Mama's Spice Jar

Introducing AromaGraphics!

2007-10-12T14:06:00.000-07:00

I have hinted around at this new side business but now it's time to officially announce it! I am so excited to provide all UB Fragrance Designers with custom marketing materials through AromaGraphics!

With the blessing from the corporate office, I can now provide a whole slew of materials to help you market your UB business. While I am still putting together my website, I thought I didn't want to waste any more time and let you all see the new flyers for the UB Fall promotions.

I have one for the Home Fragrance Collection and one for the U.B.You Signature Fragrance Collection. They both mention the October special of the free oil warming plate. Both flyers are designed to be 8.5x11 so you can print these on your home printer.

These flyers are perfect for tucking into customer bags or handing out at your UB parties. You can also slide them into a plastic sign holder (like $6 at OfficeDepot) to make a nice display for parties, vendor fairs, etc.

I will customize the bottom section with your contact information. And because we are nearly half-way through October, I will send you another version to use in November (if the promo continues, or if it doesn't, I will update accordingly).

__________________________________________________________

Introductory Specials!

Package A $25.00

Both October special flyers emailed to you as PDFs, customized with your contact info. I will also send you another set to use after the October promo so you really get your money's worth! That's four custom flyers for just $25!

Package B $45.00

>> Both October special flyers, plus a second set to use after October (second set emailed at a later date).

PLUS....

>> UB Product Info sheet. This great to use at big parties, birthday parties, or when the UB products are bought as gifts. I tuck one in with every bag!

>> Generic UB marketing postcard design. The specs are set up so you can print these at VistaPrint, usually they have a 100 cards for free coupon! With a blank back side, you can use these cards for invites, to handwrite a note to a customer, to include with product samples...the choice is yours!

Six marketing pieces to you for $45!

NOTE - Because I don't have the shopping cart function set up yet, I will email you an invoice through PayPal. Once I have payment, I'll send you your PDFs.

To order or if you have questions, you can reach me directly at kelseymfoster@yahoo.com!

Exciting Happenings!

2007-06-23T11:09:00.000-07:00

With the latest exciting announcement from corporate about the revamped DIY oil kits (UB You system) that will be available for purchase online, I have a renewed sense of excitement with my business. Not that I was ever "not" excited but now I'm even MORE excited about the possibilities (if that was even possible!).

I am working on two projects to build online awareness for UB so this is perfect timing!

I also have a personal but UB-related announcement that I'm getting ready to make about an exciting new venture and I just have to say that I'm really, really thrilled about it.

Stay tuned for deets in the very near future... :)

Junebug Weddings writeup

2007-06-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

I have been MIA on my blog lately but that is due to being so busy! First, I'd like to report that I had an amazing writeup by a local Seattle wedding website that is beyond gorgie. I met with Christy at Junebug Weddings and we had so much fun chatting and creating her signature scent. I also ran a small giveaway on the site that was well-received. Click here to read all about it!

Personality Plus!

2007-06-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd blog today about personality types and how understanding someone's personality type can help you in your Urban Botanic business.

There are lots of different assessments and quizzes out there that can tell you about your personality type - heck, we even have our own! ;)

Here are a couple of other models for determining personality types that can help you to understand your hostesses, teammates, potential recruits, and yourself!

The first is the well-known Myers-Briggs test. Here is a link where you can take a version of this test:

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourpersonalitytypequiz/. I'd love to hear what your results are (leave a comment)!

My result with Myers-Briggs is that I am a ENTP. Here's a snippet of what that means:

The Visionary

You are charming, outgoing, friendly. You make a good first impression. You possess good negotiating skills and can convince anyone of anything. Happy to be the center of attention, you love to tell stories and show off. You're very clever, but not disciplined enough to do well in structured environments. You would make a great entrepreneur, marketing executive, or actor.

If you want more information about Myers-Briggs, just Google it and you'll find a wealth of information.

The next personality assessment is in the form of a brief article I found on a direct sales website. This is an unfamiliar model to me and a little simplistic but I thought it was interesting because it is so focused on how it relates to potential recruits. After reading it, I think I'm a cross between a D and an I (but a nice D - haha).

What do you think you are?

____________________________________

DISC Personality types for Better Recruiting

by Kristie Tamsevicius, Webmomz.com

article found at http://www.webmomz.com/Direct-Selling/direct-selling-disc-personality-types.shtml

What if when you were talking to a potential recruit you were able to speak their language and share the opportunity in a way that really appealed to their unique personality type?

While your potential recruit may not fit into a single, neat personality category understanding they personality style will help you cater your message to cater to their specific, individual needs, goals, and concerns.

DISC is a profiling system that breaks down personalities into 4 basic types. Here is the breakdown to of the personality types to strengthen your direct sales recruiting skills.

D – Dominant

How to spot an "D":
The "D" personality is usually very independent, direct and to the point. They want to know what kind of results they can expect. They will probably tell you to "get to the bottom line". They dread routine tasks and delegate routine chores to someone else. A “D” type personality doesn’t like wasting time.

Adjectives to describe an "D" type include:

Confident

Authoritative

Goal Driven

Demanding

Determined

Decisive

Delegator

Results-oriented

Quick Decisions

Control People

Power/Authority

Makes own rules

Focused

Assertive

Hard Working

What "D's" care about:

Let the D type be in charge. They love to do all the talking. They will tell you exactly what questions they have and what they want to know. Tell them about how they could be in charge being their own boss. Let them know how they can become a director.

I – Expressive

How to spot an "I":

You'll spot an "I" type a mile away. They are the life of the party. They love to talk, crave attention, and are really upbeat and fun around. They are very talkative and outgoing people and are quite persuasive. They love to be recognized and praised for their accomplishments.

Adjectives to describe an "I" type include:

cheerful

bubbly

optimistic

talkative

inspirational

influencing

inducing

impressive

interactive

interested in people

people-oriented

loves to talk

motivational

enthusiastic

recognition-oriented

What "I's" care about:

An “I” type personality will want to hear about the great prizes, awards, girlfriend time, and recognition. Share about the kind of recognition they will get as a consultant. Let them know that they have the perfect personality for this business

S – Steady Eddy

How to spot an "S":

The "S" type is always there when you need them.

Adjectives to describe an "S" type include:

Quiet

Love when things are running smoothly

Want everyone to get along

Easy-going

Dependable

Neat

Efficient

Supportive

Submissive

Stable

Steady

Sentimental

Shy

Family-oriented

Loyal

Slow to change

Security minded

Goes by the rules

What "S's" care about:

With an S type, you'll have to do most of the talking. They may not ask questions. Focus on the flexibility of your opportunity. Share how it gives you more family time. Tell them about the training and support they’ll get.Talk about how being your own boss gives you stability in an uncertain economy

C – Analytical

How to spot an "C":

If you want to picture a typical "C" type personality, think of your accountant, an engineer or a computer programmer or analyst. The "C" thrives on details, accuracy and takes just about everything seriously.

Adjectives to describe an "C" type include:

Likes to have everything in order

Good listeners

Reserved and introverted

Perfectionists

Cautious

Competent

Calculating

Concerned

Careful

Contemplative

Detail-oriented

Critical

Analytical

Takes time to change

What "C's" care about:

They don't care much about results. What C types want is the facts of your opportunity. They might want to know what is its how to get started, what products you sell etc. Since they are shy, don’t get too personal. Give handouts for them to review at home so they can decide for themself in their own time.

I hope these DISC personality profiles strengthen your recruiting skills by helping you speak the "language" of your prospective recruit!

This Direct Selling Article by Kristie Tamsevicius - Speaker, Author, and Online Business Expert, Kristie Tamsevicius. She is the author of several books including "I Love My Life: A Mom's Guide to Working from Home" and a contributing author to the upcoming book, "More Build it Big: 101 Insider Secrets from Direct Selling Experts" by Dearborn Publishing.

______________________________________________

What does it mean to be a business pioneer?

2007-05-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Does the word pioneer conjure up images of covered wagons, funny bonnets, and the "old west"? Well, circle your wagons and don't get your pinafore in a twist, but all of us in UB are pioneers RIGHT NOW in 2007!

For many of us in The Hive, this is our first venture into direct sales. For others of us, we come to the table with direct sales experience. But for most of us, this is our very first time pioneering a product and concept that is totally new to the market.

I personally have worked with several start-up businesses. During the dot-com heyday of the mid-to-late nineties, I gained a TON of experience with start-ups. And so did many of my friends. And we all shared stories and learned valuable lessons.

Bringing a new product to the market is a thrilling experience for some. It can be absolutely terrifying for others. For most people, the comfort level falls somewhere in the middle. I would venture to guess that for most of us involved in UB, we have an above average tolerance for risk. We also are quick to understand innovations and recognize a hot trend before most people.

Otherwise you probably would not have taken the plunge and become a Fragrance Designer. Right? (take a moment to pat yourself on the back, you hip trendspotter!)

The ride with a new company can be somewhat of a rollercoaster. As Shawna has said, it isn't a sprint but it is more of a marathon. I think it is really helpful to understand the mentality of our customers. Not from a customer service or demographic standpoint, but to understand how people tend to react to "new" ideas.

There are several theories out there but one I have seen used in several disciplines (from eLearning, to healthcare) is the Theory of Innovation Diffusion that Everett Rogers published in 1962. I grabbed a concise snippet of what it is from Wikipedia.

