Adopt A Mom Wrap Up

Just wanted to post the final stats for the 2008 Mary Kay Adopt A Mom program.  Sixty-three  moms were celebrated, who might have been forgotten otherwise.  Thirty-three people donated a total of 63 Adopt A Moms, and I took 30 of the gifts to the social workers at Leesburg Elementary School.  Ten more went to Marshall Road Elementary School in Vienna, VA.  I had the privilege of delivering one Adopt A Mom myself, and enjoyed meeting the woman, her family, and LOVED watching her reaction as she opened her anonymous gift.  The remaining 22 touched hearts at the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter.  Thanks to all of those who participated.  I look forward to seeing what we accomplish next year.

If  you purchased an Adopt A Mom you should have received a postcard in the mail for tax purposes–if you didn’t let me know!

 

You made a difference!  Thank and God Bless YOU.

Adopt A Mom Program

Some of you have asked for the information on the Adopt A Mom holiday program.  Ask and ye shall receive:

 

I’m so excited about the second year of the “Adopt A Mom” program.  Last year through your generous donations, I, and my Mary Kay sisters, were able to bless over 1500 women throughout the Northern Virginia area.  The Adopt A Mom program allows you to purchase our Satin Hands Lotion and a pair of gloves, beautifully wrapped, to be given to local women who might otherwise be forgotten at the holidays.  My director was privileged to hand out some of these gifts to women in a Loudoun County women’s shelter.  One woman asked if she could open the gift on Christmas morning (instead of at the holiday event she was attending) because that would be the only gift she would be opening that year.

 

The impact we can make in someone’s life is truly amazing.  My personal goal this year is to bless 100 women, and with your support we can reach that goal.  Most of the consultants in my Mary Kay unit are also committing to the “100 Moms” goal.  When that goal is achieved we will celebrate over 3,000 women that would have been forgotten this season.  For $10, the cost of a drive-through meal or 3 Starbucks drinks you can reach out to another woman in love and compassion.  

 

If you are interested in supporting this program you can email me and I will add you to the movement!  So far, due to generous customers and wonderful friends 52 women will have at least one gift under their tree this year.  And we are only in the first part of November!  I am planning to turn our 100 gifts in to social workers at 2 public schools in the area and the Loudoun County Abused Women’s Shelter.  Thank you for helping to make a difference.

Getting Your Business Out There

My theory on marketing my business is one of spreading my name out in the world in as many places as possible.  I believe person-to-person contact is the most effective way to find customers.  They meet me, they try my products and hopefully they like both.  Then, I provide them excellent customer service so they stay happy, and continue to be my customer.  But that’s a different blog entry….

I also use other, more passive methods to publicize my business, too, so maybe some of these ideas will help your business.  

Methods I Use To Publicize My Business:

• Mary Kay offers consultants the option to have a web page.  I opt for that!
• This blog is certainly one. 
• I have a Facebook page that I maintain. 
• I am on LinkedIn. 

I devote less time to these passive methods since making a connection via a Facebook page is not as powerful as meeting someone in person.  Please share any other tips or suggestions you have about getting your business out there!

A Little Light Reading

I am officially improving myself.  For the past month I have read for 15 minutes each night before bed.  Since I’ve passed the 21 days to make a habit, I now consider my reading habitual.   Right now I am enjoying books about improving my business skills.  I recently finished “You, Inc.” by Burke Hedges.  Hedges wrote the book in the early ’90’s and while it is a bit dated he has some general pointers about increasing your value not only to your customers, but your value as a human being.  He touches on all aspects of live–from improving your finances, your friendships, your fitness and your faith. 

I am currently reading “Raving Fans” by Sheldon Bowles.  An easy and great read about customer service.  Bowles believes we (as customers) have set our expectations too low in terms of customer service.  We are pleased when someone is not rude to us.  Bowles encourages businesses NOT to create satisfied customers, but rather RAVING FANS.  His book is set up as an allegory complete with Fairy Godmother, and so far is delightful to read. 

Please comment on what books you are currently enjoying–business-related or not!

Not Just the Old Soft Soap

Ever had that hot idea to make something new?  Ever act on it?  Julie Scarpato got a “hot idea” in September of 2007 to make soap.  April 1, 2008 (no joke) she will officially launch her hot idea in the form of Bare Scentsations, a homemade soap business she operates from her kitchen. 

Julie began experimenting with soap recipes after reading about the process.  “I chose the melt and pour method,” she says, “instead of the hot or cold processes our great-grandmothers may have used.”  The hot and cold processes involve chemicals like lye and the soap takes up to 4 weeks to cure.  Instead, Julie uses a soap base provided by a supplier, and then cooks that in a double boiler, or even in the microwave!  She adds fragrance and color, any additives, like oatmeal or granules, and pours it into a mold.  Once it has cooled she removes the soaps from the molds and packages them for sale.  

Her marketing research took the form of her husband and family.  At one point her husband Mike had four different kinds of soaps in his shower for testing.  At that point, he told her she needed a bigger test group.  In February, Julie flipped through her Rolodex, made a list of 50 friends and sent them each 3 samples of her soaps, a 3-question survey form, and a self-addressed stamped envelop.  She has received about 50% of the surveys back, and more come in everyday.  Her high rate of return, she believes, was a result of the survey being easy to return.  “I hate surveys, so I made sure it was a simple form and all they had to do was fill it in, pop it in the envelop and send it back.”

The survey has given Julie valuable information about her product.  She is currently making some changes to her soaps based on the feedback she received.  Her Oatmeal Serenity soap contains pieces of oatmeal for exfoliation.  Originally, the oatmeal was on one side of the bar only.  Some of her survey responders suggested she distribute the oatmeal throughout the bar so the exfoliation would last throughout the life of the bar.  She also created a vanilla-scented soap based on survey responders’ scent suggestions.

Julie’s survey, in addition to gaining her valuable feedback, also served to let her friends know about her business.  She has received orders for soap from several people.  How great to have a “grand opening” with orders already in the queue. 

The future of Bare Scentsations holds clear goals.  Julie will focus her efforts on selling her soap in her home state of Texas, although she will certainly mail soap to customers anywhere.  Once her customer base is established locally she will add a webpage and expand her customer base even further.

Julie can be reached at juliescarpato@sbcglobal.net.

 

 

Pink Bubble

I never planned on having a blog.  I’ve read other people’s, of course, but never thought of myself as a blogger.  And yet, here I am.  I started “Bubble of Pink” to post interviews of women who own their own businesses.  As an entrepreneur myself I KNOW we need support and tips and some humor to successfully run our businesses. 

 Soon you will find articles about some Women About Business posted here.  I am currently interviewing them and will post the results of conversations so we can all learn from their successes.

As for the name “Bubble of Pink”—this is a nod to my business as a Mary Kay Consultant.  In Mary Kay we talk about being in the pink bubble, which is a place of confidence.  We believe so deeply in our mission that we find the support we need and we give that support to others around us.  So here’s to this blog being a Pink Bubble for you.