DIY Tips For Indies on a Mission
I am pleased and honored to be included on page 59 of the May 2008 issue of Working Mother Magazine, in their Entrepreneur Mom: Ask a Pro department. They included my tips for turning a pastime or hobby into a profitable career, like the 650+ members of the Indie Beauty Network have done!
Click the article page to read all of the tips. What an honor to be included.
Post your best DIY to Dollars tips below!
Why It's Great To Be Indie!
As a small business owner, I sometimes get tired. Really tired. Not only do I run a growing business, but I also manage a home with a husband and two young children. It can be exhausting. I know you know what I mean, yes?
Even so, I am glad to be Indie, and I love that one of the most amazing things about the Indie Business community is the way we support and encourage one another.
Continue reading "Making A Difference Without Really Trying" »
It seems that, since I've been posting so much about keeping more of the money you make, clipping coupons and destroying credit cards, at least one journalist has officially labeled me a "consumer expert."
Well, I am definitely a consumer. And I suppose I'm an expert at being a consumer since I've been one for so long. But I never fancied myself a "consumer expert."
Hmmm, I was named Home-Based Business "Advocate" of the Year by the Small Business Administration. So I'll take it, with a twist. "Donna Maria Coles Johnson, consumer advocate."
Has anyone in the press ever labeled you without first asking you if you'd like to be labeled that way? How did it make you feel? Did you do anything about it?
My Grand Plan ... Yeah, Right!
It's been nearly 13 years since I left the full-time practice of law to implement my grand plan to make a living manufacturing soap and other fragrant products at Maria Grace. I had no PR experience at the time, but instinctively, I knew that I needed to get the media to pick up on my little adventure.
This article was published in the Takoma Voice, the local paper, a few months after I opened. I was so excited to pose mixing soap, surrounded by my glass apothecary jars filled with my beloved herbs and flowers.
Today, I'm feeling the love from Wasabi Publicity! Wasabi is a PR firm that is chock full of some of the most creative people I know, including my friend and colleague Michelle Tennant. That's why I was doubly excited when they asked l'il ole me to be a guest speaker at their November Wasabi Club gathering.
I had a great time sharing my advice and experiences about how Indie Business owners can cultivate relationships with the media that result in favorable publicity. We also talked about how email newsletters fit into that picture. My email newsletter, Indie Experience, has been published every week without fail since the first issue on January 16, 2000, and I was happy to share my experiences and road tested suggestions for launching and maintaining an email newsletter.
It's amazing to see how far my newsletter has come in the nearly 8 years I've been publishing it. While it looks different than it used to, and has garnered the support of several top notch sponsors through the years, it has the same focus it's always had: to inspire and encourage Indies to maximize their potential through small business ownership.
If you'd like to know how your business can employ some of the techniques I have used to make my email newsletter successful, you can download my remarks in MP3 format here.
Thanks for having me Wasabi. I feel the love, and I send it back to you!
Even I Have A Soft Spot For Credit, With Limits
Even though I love what I do, I work hard and long to make Indie Business Media, LLC and the Indie Beauty Network profitable. To do that, I associate with the banking and credit card industries from time to time. But as you can see from this post and this one, and this video clip, I'd rather save money than spend it.
Having said that, even though I don't rely unnecessarily on credit, I do partner with credit card companies when doing so makes my business cost effective and efficient. So I was excited when a writer at Credit Cards.com asked me to comment on how I use credit cards in my business. I was even more excited to learn that they were kind enough to include some of my comments in today's article about how small businesses use credit cards.
Great article, guys! Thanks for including me!
A few things I told them that didn't make the cut follow.
Indies Take Illness In Stride, Work Anyway And Love It!
Back when I had a "real" job, when I got sick, I called my boss and told her I was going to take the day off. My voice usually sounded awful and my boss commented that I needed my rest and that she was grateful that I was not coming into the office to infect everyone else. Then I'd ask a few colleagues to cover for me on some ongoing projects. And the best part was that even though I missed work, I still got paid.