I personally haven't read his book, I've just been exposed to it by several presentations I've attended over the years. I do, however, highly recommend The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a great mix of culture and statistics about how trends really take hold in society.

_________________________________________________

From Wikipedia:
Theories of Innovation Diffusion

French sociologist Gabriel Tarde originally claimed that sociology was based on small psychological interactions among individuals, especially imitation and innovation.

Diffusion of innovations theory was formalized by Everett Rogers in a 1962 book called Diffusion of Innovations. Rogers stated that adopters of any new innovation or idea could be categorized as innovators (2.5%), early adopters (13.5%), early majority (34%), late majority (34%) and laggards (16%), based on a bell curve. Each adopter's willingness and ability to adopt an innovation would depend on their awareness, interest, evaluation, trial, and adoption.

Some of the characteristics of each category of adopter include:

innovators:venturesome, educated, multiple info sources, greater propensity to take ris
early adopters:social leaders, popular, educated
early majority: deliberate, many informal social contacts
late majority: skeptical, traditional, lower socio-economic status
laggards: neighbours and friends are main info sources, fear of debt

Rogers also proposed a five stage model for the diffusion of innovation:

Knowledge - learning about the existence and function of the innovation

Persuasion - becoming convinced of the value of the innovation

Decision - committing to the adoption of the innovation

Implementation - putting it to use

Confirmation - the ultimate acceptance (or rejection) of the innovation

The S-Curve and technology adoption

The adoption curve becomes a s-curve when cumulative adoption is used.Rogers theorized that innovations would spread through society in an S curve, as the early adopters select the technology first, followed by the majority, until a technology or innovation is common.

The speed of technology adoption is determined by two characteristics p, which is the speed at which adoption takes off, and q, the speed at which later growth occurs. A cheaper technology might have a higher p, for example, taking off more quickly, while a technology that has network effects (like a fax machine, where the value of the item increases as others get it) may have a higher q.

_______________________________________________

So what does all of this mean? It means that it might take a little longer to see a boom in party bookings or new recruits. It means that for almost everyone you tell about UB, they might need to hear about it several times (and in different ways) because they have never heard of it before.

Try to think about those people you know who "know" everyone and know every trend (they are the innovators and early adopters). Seek them out. They will help you tremendously in getting the word out.

We are the ones spreading the word about this amazing company. And it will likely take longer for us to see definite results in our businesses (than it would if we were in a more established company with major brand awareness). But for those of us who stick with it, the rewards will no doubt be absolutely worth it!

Hopefully you all find this information useful!

You Just Never Know

2007-05-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

I posted a week or so ago about word of mouth advertising. And I have an amazing story to share that proves you just never know how it might work.

Just last weekend I did an Urban Botanic birthday party for an extremely delightful 12 year old and her group of friends. There were also two adult women who took part in the fragrance making, too. Well, it turns out one of the women works for my city's parks and recreation department.

At the end of the party, she asked for some of my cards and said she thought this would be a great workshop to offer through the city center (year-round they offer classes for people of all ages on a variety of topics). Needless to say, I gave her a stack of cards and told her how interested I would be in doing that.

This week I got a call from the program coordinator who asked if I would be interested in running UB workshops in their fall series.

My jaw hit the floor.

YES! YES! I absolutely want to be included in the fall series!! He emailed me the paperwork and I am sending it back to him Monday. The workshops will be listed in a magazine that goes out to nearly 100,000 households in my area!!

I am also figuring out how to thank my word-of-mouth angel. The fact that she enjoyed herself and saw value in the process enough to refer me to her co-worker just blows me away. Thank you doesn't begin to describe how grateful I am.

So, it just goes to show that you never know who might be in attendance at a party and how powerful word of mouth can be!

For Laughs

2007-05-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

I got this in an email the other day and I laughed so hard I nearly cried.
_____________________________

Here are the winners of the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.
The 2006 winners are:

1. Cashtration: (n.) The act of buying (or building) a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.

2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an *sshole.

3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize that it was your money to start with.

4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.

5. Bozone: (n.) The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.

7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.

8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.

9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.

10. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.

11. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)

12. Karmageddon: It's when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, and then the Earth explodes and it's a serious bummer.

13. Decafalon: (n.) The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.

14. Glibido: All talk and no action.

15. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.

16. Arachnoleptic Fit: (n.) The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.

17. Beelzebug: (n.) Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.

18. Caterpallor: (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.

The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.
And the winners are:

1. Coffee, (n.) the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted, (adj.) appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.

3. Abdicate, (v.) to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade, (v.) to attempt an explanation while drunk.

6. Negligent, (adj.) absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.

7. Lymph, (v.) to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle, (n.) olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence, (n.) emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash, (n.) a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Oyster, (n.) a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

12. Frisbeetarianism, (n.) the belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

13. Pokemon, (n.) a Rastafarian proctologist.

Approaching the Media for your Urban Botanic Business

2007-05-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to attend a great workshop on Monday that featured three Seattle-based journalists. Let me tell you they had a lot to say about what to do (and what NOT to do) when approaching the media (aka pitching a story) for publicity for your business.

First, let me explain a big concept in marketing - earned media. Earned media is basically anything that appears in the media that you didn't pay for. An advertisement is media space you buy (i.e. paid media). Earned media is when a journalist for a newspaper (or magazine, website, etc.) writes about your business, product, or cause in an article or story. You didn't pay for it, hence the term "earned."

Many people consider earned media to be more credible because it came from an unbiased source (vs. an ad where the company can tell you anything they want). The product or company does not get to approve what is written so the journalist is trusted with giving a fair assessment (good or bad).

Honestly, being a graphic designer I was only aware of paid media for the first 7+ years of my career. It wasn't until a few years ago when I was simultaneously finishing up my degree in business and working in a corporate communications department that I understood the concept. The PR Director was all about generating earned media whereas I was primarily concerned with paying for media (designing and placing ads).

Okay, now, I will share with you about how to pitch to journalists (aka "the media") to generate press (aka earned media) for your business.

Email is the preferred mode of contact. Phone calls can be intrusive. Snail mail still works but depending on the person, may or may not be timely. Most publications will have links to email addresses on their websites. If you aren't sure who to contact, it is totally fine to call the main phone line and ask the receptionist who you should contact.

Brevity is your friend when contacting a journalist. Don't wax poetic on all of the virtues of the product. Briefly tell them who you are, why they should be interested, how to contact you, and give them a link to your URL. These people receive A LOT of pitches and simply don't have the time to wade through all of your descriptive adjectives. As one writer on the panel said, "Don't bury the lead."

Be authentic. There is no need to act more formal or "business-y" when talking to a journalist. Be articulate. Use spell check. Be friendly. And act "normal" as one writer said.

Be persistant. If you don't hear back after one pitch, it is acceptable to ping someone again. Make sure to reference who you are, even just resend the exact same email. If you don't hear back after that, there may just not be any interest.

Do your homework. Be prepared to explain why your business is ideal for their readership. Read back issues and know what other products and companies have been featured over the last year or so (at a minimum). It is also smart to understand the demographic of their target audience. You can usually find this info on a publication's website where their advertising information is (i.e. "Advertise With Us").

Understand their timelines. Magazine articles are generally 3+ months out. Blogs and online media are one-two weeks out. Newspapers generally are one-two+ weeks out for features (longer if it's a weekly or monthly paper), unless of course, there is major breaking news.

If someone else has covered it, another publication likely won't. Journalists (whether online or in print) like to be the ones to break a story or be the first to report it. No one likes to play second fiddle or run secondhand news. Trust that the writer you pitch KNOWS what other publications have already featured. Unless there is a unique angle or new development, once you've been featured in one genre of media (i.e. wedding-related, or kid-related), that literally could be "all she wrote" for the time-being.

Do not send a "mass" pitch (with the exception of a press release, which is entirely different). Along with knowing what their colleagues have already featured, these people network with each other and have close relationships behind the scenes, across publications and websites. They share with each other (especially in the blogosphere) and can sniff out a "canned" email a mile away. Tailor your approach by following the steps I've outlined here and you should be just fine.

Being a paid advertiser does not guarantee or even help in getting written about in a publication. The ad salespeople and the writers are usually completely separate and don't know what the other is doing. However, there are some publications that offer their advertisers "advertorials." I won't go into detail about it but here is a wiki that explains what an advertorial is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertorial. But, still, an advertorial is paid media and still has less "cred" than pure editorial.

Samples: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Be aware that some publications have very strict rules about whether or not they can accept samples. A good rule of thumb is that the larger the publication, the less likely they can accept freebies. The best idea is to wait until you've conversed with an interested journalist and ask them the policy rather than just blindly sending someone a sample.

The bottom line: It's about relationships. That is the key point that the panel on Monday stressed over and over again. The media is approachable (even though the idea of pitching a story does seem really overwhelming). They are people just like you and me.

Word of Mouth Advertising for Your Urban Botanic Business

2007-05-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Do you know that for all of the new kinds of media out there (social networking, ezines, message boards, print magazines, email newsletters, online banner ads), that good old-fashioned word of mouth is still by far the most effective way to promote your business?

Think about it...word of mouth advertising automatically has a higher level of credibility because usually the source is a friend, family member, neighbor, or other acquaintance. This is where it can get tricky - a negative referral from a trusted source can do a lot of damage. But a positive recommendation can do wonders for your business!

Word of mouth is so low tech and so easily understood. But the difficulty that marketers face is how can you go about getting it? It's not as though you can just pay someone to go around raving about your business.

