On the Not-So-Good Days

I don't know about you, but back when I was a teenager and into my twenties, if I had a bad day or something in my life was upsetting me, I would pull out a cassette full of songs I specifically recorded because they would make me cry. And I would put that tape in my stereo and just wallow in my misery. At the same time, I would eat something sinful and generally throw myself a huge pity party.

If I can say one thing about getting older, I do enjoy the fact that I no longer need to waste a bunch of time in celebrating how "tough I have it" in those kinds of moments. I've learned that in time, things will turn around and the quickest way to things getting better is to determine what I have control of and how I can improve the situation. Also knowing that the most important thing I have control over is how I might react to something not going my way and the running commentary of self-talk going on in my head.

I'll admit, I'm posting this because I've had a bit of a tough week. Not in my Urban Botanic ventures but in other areas of my life. So aside from forcing my husband to listen to me vent (which he patiently did, bless his heart), I went through my list of things I am grateful for and I reflected on a few quotes and sayings I've come across that really work on getting me some clarity and calmness.

In no particular order, here they are:

• Everything happens for a reason and have trust in that.

• What are you willing to work for?

• What you focus your attention and energy on gets bigger.

• The best prediction of future behavior is past behavior. (when the issue is about relationships)

• Who am I to be brilliant, fabulous, talented, and gorgeous? Well, who am I not to be?Marianne Williamson

• Breathe.

• Mediocrity attacks excellence. from The Secret

• What is it about this situation that is truly upsetting me? And is it something truly worth being upset over?

• Sometimes life just isn't fair. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and get on with it.

• There is always someone in this world dealing with worse problems than you. Be thankful.

And for when I really need a swift kick into action and to snap myself out of dwelling on a situation:

• So what? (not being unkind to myself but just to remind me that I really have so many better things to focus my energy on)

I'd love to hear the sayings and quotes you use to pick yourself up!

Challenge Outcome

I can officially say I met my goal. I handed out five cards to the women at a store we went into last night. I was nervous and made Shawna not watch me (she became immediately engrossed in looking at the display of belts - haha) but I did it and it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.

Like...what was I scared of? They would throw my card back in my face, screaming "Nooo!! I don't want your card you big weirdo!!" LOL. Even if in the back of their mind, they might be thinking that, most likely they aren't going to actually do that. I also thought to myself that I tend to feel flattered when someone gives me their card (with the exception of squicky used car salesmen) so they might feel the same way.

Shawna also taught me a great lesson about approaching a potential recruit. Be on the lookout for people who are friendly and people-oriented. Simply walk up and tell them you think they might make a great fragrance designer and hand them your card.

I know with practice, it will become more natural and actually more of a habit vs. a chore to hand out my card. And who knows which of those contacts may become the next party hostess or team member?

PS - We also met a woman who works at InStyle magazine who is now in possession of several of Shawna's UB cards!

Out of my Comfort Zone Challenge

After reading Shawna's post the other day about warm contacts, I really got to thinking about why it is that I allow prime networking opportunities to pass me by. I have no problem putting myself out there when I'm doing "marketing" but in regular day to day interactions, I hesitate to "bring up" UB, heck...sometimes I just don't even THINK to do it. Obviously that is breaking every rule of direct sales or something!

So, tonight I am challenging myself to go out of my comfort zone a bit.

I somehow landed on the invitation list to an InStyle fashion show launch for the new Oscar de la Renta ready-to-wear line at Macy's tonight. I am going to the event and I am making it my goal to work on handing out my card and talking about UB. Correction...I hate saying "work on" in the same sentence as a goal (as in "don't try to do something, actually do it"), so I will put it on record that it is my goal to chat with five people and give them my card.

I invited Shawna to come with me. Yikes...now I'm accountable! LOL

I challenge you, dear reader, to do one thing today that puts you out of your comfort zone...

Spring Cleaning

Now that it is officially spring, my attention turns to spring cleaning. While I am a clean person (and a bit of a germaphobe) I admit that I am not one to follow through on my organization efforts. My desk looks perpetually like it's just been through a windstorm. My car always ends up full of empty Starbucks cups and junk mail. And my garage and storage shed are two places I just choose to pretend aren't really in their current state of utter disarray (denial ain't just a river in Egypt). I may be like Martha in other aspects of my life, but not when it comes to being neat, orderly, or organized.