Those days are gone. Now that I'm Indie, it doesn't matter how sick I am. If I don't work, I don't get paid. But now that I'm Indie, work is not work -- at least not the same kind of work. And that's even better than a pay check!
My daughter had strep two weeks ago. My son had a bad cold last week. Guess who has the flu this week? It's funny though, because when I got sick while working the "real" job, even though I felt awful, I was happy to have a break.
Today, even though I'm sick, I consider it a privilege and a great deal of fun to be Indie and to do what I love all day long. I've taken a few home remedies and will take it a little easier than usual today, but in the end, I'll be right here in my office serving the members of the Indie Beauty Network and other clients.
And the other thing I like is that I get to sound raspy and sultry like Demi Moore for a few days. I love when my voice sounds like that. So go ahead, humor me. Call me if you get a chance and let me know what you think. Seriously. (704) 291-7280.
It's Fall. Hibernate. Take Time For You.
Recently, it occurred to me that the Indie Business Blog is all about business. That's as it should be I suppose. However, for people who don't know me personally, it may look like I eat, live, sleep and breathe nothing but business. Guilty. Sort of. Well, except when I'm enjoying my new and money saving hobby of hanging around Real Coupon Queen. But I digress.
One of the great things about being Indie is that there is a fantastic overlapping connection between the part of me that works for a living and the part of me that lives for my work. Having said that, I do take time for myself exclusively, and fall is the Season of Me.
Check Out The Latest Indie Beauty Gossip
I love gossip -- craft gossip that is. But with two young'uns, a radio show and a growing business, there's not much time for crafting (or gossip) unless it's done with safety scissors and crayons. But I can live vicariously through Craft Gossip. Former Indie Beauty Network member Kimberly Ayers writes for their bath and body section and yesterday, she posted about Indie!
Kimberly used to have her own IBN member bath and body products business but these days, she's investing her time and energy bringing you news (and gossip) you can use from the craft industry. Kimberly says that she "couldn't recommend a group that helps Indie bath, body and related products makers more than IBN."
Thanks for the Indie shout out Kimberly. I feel the love and send it right back at you!
Prepare Business Proposals That Close Deals
A happy shout out to freelance writer and editor Matt Alderton who included my advice in a new article he wrote for the Masterd Card Business Essentials Library to help Indie Business owners prepare proposals that land new business.
Matt interviewed me following completion of a project to help a client propose her bath and body products in a nationwide bookstore chain, so the timing was perfect. (My client landed the gig too!)
Matt, I feel the love! Thanks for including me. Visit Matt's Shop Floor Blog for more small biz tips.
It's been 5 days since I started Indies For The Cure, and it's getting embarrassing. I know the Surgeon General recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day for optimum weight management. I also know there are studies showing that that's the equivalent of taking about 10,000 steps each day. When I started this, I knew I was not taking that many steps per day, but I figured I was at least halfway there.
I'm not, and it has not been pretty.
October 1: 3,300 steps. The new pedometer must be broken.
October 2: 3,584 steps. An improvement, but if my donation is going to mean anything, I'll have to do better than that.
October 3: 4,371 steps. OK, at least my donation can be respectable.
October 4: 4,389 steps. Well, it's the right direction anyway.
My neighbor, Wanda, and I walked together this morning. It's not even 9:00 and I've already taken 4,421 steps. Now that's more like it.
Giving feels good. The fact that it's changing my life in unexpected ways feels even better. Next week, I'll be back. Hopefully, sans the bag.
Back in my real job days, I spent a lot of time criss crossing the country between Washington, DC and Orange County, California. I once went out there to cross examine John Paul DeJoria, founder and owner of John Paul Mitchell Systems, in a multi-million dollar civil lawsuit. But I digress.
I've always wanted to go back to the OC, but for now, I'm happy to settle for a blog shout out from Jan Norman, business blogger for the Orange County Register. Jan, I feel the love. Thanks for including Indie! Visit Jan's blog to enjoy today's "tip of the day," a video to inspire you to provide the best possible customer service.