While you can't easily buy word of mouth, what you can do is treat every contact and social interaction with word of mouth in mind. Act as though you are a walking billboard for your Urban Botanic business. I don't mean you should literally slap the UB logo on all of your clothes, but carry yourself as an ambassador for your business. At all times (not just when you have your UB apron on in front of a party!). People like to do business with nice, friendly people. They want to do business with someone they actually like.

Another tactic you can use is to ask your happy customers to recommend you to their friends. Yes, it's just that simple. At the end of a party, ask them to let their other friends know how much they enjoyed Urban Botanic.

One very smart thing to do is determine who in your sphere of influence are the "connectors". You know, those people who seem to know everyone, have holiday card lists a mile long, and tend to be influencers when it comes to personal style. Offer to do a one-on-one consult with your connectors, since they tend to have very busy calendars and might not be able to make a party or open house. A connector is exactly the person you want evangelizing your UB business!

And, it goes without saying that outstanding customer service with a personal touch is absolutely key!

Here are some interesting statistics about word of mouth, or buzz, marketing.

When an interesting new product is discovered:

43% will try it with no recommendation

37% wait for a friend to endorse it

16% wait until it is on the market for a while

When a product or services impresses them:

55% percent will tell close friends and family

38% will tell anyone who will listen

2% keep it to them selves

According to research done by Osterman Research, some of the most important things about a brand or product that encourage word of mouth are:
satisfied customers (53%)
great products or services (27%)
an exciting brand (13%)

Interestingly, low prices ranked at 0%.

Your word of mouth buzz will work in conjunction with your other marketing efforts. Consider it one point of contact. Bolstering your small army of word-of-mouthers should be other marketing tactics - direct mail, email newsletters, social networking, print ads, and other efforts. All of these activities will build awareness about your business and bring in party bookings and new team members.

UB Heatin' Things Up!

2007-05-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

I am in the middle of a virtual UB whirlwind and I LOVE IT!

Here is what I have on deck this week:

high school fashion show fundraiser tonight
tween birthday party Friday night
youth birthday party Saturday afternoon
grown-up UB birthday party Saturday night

Plus... I have new mailers coming to me from VistaPrint this week. I have 600+ local addresses of women between 25-48 who I will be sending those to.

Monday, May 14th Shawna has her Crave Shop '07 event that I'm going to help her with. I am so excited to see the reaction to the UB affiliate program she has designed for boutiques!

I have another party coming the first week in June. AND my mom is getting back in town and she will get her first taste of UB this week. I know she will likely do at least two parties for me and those parties will most definitely spawn more bookings.

Woohoo! It's gettin' hot in here!!

Mama-Do List

2007-05-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

I am using my blog today to keep track of kettles in the fire. Somehow posting things publicly helps ensure I stay accountable! ;)

Also...the postal rate goes up on May 14th so there is no time like NOW to do my direct mail activities and use up cheaper stamps!

Send out 100 party lead postcards to my neighborhood.
Send out staff appreciation flyers to targeted businesses. I have pulled together a list of women-owned businesses that are likely to have a mostly female staff.
Follow up on my bridal mailing. I haven't received any bites yet so I think it's time to call the folks I mailed cards out to.
Begin building my boutique list. The new flyers Shawna posted to TeamBurst are great (kudos to Miss Lauri for designing them!).
Dedicate one uninterrupted hour to investigating the new networking site I joined called Ryze.
Follow up on three party leads! :)

Let's see how far I can get on these tasks by tomorrow evening...

Kids Parties and Urban Botanic

2007-04-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to you, you live in a zoo...

I posted a while back about why Urban Botanic is a great idea for birthday parties. Now that I can talk the walk, or walk the talk (or however that saying goes!), I thought I'd share a few insights, procedures, and lessons learned about doing UB birthday parties.

To get the word out about doing childrens parties there are lots of options. You can spend money on a classified ad in a local parenting publication (I ran one through the year with a parenting magazine here in Seattle). Better yet, you can list your UB business for FREE on an online parenting resource for your city or region. A popular one that I used is GoCityKids.com (they have listings for other cities besides Seattle). One thing to note is because these are free, don't be surprised if your listing is edited for length. Parents go to these types of resources in droves because, even in larger cities, there aren't a gazillion birthday party options. And best of all, UB offers kids something completely NEW that hasn't been done a gazillion times.

Once you have advertised that you do birthday parties, be prepared for inquiries. And especially be aware that these inquiries might come directly from the birthday child. I recently had a very industrious young 12 year old contact me directly via email about scheduling her party (!!). It took a few emails back and forth before I realized I was conversing with such a young customer. My intuition told me to ask her if it was for a special occasion and she replied that it was for her birthday. So, I now routinely ask in the first correspondence if it is for a special event or occasion!

You should also think about your policies surrounding birthday parties. Because we don't (as of yet) have set guidelines from corporate, I looked at the policies that other party entertainers in my area list. I ask that the birthday parent decide what "package" they want (i.e. what products they are purchasing for the guests) and an estimate of how many guests will be attending. I then invoice them (using PayPal) for 50% deposit of the estimated party total before the party (up to two weeks before). This secures their date. Then, the remainder is due the day of the party.

If a party host needs to cancel an event giving me two weeks notice, I reserve the right to retain the 50% deposit. If an event needs to be cancelled with less than 48 hour notice, I reserve the right to bill the host for the entire cost of the party. If for some reason I need to cancel an event due to an emergency, I will refund their deposit.

I also spell out that I don't provide food or decorations and that a UB party typically lasts two hours.

If the expected attendance for a party is more than 6 children, I let the host parent know that I would appreciate their being present during the workshop to help out if needed. If a party exceeds 10 children, depending on their ages, I would actually bring a second Fragrance Designer and would tack on an extra charge (I haven't had a party be larger than 10 yet, so I don't have that part totally figured out).

Okay. All pre-party duckies are lined up. Now, on to the actual party...

I structure my birthday parties a little differently than a regular UB party. For example, I don't follow the flip book, I don't do the personality test, I don't explain about becoming a Fragrance Designer, etc. If the parent (or parents of guests are there), I might hand them a business card if they seem interested in UB. But I don't go over that info during the party.

Here is what I have done:

I set up the table like normal. If the product package is more than 2 products, I put it in a fun gift bag**; if it's just one product I tie a cute ribbon around it with a cute tag**.

I briefly explain about the product that they will be taking home (what it is, that it's hypoallergenic, etc.).

I have the party guests smell some of the sample recipes. I specifically bring the "lighter" ones and include a recipe I call Sugar Cookie (similar to Shawna's Just Baked). I have extra copies of those scent recipes that I can hand out if that is what someone chooses.
Before they start smelling, I tell them to make sure and write down which oils they like. I also ask that they narrow that list down to their favorite 3-5 scents after finishing the smelling.
Then I explain that there are 66 oils in different scent families. I point out that the Woodsies might be ones they won't like but I encourage them to smell them anyway.

They begin smelling. It's so fun to watch and listen to their reactions!

Once they've pretty much smelled them all, I stop them. I will ask them again which of the samples they liked and if the party is small enough, I will look at their lists to offer guidance.

Then they begin creating their scent.

MAKE SURE to demonstrate (with each child if possible) what a drop looks like. Then watch and make sure they are writing down each drop. This is where they get to play and have fun! I suggest having a lot of extra mixing glasses as there will likely be a lot of "do-overs". Just like a regular party, offer advice and encouragement in helping them create their scents.

Once they have their recipes decided, I suggest having the party switch gears and move on to another activity, like cake and presents (in another area of the house). Then you can batch and blend their scents into their products. Also, write up names/recipes and tape the backs of bottles.

If the children are more mature, and they want to, you can let them help batch and blend. I suggest doing the math for them and writing out their batch recipe line by line so they can follow it and count out the drops. I would only do this if the party was less than 5 guests total and you had another adult to help.

**One idea I came up with is to have some product info that goes home with each party guest. Parents of these children might be curious (and possibly concerned) about the product their child has brought home. I suggest including a card of some sort that explains about the products (hypoallergenic) and says that if they have questions or want more information, they can contact you. Then give them your web address, etc. This also helpful if they want to book you for their child's party! :)

I have been pleasantly surprised at the creativity and sophistication that children show when creating their own scents. It is so much fun and very satisfying seeing the joy they get from UB!

Giveaways and Contests

2007-04-27T17:53:00.000-07:00

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

There is a lot of advice out there about how to gain exposure for your Urban Botanic business. Of special interest to most of us are ways to gain exposure and new customers on the cheap. One of the methods that is suggested quite often is to run a contest or sponsor a product giveaway.

Do contests and giveaways "work"? Well, it depends on your goal or what you want the outcome to be. I think the important thing that you ought to be realistic about is whether your goal is to make sales by doing a giveaway or contest or if your goal is simply to get your name out there.

Think about it. Are the people who clamor for free things really looking to buy something if they don't win? Or are they really just looking for a cool new thing for free?

My feeling is the latter.

Is there anything wrong with that? No.

I'd like to share with you my experience doing an online UB giveaway. I had the great privilege of being asked by a well-known blog to sponsor an Urban Botanic giveaway. And I can tell you, I think I may have had my goals mixed up at first. My naive assumption was that the nearly 200 women who signed up for the giveaway would immediately become customers once they found out they didn't win. I was actually quite wrong in that assumption. I did not receive the rush of orders that I expected at the conclusion of the giveaway.

