, Almond Glo, Nevis Island Breeze and Sensual Groove. This allows me to structure my production schedule to fit my hectic career and family schedule. I also have learned to balance my week by making lotion candles on certain days so I can focus on my marketing strategy the other days of the week.

dM: You had to go through a lot to get your certificate in Florida. What was this process like?

The high point was finally passing the rigorous Florida State Department of Health inspection and receiving my certification. It was a strange experience for me but very rewarding because I passed every inspection the first time out and received a letter of congratulations from State complimenting me on my  thoroughness and attention to detail. I made sure I followed every rule, dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t’ so my customers would know that my products are made with the utmost attention to cleanliness and quality.

The low point was the fact the whole procedure and process was long, tedious, and expensive. Many of the regulations were, in my opinion, very cumbersome and unwarranted. But it had to be done if I wanted to start my cosmetic business in the state of Florida. So rather than complain, I followed the law and I'm glad I did. I don't have to run my business looking over my shoulder wondering if the state will "catch" me making cosmetics without the state required license.

dM: How did you settle on the Sacred Glo brand name?

Ederle: My original business name was Lizzy Greene Creations but I knew the competition was too strong for a name like that; my business coach concurred. I needed a unique name that stood out from the rest and also complemented my product. Every day after a long day at work, I returned home to light a candle and relax. It was sacred time for me and I always got a glo from the experience. Hence the name Sacred Glo.

Our slogan is "Let the calm come to you." I do this every day when I light one of my candles and smooth the soft lotion oil into my skin. I feel cared form and treasured. You should try it!

dM: How excited are you to launch Sacred Glo?

Ederle: Can you tell???! I am very excited to reach this milestone in my life. This was long process where I had to put in a lot of time (loooong hours), effort (haaaaard work), and money. But now I am watching doors open and things happening that I never dreamed would occur.

        

dM: What ingredients are in your products?

Ederle:Sacred Glo body lotion candles are created with only the finest all natural ingredients like all natural soy and unrefined shea butter. I only uses all cotton, clean burning wicks.

dM: What sorts of methods are you using to promote your business?

Ederle: I use social media sites like Twitter, my blog and word-of-mouth. I am happy that my business coach encouraged me to join Twitter it is a powerful marketing tool. I had over 1,000 followers in my Twitter circle before I even launched my website and some of my first sales came as a result of relationships I developed a nurture on Twitter. Where else can you get results like that?

dM: How did you finance your startup?

Ederle:I do not believe in carrying a lot of credit card debt, and I did not want a business loan. So I sacrificed all of my luxuries and sometimes robbed Peter to pay Paul to get my business off the ground. For example, I stopped going to the spa and gettig manicures and pedicures. I even cut off the cable for a while so I could cover startup expenses.

dM: Are there any special health issues that you have or have had to overcome in order to run your business?

Ederle: Yes. I have suffered a number of strokes that have caused me to have some disabilities. I overcame some of them with the help of my outsourcing team. Too many people try to do it alone and avoid paying for what needs to be done. I found that by outsourcing many of the tasks (such as graphics and website design), I got much more accomplished and my disabilities did not get in the way.

dM: What has the business launch process taught you about yourself?

Ederle: I have learned not to wallow in my fear and disabilities. Donna Maria is my business coach and she encouraged me to do and be the best I could. I also learned to believe in myself and it helped me to get through many things that most would have considered impossible to handle.

dM: What's your honest evaluation of your experience with your business coach (me)?

Ederle: dM is helpful, focused and on target, and she taught me to be the same way. dM showed me that she cares and she has been with me every step of the way, helping me to build my business, listening to my worries, my insecurities, my doubts etc.

I really do not think dM knows how much she has helped me, not only to build Sacred Glo, but also just to overcome my fears and my disabilities too. My doctor is amazed at how far I have come in a short period of time. I thank God for putting dM and many other professionals in my path through this process.

dM: Are there any tips or special things you'd like to share to encourage others?

Ederle:Anything is possible! If I can do it so can you. I also want to encourage people to do things the right way. Do the best you can with what you have. Try to follow your industry and state rules and guidelines even if you don't want to.

Most importantly, surround yourself with positive and professional people. Connect with people who have been there and done that before you. Find people you can learn from and then nicely and politely, yet firmly, leave the haters and nay-sayers in the dust. 

Finally, you forgot to ask me what brand of candy I would be? I would be one big colossal Almond Joy candy bar. I'm just thrilled to have a business of my own.

Questions: Isn't Ederle amazing? I think so. It took her less than six months to launch Sacred Glo. And that was with a full-time job and nursing the aftermath of partial disability. Let's show Ederle some love and encouragement. Head on over to her online shop and blog, and follow her on Twitter to keep up with the daily goings on of a new entrepreneur who is out of the blocks and going strong!