This is one area of my life that I am forever "working on." To that end, I have a charity coming to pick up some clothes my kids have outgrown (and some of my own that I have thankfully un-grown) on Friday. I am also scheduling a garage sale for April 13th and 14th (if you're in my neck of the woods, please swing by!).



I have also attempted to better organize my UB business. I had an unfortunate incident where a bottle of shower gel accidentally opened and leaked all over my rolling carrying case, mucking up the bottles of my other inventory. Thankfully, it cleaned right up with some Windex and baby wipes. But I decided that it wasn't the best plan to just have everything thrown into a little suitcase with no rhyme or reason.



After getting everything cleaned up, I pulled out my boxes that product has been sent to me in and stacked things neatly in there. I also bagged up my other supplies (dropper lids, disposable droppers, stir sticks) and have those all in another box. The cardboard look isn't super inspiring, however, so I am on the hunt for some kind of storage system that will keep my UB biz organized but looks great doing it.



I will post some updates on my quest for organization.

Boutique Connections

Yesterday was the boutique workshop that I had written about below. The turnout wasn't as high as we had hoped. I think this was due in large part to the pouring rain. At times it was a torrential downpour and I wore ballet flats and a cardigan - yikes! We actually browsed through a few stores after the event and was told it was a slow day for all of the merchants which they attributed mostly to the weather.

Our first customers were a group of young ladies ranging in age from 10 to 12. They had an absolute blast making their custom scents to go into bubble baths. It was very validating watching them in action, knowing that UB is right on the money for this age group, and birthday parties would be a HUGE hit!

Even though we didn't have a big turnout, we did make some great connections. The store owners of the boutique are a mother/daughter team. They were both extremely impressed with the ease of making a scent and the high quality of the UB product. We are planning on doing a Mother's Day event with them at the store. Shawna is going to make sure they have a tester to keep up at the cash register. This way people will have the chance to see the product first hand before coming to a workshop.

Shawna and I also did a little shopping afterwards and happened into a really cute store where half the store features handmade arts, crafts, and jewelry and the other half features items imported from Italy - pottery, Venetian masks, and beautiful Murano glass. The owners of the arts and crafts half were there and we chatted with them at length about UB. Actually, I watched a pro (Shawna) engage them in conversation in a way that was natural and got them curious about what we did so they were asking us questions. They are interested in doing some kind of partnership with us later this spring and also referred us to a neat day spa down the street from them.

We also had the chance to spend time together as a team and enjoyed a nice conversation over dinner and dessert. We went to a charming little restaurant and I had to practically roll home after all of the yummy food we had! I also bought the yummiest candle by Voluspa called Baltic Amber (I am rooting for a comeback of the UB Amber now so I can recreate this scent in a lotion!!).

So, all in all, it was a fun day and a very worthwhile experience!

The Name Game

One of my biggest social anxieties has to do with remembering people's names. I am actually quite good at remembering names but every once in a while, I draw a blank.

Because I have a somewhat unusual name, I know what it feels like to be called the wrong name. Kelly, Cassie, Cathy, Chelsea...even Karen (?!?) are all things I've been mistakenly called when someone forgot my name. I'd rather just be asked my name again (although that can feel awkward, too) or just be blankly smiled at than to be called the wrong name. Because I am sensitive to this, I feel horrible if I can't remember a name.

I also have a problem with certain names that have another similar name like it...for example, Brett and Brent. At one point in time, I had three friends dating guys named either Brett or Brent. For the life of me, I could not get it straight. Two of those friends ended up marrying their Brett/Brent and over 10 years later, I still say "Hey Breeh(n)tt" when I talk to them hoping to God I get it right. Ack!

When doing an Urban Botanic party it is really important to make a personal connection with the guests. This helps sales and increases the chances of getting a party booked. If people remember you as warm and friendly they will want to spend more time with you! And calling people by their name makes them feel acknowledged and important.

Here are a few tricks I've read about and some I've personally used to help cement someone's name in memory.

