Hello Stranger

Good Morning All!!

I have been in Arizona for the past few weeks. Even though I haven't posted much I have been watching the boards to see what is going on in the soaping community. I have noticed overlap in the names for Spring and Summer products. I was going to debut my Romance line using the names: Spring Fling, Summer Luvin', Fall for Me and Winter Romance but "Spring Fling" seems to most popular and therefore I am going to have to make some changes. I will announce what they will be once I am back home in my lab. I see young companies out there struggling to make ends meet and eventually closing up shop. You cannot expect to have any longevity if you are just rolling out the same products as everyone else. You must diversify.

Bath bombs are a wonderful product if created properly. Most people take showers rather than baths. Children and older adults are the main ones to sit in a bath. Market to children and those who sit in a bath; athletes, yoga enthusiasts, dancers  or anyone that needs to soak their feet or lower extremities!!! Make your product for those who are most likely to purchase them, for crying out loud!! A 4 month old doesn't need Paris Hilton scented baths. Lavender, Chamomile, Patchouli (yes, Patch!!), Vanilla and Lemon could be wonderful for youngsters if you use them in the proper amounts. My dad absolutely loves any products that have Lemongrass (ew, phooey!!), Sweet Orange and Spearmint in them. He eats them up!!!

I noticed a dearth in masculine fragrances that didn't reek. I set out to create a line that is masculine, alluring and distinct. I have met with much success and plan on growing from that. You need to find out what is lacking in your area and pursue that. Pet shampoo not chic chic enough in your area? Well, create and market some. You can reap much reward from this kind of niche. You also need to put yourself out there in in terms of marketing that not everyone has done to deaths. Business cards? They get thrown away most of the time. Business magnets? Get used and noticed. Business pens? Will get stolen and used on a daily basis. You want your name and business on people's minds and in their faces constantly. Have a few t-shirts made with your company name and contact information. Wear them and get family and friends to wear them. Hand out samples, brochures and have a 30 second ad memorized but deliverable like you haven't rehearsed it a million times in the mirror.

Why am I passionate about this? Because I used to sell full-time everything like everyone else. When I moved from Maryland to South Carolina my business dried up like the Sahara in July. It took me many false starts and real stops to finally realize that while I lived in SC that I would never have the success like I did in Maryland because my customer base was vastly different. The same basic needs but with a different viewpoint on what was best for them. I then turned my attention to selling to established businesses and THAT turned my business around and I am now seeing the fruits of my labors. Don't like going to markets? Fine, have a friend or family member hostess a brochure party. Don't like having home parties? Fine, sell on-line. Want to market without spending too much money? Equally fine. If you make shower gels then use them at the gym or in a public restroom at the sink to market. Keep a bottle of your lotion on your desk and I promise people will use it and want more. I just did this while here in Arizona and now I have picked up two new customers.

No one will work your business like you should work your business, and if you do find someone who can do it better than you then hire that person ASAP!!!!! Okay, enough from me. I love you all very much and wish you all much success. Until next time.