A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 7, Issue 27
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1. IBN Member Update: Welcome New & Renewing IBN Members!
2. Handmade Beauty Business Magazine: Tell Me Your Soap Stories!!
3. Lifestyle CEO Report: 6 Ways to Get Free Publicity!
4. Handmade Beauty Trivia Question: win something wonderful!
5. Feature Article: Can It!
6. Here & There: Calendar of Upcoming Events

Handmade Beauty Recipe of the Week: Chic Cheeks Mineral Blush

I wish we had room here for all the feedback. Here's what one member said about the new issue!

"Two of the articles have confirmed feelings with which I've been struggling and helped me "get real" about whether I want to be serious about growing my business. Lisa Espenmiller, Potion Queen, Oakland, CA

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Work is underway on the 2Q issue -- The Soap Issue -- due out early this summer! As we speak, the photographer is setting up to photograph dozens of soaps for the cover. If you haven't discovered soaps made on a small scale -- mainly handmade cold processed soap -- you're in for a treat. Look forward to Handmade Beauty On Display as only IBN can do it!

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\Life.Style CEO\n. A person who owns and manages a business, not solely for financial gain, but also to enjoy the personal rewards of entrepreneurship, independence, flexibility and fun.

And visit the Lifestyle CEO website book page to get the scoop on my newly released book featuring several members of the Indie Beauty Network who are the ultimate examples of successful Lifestyle CEOs!

Please read the contest rules here before submitting your entry. Put "TRIVIA CONTEST ANSWER" in the subject line or your answer will not be considered. While time does not permit me to respond personally to all entrants, the winner's name will be announced in the next newsletter!

"In 1984 I started selling personalized gifts from the garage of my house." Sound familiar? Let's continue.

"I had a partner who was creative and she drew stencils on tin cans and we would do house parties and teach moms with young children how to personalize different products by selling the cans and paint markers." How about now?

"Our tin cans were used as storage for crayons, pens, barrettes, etc. That’s how we got the name Can Creations. I came up with the ideas and my partner came up with the designs. We even sold a little guide to personalizing. It’s amazing that personalizing died out in the 90’s and came back strong the last couple of years. It’s amazing how fads recycle." It must resonate with you by now!

From the mouth of a woman who set out to have fun and share helpful information for moms with young children -- who knew a business was in the making? Before co-founding Can Creations, Judy Rappaport was a mother and home manager. Her sons were 3 and 7 when she started her business. Today they are grown, but still her highest priority.

Striking Out

"I started with a $500.00 loan from my parents and invested all my profits back into the business to make it grow," says Judy. She also credits her husband for supporting the family while her business was forming. "I was fortunate my husband had a good job and we were not dependent on my profits to live on," Judy recalls. "I have to credit my husband, who is my best friend and mentor." Judy's a long way from those "hungry" days today. Judy bought out her partner in 1989 so her partner could return to a teaching career. After that says Judy, "I found it very difficult being on my own so I hired some great people to help me grow."

Judy says that one of the most difficult part of running a business is hiring employees who get along well together. "We also have to deal with workmen’s compensation issues. It adds a lot of extra work and time to the operation of a business," she says. "As the business grows, so do the challenges of running it." Judy still enjoys it for the most part, even with the challenges that come along. "I'm an idea person and I love the challenge of creating new products," she says. "It is such an exciting experience to start with an idea and see the concept go from idea to finished product. There is no greater feeling than the sense of accomplishment," she says with a twinkle in her voice.

Making It Pretty

Last week, I shared information on the importance of attaching informative labels to your products. (If you missed that article, you can enjoy it here.) This week, it's all about making them pretty. Enter Can Creations! Over the years, Judy has transformed Can Creations from a personalizing business to an innovative packaging company geared toward the gift basket business. "We are known for our exclusive line of designer cellophane and decorative boxes," says Judy. Judy also says that her packaging products are special because they are designed by her own designers. This means the designs they sell are exclusive to Can Creations.

One look at the Can Creations home page and it's easy to see -- everything is beautifully coordinated. Bows, organza, wrapping paper, boxes, cellophane, tulle, tissue, mylar, baskets, cord. All you need to package special gifts is there. They've even got these cute little tiny purses made of colorful ceramics that are perfect for dropping a special note in with a gift. One of them has a perfect little shoe on the handle -- perfect for the "fashionista" in you.

Spreading the Word

We are working on a strategy to become known in the gift packaging industry as a one-stop-shop for all types of packaging for many different markets," says Judy. "We are already well known in the gourmet food industry and so we are trying to reach different markets than can use our products."

Helpful Words of Wisdom

"Businesses have good years and difficult years," says Judy. "Sometimes you take things for granted and then all of a sudden you lose your largest customer and have to figure out how to compensate for the loss of business. I feel that you must diversify your client base so that if you lose one customer, you won’t lose everything."

"The economy fluctuates and so does business. You always have to be aware of what is happening around you. Watch your competitors and give your customers what they can’t get elsewhere," Judy advises.

After two decades of following that advice, Judy's Can Creations is definitely on the upswing. Check out those great little ceramic purses and all of the other practical tools to help you package up everything beautifully for your customers at the Can Creations website.

Best & Success!!
Donna Maria
Editor, The Handmade Beauty Connection
The Indie Beauty Network | www.handmadebeauty.com

Copyright (c) 2000 - 2006 by The Indie Beauty Network (IBN) and Donna Maria. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction is prohibited. IBN does not necessarily endorse any product, event or ideology featured in The Handmade Beauty Connection (HBC) or on IBN's website. All information is provided on an "as is" basis and no express or implied warranties are given. Any use of the information contained in the HBC or on IBN's web site, including recipes, is solely at your own risk. IBN and Donna Maria disclaim any liability in connection with the use of all recipes, products reviewed and other information. Except for sponsorships, HBC refuses compensation from companies to feature or mention their names or products. Opinions expressed in any Product Review are personally those of the reviewer and do not represent the views of IBN, Donna Maria (unless she is the reviewer) or any other person or company.