Indie Beauty University

---> Class No. 1: So You Think You Want To Own A Handmade Beauty Business??! (Moving Beyond "Betty's Lotion")

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

You know your passion is beauty! You have perfected some recipes and are receiving rave reviews from friends and family members. A holiday is approaching -- can you make some money this year? Can you make some money next year? Now is the time to get serious about business and this module is designed to help you move beyond "Betty's Lotion" to take the steps needed to position your business for the duration. You'll discover the importance of having a niche and how to identify one and make it your own, plus how to take an idea for a common product and refine it into something unique and special. This class is the foundation for anyone who is starting a business, is new to the indie beauty industry or who has already started their business but could use some help making it fresh and fun again.

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 1

how to adjust your mindset for business success

how to receive confirmation that the handmade beauty business is for you

how to avoid the 10 most common handmade beauty business mistakes

the 3 things you absolutely MUST do to succeed in the handmade beauty business

how to identify a niche and make it your own how to prepare yourself for the competition

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 1, and read and print out the class notes, click here.

---> Class No. 2: Setting Up Your Business Structure & Minimizing Debt and Personal & Business Liability (Covering Your Assets)

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

Every one and every thing has a structure -- a framework which they inhabit. And just like we humans are situated inside of our own personal structure (our body), a business must have a structure in order to function as well. A business without a structure is like a house built out of straw. It may stand for a while, but eventually, it will wither under the stress of lack of foundation. This class will review the various business structures and help you decide which one may be best for you.

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 2

the importance of minimizing debt

benefits of formalizing a business structure

the various business structures that exist in the US

the most important factors to consider when selecting a business structure

how to form and organize the two most common business structures

some of the tax implications of various business structures

the importance of professional financial and accounting expertise

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 2, and read and print out the class notes, click here.

---> Class No. 3: Labeling Your Products In Accordance With FDA Regulations, and What to Expect From the FDA Globalization Act of 2009 (A Dirty Job But Someone's Gotta Do It!)

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

Every business that sells products to consumers must comply with some federal government regulations having to do with labeling. The reasons for this are obvious: educated consumers are the best customers and beauty products manufacturers have the privilege and the duty of providing them with at least the minimum amount of information required by the Food & Drug Administration. This class discusses all of the resources you need to consult in order to comply with FDA rules and regulations and provides an overview of what's coming down the pike with the FDA Globalization Act of 2009.

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 3

a brief history and review of the FDA rules that apply

all of the required resources to comply with cosmetics labeling laws

clarification of the "soap exemption"

how to comply with various state labeling and/or registration rules

what to do when the law is unclear on a labeling point

what you might expect from the FDA Globalization Act of 2009 and other legislation

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 3, and read and print out the class notes, click here.

---> Class No. 4: Branding & Trademarking (When Good Things Happen To Your Good Name)

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

Trademarking and branding are two of the most significant tools used to characterize the public perception of your personality and abilities, as well as of the products you sell. What do you want people to think about when they hear your business name or see your products? Of course you want them to think positively, and this class will show you how to do that.

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 4

what is a brand and how do you create one?

how to make your brand work for you, every hour of every day

how to brand yourself as "distinct" and special in a sea of other handmade beauty businesses

how do you legalize your brand?

a step by step introduction to how the US Patent & Trademark Office works and how to file your own trademark application

how to defend your brand online, whether or not you have a registered trademark

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 4, and read and print out the class notes, click here.

---> Class No. 5: Marketing Magic: Blogs, Email Newsletters and other Social Media Tools (Untangling The Web We Weave)

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

You have a wonderful product and a website with a shopping cart. You even have pretty good traffic statistics. So why isn't anyone buying anything? In this class, we discuss how to maximize technology to your benefit as a business owner.

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 5

top 10 things you need to know about doing business online

how to get people to come to your websites --- and bring their friends

how to create and launch a dynamic email newsletter that increases sales

how to select a good online marketing program that incorporates every conceivable social media tool

how to partner and collaborate with others (at little or no cost) to increase online visibility

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 5, and read and print out the class notes, click here.

---> Class No. 6: Publicity & Public Relations (The OR of PR)

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

You're on a bit of a roll now. People are buying, holiday seasons are busy, the newsletter is garnering more and more new customers each quarter. You have a few really nice customer testimonials and some nice product photos. How can you get your products featured in the magazines that your customers buy without purchasing an ad? This class is packed with business-building PR tips!

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 6

how to publicize your business on a budget

how to get and keep the attention of members of the press, and get them to call you over and over again

how to prepare for, deliver and follow up on a successful interview

the "dos" and "don'ts" of dealing with writers and magazine editors

how to assemble an eye-catching media kit on a budget

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 6, and read and print out the class notes, click here.

---> Class No. 7: The Importance Of Pricing Goods For Sale (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?)

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

Creating profits starts with one thing and one thing only: pricing. Sure it's important to have a good product and market it well. But if you don't price your products to make a profit, you may be selling a lot, but you're not making any money. And if you don't make money for too long, you won't be in business for too long. This class is designed to help you set prices for your products based on the factors that need to be considered before doing so.

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 7

getting past the "I don't want to be greedy" thing

the 5 things that must be considered before a price can be set

how to factor your time and energy into your price

how to price products to ensure that costs are covered, maximize profits and still attract paying customers

how and when to know if it's OK to raise or lower prices, and how to do it

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 7, and read and print out the class notes, click here.

---> Class No. 8: Building Your Business Through Referrals & Effective Networking (Schmooze Or Lose)

To enjoy the audio from this class, and read the class notes, click here.

Class Summary

If you could get 10 new paying customers every week and not have to spend a dime on advertising, would you do it? Of course you would!! This class will show you how to use effective networking and referral techniques to build your business.

Some Of What You Will Learn In Class No. 8

why "schmooze or lose" is more than a catchy phrase

why every person you meet is a potential sale

how friendships generate new sales

how incentives generate new sales

how to turn "small talk" into "big bucks"

To enjoy the audio from Class No. 8, and read and print out the class notes, click here.