I just recently returned from my daughter's wedding. A lot of work got suspended while getting ready for the trip, taking the trip, recovering from the trip. Eleven hundred miles each way, road trip, with no A/C in the car- and of course, we were traveling to the Mohave Desert. Stressful drive, stressful trip, family drama- all you'd expect from such an event.
I have tons of great pictures of the most beautiful bride ever :)
Back in production today, expect to see great things soon!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Bzzz bzzz
I have simply been too busy to blog. Which is a very good thing.
Should any readers want to Trademark something, the search location for trademarks is here. This is a government website, and the search is free. Filing a trademark costs $325 to file online, $375 through the mail.
I have over 500 lip balms 100% complete and ready to go. I have large batches of burn salve and the psoriasis/eczema salve brewing. I bought a new, bigger, pot and am about to start the wound salve. I have new labels coming for all three of those salves. I have tentatively connected the shopping cart, though I have not tested it yet. (If you wish to make a purchase, please email me at theherbalhippie@gmail.com) I have been updating the business plan, a large project.
Through all this, I have guided my son through his finals, finished my finals and ended with a 3.96 GPA, and generally dealt with daily life as best as I can.
When life gets really, really overwhelming, I make myself do one small thing. Anything, like getting the mail, or checking my email. Sometimes I take the kitchen timer and set it for 30 minutes, and work for those 30 minutes- you'd be amazed how much you can get done in 30 minutes! Try it when you have too many things staring you in the face- set the timer, turn around, and the first thing your eyes land on, work on that until the timer dings.
Should any readers want to Trademark something, the search location for trademarks is here. This is a government website, and the search is free. Filing a trademark costs $325 to file online, $375 through the mail.
I have over 500 lip balms 100% complete and ready to go. I have large batches of burn salve and the psoriasis/eczema salve brewing. I bought a new, bigger, pot and am about to start the wound salve. I have new labels coming for all three of those salves. I have tentatively connected the shopping cart, though I have not tested it yet. (If you wish to make a purchase, please email me at theherbalhippie@gmail.com) I have been updating the business plan, a large project.
Through all this, I have guided my son through his finals, finished my finals and ended with a 3.96 GPA, and generally dealt with daily life as best as I can.
When life gets really, really overwhelming, I make myself do one small thing. Anything, like getting the mail, or checking my email. Sometimes I take the kitchen timer and set it for 30 minutes, and work for those 30 minutes- you'd be amazed how much you can get done in 30 minutes! Try it when you have too many things staring you in the face- set the timer, turn around, and the first thing your eyes land on, work on that until the timer dings.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Saturday's introspective
Once again, I am finding every one thing I need to do requires a dozen other things with it.
To hook up the shopping cart to the site, I downloaded a software program I had been recommended. Then I virus scanned it, extracted it, and read the instructions. Way more than I had time to learn; uninstalled everything. Went to my back up, PayPal. Shopping carts require shipping charges, which necessitated trips to the post office, UPS, and FedEx to compare prices based on weight. I also wanted to go ahead and get the shipping weight for the jars; I didn't have any new jars ready. So I needed to complete a batch of salve to pour off into the new jars, and I was out of a key ingredient. I ran to the store to get key ingredient, and the power fails from the rainstorm just as I walk in the door; the registers were still working, so I bought it. Turned out using the lights would have been handy; I got the wrong thing and had to go back the next day. Then I overheated my wax, ruining the wax and the pot (in trying to save the heating pot, I created a big mess for myself too).
I've learned from life and talking to other people that this is not just me. If there are any aspiring entrepreneurs out there reading this, know that you will experience this, too. You will need some permit at some point that requires information off your elementary records, which you mom doesn't have (after searching through dozens of boxes), so you will have to contact the school, fill out a form for them which needs other forms you don't have handy, and so on. You can only plan for so much, then you have to learn how to roll with it.
I have to say the laptop I bought used on eBay a few months back has been absolutely indispensable. It enables me to work anywhere, on anything- from this blog, to new labels, to the website. You absolutely must have a computer and know how to use it to succeed in business today- and a laptop is way more accessible than a desktop.