Now...I don't want to give you the impression that I consider the experience a failure. I did achieve a very important goal of getting exposure for my Urban Botanic business. The blog owner told me she had hits averaging 800-900 each day of the giveaway which is fantastic! And through this exposure, I added a team member who otherwise might not have heard of UB. I also gained awareness with an incredibly savvy audience of women. The blog who featured the giveaway has a readership of amazingly creative, sophisticated women.

So I wholeheartedly view my experience a huge success. And, depending on the venue or who the audience might be, I would consider doing another giveaway. But this is key - who the audience would be and whether gaining more awareness to them is going to be beneficial to my UB business.

Here is one other important consideration...don't assume that just because someone signed up for your contest or giveaway (and perhaps gave you their email address or other contact information) that they really do want to receive more information from you. Be mindful about what other people might consider spam. In Washington state, for example, sending spam email is actually against the law. And it could cost you a bundle of money if someone really decided to pursue the matter. I say this because if your purpose for doing a contest or giveaway is to gather contacts for your marketing newsletters or promotions, you should think carefully about that.

All in all, I do recommend that you consider doing a giveaway or a contest as a way to market your business. I just suggest you do it with realistic expectations, clear motives, and really think about how implementing this tactic could benefit you.

Start Now for Urban Botanic School Fundraisers

2007-04-26T10:21:00.000-07:00

Didn't it seem like the time between Spring Break and the last day of school took FOREVER when you were a student? I can remember in elementary school just being filled with anticipation E-V-E-R-Y S-I-N-G-L-E excrutiating loooong D-A-Y for Field Day, our annual end of the school year ritual where we actually got to wear shorts to school (shorts! to school!!!) and win ribbons for exciting feats of athleticism like the 3-legged race.

Now, doesn't it seem like as a parent those last 6-8 weeks of a school year just fly by in an absolute chaotic blur? I work at a school, too, so it really feels like a blur where we are all running around in a manic daze just trying to get things done.

And then BOOM it seems like in no time at all, it's the beginning of a new school year.

For most school groups, they begin planning out their year at the beginning of a school year if not before. And they do this during all of the hubbub and buzz of a brand new year. It stands to reason that this could be why many groups tend to do the same fundraisers year after year. If it ain't broke, why fix it? There are so many other things to think about and crossing your fundraising plan off the to-do list is even easier if you stick to what you've already been doing.

This is why I recommend that if you want to approach a school group to do an Urban Botanic fundraiser, you get in contact with them now. The group coordinator (usually a school administrator or teacher) will likely have some time to mull over the idea during the summer break. You might even be able to meet with her or him to go over questions and work out a plan for implementing an Urban Botanic fundraiser before the new school year hits.

Now if you are reading this thinking "but, Kelsey, I haven't even THOUGHT of using Urban Botanic to do a fundraiser!", let me outline some of the reasons you should consider it:

It's great exposure for your business.
It gets your name in front of people right in your own backyard
There is a high likelihood of repeat orders

You stand a great chance of booking some parties
You also stand a great chance of building your team through meeting new potential consultants
It's great PR to say you helped raise money for a youth organization/group/team

How you would structure the fundraiser is up to you. A great example is Lauri Hetzer in Ohio. She has a plan to do a cheerleader fundraiser where she is giving them a cut of her commission and is selling a 3-product set as a presale. Then, she will be scheduling workshops for people to come make their scent and blend it into the pre-purchased products. I think it sounds like a winner!

I also found a great template letter that you can use to send off to a group who might be interested in doing a UB fundraiser. I suggest calling the school or organization and getting the name of the person coordinating the group so you can address it directly to her. You can customize the wording on the letter as you see fit but it gives you a great starting point.

http://www.mymommybiz.com/party/fundraisers/sampleletter.html

Now, go forth and fundraise!

Office Decorating Daydreams

2007-04-24T10:33:00.000-07:00

Just doing a little online visualization about my future home office setup for my Urban Botanic business. I recently purchased a new computer, new flat panel monitor, and a color laser printer.

Now if I only had a swanky space to put it all in...

Like these options from Pottery Barn and Home Office Furnishings (cabinetry by Taghkanic Woodworking in the bottom left):

And just look at this sexy desk from ScanDesign...oh MY! It has Melrose Place written all over it!And these two options shown in Blueprint (Martha's new mag which I lurve...). I would mix a little of each style to fit my own.

And finally, a super-sophisticated, sleek home office...maybe a little too minimalist for my taste but SO gorgie! From the portfolio of Valenta Taber Architects....YUM!

Getting More Hours in a Day

2007-04-23T12:55:00.000-07:00

I have not been posting as often as I normally do. This is mostly to do with a big deadline on the magazine I design at work. I'm happy to say it has gone to the printer so I'm able to have a little more balance in my life right now.

But this got me thinking...how are some ways I can better manage my time? I know that I have a lot on my plate and I consider myself to be a productive person. But we are ALL busy...isn't that the phrase you hear all the time? Sorry I didn't do X, I've just been so busy...if only there were more hours in the day!

I found an interesting article that gives some tangible ways you can build more time in your day and be more productive. Personally, I am going to adopt two ideas from the article. I'm going to start getting some books on CD to make my commute each day more educational. I also know I could save a lot of time if I could stop compulsively checking my email every 10 minutes!

And some day I very much plan on having an assistant! ;)

Here's an idea: I think for many of us, that hour we could save by turning off the TV (as suggested in the article) should be an hour we spend nurturing ourselves. Because when we say we are so busy, I think we are really saying we are stressed and could use some "me" time.

____________________________________

Ten Ways to Save 2 Hours A Day or More!
by Chris Widener
article found at http://www.mlm.com/mlm/user/mlmarticles

When you gain 2 hours a day, that is 14 hours a week and a whopping 728 hours a year or 18.2 workweeks!

Take a look at the list below and implement a few - if not all - of them and see how much time you gain this week and how much more you accomplish! (Note: The time saved listed is per day! They are also very conservative estimates.)

1. Turn off the TV. We may as well start at the easy one. The average person watches 3 hours a day. So turn it off for one of those hours. Do something else instead. Read a book. Better yet, start writing YOUR book! Time saved - One hour.

2. Group your projects together. Do all you email at once or make all your calls at once. Starting and stopping wastes a lot of time. Time saved - 15 minutes.

3. Don't answer the phone. Let it go to voice mail. Then, at a set time, listen to the voice mail, delete liberally, and write down the info on a pad to call back when it is best for you. Talk to them only about the issue at hand. Time saved - 30 minutes. Another 30 if you count the telemarketers you avoid.

4. Get up 15 minutes earlier. Go to bed 15 minutes later. If your alarm goes off every day at 6 am, make it 5:45. You don't need that much sleep anyway! Time saved - 30 minutes!

5. Enroll in what Zig Ziglar calls "Automobile University." I have a friend that uses his library card like nobody's business and always has the best cd's with him. And it costs him nothing. He listens to close to ten hours of great material a week. All while in the car. Time saved - 1 hour.

6. Cut your lunch short. No matter how much you take, shave 15 minutes off of it. Side benefit: You'll lose weight without the dessert! Time saved - 15 minutes.

7. Hire an assistant. Let him or her do the smaller tasks like answering email, copying, screening calls, and filing. Time saved - 1 hour.

8. Focus. Different people are distracted by different things. Whatever it is that distracts you, cut it out. Tune it out and lock in like a laser on your work. You will save time and your work will be better! Time saved - 30 minutes.

9. Shift you work hours to include time when others aren't at the office. Being there alone will help you stay on task and you will be shocked at how much you get done. Time saved - 15 minutes.

10. Plan. Spend 15 minutes a day planning your day to work on the most important tasks in the most efficient way. You will lose 15 minutes but gain an hour. Total saved - 45 minutes.

Total if you do them all: 6 hours a day of time saved, improved focus and a dramatic increase in productivity! If you will just implement a few of these - those that work best for you - you will see a dramatic improvement in your time management and productivity - I guarantee it!
____________________________________________

What can you do right now to gain some time in your day? :)

Coaching (and I don't mean the handbags!)

2007-04-17T11:59:00.000-07:00

With several of us, myself included, recently reaching our goal of UB Scentsational, we are now in the position of leading a team. Of course we are so fortunate to have our fearless leader of The Hive, Shawna Straub, keeping us all organized and on track. And she is a tremendous resource, as we all know!

I found this article that talks about Principle-Centered Coaching which I thought was very apropos. I imagine that a lot of us bring to Urban Botanic a track record of leadership and management. However, several of us are new to direct sales and we are ALL new to Urban Botanic. This articles describes a method of mentoring that I felt was very in line with the company mission and values.

Enjoy!

_____________________________

Open Your Heart To Coaching
By Jane Deuber
President and Co-Founder of the DSWA
article found at http://www.mlm.com/mlm/user/mlmarticles

Leading in the Spirit of Service
If you’re a leader with a growing organization, you’ve probably been told that you should be coaching your team members. Perhaps you’re wondering, “Be a coach? What does that mean and how can I expect to coach others when I’m just figuring it out for myself?” The answer lies in something called Principle-Centered Coaching—a way of working with your team that opens your heart and expands your capacity to lead in the spirit of service.

To Coach Is To Serve; To Serve Is To Succeed
The foundation of Principle-Centered Coaching is built upon five core principles that present an image—a model if you will—of the kind of coach you want to be. Using these principles, you will cultivate a supportive, safe environment in which your team will flourish.

