The Indie Experience
May 25, 2009
A Publication of The Indie Beauty Network
ISSN 1530-9630 | Volume 10, Issue 15
To subscribe, click here
-- Check out our new Apprentice Program for Startups! --
1. Lifestyle CEO Note From dM: It Takes 10 Years to
Become an Overnight Success
2. Featured Indie: Innovative Indie Launches Digital
Craft Magazine
Make It Yourself!: Chocolate Milk Bath: A chocolate and bath lover's delight, this is a rich and luxurious way to nourish and refresh the skin and spirit.
1. Lifestyle CEO Note: It Takes 10 Years to Become an Overnight Success
One of the things that
prevents many people from maximizing their potential in business is that it
takes so much time to do it. I've seen it over and over again.
You're excited about getting started. You see what other people are doing and it looks easy enough. The ideas are coming at you a mile a minute. You can't sleep for thinking about the new sugar scrub you want to make or that new article you want to post at your blog. Then, you're off. Recipes perfected, blog launched.
And, nothing happens.
Well, not "nothing," but pretty darn close to it. No one is commenting at your blog. Your Twitter posts are completely ignored. The site visits are nice, but no one is buying. Then, you look around you and see everyone else chatting away about how their sales are increasing and they're about to scale back their full-time job hours so they can focus more on their business because they can't keep up with all the sales.
What gives?
I'll tell you what gives! Progress takes time. And the reason it takes time is because you have to do the correct things over and over and over again for a significant period of time in order for things to start to click. You'll try some things that will be complete wastes of time. You'll try others that will work like a charm.
Guess which ones you want to repeat. And repeat. And then repeat again.
If you are focused on specific goals and you undertake specific tasks (chosen based on proven advice from others) that feed directly into the achievement of those goals, you will achieve those goals. Nothing of value will come to you without a significant investment of effort from you. They say that, "Good things come to those who wait." In business, I say, "Good things come to those who invest in their own success." Another saying that might resonate with some is, "No pain, no gain."
It's easy to spot a business that came together overnight as a result of impatience and lack of forethought. Don't own one of those businesses.
Every now and then, a business rises up from out of nowhere, seemingly overnight. That's very rare so don't count on it.
My friend, Drew Gerber, a successful publicist, puts it this way: "It takes 10 years to become an overnight success." Somewhat exaggerated perhaps, but you get the point. (If you missed it, you can enjoy my interview with Drew on Indie Business Radio at this link.)
If you are ready to start your beauty business by investing your time in the right things to set you up for success, consider registering for the Indie Beauty Business University! My 9-part series of classes includes “Trademarking & Branding,” “Marketing Magic,” 7 other classes, 9 audio lessons, tons of written materials, registration in our exclusive online social network where you can collaborate with other startups, and a business plan template. Get the details here!
Oh! And one more teensy thing before I go. Last week, my husband and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. So many people sent me nice note of congratulations, and I was moved to share some of our not so secrets of a happy marriage at my blog. I hope you find it simple, refreshing and -- most of all -- real!
Thank you for having me again this week. I hope you have a fantastic day as you also enjoy your life, build your business and have your way!
-- Media Partner --
2. Featured Indie: Innovative Indie Launches New Digital Craft Magazine
Debbie
Chialtas, pictured here with her family outside their San Diego home, is one busy woman these days. Not only is she married and the other
of two children, she also runs the very busy
Soapylove, home of the soapsicle! With many adorable designs to choose from, soapsicles are fun to
give and use, and each on is designed by Debbie and made by hand under her
control. Soapsicles are the same size as real popsicles, which makes
them fun for little and big kids alike.
Debbie has been a Premium member of Indie Beauty for nearly two years, and her soapsicles are sold nationwide and in Canada, Australia and the UK.
As if soapsicles wasn't enough to satisfy her crafty lusts, Debbie also teaches Melt & Pour classes and is the leader of the popular Melt & Pour Mania Group at Indie Beauty.
Are you tired yet? Debbie's not. In fact, she recently launched Let's Get Soapy, a new digital magazine serving the Melt & Pour (M&P) addictions of crafters from all walks of life.
At a time when print magazines are dying slow deaths, Debbie's digital launch is more than exciting. I sat down with Debbie for a few minutes to find out more about what she's doing and how she makes it all work.
dM: What is the Let’s Get Soapy eZine?
Debbie: Let’s Get Soapy is my digital magazine featuring melt and pour soap crafting. It includes tutorials for projects that are exclusive to the magazine (you won’t find them on my blog, in my book, or anywhere else!), and are great for crafters with no experience, or lots! Tons of tips and techniques are included to encourage people to use the projects as a stepping stone to create their own designs, too. I just completed my third issue and am really excited to get started on the next one!
dM: How did you get the idea for the publication?
Debbie: I got the idea when I realized there was a strong demand for my tutorials, but since there was so much more that I wanted to share with people I thought a magazine would be a fun format to try. It has helped me reach so many more soapers than before. Through the eZine I’m also able to promote my book, classes, and other suppliers and organizations that I love.
dM: How often is your magazine published?
Debbie: I had intended to publish it once per season (every 3 months) but I was dying to make another issue sooner than that so I just added a special June edition dedicated to the sophisticated style of The Soap Lab (Soapylove’s artsy cousin). The next issue will be ready by August 1. (See cover, left).
dM: How much time does it take to design and ready each issue for publication?
Debbie: On average, I invest least 40 hours into each issue –
with designing the tutorials, taking pics, writing articles, creating
inspiration boards, etc. It takes me a while, but I love every minute!
dM: What feedback are you getting so far?
Debbie: I have been so encouraged by the success of the eZine -- almost 200 issues have been sold! I have gotten so much awesome feedback, and the biggest compliment of all – repeat customers!
dM: How can we get one?
Debbie: Just go to my
website. You’ll see the covers of all issues and a big “Let’s Go!”
button to my shopping cart. Just pay online and a link will be automatically
sent to you where you can download the pdf’s. Just print what you like, or I
have made the text large enough so you can easily read the articles on your
monitor.
dM: I understand you have a new book coming out soon too?
Debbie: My new book, Soapylove, will be published
by North Light Books later this year, but is available for
pre-buy on Amazon right now! It has 124 pages of gorgeous, full color
tutorials that cover everything from cookie cutter soap favors to hand
engraved monogram soaps. Even my beloved Neapolitan Soapsicle (pictured) is included!
Check out the cover to have a peek at some of the amazing things you can do
with M&P soap. I’m so inspired by glycerin soap that I hope to publish
another book in the near future!
Debbie's achievements are a perfect example of what can happen when you set goals and then take specific steps to achieve them. She invest 40 hours on each issue of her magazine! That's a lot of time, yes. But the flipside is that the publication is beautifully designed and illustrated, and the content is informative and inspiring. Each page is worth turning and that only happens because Debbie rolls up her sleeves, puts the pedal to the metal and makes it happen.
Are you inspired and energized? I know I am!
You can learn more about Debbie and how she launched her business, and how she makes it work with a family and all of the other things she has going on at this link.
Enjoy your life, build your business and have your way!
Donna Maria
Editor, The Indie Experience
The Indie Beauty Network | www.indiebeauty.com
Copyright (c) 2000 - 2009 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 this newsletter 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 this newsletter 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, this newsletter 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.