Two decades ago, my mother-in-law succumbed to breast cancer. While I never knew her well, I had a few precious opportunities to talk with her briefly in my youth. In hindsight of course, not nearly enough.
This month, I am wearing a pedometer. In November, in honor of Joyce Juanita Boswell Johnson, I will donate $1.00 for each mile walked to Susan G. Komen For The Cure, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the sole mission of eradicating breast cancer.
Many families have at least one pedometer somewhere around the house. If not, they are available at most local fitness apparel stores and some pharmacies for as little as $25. You can find tips on buying pedometers at this link. I am using a Timex pedometer with a night light. I'll keep you posted on my efforts.
Won't you join me? If you do, please leave your comment below and feel free to monitor daily progress along with me. Together we can help end breast cancer forever!
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More and more these days, there's a business happening behind those doors. According to "Home Offices On The Internet," a study by International Data Group, nearly a third of US households includes an income-generating or corporate home office. If that's true, you have a world of valuable, low-cost networking opportunities right outside your front door.
When we moved into our new neighborhood, the family across the street came over with a bottle of wine and an offer to help unpack boxes. Earlier this month, we treated them to Saturday brunch and they mentioned that there are several people in the neighborhood with home-based businesses, among them an author (actually 2 if you include me), some realtors and independent sales consultants, a nutritional consultant and more.
With the permission of the Home Owner's Association, I sent an email out last night to all 82 homes in my neighborhood asking if any Indies out there wanted to get together. By this morning, I had received five enthusiastic replies. I know there will be more and I'm looking forward to gathering with them for encouragement, support and ideas. Of course we'll also circulate a business listing so people in the neighborhood know about our products and services.
If you're looking for a fun way to promote your business that also naturally benefits your community and you personally, here's a tip. Check with your homeowner's association or active people in your neighborhood and find out where the other Indies are. It's the only way to know for sure what really happens behind closed doors.
When it comes to money, I want to be like my mother when I grow up. But when my father passed away a few months ago, my life sort of stopped. And when that happened, I wrote three checks without first depositing money into the checking account. The bounced check fees totaled over $100. Ooops.
But you know me. I like my money, and I will humble myself repeatedly and to no end to keep as much of it as I can. So I took my bounced check notice to the bank last week and asked the nice receptionist if I could have each fee credited to my account. I explained the reason for the oversights and mentioned that I had been a good customer for nearly two decades and had never bounced a check on the account.
I am joining you today from the studios of WUSA-Channel 9, the CBS affiliate in my hometown of Washington, DC. (Go 'Skins!), fresh from taping "Moms Love Lucy," a show to help the station launch DVM moms.com. Moms Love Lucy will air on Friday, September 1 from 8 to 10:00pm EST, and will feature me and 4 other moms, including the station anchor, host and media personality Lesli Foster. (Unlike last time, this time, I took advantage of the photo op. You don't have to tell me twice ...)
Here we are, left to right: Ludy Green, Ph.D., founder of Second Chance Employment Services, Brenda Hyde, publisher of Family Magazine, Virginia Lu, owner of Tottoos, moi and host Lesli Foster.
Answer: I don't. (And yes, my life looks like this sometimes.)
I get this question a lot. I don't do it all. If it looks that way, it's because I set priorities so at least I accomplish as many important tasks a week as possible. Having said that, I don't always conquer my "to do" list and that's usually OK with me.
In the 7 years I've been an Indie Business owner, simultaneously leading my company and managing my home and family, I have developed 4 strategies for doing what's important without doing it all, and being OK with it.
While tooling around today, I found a site that allows you to assemble your "visual DNA" by choosing pictures that best represent your personal preferences in a variety of areas of life. Here's mine.
I am pretty easy going, love to escape to the ocean, believe that basic is best, drink a little too much coffee, and yes, my heart is in my home.
What do you think? Does that seem like me?