· The Principle of Trust: An environment of trust is defined by faith, confidence, and belief in your team—and to keep a confidence. Trust is the basis of meaningful, healthy relationships and must be present to create openness, learning, and growth.

· The Principle of Respect: When you show respect for another, you interact with dignity and kindness. You honor others no matter their accomplishments or perceived abilities. Giving and receiving respect builds self-esteem and confidence.

· The Principle of Service: When we serve others through our actions, we express the essence of leadership. By helping others get what that want, we experience the joy of making a difference.

· The Principle of Integrity: Do you do what you say you will do? Integrity is when our thoughts, words, and actions are the same and we follow through on our commitments.

· The Principle of Authenticity: An authentic leader is comfortable being herself and does not put on appearances. Strive to be natural, genuine, and honest in your dealings with your team.

Rich Rewards
Once you weave these five principles into the fabric of your interactions you will see shifts at many levels. Some subtle, some obvious, but collectively they are transformational. Here is just a taste of what you can expect.

You will…
· Enjoy coaching your team so much more when you call to support rather than to fix.

· Sense a deeper connection with your team as they see your willingness to serve and support.

· See your team grow as you see each new team member as a gift instead of more work and responsibility.

Your team members will…
· Feel confident in their ability to build their business.

· Be accountable to themselves and their goals.

· Be true to their word because the team values integrity.

· Remain clear, focused, and on track toward success.

Ways to Explore the Five Core Principles
Beginning today, hold yourself to the standard of keeping these five core principles at heart in all team interactions. At day’s end, reflect on how you have lived these principles, and then marvel at the magic that results.

This is an excerpt from the best selling book Build It Big – 101 Insider Secrets Form Top Direct Selling Experts, brought to you by the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA). The DSWA provides industry-specific education, resources and support to direct sellers in more than twelve countries, representing over 275 companies. To learn how you can receive $850 in bonus gifts by ordering the Build It Big book, visit http://www.mydswa.org/bib.asp. To learn about the benefits of becoming a member of the DSWA, visit http://www.mydswa.org/member_program.asp.

_______________________________________________

Wed, Thurs, Fri...etc.

2007-04-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

The last part of my week was a blur. Here is just a brief list of what happened and what I accomplished...

I received my cards from VistaPrint and I have to say they look great. They are going out today (Monday)

We got our car back from being fixed - new front brakes at 26K!! I can't believe it. I think I want a new car!

I added a new team member - Avis from California. Yay!

I heard from a lifestyle editor of a popular local wedding blog. I am just waiting to set up a day/time to meet with her. I'm super excited about this!

I sent out a promo for Mother's Day to 40 women. I did this through Constanct Contact and used a direct link to PayPal.

My daughter continued to get sicker, adding a severe cough to her fever. I spent 3 hours in urgent care with her yesterday. She had chest x-rays done to rule out pneumonia. Luckily she doesn't have pneumonia, just a really, really bad cold.

We finally tackled the garage. We hauled out a truck full of junk that was just trash to go to the dump. Of the remaining items in the garage, over 2/3 are earmarked for a garage sale (maybe this upcoming weekend?) and the remaining 1/3 are things to keep. Phew!

And the last bit of news is that I qualified for UB Scentsational with a week to spare! Hooray!!! It certainly feels good to achieve a goal like that! :)

Tuesday & Wednesday

2007-04-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

My how this week has just flown by...

My daughter has caught some kind of virus and has had a fever off and on since Sunday. Yesterday it was 102.7! Poor thing, not a very fun spring break for her.

Tuesday
Booked two parties
Emailed boutique for customer appreciation event
Spoke with an awesome potential new fragrance designer

Wednesday
Got a tentative booking for a birthday party (very exciting!)
Sent out a lotion sample to the potential new team member
Developed list for customer appreciation leads
Have two more tentative parties scheduled, just need to nail down the dates/times

I think my VistaPrint postcards should arrive today so I can do my wedding mailer!

Monday's Progress

2007-04-09T17:45:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the things I accomplished today:

Attended The Hive Talkin' call
Posted ads on Craigslist
Followed up on three party leads

I also did a few hours of housework, took the car to get fixed, went to the post office, and minded two sick kiddos.

I did not begin to tackle the HUGE disaster area that is my garage...LOL

Focusing on Urban Botanic

2007-04-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

I am off from work for a week. Well...I am off from my full-time job but rather than actually taking a vacation, I am going to be focusing my energy on my Urban Botanic business along with sorting through my excess belongings for a garage sale at the end of the week.

I am making a game plan for the week where I am going to jump-start things for the Spring and Summer season. I haven't quite figured out my concrete goals for the week but I will post those along with my progress every day!

The first steps I have taken are to order up some postcards from Vista Print, they should be here by week's end. How is it that "free" postcards ended up costing $23? haha

The postcards are to target wedding-oriented businesses to interest them in hosting an after-hours or VIP bride fragrance party. Using a lot of the text that Shawna posted a few weeks ago, here is a picture of what I designed:

Unstoppable Achievers

2007-04-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

One thing that I so enjoy about my life since joining Urban Botanic is the sense of control and possibility I feel about my future. I think I have always had that tendency to focus on the possibilities in life and have goals but I can also look back on times where I wasn't as proactive as I could have been, allowing myself to "float" along or spin my wheels.

I found another article I'd like to share that points to the connection between how we spend our time now with what we will achieve later. That it isn't enough to just have goals but in order to achieve them, you need to become the person who deserves them.

_______________________________________

The Real Secret of Unstoppable Achievers
By Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler
Executive Advisor
article found at http://www.mlm.com/mlm/user/mlmarticles

What marks the difference between the person who achieves their goals and the person who doesn't? How many times have you been told the difference is just having a definite, well-defined goal?

Actually that is putting the cart before the horse, and it's not really true. You can have a serious goal and still never even come close to achieving it. In fact, that goal might even end up further eroding your self-confidence.

Why is this so? Because just having a goal does NOT magically bring your desire into reach. Neither does creating a detailed goal plan.

The difference between those who actually achieve their goals and those who do not is this: Non-achievers put the cart before the horse. Achievers hook the horse up to the cart.

How Success is Really Attained
Almost every one of today's success gurus tell you to focus your energy on your desired end result. On the surface it may seem wise to focus your energy on your desired end result -- on your goal.

But in terms of how people actually achieve true success -- this is an example of the classic case of putting the cart before the horse.

The truth is -- success is not attained when you achieve a desired goal. Success is actually the process of becoming the person to whom that desired goal belongs.

How to Become a Top Achiever
The real difference between achievers and failures is the way they live their daily lives. Every successful person became who they are because of how they live their daily lives.

In short: Your daily lifestyle determines your success. You actually become a success the millisecond you commit to live a daily lifestyle focused on success. This puts the horse (your daily actions and beliefs) before the cart (your end goal).

This applies to success in any field or endeavor whether business, personal, or social. If you want to achieve a goal of being fit and healthy, for example, you do so by adopting a daily lifestyle focused on regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

If you want to achieve a goal of having your own million-plus business, you do so by adopting a daily lifestyle focused on developing the skills and attitudes of a multi-millionaire business person.

Some Real-Life Examples
Still need convincing? What do you think the lifestyle of mega-successful people was before they achieved their current levels of success?

Do you think Oprah spent five hours every evening watching soap operas? Or maybe Anthony Robbins spent every evening drinking beer with his buddies and watching sports videos? Maybe Tina Turner just sat around eating potato chips and reading magazines? Or perhaps Gina Davis just hung around the mall drinking coffee?

Are these silly questions? Of course! But in fact these examples are exactly how a lot of unsuccessful people spend their time.

A Simple Action Plan
I realize this may sound incredible, but in fact becoming a success IS simple. It may not be easy, but it certainly isn't complicated. If you truly desire success, it is created one day at a time.

Just go to work on a daily basis. What you do EACH DAY is what determines if you will (or will not) achieve the success you desire. This IS the major difference between the achievers and the would-be, could be's. Your daily actions truly determine your destiny.

Former President Ronald Reagan once said: "Status Quo is Latin for 'the mess we are in.'" The status quo is actually your "comfort zone." Reagan's tongue-in-cheek quote reminds us that just doing the same old comfortable things actually creates a mess rather than new levels of success.

Get your horse out in front of your cart. You can have the success you desire IF you are willing to adopt a DAILY lifestyle that will result in goal achievement.

Take bold action!

__________________________________

The Red Door Example

2007-04-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

The subject of networking, making connections, and "putting yourself out there" has been coming up a lot lately in our Urban Botanic network. I'm pretty sure this is always going to be a central theme, particularly for those of us who haven't been in sales before and as our teams grow.

I came across this great article (that seems to be quite popular as its linked in several places!) that talks about a system that two women created in Atlanta called The Red Door. There are lots of great tidbits here, happy reading!

___________________________________

The Red Door
by Bonnie Ross-Parker
found at http://www.mlm.com/mlm/user/mlmarticles

Women need mentors. From both a practical and a feminine point of view, mentors for women are it.

Having come late to the “good ol’ boy” networks that men have developed for years, women have had to create their own ways to build relationships in the business world. As women in business have proven themselves to treasure conversation and teamwork, working with mentors seems like a natural thing. It plays right into the powerful traits women possess.

So, what if we created a weekly free mentoring program for professional women! Well, why not?

