Getting Back to Business

RedSunflower Designs is officially back open for business!  My Etsy shop is open again, and you'll notice many of the changes I mentioned at the end of 2011.  The main products that remain are the body butters, lotions, perfumes, face masks, and milk baths.  Other products such as bath salts and lip balms will be available as limited editions going forward, perhaps a couple of times each year.  

I had promised that I would let you guys know about new products that would be coming, and this is still something I want to do.  However, whenever I post a new product announcement in advance, my creations seem to come to life in other shops.  Unfortunately, I've not found a way around this yet.  So for the moment, all I can say is that there will be new products coming that will actually give more variety in my shop than I've had in the past, and that they will be announced as soon as I am able to get the items posted.  These won't come up all at once, but over the course of the next two months.

Also, I've had a few people ask why all the changes, and I think this is a fair question that deserves a more thorough answer than I've given thus far.  The short and sweet answer is that it was just time for a change.  But what follows is the longer answer. 

Every year, I review all of my product offerings.  What is selling? What isn't?  What do people seem to enjoy? Are there products I need to reformulate? Do some products cost to much to make? These are all pretty standard things most business owners consider when looking at changes to a product line.  But this year there was also another question I needed to consider:  What do I enjoy making?  And this weighed heavily into my decisions.  While I love what I do, I noticed that when I was making certain products, it had become more of an obligation than a joyful experience.  And I don't want to make products that way, or ask someone to buy a product made that way.  So I refined it down to the items I love to make and that my customers seem to enjoy.  I'll also be adding items I have been wanting to include for a long time, but just haven't had the chance to do so.  

I'm really excited about this rebirth of RedSunflower Designs, and am committed to making it better than ever.  I look forward to you joining me for the adventure!

Namaste - 

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

Another Year of RedSunflower Designs!

For the past month, I've been contemplating all the changes and improvements I want to make with RedSunflower Designs in 2011.  And since I'm going to be out of town for the next two weeks (read: no new blog posts until January) I wanted to share my plans with all of you!

• There are several new blends coming, particularly for the botanical perfumes and colognes.  I'm also planning to focus on adding a few more scents for the guys!
• I am bringing back soaps around mid- to late January.  I really want to grow this part of my business this year, so I'm in the process of developing improved formulas for my base recipe an scent blends.  
• More bath bomb options.  I'm going to add in some nice shapes, etc, and develop this a bit more. 
• I'm doing a slight rework to the formula for my Oatmeal Mint Shave Cream.  The current formula is great, but having it in a jar that you are putting wet hands into could possibly cause mold in the jar.  And I want everyone to be able to use all of their product.  So, I'm going to formulate it to be just abit thinner, so that I can package it in a 4oz glass jar with a pump top instead.  This is being done to ensure hygiene and ensure you're able to use your product up until the last little bit in the bottle!
• You've probably noticed I offered Gift Sets this holiday season.  As they have been so popular, I'm going to make a couple of Gift Sets additions to the permanent collection!  This will include at least one sample set, if you'd like to introduce a friend or family member to the line. 
• I'm making the option to ship in Medium Flat Rate boxes a permanent staple.  If I can fit it in, it ships!  It's normally about $10-$11 for this option, and can save you money. 
• I'm going to slowly add a few baby products to my line, such as a diaper rash cream. So for all those who have been looking for this option, I'm thinking around February or March. 
• Also, I'm going to be adding an Oil Free Moisturizer to my facial care line.  I realize some people's skin can't take extra oil, or they just don't like the heavy feeling of moisturizer, prefering something very light.  This addition will likely come around mid-February. 

I hope you'll all be happy about these changes.  Also, if there are other things you'd like to see, please leave a comment and I'll look at working it into my list :)!  

Have a fabulous New Year everyone!

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

The Pros & Cons of Small Business Ownership

I was recently asked what I like & dislike about being a business owner, and thought this would make an interesting post for anyone considering starting their own business.  

I guess you could say I come by the "entrepreneurial spirit" naturally.  Both of my parents have their own companies, and have been self-employed in some capacity for most of my life.  My mother told me from a young age that the only way you'd ever get to where you want to be in life is to work for yourself.  I guess you could say I took this to heart ;)!

Of course, I (like pretty much everybody else) have had the day job, both full- and part-time. And I've often found working for other people to be really frustrating, to be honest.  Now I'm not saying that owning your own business is a cake-walk -- far from it.  But for me, the benefits outweigh everything else.  So, how can you know if being an entrepreneur is for you?  Read on to my list of likes and dislikes for being a business owner.  

First, a dose of reality:

1. Business owners work on average 5-10 hours more per week than their "employed" counterparts.  (My average work day is 10-12 hours a day, at least 6 days a week.)
2. It's all on you.  It doesn't happen if you don't make it happen. 
3. There are no sick days. 
4. I have to work really hard to be able to finance my company.  I have a commitment to only use my own capital to build my business; I don't intend to work with other investors.  Even if you do, getting investing for a small start-up can be VERY difficult. 
5. Freedom -- you have complete freedom to succeed or really screw up. 
6. Personally, I don't have any employees, and at most will probably only ever have an assistant.  But for many business owners with a "brick & mortar" locale, they have to hire employees.  Turn over is usually high, there are tons of taxes that must be paid, and you have to carry insurance on every single employee, even if they just sit at a desk. 
7. On the subject of taxes, small business owners are taxed (and audited) more stringently than large corporations.
8. As a business owner, particularly of a small start-up, you are: CEO, CFO, COO, Public Relations, Human Resources, Marketing, Research & Development, Sales, Customer Service, Manufacturer (in my case), Accountant, and so much more. 

So, with all of this, why would anyone in their right mind do this??  For everything above, there are so many great things...

1. I can set my own hours.
2. I can roll out of bed, make coffee, and sit down to work in my PJs :)
3. I have complete control over how the business is run.
4. I get to spend my day being creative and innovative without only the limitations I give myself. 
5. I decide the impact my business will make on the world every day. 
6. It gives me an outlet to contribute to the charitable causes of my choice. 
7. No office politics. (This is BIG to me.)
8. Freedom (let's be honest...)
9. I have a much closer connection to my customers.
10. I have the opportunity to network with many amazing entrepreneurs.
    
11. I go to bed at the end of the day happy.

Basically, owning your own business can be really stressful, I won't lie.  The secret to being successful and making all the stress, time drain, etc worth it is finding what you're passionate about.  Because if you're not in a business you're passionate about and could talk about all day, you're going to be miserable.  Also, the rate of businesses still in existence 10 years after start-up is 30%.  Why?  Because the business owner didn't take the time to explore enough to find something about which they are passionate. 

I hope if any of you are considering starting your own business, this has given you something to think about.  Also, if you are a business owner, please comment and let us know anything I may have forgotten. 

Remember to enjoy the journey!

Candace

RedSunflower Designs