HSMG Conference Tip 2 of 5: Even If You're Shy, Just Say Hi

This blogpost series focuses on tips for attending the annual Handcrafted Soapmaking Guild (HSMG) Conference. This year the conference is held in Miami, FL on May 18-20, 2011. As I mentioned in my first post, the first year I attended I had no idea what to expect. I've picked up little tips along the way (and some thanks to input from other attendees) that I hope you'll find helpful if you're planning to attend.

Meeting other bath and body company entrepreneurs, industry movers and shakers, and networking is one of the highlights of the conference. It's common to be shy, especially if you are attending the conference for the first time by yourself. If you're not much of a mingler, or have never attended a business networking function to hone your networking skills, here are a few tips to get you making new friends.

First, it really can be as easy as just saying hello. Remember, you're at a soap convention. Just ask someone what kind of soap they make and where they're from - it's that easy. I always joke that one of the reasons I go to the soap conference is because I can talk soap with other people 24/7 and no one fades out or loses interest. But it's true. Everyone is there for the same reason: we love soap and want to promote and sell more of it.

"Jump through the hoop - put fear aside. It's amazing what happens after the ice is broken," says Mary Humphrey of Annie's Goat Hill (Leesburg, OH). She admits that she was previously a very shy person until she decided to just jump into conversations.

Second, go to Twitter or Facebook to find new acquaintances prior to the conference. "Pick a few people to interact with. Look online to get a feel for someone. Introduce yourself to them," says Kristen Bowen of Kristen Bowen Studio (Hyde Park, UT). One of the easiest ways to do this is to go to the HSMG Facebook fan page, introduce yourself and ask who else is attending the conference. Go to Twitter and follow @TheSoapGuild, @BackPorchSoap, @kbstudio, and @anniesgoathill.

Third, make friends with the wonderful HSMG volunteers. They wear brightly color aprons (easy to spot), have a great sense of humor, are friendly and are pros at making introductions. Even though they are quite busy throughout the conference, they have time for a quick hello, know many of the conference attendees, and are a great resource for meeting new people.

Lastly, use breakfast, lunch and dinner as a time to just simply say hello and talk soap to fellow colleagues. Remember that this isn't a time to sell your soaps. It's a time to be open to new friendships and to potential opportunities.

What are some suggestions you'd like to share?

Check back tomorrow for How to Get Your Social Media Game on During and After the Conference.

HSMG Conference Tip 1 of 5: An Open Mind Could Lead to More Sales

This blogpost series focuses on tips for attending the annual Handcrafted Soapmaking Guild (HSMG) Conference. This year the conference is held in Miami, FL on May 18-20, 2011. The first year I attended I had no idea what to expect. I've picked up little tips along the way (and some from other attendees) that I hope you'll find helpful if you're planning to attend.

One of the most important tips for a successful conference is to keep your mind open to new opportunities and possibilities. This is an educational and networking event, so you may not get direct leads for sales at the conference. But you just never know what opportunity may present itself. Here are just a few opportunites that have happened to me:

• Meeting new colleagues/friends in the industry who later may refer customers to you when they cannot fill their product or capacity needs.


• Mixing and mingling with industry suppliers who may feature your company or products on their website (to lead to more exposure and orders).


• Potential collaboration with industry colleagues whom you previously assumed were "the competition." (Like I said, keep an open mind and leave preconceived notions at home.)
  
  
• Picking up a key piece of information from a presentation that is the perfect piece you needed for your business.
  

Sara Nesbitt, owner of Sara's Soaps 'n Such (Burgaw, NC) said she picked up a key piece of information at last year's conference in Denver. It was just what she needed to hear. "Attending last year's guild conference increased my sales through the use of social media. I'd mostly thought of social media more as a networking tool than a marketing/branding tool," she said.

Sara said Donna Maria Coles Johnson of Indie Beauty changed how she viewed social media. "For example, she talked about adding brief videos via YouTube to your social media life. They don't even have to be directly related to your products or business; they can be about other people's businesses, like those that are local to your community, Sara said. "I'd never thought about that. I had used YouTube to upload tutorials for fellow soapmakers, but not to market other people. My thinking changed from "Social networking" to "social media." Ironically, through "media," I've begun to "network" more, connecting to local people who I've met in real life and befriended in person."

Sara said last year's conference taught her that social media wasn't something to fear. As a result, she now uses Facebook, Twitter, blog, newsletter and has a YouTube channel. "I use these tools to help other soapmakers grow their businesses - swirl tutorials for CP, discussion forum on Facebook, pictures and ponderances on my blog," she said.

Check back tomorrow for my blogpost entitled "Even If You're Shy, Just Say Hi."

Blog Post Series: Top Five Tips for Attending the HSMG Soap Conference in Miami

It's March, and I can hardly believe the Handmade Soapmakers Guild Conference in Miami, Florida is only two months away. I've been busy working on my two presentations and demo for the conference. Held May 18-20 at the Miami Downtown Hilton hotel, this fun and inspiring conference attracts entrepreneurs for lectures, classes, workshops and networking.

