Makers' Masterminding Day with Donna Maria!

Donna Maria and me!

I am giddy like a school girl because I was able to spend a day of masterminding with Donna Maria of the Indie Business Network. Last Monday, October 12, I spent the day soaking up kernels of business wisdom from Donna Maria and the amazing team at Essential Wholesale,

Alex Badcock, VP of Marketing for Essential Wholesale wrote a  blog post that sums up the lessons learned from our day of masterminding. His post is so eloquent and insightful, so I must share! Please read this: 5 Take Aways from Portland Connection Day 2015

Not only did I learn a lot from the expert speakers, I was so encouraged by my fellow makers. What a supportive and creative group of business owners! I was so impressed by how intelligent, creative and energetic this group was. We even had belly dancing lessons from the Vanessa of Herbs of Grace.

Also, we left the event with plenty of swag from Essential Wholesale.There products and ingredients are amazing and after meeting their wonderful staff, and touring their immaculate facility, I would encourage any soap maker to buy their products.

If Donna Maria comes to a city near you for a masterminding event, I would strongly encourage any maker to participate. It was fun, insightful and inspiring! I am amped to take my business to the net level.

Holiday Events!

Fall is in the air! Apple Harvest Soap!

Soaps made in honor of Oregon's rival colleges: OSU and U of O

She's walking and finally got her first tooth at 15 months!

Stickering soaps for my big wholesale account!

Back to School!

I love fall! The kids are back in school, the air is crisp and I get to start making Fall/Winter soaps! I am loving my Apple Harvest soap. It is scented with Bramble Berry's Red Apple and smells so good! It has been selling so well at the farmer's market that I decided to make another batch, but modified it a tad by adding a touch of Bramble Berry's Sleigh Ride, which smells quite spicy, to create a spiced apple scent.

As a mom to 3 young kids, I have so many days when I feel as though I can't fit it all into a day. This summer, I focused on getting my kiddos out and busy. We had swim class, days at the pool, play dates, time at the park etc. I feel the need to get these Oregon kids out in the sun as much as possible, because once the rainy season hits, we are home bound a lot! As a result, so much of my soap making and business stuff was saved for the evening, so I was one exhausted Mama.

Now that Leo is in 2nd grade and Somerset is in preschool, we have fallen into a new routine, which frees up a little more day time for me. That means I can make soap during the day. I do as much prep work as I can with the baby around and then when it is time to make soap, I have the baby in the high chair for a snack. I have become exceptionally efficient!

Our baby girl is now walking! She is such a peach. She is my #1 marketing tool at the market too. When she is at my booth, she waves, smiles and says "hi" to all who cross her path.

I am now starting to plan for the upcoming  Christmas season. I hope to add a few more dates too. For all who are local, here's where I will be selling:

November 7: Annual Mountain View Holiday Bazaar
17500 SW Farmington Road, Aloha OR 97078, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

November 14: Beaverton High School Bazaar, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m,
At Beaverton High School

November 21: Lake Oswego Farmer's Market Reunion, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Millennium Plaza Park

200 First Street

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

December 5: Garden Home Recreation Center Bazaar
7475 SW Oleson Rd, Portland, OR 97223