My lip balm Slick is now being carried in Glassphemy in Pullman, WA.
To hook up the shopping cart to the site, I downloaded a software program I had been recommended. Then I virus scanned it, extracted it, and read the instructions. Way more than I had time to learn; uninstalled everything. Went to my back up, PayPal. Shopping carts require shipping charges, which necessitated trips to the post office, UPS, and FedEx to compare prices based on weight. I also wanted to go ahead and get the shipping weight for the jars; I didn't have any new jars ready. So I needed to complete a batch of salve to pour off into the new jars, and I was out of a key ingredient. I ran to the store to get key ingredient, and the power fails from the rainstorm just as I walk in the door; the registers were still working, so I bought it. Turned out using the lights would have been handy; I got the wrong thing and had to go back the next day. Then I overheated my wax, ruining the wax and the pot (in trying to save the heating pot, I created a big mess for myself too).
I've learned from life and talking to other people that this is not just me. If there are any aspiring entrepreneurs out there reading this, know that you will experience this, too. You will need some permit at some point that requires information off your elementary records, which you mom doesn't have (after searching through dozens of boxes), so you will have to contact the school, fill out a form for them which needs other forms you don't have handy, and so on. You can only plan for so much, then you have to learn how to roll with it.
I have to say the laptop I bought used on eBay a few months back has been absolutely indispensable. It enables me to work anywhere, on anything- from this blog, to new labels, to the website. You absolutely must have a computer and know how to use it to succeed in business today- and a laptop is way more accessible than a desktop.
My lip balm Slick is now being carried in Glassphemy in Pullman, WA.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Website modifications
I changed the graphics and layout for the entire website. Currently, all that's up is the same page, repeated; this was to allow me to perfect the spacing and layout issues. Next I'll be adding the content and hooking up the shopping cart. I think it looks pretty sweet- check it out for yourself at www.herbalhippie.com.
Well, I have found the place to get my UPC codes (bar codes). Soon as I have about $900 for that, I'll be set there for up to 100 bar codes for 100 unique products, and I can start listing products on Amazon.com, among other places. The annual charge isn't that high; that includes a 'new customer fee' for setting up all the paperwork and whatnot.
This has been a time of 3,000 steps to accomplish any ONE thing. It has been very frustrating.
For example, I ordered more labels; the printer I use is moving, and consequently the payment I gave them when I ordered they lost, and I had to call payment in again. When I saw my bank balance on my ATM receipt, I thought it looked a little low; it was possible they may have double charged me. So I wanted to check online. I recently cleaned my cookies, and therefore wiped out my online access code, so I called customer service for my login info. The rep just kept on asking 'verification' questions, and I began to get uneasy. Then he refused to identify himself further than "John", which made me very concerned. So I rushed to the branch office, and spoke with the manager. A half hour of discussions ensued, and I left relieved and assured that John was not data mining, but rather following procedure for business accounts. All together, I spent over an hour and a half on this.
It wasn't until about a half hour after I was out of the bank that I realized I still didn't have my login, or know if I was double-billed!
Apply this to just about everything I have been doing lately. Even the website work has gone painfully slow, requiring multiple calls to my ISP and GoDaddy.
I just keep on keeping on, but it is not easy. Thank goodness the play is over, and I have more time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and we got rave reviews, but boy it took a lot of my time for two months. Add in that I'm in the worst allergy season of my life, and I'm surprised I'm getting anything done.
Well, I have found the place to get my UPC codes (bar codes). Soon as I have about $900 for that, I'll be set there for up to 100 bar codes for 100 unique products, and I can start listing products on Amazon.com, among other places. The annual charge isn't that high; that includes a 'new customer fee' for setting up all the paperwork and whatnot.
This has been a time of 3,000 steps to accomplish any ONE thing. It has been very frustrating.