This is the third year I've been asked to speak at the conference. I'll be giving a presentation on "How to Successfully Wholesale" and a demo called "Wild Child Soapmaking: Combining MP & CP Methods."

This is a six-part blog post series to share what I've learned from attending past conferences. I've been picking up tips each year and thought it would be helpful for new attendees. If you have been attending the soap conference please leave your helpful suggestions and tips in the comments and I'll share them in this series as well.

Here are my top five tips that I'll publish in detail this week:

1. Proof That An Open Mind Could Lead to More Sales
   
   
2. Even If You're Shy, Just Say Hi
   
   
3. How to Get Your Social Media Game on During and After the Conference
   
   
4. Why You Should Pack An Extra Suitcase
   
   
5. How Not To Miss Each and Every Workshop

The keynote speaker for the 2011 Annual Conference is Barbara Corcoran, head of The Corcoran Group and real estate contributor to NBC's TODAY Show and a "shark" on the ABC reality show Shark Tank. Barbara is also a regular columnist for the New York Daily News and MORE Magazine.

There are many other fabulous speakers: Debbie May of Wholesale Supplies Plus, Kayla Fioravanti of Essential Wholesale, Marie Gale of "Soap and Cosmetic Labeling: How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English,", Larry Plesent of Vermont Soap, Tina Howard of Majestic Mountain Sage, world reknown aromatherapist Robert Tisserand and many more.

In addition to informative workshops, there is plenty of time to network with other business owners (one of my favorite parts of the conference). The evening sponsored dinners and entertainment are relaxing, informal and included in the conference package. Speaking of dinner, you won't go hungry at any HSMG conference. Last year I won more than $250 in raffles and giveaways - in addition to the $100 highly coveted goodie bag!

Two years ago the conference was held in Palm Springs, CA and I spoke about "Differentiating Yourself in the Highly Competitive Market of Soapmaking." Attendees learned how to increase sales by targeting niche and vertical markets. There I presented on how to develop an "eye" for demands and trends in other industries to stay ahead of the competition.

Last year at the HSMG 2010 Soap Conference in beautiful Denver, CO I presented on "New Opportunities in the Melt and Pour Soap Market." After the Palm Springs conference I didn't know how the Soap Guild could possibly top such a fantastic event, but they did.

It's not too late to join us in May. Simply visit the HSMG website and sign up. Hope to see you in Miami!

Fresh and Green for Spring: Natural Perfume Workshop with Charna Ethier

Natural perfumes are hot, hot, hot! If you're new to the idea, Natural Perfumery (NP) is the creative art and science of using natural aromatic raw materials that are beautiful and complex to produce lovely perfumes. Whether you want to learn to make natural perfumes for yourself or add it to your product lineup, mark your calendars for our Boston area workshop on March 19.

We are so fortunate to have Charna Ethier as the workshop instructor! She is the “nose” and founder of Providence Perfume Co. (Providence, RI) a natural perfumery specializing in luxurious botanical fragrances. After spending years working with large beauty and fragrance companies such as Aveda, she desired to create her own line of perfumes that were truly natural.

She is member of the Natural Perfumer’s Guild obtaining Professional Perfumer status and a regular participant in global perfume projects and collaborations. Her perfumes have received critical acclaim and have been featured on AOL, The Rhode Show, numerous magazines, and fragrance websites and blogs.

Under Charna's guidance, students will create and take home:

• Two Liquid Perfumes
• One Solid Perfume
• 12 essential oils (to take home after use in class blending)
  

In addition, Charna will share her knowledge on:

1. The Components of Natural Perfume: Essential oils, Absolutes, Floral waxes/concretes, Natural Isolates and Alcohol.

2. Tinctures (Hows and Whys)

3. Importance of Notekeeping (formularies, impressions, revisiting)

4. Measuring

5. Labeling and Ageing

6. Storage of Perfumes and Perfumery Ingredients

7. Accessory Notes

8. Botanicals Requiring Dilution

In addition, each student will receive a valuable handout containing reputable sources for ordering supplies; standard proportion of base, middle, and top notes; as well as formulation guidelines.

For more information and to register, please visit our website. This class is held in our Duxbury, Massachusetts studio, which is 40 minutes from Boston and 1 hour from Providence, RI.

New England Soapmakers' Meetup in Boston

New England Soapmakers Meetup in the South End of Boston. A little brunch, shop talk and then browsing afterward.

Pictured above from left to right is: Kim Tobojka, Helene Matteson of Urban Kitchen, Deb Scanlan of Grace Farm Organics, Alyssa Wise Taylor of Blue Hoot Soap Co., Rose Carbajal of Brooklyn Bath, Marla Bosworth of Back Porch Soap Co. and Robin Schmidt of Dragonfly Handmade Soap.

After brunch at Aquitaine we browsed and shopped in the South End.

South End Browsing & Shopping Sites

Posh (Gifts)
557 Tremont Street

Pet Shop Girls (Canine Shop)
400 Tremont Street

Motley (Gifts)
623 Tremont Street

Aunt Sadie’s (Candles and Gifts)
18 Union Park Street

Lekker Unique Home Furnishings (Interior Design)
1317 Washington Street

Flour Bakery & Café (Bakery)
(Best of Boston for 6 years)
1595 Washington Street

Hudson (Gift)
312 Shawmut

South End Buttery (Organic Bakery)
Boston’s Best for four years including 2010
314 Shawmut Ave.