1. Make a word association with their name.

Is the person tall? Then call them Tall Terry in your mind. Does the person have an unusual or memorable characteristic? Blonde Betsy, Purple-sweater Paula, or Green-Eyed Gwen...you get the picture.

2. Ask them how they spell their name.

Even with a common name, there can be different spellings. In a situation where you wouldn't necessarily be writing their name (such as an Urban Botanic party), you can say "Oh, Stacey, how do you spell that?" and follow with "I have a friend Stacie who spells it 'I-E'". It's irrelevent to Stacey that you have a friend who spells her name differently but it will help you remember her name!

3. Repeat their name

In conversation, try to repeat their name outloud. "Nice to meet you, Sarah" or "How do you know the hostess, Sarah?"...these are easy to do right when being introduced to get that repetition. I also do the trick where I will scan a group and mentally recall each person's name - I will do this more than once. If there is a person I can't remember I might pull someone (like the hostess) aside and ask.

4. Mentally do the Name Game

Kelsey belsey bo belsey...bananafana fo felsey, etc. Silly but effective.

5. Utilize visualization techniques

Imagine their name as a picture or snapshot. You can also visualize yourself writing their name. I read that Franklin Roosevelt would visualize a person's name written across their forehead. Using visualiztion techniques utilizes another type of learning making it more likely you will remember the name.

After a party, you can go through the order forms and connect each person with what she bought. I also mentally try and recall their face, too. This will help if you run into them at another party down the road or in a different social situation (at the store, etc.).

What are some techniques you've used to help remember a name?

Hip to be UB

I fancy myself to be a stylish gal, up on the trends, and in the know...well, at least on my good days, right? *wink*

I have been doing some research into trends in the beauty and pampering industry and I just had to share what I found.

Did you know that nearly everything I've read talks about how HOT customization and personalization is? Hello! Urban Botanic!! We celebrate individuality, that is who we are!

I also read that trend reports several years ago in the beauty industry were indicating that pampering and spa services were going to be huge. Well, we all know how big the spa market has gotten. Now industry reports in the spa biz are saying that the ability to do "group" services and parties so you can be social while you are pampered is going to be the next big thing. Hello, again - Urban Botanic!! We can party at a house, we can party on the job, heck...we can partner with a spa and party there, too!

And then there is the whole green movement...which UB is on trend with because we don't use icky chemicals and our products are hypo-allergenic. Which is a lot more "green" than many other products in the market (however, don't expect to see UB packaging woven from natural hemp fibers anytime soon...but I digress...).

We offer customers a personalized product that is all about them, the ability to experience the fun of a creative group setting (throw in some wine and it's a partay), and people can feel safe and confident in the quality of our product. And top that all off with a totally affordable price point. Let me just say, I love being "on trend" and I love being a part of a company that is absolutely on trend, too!

Hip, hip, hooray!!

DesignMom.com Giveaway and Article

A few weeks ago I posted about DesignMom.com where Gabrielle Blair had done a small writeup about Urban Botanic on her website.

Well...after that writeup, I contacted her and worked with her to create her own signature scent. She asked me if I'd be willing to be featured in one of her popular weekly product giveaways. I immediately said YES!!!

Check out the article! http://www.designmom.com/2007/03/giveaway-urban-botanic-custom-scents.html

Boutique Workshop

I am so excited as I'm writing this...it's official, we are going to be doing an in-store event at this incredibly cute store up in Snohomish called Inside Out!

We (we being myself, Shawna, and Kris) will be conducting two 90 minute workshops at the boutique on the afternoon of Saturday, March 24th. Attendees are asked to pre-register and pay a $10 fee. The fee will be applied toward their purchase of a UB product.

Here is a link to the event: http://einsideout.com/events.htm

They have sooooo many cute things there, I'm afraid I will spend all of my earnings and then some before I get out of there!!

I will definitely post a blog after the event to discuss our successes along with lessons learned. I think partnering with independently owned boutiques like this is a great way to meet people, spread the word about our exciting concept, and move product!

Taming those Butterflies!

Blech. Back to rain in Seattle. It's so much easier to tick things off the to-do list when the weather isn't so glorious.