For example, I ordered more labels; the printer I use is moving, and consequently the payment I gave them when I ordered they lost, and I had to call payment in again. When I saw my bank balance on my ATM receipt, I thought it looked a little low; it was possible they may have double charged me. So I wanted to check online. I recently cleaned my cookies, and therefore wiped out my online access code, so I called customer service for my login info. The rep just kept on asking 'verification' questions, and I began to get uneasy. Then he refused to identify himself further than "John", which made me very concerned. So I rushed to the branch office, and spoke with the manager. A half hour of discussions ensued, and I left relieved and assured that John was not data mining, but rather following procedure for business accounts. All together, I spent over an hour and a half on this.
It wasn't until about a half hour after I was out of the bank that I realized I still didn't have my login, or know if I was double-billed!
Apply this to just about everything I have been doing lately. Even the website work has gone painfully slow, requiring multiple calls to my ISP and GoDaddy.
I just keep on keeping on, but it is not easy. Thank goodness the play is over, and I have more time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and we got rave reviews, but boy it took a lot of my time for two months. Add in that I'm in the worst allergy season of my life, and I'm surprised I'm getting anything done.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Officially Open!
We are officially open!
Happy Earth Day!
The shopping cart will be available shortly. In the meantime, email herbalhippy@hotmail.com for orders, which I can process via Pay Pal. Currently available: Slick lip balm, see label graphic from previous post. This is an organic, vegan, gluten-free herbal lip balm. It works outstandingly well. One for $5, add 6% sales tax for Idaho purchases. This first week's orders, shipping is free! Plus 25% off your total order! That's one lip balm for $3.75, two for $7.50- you get the idea!
You know, Mother's Day is only two weekends away!
Happy Earth Day!
The shopping cart will be available shortly. In the meantime, email herbalhippy@hotmail.com for orders, which I can process via Pay Pal. Currently available: Slick lip balm, see label graphic from previous post. This is an organic, vegan, gluten-free herbal lip balm. It works outstandingly well. One for $5, add 6% sales tax for Idaho purchases. This first week's orders, shipping is free! Plus 25% off your total order! That's one lip balm for $3.75, two for $7.50- you get the idea!
You know, Mother's Day is only two weekends away!
Friday, April 9, 2010
The labels arrived! They look smokin' awesome! If you are in need of labels, Majestic Mountain Sage is an inexpensive, quick, thorough, and highly recommended label printers'! These labels are salve-proof (I tested) so the ink won't smear all to heck and back like they did on the ones from my home office printer.
It took a few days to clean up the mess and air out the room from the ruined salve. Rehearsal for the play I'm in has stepped up, my textbooks arrived for my two new classes, and life has generally been revved up several notches. I finally got myself a new pillow this week; I haven't slept well for around 2 months due to the old one.
Tomorrow is five hours of rehearsal, gym, and catching up on two weeks worth of college classes for two classes. Sunday will be finishing up homework, housework, spending time with family; and I hope to carve out a few hours (at least two) to work on the website.
Did I mention I will give you FREE STUFF for posting a reply here? Is anyone reading this, or I am I simply talking to myself in public? It'd be nice to know is all...
It took a few days to clean up the mess and air out the room from the ruined salve. Rehearsal for the play I'm in has stepped up, my textbooks arrived for my two new classes, and life has generally been revved up several notches. I finally got myself a new pillow this week; I haven't slept well for around 2 months due to the old one.
Tomorrow is five hours of rehearsal, gym, and catching up on two weeks worth of college classes for two classes. Sunday will be finishing up homework, housework, spending time with family; and I hope to carve out a few hours (at least two) to work on the website.
Did I mention I will give you FREE STUFF for posting a reply here? Is anyone reading this, or I am I simply talking to myself in public? It'd be nice to know is all...
Thursday, April 1, 2010
No Fooling
I just possibly burned a huge amount of salve- 2 large batches. The laundry was coming out of the dryer as I was late for a doctor's appointment, and I forgot to turn the heat down before I left. Ack.
So, I'm going to see if this can be salvaged, and set it aside until I see how it acts; maybe it won't be a total loss. I made notes as I went to calculate my new COGS since switching to completely organic herbs and oils -lots of expensive oils that I just boiled- but I have not yet calculated them. So, good time to do the COGS! LOL :)
Since last time, I finished a class (A, natch), started 2 new ones, filed taxes, got my Tax ID, & created a new label for the lip balm, which I renamed from Cracked to Slick. What do you think?