Polka Dog Bakery (Canine Bakery)
246 Shawmut Ave.

J.E.M. Home (Gifts and Interior Design)
470 Shawmut

Bead & Fiber (Craft Store)
460 Harrison Ave.

Gifted
2 Dartmouth Street

The trendy South End has a wide variety of dining choices - from restaurants to bars and cafes. You'll find Indian, French, Italian, Ethiopian and Thai just to name a few. The SoWa district is filled with art galleries and artists' studios. Just around the corner the South End Open Market, on Harrison Street, is where local artists and small businesses sell their wares on Sundays, from spring until fall. In addition, the South End is home to the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA) and the school for the Boston Ballet.

If you live in New England and make bath and body products, join our Meetup Group. We'll be meeting in NYC at the end of January to attend the NYIGF and shop in the Big Apple.

Bye-Bye Dry Skin, Hello Shea Butter: Top 10 Ways to Eliminate Dry Skin

Suffering from dry skin this winter? Here are my tips for bringing saying bye-bye to dry skin! Make sure you see below for two-day sale on our bestselling shea butters.

Back Porch Soap Company's "Top 10 Ways To Remedy Dry Skin"

1. Skip the drying soaps and shampoos. Don't use any products that have sulfates in them. It is an irritant and drying agent that literally strips your skin of its precious oils. While you're at it, throw out any products with parabens or dyes. Remember to choose handmade soaps with high-quality ingredients.
   
   
2. Choose your moisturizer wisely. Our 100% shea butter (the pulp from Africa's karite trees) coats and protects the skin and is my first recommendation for those of you with a tendency toward super dry skin or even excema and psoriasis. Keep your ingredients simple. Toss any moisturizers that contain alcohol, sulfates or parabens.
   
   
3. Nix the long, hot shower. I know, it feels good. Especially on a cold day. But you are robbing your skin of moisture and oils. So cut it short - 5 minutes is plenty - and use warm water instead.
   
   
4. Take your Omega 3 EPA/DPA Fish Oils. In capsules, liquid, whatever it takes. Not only will it help your skin, your ligaments and joints are going to love it. Take two grams of fish oil daily. Also, flaxseed oil is a wonderful supplement for keeping skin healthy and glowing. Check with your M.D.
   
   
5. Drink plenty of water. Yes, it's true and you've heard it all before. Drink eight to 10 8 oz. glasses throughout the day. Your skin is the largest organ and needs to flush the toxins out daily.
   
   
6. Turn on the humidifier. Home heating takes the moisture out of the air during the winter months. A $30 humidifier will aid your skin and sinuses. Most come with an indicator. Try to keep it at 35%.
   
   
7. Moisturize after your shower. This is the best time, since your pores are open and ready for protection.
   
   
8. Take care of hands and feet. Remember to moisturize them as well. I recommend soaking your feet for a bit at night, then massaging them with shea butter and finishing off with a pair of cotton socks. You'll wake up with super soft feet.
   
   
9. Exfoliate twice a week with an inexpensive loofa or bristle brush. It aids circulation (start from the outer limbs and work toward your heart) and removes the surface layer of dead cells.
   
   
10. Cut down coffee consumption. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it removes water from the body. A good rule of thumb is for every cup of coffee you drink, tack on another 8 oz. of water in addition to the 8 glasses you should be drinking daily.

Check out our two-day sale on 100% shea butter and shea butter body creams. Supplies are limited. Sale runs until 12/16/2010.

Last Day of Holiday Baking Recipes: Yummy Greek Butter Cookies

This is the fifth and final post in a series I called Five Days of Holiday Baking. I'm sharing my favorite holiday baking recipes and hope you've enjoyed what I've posted so far. For my last recipe, I'm sharing delicious Greek Butter Cookies - also known as Kourabiethes. It comes from a dear Greek friend of mine who lives in New Hampshire. Her mom graciously shared it with me years ago when I spent one Christmas at their house during my college days. A Greek recipe is an appropriate celebration, as I just put the finishing touches on soapmaking classes and natural skincare classes in Greece for April 2011! Hope you'll check the classes out and think about joining me for a very special trip.

Greek Butter Cookies (Kourabiethes)
Yields approx. 4 dozen cookies

1 cup butter
1/3 cup confectioner's sugar
1 egg yolk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
whole cloves (optional)

Cream butter and confectioner's sugar. Add egg yolk and vanilla. Mix well. Gradually add flour and blend well. Chill 3-4 hours or overnight. Shape into 1-inch balls and flatten slightly to about 1/4". Insert whole clove (optional - but delish!) in center of each cookie.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 325 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. Cookies are done when there is a bit of golden color around the edges. Sift additional confectioner's sugar over warm cookies.

Hope you enjoyed my Five Days of Holiday Baking! Now I'm off to make all of these recipes for friends and family.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

~Marla