My friend Kirsten Farris and I developed this idea for entrepreneurs and any women interested in starting a business. We recognized that many women were not getting the support they needed. Existing networking events weren’t the right place to support the need for business growth. They are merely a place to exchange business cards.

So we created a mentoring program and called it The Red Door. We met every Tuesday morning at a local Atlanta Bread Company. We occupied a side room. It was a great place to obtain morning coffee and a bagel or pastry. We set up the tables to form a large square and placed chairs around the perimeter. Each participant had five minutes to introduce herself, share with the other women what she does, and give us specific progress on the intention she stated the week before. This format held each person accountable or offered support when life interfered with unmet goals, which was not uncommon! The underlying understanding was that each one of us was there to support, honor, and do what we could to keep every participant on track with their plan. “Red” represented energy and “Door” indicated an opening to the future. Our tag line became “bringing energy to ideas to create unlimited possibilities.”

We had no idea that the response would be so great, nor the significance our time and effort would have. Were we in for a surprise! The participation grew weekly. Regulars came faithfully and brought friends. Suddenly we were servicing a large group of entrepreneurial women eager to learn, implement new ideas, and support one another.

From one week to the next, women would report on their previous week’s progress and challenges. With the support of their mentors and colleagues, many remained determined to stay on course and strengthen their businesses. We introduced affirmations, spoke our intentions, and encouraged accountability. Women helped each other, and met often between sessions to keep the flow of ideas and momentum going.

Different from other networking groups established for lead generation, The Red Door offered a safe, nurturing space for open dialogue, honest assessment, and a non-threatening environment – perfect for women. For some of our participants, it was their first introduction to mentoring. The Red Door became a foundation for them to go out into the world with their talents, ideas, businesses, and confidence. Kirsten and I know that the contribution of our time, expertise, and connection played a significant role in the success of the women we served. That alone was ample reward.

Talented Businesswoman
Kirsten is an amazing, talented woman. She’s brilliant, energetic, and overflows with ideas and enthusiasm as a businesswoman and horse whisperer. She had been in telecommunications sales and marketing for most of her career. She’d moved in and out of the corporate world before starting her own company in 2000. No matter what challenge or question I have, she magically whips up what I need to do or hear. Kirsten takes me under her wing by offering fresh ideas and encouragement. Kirsten and I connected immediately at a luncheon networking function. When I sat down next to her, I asked, “What do you do for fun?” From that one question, Kirsten shared with me her unique perspective on connecting. Here’s what she said:

“Really, connecting is not about the questions you ask, because, quite frankly, if someone other than you had asked me ‘what do you do for fun?’ I might be thinking, I’m not telling this person anything! Just because you ask the question doesn’t mean you’re going to get the answer! Because I sensed you were genuine, I struck up a conversation.”

Yes, connecting is more complicated than it seems. Connecting is not just walking up to another person and striking up a conversation. Before you can connect, you’ve got to be connected with yourself and your purpose. You have to be genuine.

Discover Your Purpose
How do you discover your purpose? It comes from being aligned with yourself and what you believe in. So how do you get yourself aligned? Therein lies the problem.

We can be very dysfunctional and incongruent. Our conscious minds and our subconscious minds can be out of alignment, out of whack. To find alignment and purpose, we start by discovering our truth and coming into our power. From there, we need to understand that it’s all about everybody else. We ask, “How can I help, how can I serve? How can I help people get what they want?”

Connecting is a way of life – not just something you do at meetings, but how you choose to live your life.

To be a connector, you need to be in the realm of helping facilitate transactions between events, people, and things. Get out there, be yourself and be genuine; from there, everything else will fall into place. That’s why it’s important for people to determine how to get ready.

Kirsten says connection is all there is. In her words, “If you’re not connected, you’re disconnected. Connection to me is about being abundant and having infinite possibilities. Being disconnected is very limited.”

Kirsten feels disconnected at times. She knows that the first step to becoming connected again is to acknowledge feeling disconnected, then getting back in sync.

Do you feel a little depressed? Are you going to do something about it? Do you want to change it? When?

Sometimes, you may want to wallow in the fact that you don’t want to do anything at that moment. That’s okay, because that’s the way energy works. But as Kirsten likes to say, “To make my life work, I have to be in choice. When I choose to do something, I never feel trapped.”

It’s About Helping Others
Kirsten and I have similar beliefs about networking. We believe it’s not about you and it’s not about handing out cards. It’s about getting to know people and understanding how you can help them. It’s about getting to help someone or being involved in a group. You might not get anything tangible from that group, but because you’re doing the right thing, good things happen for you. Kirsten and I share that philosophy.

Indeed, true connections are like that. For me, it’s nice to find someone like Kirsten who’s willing to do things for people because it feels good, and not because she’ll get something out of it.

It’s a way of life. It’s about being open to connect people, and when you do so, you get connected someplace else.

Kirsten says, “You get there by becoming involved in a group similar to The Red Door or The Joy of Connecting – by networking with people whoa re trying to find their purpose and working through exercises that help you determine that purpose. Joining connection groups allows you to just meet and talk with many different people who can steer you onto the right path. Once you’re open to it, you just kind of say, ‘OK, I’m ready for the next thing – bring it on!’ Within 24 hours, great stuff will show up!”

Bonnie Ross-Parker is a multi-dimensional businesswoman/entrepreneur with a background in education, franchise development, publishing, mentorship, network marketing, and community development. Her articles on owning one’s own business and entrepreneurship have appeared in publications such as Wealth Building, Home Business Magazine, Business to Business and Entrepreneur’s Business Start-Ups. In 2002 Bonnie received The Athena Award—an honor designed to acknowledge women of leadership in cities throughout the United States. She is the author of Walk in my Boots – The Joy of Connecting. Contact Bonnie at 770-333-9028 bootgirl@bonnierossparker.com or www.bonnierossparker.com

_________________________________________

On the Not-So-Good Days

2007-03-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-28T11:35:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-03-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

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!

___________________________

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 .
________________________________

Spring Fevah!

2007-03-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

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

2007-03-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

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

2007-03-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

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!

Ready...Set...Quick Start!

2007-02-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Being totally new to direct sales, I am learning more every day that my gut instincts about Urban Botanic were totally right on. That is a completely validating feeling!

It is my nature to follow my instincts but to back it up with research. I have found a multitude of resources online that give great information for those of us in direct sales. It made me smile when I came across the article below that talks about the importance of a 90-day Quick Start plan.

The 90-day Team Scentsational plan with UB is challenging but completely attainable. I met my 30-day goal in under 30 days, and I'm over half-way to my 60-day goal with 25 days to go. I have been working my booty off but I do attribute a lot of my success to my upline (who, by the way, is one of the main reasons I signed on to UB!). Shawna gives UB 110% every day and I swear, I doubt the woman ever sleeps! She leads by example and is always there to answer questions and offer encouragement.

Okay...enough about me and my team and on to the article which is an excerpt from the book Build it Big...enjoy!

_________________

Start Your Business Off Right
By Rachel Kerr Snyder
Lighting the way for others

article found at http://www.mlm.com/mlm/user/mlmarticles

Starting Quickly
Now that you’ve made the decision to begin your own home-based business it is important that you get started immediately and experience early success. Setting and attaining goals within your first 90 days of business will keep you motivated and start you making money. Some companies refer to this time as a “Quick Start.” Whatever you choose to call it, just do it—fast!

Getting Off The Starting Line
Get control of your calendar. It’s critical to form this habit early so that you manage your business, rather than your business managing you. Meet with your family, spouse, and any others who have a claim on your time and decide when you are and are not available to work your business. This simple act of marking off time on the calendar for family and other commitments, establishes boundaries that will give you clarity in making appointments, scheduling phone time, doing presentations, and attending trainings. You and your family will find it much easier to operate when everyone knows the schedule. Family scheduling should become a weekly, scheduled meeting.

Host a Business Kick-off event at your home. Personally invite guests to come and see what you are doing, sample your product, and give their opinion. Everyone has an opinion—and is usually willing to share when asked.

Don’t spend a lot of time organizing an office. A phone, calendar, and your enthusiasm are your most critical components of success. Forget fancy handouts and blasting e-mails. Your personal connection is the key that will unlock the door to your success.

Talk to as many people as possible. Direct selling is just a numbers game. The more people you talk to, the more appointments you will book and the more people you can share the business with.

Be consistent. The business of direct selling is not difficult, but demands consistency in sales and sponsoring. If you are consistent, you can generate a steady and growing income while keeping your life manageable. When others see you incorporating your new venture into your life without turning your life upside down, they will be more inclined to support you and eventually join you.

Make FRANK a friend in your business development. This is a well-known acronym for Friends, Relatives, Acquaintances, Neighbors, and Kids, and is a memory jogger to help you build a list of individuals to introduce to your product or business. This list, with phone numbers, needs to be with you at all times, so that you can make that call when you have a moment and so you can add names as they come to you. This document is a most important piece of your business development, as it focuses you to stay on top of your prospects at all times.

Order business cards, and give them out at every opportunity. When people ask for your name, phone number, or other contact information, hand them a card. Surveys show that people hang onto business cards—for a long time. It’s an easy way to publicize your business without being intrusive.

Use the resources available to you and attend trainings regularly. Your sponsor and leaders are available to mentor and model successful business practices for you. Listen in on their calls, go with them to appointments, and watch them make presentations. Schedule this on-the-job training time just as you would any other business activity.