This has gone to the printers, a proof will be here any day, then I've got a small run coming. If I like them, then I'm going for 1,000 or more- so anyone who notices a mistake or error before April 16th gets a free lip balm! Also, anyone who leaves constructive feedback about this label (love it because, don't like this or that) here in comments will get a digital coupon for 30% off your first order!
Tell your friends! Grand Opening Earth Day, April 22nd. www.herbalhippie.com
As for me, life goes on. I have 15 hours of play rehearsal per week for "Our Town", which opens in two weeks. I have a meeting scheduled with the Entrepreneur department of the local University next week. I'm hoping a large body of students will review everything from my business plan to my layouts and marketing plans, and give me advice on how to strengthen and improve the business. He will let me know how that can happen, and what to expect. I'm excited about this.
I spoke with the USDA about using their Organic label. You'd think since most of the ingredients are certified organic with the logo, that it would be a given that I could use the logo too, right? Wrong! I have to pay to have the products (pay for each one) to be tested by the state agriculture department- and they decided if I can use a logo, and which one. So look for that logo in the near future. In the meantime, I have labeled in the ingredients list which ones are certified organic- those not marked as organic are grown organically, they just lack the funds to get their certification.
Some people may wonder why I'm working as hard as do- really, it's not that hard. The business does not take a large amount of time for me, it is just hard for me to work. I have some health issues that make it difficult to work much of the time, and impossible sometimes. Thankfully, I have a wonderful supportive partner who is happy to help, when I allow myself to ask for it.
When I feel overwhelmed, I look at my stuffed Dilbert perched on my desk and remember how much more my life sucked when I worked in a cubicle. And I remember the people I've helped with these balms and how it affected their life. I'm passionate about this business, and love what I'm doing, even if I can't go at the speed I would like :)
So, I'm going to see if this can be salvaged, and set it aside until I see how it acts; maybe it won't be a total loss. I made notes as I went to calculate my new COGS since switching to completely organic herbs and oils -lots of expensive oils that I just boiled- but I have not yet calculated them. So, good time to do the COGS! LOL :)
Since last time, I finished a class (A, natch), started 2 new ones, filed taxes, got my Tax ID, & created a new label for the lip balm, which I renamed from Cracked to Slick. What do you think?
This has gone to the printers, a proof will be here any day, then I've got a small run coming. If I like them, then I'm going for 1,000 or more- so anyone who notices a mistake or error before April 16th gets a free lip balm! Also, anyone who leaves constructive feedback about this label (love it because, don't like this or that) here in comments will get a digital coupon for 30% off your first order!
Tell your friends! Grand Opening Earth Day, April 22nd. www.herbalhippie.com
As for me, life goes on. I have 15 hours of play rehearsal per week for "Our Town", which opens in two weeks. I have a meeting scheduled with the Entrepreneur department of the local University next week. I'm hoping a large body of students will review everything from my business plan to my layouts and marketing plans, and give me advice on how to strengthen and improve the business. He will let me know how that can happen, and what to expect. I'm excited about this.
I spoke with the USDA about using their Organic label. You'd think since most of the ingredients are certified organic with the logo, that it would be a given that I could use the logo too, right? Wrong! I have to pay to have the products (pay for each one) to be tested by the state agriculture department- and they decided if I can use a logo, and which one. So look for that logo in the near future. In the meantime, I have labeled in the ingredients list which ones are certified organic- those not marked as organic are grown organically, they just lack the funds to get their certification.
Some people may wonder why I'm working as hard as do- really, it's not that hard. The business does not take a large amount of time for me, it is just hard for me to work. I have some health issues that make it difficult to work much of the time, and impossible sometimes. Thankfully, I have a wonderful supportive partner who is happy to help, when I allow myself to ask for it.
When I feel overwhelmed, I look at my stuffed Dilbert perched on my desk and remember how much more my life sucked when I worked in a cubicle. And I remember the people I've helped with these balms and how it affected their life. I'm passionate about this business, and love what I'm doing, even if I can't go at the speed I would like :)
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