Indie Cruise 2016

These people are amazing!

Ready for the White Party!

The 2 JoAnns. How I love these ladies!

Me and Dawn Fitch of  Pooka Pure and Natural

Jen from Klean Spa

Me and Anne-Marie

Me and Donna Maria

Me and Margaret Helm-Duell of  Mohea Natural Beauty

Me, Anne-Marie and Donna Maria. This will be framed!

I recently returned from Cancun from  a trip with other makers on Indie Cruise 2016, (which was actually at an all-inclusive resort) and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I have always admired Donna Maria Coles-Johnson and consider her a mentor. She is the mastermind behind the incredible Indie Business Network, which I joined in January 2015. After hearing so much about the Cruise, and the speakers and supportive maker community, I decided to make it a priority to be a part of this annual trip. With the support of my wonderful husband, who took a week off from work to watch the kids, I was on my way to Cancun to soak up all the knowledge and wisdom I could from the other makers and business owners.

Bramble Berry's Anne-Marie Faoila was a guest speaker at the event. As Donna Maria expresses, "her presentation and workshop on life planning and productivity was a special highlight of the trip." Meeting and getting to know Anne-Marie was an amazing experience. She posted about the trip on her blog, in which she shared key information shared by our speakers.  Please take a moment to read her takeaways from the trip.

I was able to meet the owner of the awesome Etta and Billie, whose soap I love so much Alana was as adorable and personable as I could have imagined She is so full of life and has so much charisma. The products she creates, along with the vibe of her business has  always fascinated me.

I could go on and on about each maker. As Anne-Marie proclaimed, "We are all special snowflakes." Yes indeed! All of these makes were special, creative and vibrant spirits! I am so blessed to have met them and am ready to take on 2016!

If ever you get the chance to be a part of this annual event, I strongly encourage you to go, Being around other makers, in a supportive and inspiring environment was an experience of a lifetime. Next year, plans are underway to visit the Dominican Republic and I certainly want to reconnect with my new maker friends. Are you game? I'd love for you to join me!

New Soaps and Something so Exciting!

                                     

Scented with Bramble Berry's Red Apple

Inspired by My Little Pony's Twilight Sparkle
(I have a 4 year old daughter).
Scented with Nature Garden's Love Spell

Grapefruit!

As you can see, I am loving making these beautiful marbled tops. I love the look and it is relatively easy. I find that using high contrast colors always look more dramatic. So I always use white to make the other colors pop. I also don't let the soap batter get too thick. Using wooden skewer sticks has worked well for me. 

My big news is that I am going to be a part of Indie Cruise 2016. I have loved being a part of the Indie Business Network and am so inspired by Donna Maria, who I consider a mentor (she doesn't know it yet though)! I love her podcast and have learned so much from her while doing mundane chores around the house or going on a run.

Also, Bramble Berry's Anne-Marie will be attending as well. She is another personal mentor. Being surrounded by these inspirational, positive, like-minded, business leaders in paradise is a dream come true for me and a once in a life time opportunity.

So what does this mean for me? Well, I will be thinking of what I can do to prepare for this experience. I plan to soak up the sun and soak in knowledge from my mentors and other successful business owners...I have so much to learn! I try to explain to my friends here in Oregon what this means to me and no one (except my dear husband), can truly grasp the scope of this trip.

It doesn't hurt that all of this wonderful masterminding will occur in Cancun.  I plan to hit the gym hard! I also have to be away from my sweet family for a week, which will be difficult, but it will be so worth it. I can't wait!!!!

My Dream Interview Happened!

Bramble Berry's Anne Marie

Indie Business Network's Donna Maria

I became familiar with Bramble Berry when I first started making soap. Anne-Marie, Bramble Berry's owner and founder, is always featured in Soap Queen videos, which is essentially how I learned to make cp soap. I follow her blog, videos, FB page, Istagram etc.  and have shopped at Bramble Berry for years. Bramble Berry's products are always top notch and the customer service is amazing!

I became familiar with Donna Maria of the Indie Business network after hearing her name tossed around on soap making forums. Through a forum, I learned she had a podcast, so I subscribed and got hooked! As a small business owner of  handcrafted items, I have learned so much! Please listen to her podcast! You won't be disappointed. 

Donna Marie's Podcast

I was an early adopter to podcasts. I have been listening to them for almost 10 years and they have entertained and educated me during many hours of breast feeding, house cleaning, and exercising. 

I also made the switch from the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild to the Indie Business Network this year when it was time to renew my insurance. I couldn't be happier with my choice and have learned an immense amount about business so far. I feel that Donna Maria really cares about the folks in her network and wants us all to succeed!

These amazing female business owners are my role models, so imagine my surprise when I looked at my podcasts and found that the latest Episode of Donna Marie's Podcast, Women, Wealth and Wow, was an interview with Bramble Berry's Anne-Marie! It was such a gift to me. I have already listened to the episode twice. 

I strongly urge any small business owners to be inspired by Donna Maria's podcast. There is such a wealth of knowledge and wisdom every week!