Embrace and incorporate these activities into your first 90 days of business. Teach others the same principles and watch your income multiply.

Actions For Today And Tomorrow
1. Set a date and time for your family scheduling meeting. Emphasize how important it is to you that everyone makes a point to be there every week.

2. Set a date for your Business Kick-off event and set goals for the number of guests, total sales, number of bookings, and potential team members you would like to gain from the show.

3. Begin your FRANK list and commit to add at least three names every day.

This is an excerpt from the best selling book Build It Big – 101 Insider Secrets Form Top Direct Selling Experts, brought to you by the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance (DSWA). The DSWA provides industry-specific education, resources and support to direct sellers in more than twelve countries, representing over 275 companies.
_________________________

Interesting Perfume Project

2007-02-27T09:51:00.000-08:00

I've been looking at a lot of different blogs out there -- wedding and lifestyle blogs, beauty blogs, and blogs dedicated to the love of fragrance.

Through reading a few of the fragrance blogs, I learned about this interesting project where two of the top perfumers who work for major perfume houses are creating "dream" fragrances for two women who each run a fragrance blog.

The entire project is being chronicled on (what else) a blog called Made by Blog (click the title to go check it out!).

Because I am new to the world of perfume through my involvement with Urban Botanic, reading through their process is utterly fascinating. Just getting a glimpse of the olfactory training these perfumers have gone through is humbling indeed.

The Science behind the UB Personality Test

2007-02-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

My newest teammate posed a question to McKenna Gordon, the founder of UB, about how science was used to create the UB Personality Test. Below is McKenna's response. She eloquently and articulately explains how she and her team developed this component of UB and I thought it was a great item to share.

____________________________

The idea that fragrances can portray certain personality traits is not a new one. To illustrate this, go grab any magazine you have lying around and open it up to any perfume ad. Look at the model in the ad. Look at her hair, makeup, and clothing. Look at the colors in the ad. What is she doing? What is her body language? In all of these elements, the story of someone's personality is being told.

An example: Estee Lauder Pleasures fragrance. If you haven't seen a magazine ad for this, go here: http://www.esteelauder.com/templates/products/multiproduct.t mpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY6835&cm_sp=top%20navs-_-fragranc e-_-fw_elpleasures
The ad does NOT say (nor does it need to) "this scent is very floral and romantic and bright and happy" - because you just know that from looking at the personality portrayed.

Another example in contrast: Calvin Klein's Euphoria fragrance. Ad here:
http://www.pvh.com/Brand_CK_Fragrance.html
Model's makeup is smoky, colors are deep caramels and intoxicating maroons. If you were to imagine what this fragrance smells like just by looking at the magazine ad, you'd probably guess this was a dark, mysterious, and seductive scent using lots of spicies and woodsies with a hint of florals to keep it just feminine enough. And you'd be right. But the ad doesn't tell you that.

Urban Botanic's personality test takes years of my personal research along with a team of other experts including psychologists and other fragrance experts. The information and data for the test isn't "made up", it's just never before been compiled in a format like we did. We reverse-engineered the method all perfume houses around the world use for marketing. It turns out that flirty people wear flirty fragrances (floral/some fruity) because 1) Flirty people LIKE floral/some fruity fragrances better than others and 2) Floral/some fruity fragrances also reflect "Flirty's" personality.

The fact that fragrances portray certain personalities is a proven fact. What those personalities are, and which scents connect them is somewhat of a mystery, so the question a few years ago was "Will UB's personality test work?" You tell me :) It's hard to measure a personality test because so many people answer untruthfully, and one's personality can change with their mood. But what I do hear over and over from anyone who takes the test is that the test was dead on. Both with the personality description, and which fragrances they prefer. This is all part of our patent-pending U.B.You System. Nothing remotely close to our personality test or our method of blending fragrances has been patented before, so this is very exciting for UB and our Fragrance Designers!

McKenna Gordon
Founder, Urban Botanic
_________________________

Write Up by DesignMom.com

2007-02-23T10:25:00.000-08:00

So much to my surprise this morning I got an email that another blogsite had written about Urban Botanic.

Gabrielle Blair runs DesignMom.com. She is based in NYC, has 5 children, is a graphic designer (like me!), and has impeccable taste. She posts and writes about all sorts of stylish and hip products so I am supremely flattered that she took the time to post about UB.

Check her blog out at: http://www.designmom.com/

You may have to scroll a bit to see the UB write up because she does multiple posts each day.

How is your PMA?

2007-02-21T11:03:00.000-08:00

PMA - positive mental attitude.

I remember people saying that all the time back in high school. Mostly my friends who were on sports teams. On the cheer squad, we would say it, too, and we talked about what it meant to be a member of a team and the attitude we portrayed to the community.

It's easy, as an adult, to forget about PMA sometimes. I thought this short little article was a nice pep talk and I wanted to share it. Whether you are starting a business (like me with Urban Botanic) or you have a job working for someone else, it's a nice reminder about the power of PMA.

It even sounds a little cheerleader-ly! ;)

--------------------------------
Decide to Be Fired Up!
Jan Ruhe
copied from http://www.mlm.com/mlm/user/mlmarticles

Use every email and call you make
Every conversation you have
Every meeting you hold or attend
To let everyone know your dreams and desires
Let people know of your vision of what you expect
Fire Up! others around you
Fire Up! and forgive those who have hurt you
Fire Up! your vocabulary and choose your words carefully
You are a powerful person
Spread the fire of desire
Radiate your passion
Believe in yourself
Concentrate on what you do right
No human is perfect, forgive yourself
You can't change the past
on your goals, your dreams and your hopes
Believe in miracles, expect them do not be surprised by them
Come to the table of plenty, there is a place set for you
Your success will be served on a silver platter

Stay Fired up no matter what.
The day you decide is the day that your life will change for the better forever.

Decide to stay Fired Up! For life!

- Jan Ruhe
www.janruhe.com

Write-up by KenzieKate

2007-02-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share the good news that Mackenzie of KenzieKate has written about Urban Botanic on her blog.

Mackenzie designs the most beautiful wedding invitations and she also writes a very witty and stylish blog sharing her opinions on cool products relating to weddings and events. So I am over the moon that she wrote about U.B.!

Check it out at www.kenziekate.blogspot.com.

Rules of Thumb for Email

2007-02-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

Since so much of our communication for our Urban Botanic businesses takes place on email and over the internet, I thought this article was a good refresher on some ways to make sure our electronic communications are effective.

A good rule of thumb that I personally follow is to expect that my email (or message board post, etc.) will be forwarded. Meaning, I don't write something in an email that I would not want to be shared widely.

Also...my number one rule - always, ALWAYS proofread. Read it backwards, read it three times, save it and read it the next day before sending it (for fresher eyes), and always ask a few trusted friends/colleagues to look at something before going live with it. The more important the communication or the bigger the audience, the more it pays to be careful and methodical.

___________________________

Seven Rules of Email
Bob Osgoodby
article can be found at
http://www.mlm.com/mlm/user/mlmarticles

Now there is no law that says you have to follow these rules, but if you are in business on the Web, you should definitely pay attention.

Rule #1 - Turn off your CAPS LOCK
Some people seem to feel that if they write their E-mail in ALL CAPS it will be more effective. Quite the opposite is the case. CAPS should be used only for emphasis. Many people consider the use of ALL CAPS as being the equivalent of shouting and do take offense at it.

Rule #2 - Never send multiple E-mails without using Blind Carbon Copies (BCC)
If every E-mail address you sent it to is displayed, you are making the spammers job a lot easier when theyharvest addresses. But you have to address it to someone, even if using BCC, so remember, there are a lot of "kooks" in this world who will persecute anyone they can identify.When using BCC, never send the note to someone on your mailing list. If you have a second ID use that, or send the note to yourself with copies to everyone on your list. That way, if someone decides to "vent" it will come back to you and not someone on your list. It also gives you a permanent record of the E-mails you sent to your mailing list. If you don't have a second ID#, you can get one easily at Juno, Hotmail, etc.

Rule #3 - Are you sure your E-mail was actually sent to your mailing list?
One easy way to be sure it was, is to include your E-mail address in your file of names you send it to. A good method is to include your address at the very end of the list. If you get your copy, you can be sure everyone else did as well.

Rule #4 - Don't Bore Them to Death
Advertising by E-mail is a cheap and effective way to get your message out to people, and most people don't mind getting an E-mail if it is short and to the point, but don't spam and send to people you don't already have a relationship with. Also, don't try to sell them your product or services with your first mailing. Try to pique their curiosity instead and have them either reply to your E-mail or visit your Web Site.

Rule #5 - Honor Removes
If someone asks to be removed from your mailing list, do it immediately and send them a courtesy note advising them it has been done. Keeping people on your mailing list that don't want to receive your information is not only bad form, but can cost you your ISP if a complaint is lodged against you.And NEVER forge headers so they can't respond to you by E-mail. This is the favorite trick of the scamsters who don't want you to respond to their E-mail, and give you a number to call or a form to fill out instead.

Rule #6 - Be sure that you are not sending the same person multiple E-mails
This is a definite sign of spam and most people will simply delete them.

Rule #7 - Be careful with attachments
I still get E-mails with no text and the message they wish me to read is an attachment to the E-mail. It is immediately deleted as it could very well contain a virus - even from someone you know. Some ISP's have a top limit to the amount of text they will display, and anything larger is automatically converted to an attachment. Many people will not go through this exercise, so you should ensure that your E-mail message can be read by all the people it is sent to, without them having to open an attachment.