I know with a lot of new team members, the milestone of THE FIRST PARTY is looming. For some of you, this won't be cause for any anxiety whatsoever. But for others, just the thought of getting up in front of a group of people sets off a flock of a thousand butterflies in your tummies. I'd like to tell you that it's totally normal to feel this way!

Below is an article that gives some practical advice and tips on how to lessen any pre-party jitters you might have. Just remember that you are representing an amazing product and UB parties are always FUN (even if you don't say everything as perfectly as you wanted!).

Don't forget to breathe and you'll have those butterflies flying in formation in no time!

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Overcoming Speaking Anxiety in Meetings & Presentations
by Lenny Laskowski

Article found at http://www.ljlseminars.com/anxiety.htm

Do your knees feel like Gumby's when you have to get up and speak in front of a group?

Do you feel like the next words out of your mouth are going to be the dumbest words ever uttered by a human?

If you said yes to either of the questions above, be advised, you have a full-blown case of stage fright, says Lenny Laskowski, a professional speaker and President of LJL Seminars.

According to the book of lists, the fear of speaking in public is the #1 fear of all fears. The fear of dying is #7! Over 41% of people have some fear or anxiety dealing with speaking in front of groups. People who have this fear can experience all kinds of symptoms: Sweaty palms, accelerated heart rate, memory loss and even difficulty in breathing.

Some of the world's most famous presenters have freely admitted to nervousness and stage fright. Mark Twain said it best, "There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars".

Everyone, even experienced speakers, has some anxiety when speaking in front of a group of people. This is perfectly normal. The best way to deal with this anxiety is to first acknowledge that this fear is perfectly normal and you are not alone. To reduce your fear, you need to make sure you properly and thoroughly prepare yourself before you speak. Proper preparation and rehearsal can help to reduce this fear by about 75%. Proper breathing techniques can further reduce this fear by another 15%. Your mental state accounts for the remaining 10%.

Below are just a few suggestions you should use to overcome your speaking anxiety. The first and most important of all is preparation. I like to think of it as the 9 P's:

Prior Proper Preparation
Prevents Poor Performance
of the
Person Putting on the Presentation.

Nothing will relax you more than to know you are properly prepared. Below are 10 steps you can take to reduce your speech anxiety.

Know the room - become familiar with the place in which you will speak. Arrive early and walk around the room including the speaking area. Stand at the lectern, speak into the microphone. Walk around where the audience will be seated. Walk from where you will be seated to the place where you will be speaking.

Know the Audience - If possible, greet some of the audience as they arrive and chat with them. It is easier to speak to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.

Know Your Material - If you are not familiar with your material or are uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. Practice your speech or presentation and revise it until you can present it with ease.

Learn How to Relax - You can ease tension by doing exercises. Sit comfortable with your back straight. Breathe in slowly, hold your breath for 4 to 5 seconds, then slowly exhale. To relax your facial muscles, open your mouth and eyes wide, then close them tightly.

Visualize Yourself Speaking - Imagine yourself walking confidently to the lectern as the audience applauds. Imagine yourself speaking, your voice loud, clear and assured. When you visualize yourself as successful, you will be successful.

Realize People Want You To Succeed - All audiences want speakers to be interesting, stimulating, informative and entertaining. They want you to succeed - not fail.

Don't apologize For Being Nervous - Most of the time your nervousness does not show at all. If you don't say anything about it, nobody will notice. If you mention your nervousness or apologize for any problems you think you have with your speech, you'll only be calling attention to it. Had you remained silent, your listeners may not have noticed at all.

Concentrate on Your Message - not the medium - Your nervous feelings will dissipate if you focus your attention away from your anxieties and concentrate on your message and your audience, not yourself.

Turn Nervousness into Positive Energy - the same nervous energy that causes stage fright can be an asset to you. Harness it, and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.

Gain Experience - Experience builds confidence, which is the key to effective speaking. Most beginning speakers find their anxieties decrease after each speech they give.

If the fear of public speaking causes you to prepare more, then the fear of speaking serves as it's own best antidote. Remember, "He who fails to prepare is preparing for failure - so Prepare, Prepare, Prepare."