I recently confirmed that I will be speaking at the 2007 Conference of Mocha Moms, Inc., in Atlanta, Georgia in August. Mocha Moms is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting mothers of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home in order to devote more time to their families. I serve as the National Work At Home Network Director for the organization, providing support and encouragement to other moms who are running home-based businesses while also managing their homes.
I do a lot of speaking, but I really relish the times I get to spend in a conference setting with other moms who are at home with their children while they are young. In my talk, I will be addressing a topic near and dear to my heart: "The New Family Business: How Moms Are Using Their Muscle To Create Familial Wealth."
I love being a member of Mocha Moms. I joined 6 weeks after the birth of my first child in 2001 when I was feeling especially lonely and overwhelmed. Through weekly support group meetings, family picnics and other events, I was encouraged through early breast feeding months and applauded for my decision to exit the traditional work force so I could be more available to my new baby. The stay at home mom lifestyle is not for everyone, but it sure was nice to be around like-minded moms so early in my season of life as a mother, when I spent much of my time looking like this lady -- trying to sneak in a business call, get someone down for a nap and clean the spit up off the floor at the same time. Yikes!
For more information about the conference, and to register, click here.
If you are a mom who needs encouragement of any kind, Mocha Moms is a great place to start. Most states have at least one chapter and you can search for the one nearest you at their website.
The Indie Business Radio Show will be back on June 25 with Jen Blackert, the Small Business Marketing & Success Coach. In the meantime, please visit the show Archives to enjoy downloads and streams of other great shows.
I love banana bread but sometimes I have ripe bananas but no walnuts or flour to make bread. When this happens, I make facial mask! I found this picture from a few years ago when my daughter and I made Banana Rose Facial Mask so I thought I'd share the pic and the recipe with you. We used Rhassoul clay from Indie Beauty Network member Essential Wholesale. This is best for dry skin, but you can substitute other clays to make it better for oilier skin.
Banana Rose Facial Mask For Dry Skin
Ingredients
1/2 fresh, ripe banana, peeled (eat the other half if it's not too ripe)
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon rose hydrosol (rose water), or plain water
1 tablespoon finely powdered oats
1/4 teaspoon jojoba oil or olive oil
1/8 teaspoon Vitamin E, optional
1 level teaspoon red Rhassoul clay
To Make
To Use
Apply a thin layer to cleaned face and neck skin. Rest for about 6-8 minutes so the banana and oils can soothe your skin and the clay can absorb excess impurities from the surface. Rinse well with warm water and pat excess water from skin. Follow with moisturizer as usual. Due to the fresh banana, this product must be used within a few days and should be stored in the refrigerator. If you can't use it all yourself that quickly, give some to a friend or cut the recipe in half. Also if you don't have Rhassoul clay, use white or green clay. Green is best for oily skin and white is good for any skin type. Enjoy!!
If you enjoy making Banana Rose Facial Mask For Dry Skin, email me a picture of yourself "wearing" it and I'll send you a delectable sugar scrub made my a member of the Indie Beauty Network!
For more natural beauty recipes, visit Make Your Cosmetics.com. Enjoy!
Due to the sudden hospitalization of my father, today's Indie Business Radio Show with Dr. Brad Swift has been postponed to a later date, to be announced. In the meantime, you can buy Dr. Swift's book, "Life On Purpose" at Amazon.
A special encore of my show with Jamila White, the "E-Commerce Diva," will air in its place at 1:00pm EST on Global Talk Radio. Please enjoy Indie Business Radio's extensive show Archives.
When I'm not working on all things Indie, I can sometimes be found using stuff in our fridge to make natural cosmetics. My daughter and I whipped up Summer Facial Mask with ingredients we had on hand and some green clay from Indie Beauty Network member From Nature With Love. It's best for oily skin, which mine is, and will leave your skin refreshed and clean.