-----
Bob has been publishing online since 1996. All the "tricks of the trade" are contained in his latest E-book. Learn how to avoid being shut down by your ISP for Spamming, and where to find "E-mail friendly ISP's. Learn which software packages are available to easily manage and distribute your email. For more information - http://www.adv-marketing.com/business/handbook.htm

I Have a Code in by Dose

2007-02-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

I have a bad cold...this picture is how I feel on cold meds...having the inability to use your nose is a major job impediment when you are a Fragrance Designer!

Defining Strategy and Tactics

2007-02-14T09:15:00.000-08:00

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. - Sun Tzu (Chinese General, circa 500 BC)

I love that quote.

In my career in marketing communications, it was several years before I really understood the difference between strategy and tactics. Likely, this is due to the fact that the first few years of my career, I only dealt with tactics. The strategy talks happened between the clients and people higher on the food chain in my group. I was just called in toward the end to "make it so", i.e. create the ad to go in whatever publication, design the brochure / program / invitation for whatever event.

Over the years as I moved up the food chain, I began to be brought in earlier and earlier in the process and realized that earlier, I had been operating half in the dark - I didn't know the "why" to the "what". Once I was aware of the "big picture" in whatever campaign I was working on, i.e. the strategy AND the tactics, I became so much more effective as a communicator.

In creating my marketing plans for my Urban Botanic business, I started reflecting on strategy and tactics. Especially since my budget is tight (my own personal money) and my time is at a premium. I stumbled across this little glossary on another website and thought I would share it here:

-------------
Objectives 101.
What is an objective?.
What is a goal?. What is a strategy?.
What is a tactic?.
What is a plan?

Objectives and Goals.
Objective a : something toward which effort is directed : an aim, goal, or end of action b : a strategic position to be attained or a purpose to be achieved by a military operation.

Goal a : the end toward which effort is directed : AIM (Also a specific, measurable achievement behind an objective)

Context.
Business: How to make money from spending money - Engineering, Finance, Operations, Marketing Sales.
Marketing: How to build demand with the market place - Product, Price, Place, Promotion . Communications: How to promote effectively - Messaging, Media.
Personal: How to contribute to all of the above

Strategy.
Strategy a : The science of military command, or the science of projecting campaigns and directing great military movements; generalship. . The set of decisions made to best ensure achievement of the desired objectives, based on an assessment of:... one's own current situation/position; capabilities & shortcoming; competitive position... options/alternatives -- risks ... timing

Tactics.
Tactic a : a device for accomplishing an end; b : a method of employing forces in combat. The set of requirements for a plan to take effect

Tactical vs. Strategic.
Always relative to one another.

Tactics: the set of actions taken to fulfill a strategy

Plan.
Plan a : a scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described in language; a project; as, the plan of a constitution; the plan of an expedition. . The combination of objectives, strategies and tactics. The specific articulation of how the tactics will support the strategies that will achieve the objectives in time. The rationale that supports this course of action

----------------------------
pulled from The Marketing Playbook at http://marketingplaybook.com/2004/07/08/strategy_vs_tactics.html

When I have to make a decision on how to spend marketing dollars or my time in pursuing an earned media opportunity, I try to relate the strategy and tactics to my bigger goals. How does this fit in? What is my return on investment? How is this targeting/reaching a specific audience? And the ultimate question So What?. (I love asking myself that question).

The Money's in the Product

2007-01-31T09:05:00.000-08:00

I'm home today with a sick kiddo so I figured I'd take the time to write another post.

Last night I was making a custom fragrance for my cousin who is also my sister/best friend. She loves vanilla and has been using body sprays and eau de toilette from a well-known bath product store for years.

We mixed up the most delightful blend for her that included vanilla, brown sugar, a hint of maple and a hint of chocolate. She was ecstatic!

She could feel the difference in the spray immediately. She pulled out the bottle of the other stuff she had been using out of her handbag and we compared ingredients. Then we took a sniff of it and literally all we could smell was the pungent odor of the alcohol. It was so amazing to compare the two scents side by side.

Then she pulled out a glass bottle of the eau de toilette she had in her handbag (I told you, she loves this stuff she doesn't leave home without it!). She was commenting on the packaging. Wouldn't you know it - the "other" stuff was less ounces but that had been camouflaged by a heavy glass bottle.

She then said, "Urban Botanic obviously puts their money into the quality of product and ingredients. They don't waste it on packaging."

So true! Now, being a graphic designer by trade, I am a HUGE sucker for aesthetics and pretty packaging is something I fall for time and time again. I might not even want the actual product but if it's packaged beautifully, I'll buy it.

Now don't get me wrong - the U.B. label design is fresh and lovely. The products all together in a row look great. But comparing the U.B parfum spray packaging to other fancier shaped bottles, you can't help but notice a difference.

BUT the bigger (and more important) difference is in the product. Every time I spray the parfum spray on someone for the first time, I get the same reaction to how different it feels (it's those silk amino acids - they are amazing!). Then in explaining the ingredients - how there is no alcohol, fromaldehyde, or other questionable chemicals - I can see people have this "a ha" moment.

Then, if you really think about the U.B. price point in comparison to the department store brands with their (expensive) fancy bottles...well, it's pretty clear where a lot of their money is going.

U.B. puts the money in the product. She summed it up perfectly. And as much as I love a pretty glass bottle, I will take the better quality product over something inferior any day of the week.

Tweens as a U.B. Market

2007-01-30T21:33:00.000-08:00

In my earlier post, I wrote about marketing U.B. to brides. Now I'd like to shift focus to the tween market. Tweens are identified as kids between the ages of eight and 12. Essentially, they are in between being children and teenagers. Hallmarks of this age group are a fierce need for independence and establishing a more grown-up identity. At times bouncing back to familiar childhood habits or comforts (stuffed animals or dolls) but then turning right around and wanting to wear makeup and dress like they are 25 (yikes!).

Meanwhile many parents are struggling with the fact their kids aren't children any longer but they still need their help and protection, which flies directly in the face of said kids' desire for independence and an identity apart from Mom and Dad.

Oy vay!

My own daughter who just turned five is already at times displaying these tween-like behaviors. Which is terrifying to say the least. It really got me thinking to how I can create some traditions and bonds that might give us common ground to see us through the trying times ahead in our relationship (I'm not going to kid myself here - there WILL be those moments for us, just like I had with my mom). For instance, as a treat, I will take her to get a mini-manicure with me where she gets to pick out any color of nail polish in the salon and sits like a grown up chatting with the manicurist (seriously...the first time we did that, I was holding back tears at watching my baby behaving so grown up). I know that my mom and I didn't have those connections during my tween and teen years, like shopping or getting our nails done together, and that is something I would like to try and have with my daughter.

So...cut to Urban Botanic. I think this is the perfect product for tweens. Especially for a mother/daughter event or a tween birthday party.

The products are hypo-allergenic and contain no harmful ingredients like many/most other fragrances or cosmetics. The more important aspect of how U.B. would absolutely appeal to both kids of this age group and parents alike is how it allows the tween the ability for self-expression and individuality which they so desperately crave. Yet, it is self-expression in a completely safe and contained manner. And it is fun, creative, and really quite a "cool" activity. Bonus, bonus, bonus for the tween and their parent!

And the price point is so reasonable. As a mom, I could totally see throwing my daughter an Urban Botanic birthday party in a few years. I would pay for, say, a bubble bath and/or a shower gel for each girl attending. At $12.50 a pop, that is actually less than what I have been paying for her parties already (some of the most popular places to have parties in my area are $300 and up just to rent the space for 2 hours). The girls would have a blast, and hey, the Urban Botanic Consultant does most all of the work! ;)

So here's to looking forward to the tween years with my daughter. At least I have one strategy for retaining my status as a "cool" mom intact! :)

Finding my niche

2007-01-29T18:55:00.000-08:00

Everyone has heard the term niche marketing and target marketing. In figuring out how I could position myself and where I could really focus my efforts as a Scent Consultant with Urban Botanic, I immediately thought of two markets that would likely get excited about this new product: brides and tweens/parents of tweens.

First up...brides.

Thinking back to my own wedding, I would have absolutely flipped and gone nutso over the idea of having a "signature" wedding fragrance. I have heard so many times over the years how the sense of smell evokes a huge emotional response, especially associating smells with memories. How better to remember your wedding day than with a custom fragrance!

I was such a make-it-"signature" bride. My colors were bright orange, bright pink, and red fer Pete's sake! Mind you, this was several years before the whole infusion of Middle Eastern, Moroccan, or Indian sari-looks hit the mainstream. My bridesmaids carried fans instead of flowers, I served margaritas but had not a drop of champagne, and we had karaoke at the reception...but I digress... ;)

I realize now that the custom market for weddings has really taken off. There are soooo many adorably cute and sophisticated ways to make a statement, not like back in my day (haha - like it was sooo long ago). Being a bride who loved poring over the minutia of planning the event...let's just say the whole signature-fragrance-for-a-wedding was an immediate connection for me when I first found out about Urban Botanic.

The unfolding of the custom fragrance making could take place as part of a bridal shower, as part of a bachelorette party (and no, not with tacky stripper-dudes, well...at least not until later, ha!), or even as part of a nice bridesmaids dinner/brunch with the fragrances being the gift from the bride to her bridal party. How fun!

Next time...marketing to tweens.