RedSunflower Designs in 2012

As 2011 draws quickly to a close, I always try to use these last few weeks of the year to reflect on on the year gone by.  How were sales? What could I do to improve my products and customer service, and my offerings?  What, if anything, should go?

Due to running out of a few key supplies earlier than expected and suppliers being back-ordered, I had to go ahead and close my shop early for the holidays this year.  While I didn't want to, I knew that by the time the orders were placed, supplies shipped to me, and I was able to make orders and ship to my customers, it would be right up to the last minute on the holidays, and I didn't want to risk anyone's order not getting to them in time.  But I'm taking this time to really reflect and deeply analyze what I want to do with RedSunflower Designs looking forward to 2012 and beyond. 

I've been taking thorough inventory of what I do and don't have in the way of supplies, and looking at the sales info for the shop.  This has allowed me to really step back and take a look at the year as a bigger picture.  Because of this, I've found some products that just don't sell, or at least not at a sustainable rate.  When the shop opens back up on January 2, 2012, you'll notice some products are no longer being offered:

• The Magickal Meanderings line is gone. 
• The facial care line is also gone.  (Please note, if you are a current customer, I will still make the Cream Cleanser, Oil-Free Moisturizer, and a Lightweight Cream Cleanser upon request.  These will be custom orders.)
• The Chakra line is gone. 
• Bath teas & the Herbal Facial Steam are no longer available.
• The Moss scent in the men's line is no longer available.
• I've really refined the scent options available for oils, butters, lotions and the like.  (Please know this isn't a reduction, but a refining.  There will be LOTS of new and fabulous scents coming; more on this later.)
• The Men's Aftershave & Shave Gel are being completely reformulated!  The aftershave will no longer be a gel, rather a tonic, and the shave gel will now be a shave cream.
• All shave creams will now come in a 4oz jar rather than the 4oz bottle.  It seems some people have had problems with the shave cream getting through the pumps because it is so creamy & rich, so I'm going back to the jars, for those who remember.
• Lip balms will no longer be a regular feature, but more of a special. 

With all this, there will be room for new and improved products!  I'm not quite ready to release the details yet, but it will include expanding my healing line, more men's products, soaps, and tons of things I've had in R&D for months and will finally be able to release. I'll keep you posted!

In the meantime, have a wonderful week, and Happy Holidays!!!

Namaste - 

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

Spa Quality Pedicures at Home!

Happy Sunday everyone!

I LOVE pedicures!  They are so relaxing and enjoyable; it's a nice way to just get away from real life, so to speak.  But to get a pedicure in a salon can be really expensive, and sometimes you don't really feel like you get what you paid for (okay, alot).  So I started doing pedicures at home a few years back.  I've tinkered with the formula for a foot soak, exfoliants, etc, and was finally able to come up with the perfect concoctions.

If you're familiar with my product line, you probably already know that I'm talking about my Sole Food spa line.  The Foot Bath has a combination of epsom salts & Dead Sea Salts for healing, raw cane sugar for gentle exfoliation, & powdered goat's milk to soften and hydrate the skin.  Locally-grown lavender buds make you feel like you're at a spa in Provence, and a potion of lavender, tea tree, and peppermint essential oils will help to revive and revitalize your tired, cracked feet while quieting your mind.  All you do is put 1-2 tablespoons of this mixture into your foot bath, and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes (longer if you like).

I follow this up with the Sole Food Foot Cream, made from a combination of mango & shea butter, and lots of skin-loving oils to make you feel really pampered.  I carried the theme through with the lavender/tea tree/peppermint essential oils. 

This essential oil combination is perfect for any pedicure because:

• Tea tree oil is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-everything!  Its perfect for cleansing. 
• Peppermint oil makes you feel refreshed, which helps give those tired feet a revitalizing pick-me-up.
• Lavender oil is the ultimate in relaxing the mind, body, and soul. 

 Why pay to go to the spa when you can bring the spa to you ;)?

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

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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

Welcome to RedSunflower Designs

Hello everyone, and welcome to my blog!

I made the decision to create a blog for my business a couple of weeks ago.  As a web-based business, I don't get to physically interact with my customers very often.  So, out of that came adding a page on Facebook, an account on Twitter, and YouTube videos.  But some things are just better conveyed in text.  Thus, a blog was born :)!  

I will be updating this blog once a week (on Sundays) to start.  Also, I'll be using this blog to share ideas, trends in the industry, and discuss the benefits of going natural & the importance of holistic living.  I hope everyone will join me in my journey, and post comments and suggestions along the way, as well as give me feedback on my products and customer service.  I aim to provide what my customers want, while maintaining the ideals I've built my business on.  I look forward to talking to everyone.  

Have a wonderful Easter if you celebrate, and a wonderful Sunday if you don't.  Until next week, Spring Blessings to all!!!