Summer Facial Mask
Ingredients
1 egg white
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon rose water or plain water
1 mashed strawberry, top removed
1 drop tea tree essential oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
French green clay to make a smooth paste
To Make
To Use
Smooth a layer of Summer Facial Mask over clean face and neck. Rest for 10-15 minutes. Avoid eye areas. If your skin is especially sensitive, omit the essential oils. Rinse well with warm water and pat excess water from face and neck. Follow with toner and moisturizer. This mask may also be used on your back.
If you enjoy making Summer Facial Mask, email me a picture of yourself "wearing" it and I'll send you a delectable sugar scrub made my a member of the Indie Beauty Network!
For more natural beauty recipes, visit Make Your Cosmetics.com. Enjoy!
I have always liked my hair. It's a little on the frizzy side in this picture, but it was taken while I was moving last week. My hair is soft, naturally curly, grows quickly and is long enough to throw up a French braid or pony tail and be out the door in no time. And my husband likes it a lot.
Over the past few years, silver hairs have started to appear. At first, I thought it was neat, but then I noticed that the silver hairs had a different texture. Eventually, even the French braid looked funny with smoothly braided black hair and silver hairs that were all over the place. So I washed that silver right outta my hair in Octboer 2006. It looked nice, but at the end of the day, while the silver hairs were a different color, they were no more cooperative. Plus, the prospect of coloring my hair every month to maintain it was daunting. (Not to mention that my dear mother did this for many years and her hair eventually turned black/violet. I don't want black/violet hair.)
So a few minutes after the above picture was taken, my stylist Karen chopped all of my hair off.
Here are some pictures from the Conference of Handcrafted Soap Makers held earlier this month. As you can see, I was like the paparazzi flitting around from one Indie to another meeting, greeting and photo-opping. Will post more photos later.
L. dM and Brenda Sievers of Oak Court Creations. Brenda sells soap, candle and cosmetic making supplies, and Aroma Art, a paper product sold in sheets or pre-cut shapes so you can scent and decorate them to spruce up a car, drawer, closet or other space.
M. dM and Edna Roberts of Creative Lady Soap Shoppe. Edna makes unique soaps to order. A recent project molded soap to match a book cover. Edna painstakingly decorated it with paint, glitter and other embellishments for the author to use on her book tour.
R. dM and Mystery IBN member. If you know who this is, let me know!
L. dM and Marie Gale of Chandler's Soaps. Marie sells soap at her website and retail shop in Broadbent. Oregon. She was elected to a 2nd term as Soap Guild president this month. Congratulations Marie!
M. Elizabeth Ettema of Spa-tisserie. Elizabeth makes spa treats and is shown here holding a magazine featuring a lady who sells soaps and lip balm for astronimical prices.
R. dM and Debbie May of Wholesale Supplies Plus. Debbie sells cosmetics making supplies and sponsored the conference luau. (Note our lovely necklaces.) What fun that was!
Hi Everyone!! That's me in my "cool shades" taking a break from the hassle of moving day. My daughter is the photographer. You can see her in my lens!
Yes! I said "moving day." That's right. We've moved again, and this time, we are going to stay a while. Yesterday, we relocated our home and office to a new location 3.5 miles away. My husband has a separate detached office space and I have a "real" home office again. (I gave it up for 9 months when we first moved because the house we rented didn't have the space).
We enjoyed fantastic service from a moving company here in Charlotte. Five really nice guys spent the day hauling our stuff. They were polite and courteous. Indies can take a tip from the conversation we had as they reviewed our invoice and gave us a price. After running down the details, Chad, the "team leader," told us that the total price "did not include a gratutiy, if you feel one is deserved."
I really don't like it when service providers make it seem like you have to give them a gratuity even if they have been rude or provided lousy service. That's why it was so refreshing when Chad acknowledged that the gratuity was expected only if we felt it was deserved. It was! Fantastic service and a gracious attitude! What's not to like?! My husband collapsed with relief when we finally got the last box in! Now for all the unpacking ...
If you are in North or South Carolina and need a moving company, I highly recommend Act of Class.
