Back 2 Work

Just to let you all know that I have finally found a job. I will be taking Worker's Compensation and Insurance claims for companies in the United States and Canada. So my days of being in front of the computer answering emails and being on Twitter, Facebook, Myspace etc will have to wait until I get home at night. I will be in front of the computer all day but in a different capacity.

I will however, still blog and chat it up with all my Tweets when I have a free chance. The purpose of this job is to bring in substantial income to Shea Bath up and running. I have noticed that there are a lot of people who have a traditional "9 to 5" and still have a hustle on the side. I applaud them and look forward to when I can make this hustle a full time gig. As my friend Cee Cee from Neo Soul Products reminded me, "Don't forget to make time for your body butter". The advice is well taken and I will be sticking in business after work every chance I get.

What about you? Do you have a "9 to 5" in addition to your side business? Or is your side business the only business? This inquiring mind wants to know. :)

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I seem to be getting sleepier during the day since the weather is changing. Or maybe I am doing too much. LOL. I wanted to pass on these tips to all my friends who may need a little
boost today after the 3 day holiday. This is courtesy of Vital Juice Daily.

FITNESS | HEALING | NUTRITION | BEAUTY | GREEN LIVING | DO GOOD

	5 Tips to Keep Energized Tuesday, September 2, 2008		Subscribe   Unsubscribe   Go to Vital Juice
	Ever feel like taking a dip in the middle of the day? So do we, which is why we're excited that our favorite healthy dip has just become portable. Wild Garden's new single-serving hummus packets taste great, give you a fiber boost and can be stashed in any bag or drawer... perfect for the chick on the go!	Labor Day's come and gone, leaving many of us to labor behind a desk all day. Incorporate these 5 tips to keep energy levels at their summertime high: 1. Wake muscles with a stretch to increase blood circulation and improve balance and posture. Try this simple AM routine. 2. Go hot and cold in the shower. Turn water as cold as you can stand it, back to warm. Repeat 2 -3 times. 3. Focus on 1 thing at a time. Multi-tasking eats into productivity and you'll feel more motivated when you cross something off your list. 4. Take a break from your routine -- go to a different lunch spot, explore a new store, sit in a park at lunch. Change does a body good. 5. Pack something essential for the office -- citrus essential oils (lemon, orange, grapefruit) help energize so keep a mist or candle handy. Bonus: Repeat #1 every hour or so throughout your workday and make sure you find time for yesterday's tips. Have a flagging friend? Perk her up with these tips and you could win a Popchips gift basket!

 

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Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Before I begin my post, let me first plug in my friends at Grant Park's Urban Bistro. The Operating Partner is DeSol Horton. They are located at 753A Cherokee Ave. SE Atlanta, GA 30315. She has a myspace page with some more info. In the mood for some good food and you are in Atlanta, head over to Grant Park's Urban Bistro.

I took a break from studying on Saturday to go the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival in Atlanta. I have always missed the festival and took this opportunity to go check out the local "artistic" talent here in Georgia.


What enticed me more into going was because a soapmaker I know off of myspace.com was going to be a vendor at the festival. Katherine Wiranowski, the soapmaker behind Sudstress was who I came to see. I have been ohhing and ahhing at her soap creations every since I open up my myspace account and added her as a friend. Katherine sent out a myspace bulletin to all her friends that she was going to be selling her wares at Grant Park. Well I jumped at the chance. I talked to her briefly because:
1- It was 90 degrees on Saturday, talk about hot.
2- I had three demanding children in tow. All with a short attention span.
3- I was trying to meet up with a group of people and they were hunting me down by cell phone. She told me that sales were slow, in part to people being out of town, construction along Interstate 85 & 75 and of course the gas prices. But I did not let any of that stop me from supporting this young lady. Being that I brought citrus soaps we discussed that it is difficult to get citrus essential oils to stick in cold process soap. I purchase two soaps from her: " Sunshine & Sugared Lemon". I would have brought them all if I could. But I had to use restraint. :)


Upon leaving the festival, I ran into another soapmaker. Heather Swanepoel is the founder & formulator behind Rinse Bath & Body Co. Had I decided to go straight home, I would have missed talking to this lovely lady. We discussed how the humidity in Georgia has affected our ability to make certain products. For instance, I explained to her that I make whipped shea body butter. Like other Indie bath & body companies, she cannot even make the product because the moment you it with your hands, it melts away. Shipping the same product is also disaster because it melts during shipping. I personally do not ship any whipped shea body butter until late October when it is much cooler. She agreed. Other things like her bath bombs are developed outside of Georgia because the humidity distorts the product. I did pick up a bar of her soap and my hubby picked up two. :) We picked up Almond & Honey (still needs curing), Nectar & Dead Sea Mud Bar which seems to be my hubby's favorite.