For more specific techniques on handling nervousness, order our booklet, "Techniques to Handle Nervousness" or our 60 minute audiotape, "Overcoming Speaking Anxiety" from one of Lenny's "live" seminars. This guide will provide you with both physical and mental techniques you can use immediately to help you reduce your anxiety. You can order either one of these products through our convenient on-line catalog .
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Spring Fevah!

It feels officially like Spring has arrived in Seattle! It is sunny and in the 60's and I can't focus on a darn thing.

Every year during the first days of Spring-like weather, I get the worst case of spring fever - just like I am a teenager again!

Fun Party Favors

With spring just around the corner, why not make a nice change and offer your party guests some different types of favors?

My price cap for my Urban Botanic party favors is to keep them at around a dollar a piece. I like to have a little takeaway for every party guest who participates in a game, who brings a guest, or who buys a product. That generally means every person at a party leaves with a little gifty!

Cute Little Plants

This one probably would take the most time and be the messiest. But you can purchase bedding plants and little annual flowers in trays this time of year. Transplant them to mini terracotta pots or little peat pots. Do these steps the night before the party at your house. At the party, arrange the plants on a pretty tray. Then clip or tie a note or your UB business card to a stick inserted in the dirt or tie around the pot.

You could even set one at each place setting to decorate the table!

Personalized Seed Packets

There are lots of companies online that offer personalized seed packets. However, I prefer to do my own. You can either tie a little note or your UB card onto each packet using a hole punch and pretty ribbon (be careful not to puncture the packet so the seeds spill out!). Or, using label stock, you could print a message with your contact info and stick it right on the packet.

Tea Favors

Buy a nice brand of prebagged tea and place a few tea bags into a glassine envelope, sheer fabric, or little organza bags to make little favors. Or, if you have a favorite tea shoppe, you can buy some fresh loose tea and use muslin to tie it into individual bags. Then with a hole punch and string or ribbon, attach a note with contact info or your UB business card.

Chocolate Favors

Take a better brand of wrapped chocolate (or truffle, or cookie, etc.) and wrap with a pretty ribbon and your card or a note. Arrange on a nice plate or tray.

This idea could work for any kind of food product - scone mix, containers of strawberries, pasta, etc. - use your imagination!

Have fun and happy partying!

Using Urban Botanic for Staff Appreciation

My teammate Kris Vanlew was asked to do a staff appreciation party for a company. The party was the day before yesterday and 20 women not only walked away with a personalized fragrance of their own creation, they probably left with increased morale which will translate into improved productivity and loyalty for their employer.

Genius!

An Urban Botanic party as a way to appreciate or recognize employees is a fantastic idea.

First, it is interactive, personal, and low-risk. Meaning, even the most introverted employee can participate in this non-threatening activity.

Have you ever been to a staff appreciation party where people are put on the spot to reveal something "personal" about themselves as a way to break the ice and build a team? Or...have you ever been to a staff party where there is no focused activity and people mill about making uncomfortable small talk? I have and I know for some people, those kinds of scenarios breed a lot of anxiety. It actually can backfire with people leaving the event with negative memories rather than positive ones. But with an Urban Botanic party everybody has fun because it ends up being about them and the custom scent they are making. What a great way to celebrate and recognize employees and the hard work they do!

Second, most managers or employers want to make their team feel special but buying personal gifts can be tricky. A fragrance party makes giving a personalized gift to each employee so simple!

The cost of doing an Urban Botanic party is actually very reasonable at a price of $12.50 to $48.00 per person. Just throw in some munchies and maybe some wine and you have the makings of an incredibly fun event! No need to rent out a special venue, just gather around the company conference table. The mixing and blending of scents transports people mentally, it certainly won't feel like a "regular" meeting.

Employees will have the chance to chat casually with each other or just focus on creating their scent. A party can even include a team-building activity if desired with the Urban Botanic Fragrance Designer acting as facilitator. And with our huge variety of scents, both men and women can participate and enjoy themselves.

The positive feelings that an event like this will breed will boost morale translating into a better functioning team and improved productivity. And tell the head of accounting that a non-cash gift of Urban Botanic products may even be tax deductible!