by Donna Maria on March 1, 2010
Today, I listened to the live testimony given in support of and in opposition to the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act (HB 10-1248). I am told that an audio recording of the testimony will be made publicly available by the Colorado legislature and if so, I will post it when it becomes available. Although each side was given a total of only 40 minutes to testify, because the time for question and answer by the legislators was not counted, the hearing lasted from 3:30pm to 8:44PM EST, including a short summary by a sponsor of the bill, Rep. Dianne Primavera and a final vote, after which the bill failed by a 7 to 4 vote.
This post shares the major issues that were addressed by people on both sides of the matter in today’s hearing. Please note that some of the testimony surrounded scientific issues on which I have little to no expertise. I listened carefully and took good notes, but I reserve the right to update this post to make any necessary corrections. Here are some of the people who testified for and against the bill. Continue Reading…
by Donna Maria on November 5, 2009
As you may know, I am the founder and CEO of the Indie Beauty Network, a trade organization representing small and independent manufacturers of cosmetics, candles, aromatherapy products, soaps, jewelry, confectionery products and other health, beauty and lifestyle accessories. My members manufacture products on a micro-scale, often by hand from scratch.
In addition to manufacturers, my members include companies that supply raw materials, supplies and ingredients to the trades represented. One of the first companies to join IBN back in 2000 was From Nature With Love. Founded by Kibby Mitra and her husband, Jay, From Nature With Love is one of the nation’s largest suppliers of ingredients and raw materials to the micro-cosmetics industry. A few weeks ago, I approached From Nature With Love to propose a contest to feature the creativity of IBN members and other industry participants in an event designed to showcase how much fun it can be to make your own health, beauty and lifestyle products. Continue Reading…
by Donna Johnson on November 2, 2009
I am pleased to announce that, on December 3 and 4, I’m leading another delegation to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The purpose of my visits is to share small business perspectives on pending cosmetics legislation, and also on current rules, regulations and current events affecting the cosmetics industry.
This is my second trip, and it comes after months of new developments where legal issues affecting small and independent business owners are concerned. This time, I will be accompanied by longtime IBN member Lela Barker of Bella Lucce (who came on my last trip) and Leigh O’Donnell, president of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild. Continue Reading…
by Donna Johnson on February 10, 2009
Last year, I visited Vermont for the first time. I'm always wanted to go to Vermont so you might think it was a disappointment when I finally got there and stayed in a hotel for 3 straight days. If you thought that, you'd be wrong, because I was there to attend to 2008 Conference of Handcrafted Soap Makers and I had a ball. This year, I'm going to their 2009 conference, and once again, it will be at a place I've always wanted to go: Palm Springs, California. And once again, I'll be in a hotel for 3 straight days. But the weather's a little different in Palm Springs so I'm sure I'll be motivated to spend more time in the California sunshine. Either way, I am jazzed to the max. Won't you join me?
If you're a Professional Member of the Indie Beauty Network, the Soap Guild is offering you a $50 discount on the conference price if you register this month! Plus, they will help you find someone to share hotel costs with if you'd like to share a room. There are tons of knowledgeable and enthusiastic speakers, including Yours Truly, live comedy entertainment, and prizes and goodies. Like last year, Indie Business Media (my husband and I) is going to videotape the event so we can create another promotional video. (You can see the one we created last year at this link.) We are honored that the Soap Guild has invited us back again this year. I was one of the very first members of the organization, way back when it was a backyard meeting in the founder's home in Apple, Ohio! While my then full-time job kept me from attending the first meeting, I have been in attendance at nearly every conference since then and I have never once regretted it. So what are you waiting for??! Head on over to the Soap Guild website and register today!! And don't forget to grab your $50 discount this month only! To enjoy the discount, put IBN in the member field area at checkout!
by Donna Johnson on January 22, 2009
In yet another sparkling and fun-filled conversation the other day, Indie Beauty Network member Kayla Fioravanti of Essential Wholesale suggested that I figure out a creative way to celebrate IBN member blogs and the inspiring articles, pictures and videos that they contain. She pointed out that this post at Ron Hudson's blog was an example of what we could do. The Indie Beauty Blog Tag Party is the result of our conversation.
How To Join the Party
Participating IBN members with blogs (if you don