It's that soapmakers are all over the world, but it is also great to support my local Indies right here in Georgia.

I will be doing product reviews on these soaps in the coming weeks. In the meantime take a gander at their sites, add them to your "soap porn" and purchase some soap so you can be clean "Naturally":

Sudstress & Blog - Katherine Wiranowski
Rinse Bath & Body Co. & Rinse Blog - Heather Swanepoel

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Neosoul Essentials Products - Sample Review

What do you get when you have a former teacher, mother of 3 kids (under 6) who home schools and has her own business. You get my friend Christine "Cee Cee" Lowe Woolard Owner and Founder of NeoSoul Essentials Products.

I met (online) Cee Cee through social network group called BBWO (Black Business Women Online). From there we have joined similar groups and follow each other on twitter.
Cee Cee had put it out there that she was offering samples of her MegaMix Shea Butter through Twitter. I love to support all indie business, so I ordered Mango Sunrise. The sample came in a cute purple organza drawstring bag. I also received some other goodies. Cee Cee sent me a sample of her soap called Island Passion. I used the shea butter on my feet after my shower and the scent has permeated through the whole house. I use the soap to wash my hands and it is super sudsy.

Lest I not forget the more than gracious samples of mineral makeup that Cee Cee sent from my other friend Candace Owner MilanMinerals.com. I met her online through the same channels as Cee Cee. How interesting! I received samples of Sonic and Jucciy. I am still working with Candace on my makeup skills as I am an Au-naturale kind of gal. But nonetheless, I will be supporting this indies products as well.

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AND THE BRILLANTE WEB AWARD GOES TO...

Me from Marr over at SmellyChicksOnline
I have never met Marr in person. I know her through the magic of the blogosphere. I consider you to be a friend. You are always encouraging towards all that I do. I love her blog because it is always informative. Her love for handmade soap shows in the soap "eye candy" she list on her blog. She also keeps all crafty entrepreneurs informed on what is current in technology or trends in our industry. She even contributed to my business by designing my company banners. Marr, thank you for your continual contribution to all us Indies.

The folks I award this prestigious honor to are:

Itiel of Smells Good Spa
Itiel is no ordinary woman. She is happily married to her hubby of 13 yrs, has 2 lovely daughters, whom she home schools. Oh did I forget to mention that she's been running her own business for 10 years. :) I met Itiel online through BBWO (Black Business Women Online). She is a very giving person. Currently her company has been named as an advocate for an organization called Moving Young Ladies Forward . They help young girls and teenage mothers reach their greatest potentials by changing they way the see themselves in society. Proceeds from the sales of her Sugar Whips products go toward MYLF and their efforts. She has been a encouraging voice in my corner for the small steps I have taken in moving my company forward. As well as a sound box on personal matters. Thank you Itiel for being a friend and I know you will see another prosperous 10 years for your business.

Cee of Neo Soul Essentials
Another extraordinary Diva I met on BBWO. Cee Cee was a teacher for many years and went another route with her craft. Due to severe eczema in her baby, Cee Cee decided to make her own home remedy to soothe if not help the problem. That product and many others are what make up Neo Soul Essentials. Cee Cee has always gave me new approaches to this entrepreneur aspect. Because of Cee Cee I signed with Squidoo, StumbleUpon and now I have a Facebook page. Basically, she has shown me that in order to be in business, you have to push the envelope and put yourself out there. Cee Cee, you may not have realized that you have done that for me, but you have. So for that I say Thank You.

There are many others in my Blogroll who also deserve this honor. So the post is dedicated to everyone I have encountered through blogging that has left an impression on me directly and indirectly.


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We Have A New Look !

Thanks to my girl, Marrianne Williams aka Marr @ SmellChicksOnline, she pimped out my blog & etsy store with a new company banner.

I bet those of you that know Marr, did not know she was this super talented. Marr is a wife, mom, graphic designer and addicted to soap porn. Those in the soap making industry know what that is :). She also keeps others current on topics that small business owners need to know. Thanks for that.

When you get a chance, stop by Marr's blog
Marr, I cannot tell you Thank You enough for giving Shea Bath a great visual face lift. :)

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New Etsy Products

We have added the Whipped Shea Body Butter in the 8oz and 16oz sizes. The 8oz is $12.50 and the 16oz is $20.00. We have three of each available right now. So why not treat yourself to skin to something special today.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade sheabath.etsy.com

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