ITALY TRIP, PRICE INCREASES & MORE

It has taken a year of planning to get this Italy trip on the calendar and I can't believe it is happening this month (July 19 - July 29). Jenni, my A.T.I director, will handle "All Things Important"while I am away. I have total confidence in her ability to run business operations as usual. Nichelle and Chelsea will oversee warehouse operations to ensure orders are processed timely.

The Italy trip will encompass travels to Milano, Venice, Tuscany, Siena, Florence and Lake Garda. With my husband being in the fine wine business, there are many travel perks which we will enjoy; including 5-star hotels and a 3-night stay at Castle Vicchiomaggio in Tuscany.

ON THE BUSINESS END:

There are currently a number of business changes in the works which includes a 15-cent price increase on Mold Market molds. Our last price increase was over 3 years ago and we are no longer able to  absorb the continued price increase of plastic materials.

The updated prices go into effect September 1, 2014, and will appear on both Mold Market, Amazon and GoPlanetEarth web sites.



At the same time, order fulfillment for Mold Market customers (both retail, Amazon and wholesale distributors) will shift to our facility in Washington state. I am now determining the best way to make this transition as smooth as possible in both shipping costs and time in transit.


In January 2015 all Mold Market mold productions will be done at our Washington plant. This added benefit guarantees you will consistently receive the best product and materials in the market as we personally implement quality-control checks on every production.

There are so many new, exciting things going on in the background that I can't share yet; but stay tuned.



Here is a brief video clip of our recent trip to Washington. It shows how Mold Market molds are formed by one of the top USA mold makers in the industry. Lucky us (and you), to have an exclusive contract with the best of the best.

I look forward to sharing my wonderful Italy trip as well as all the exciting things in the works at Mold Market and GoPlanetEarth.

MARKETING ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET

I just returned from Florida and one of my Vero Beach pit stops is Mrs. Mac’s Fillin’ Station Restaurant. Their clever marketing strategy leaves customers standing in line to get a table. Yes, the food is plentiful and certainly lures in returning customers; but, it is the unique way they have chosen to market their business that sets them apart from the rest.

As you enter the restaurant an old Gulf gasoline pump lends itself to the eatery’s fifties nostalgia. Menus are made from recycled license plates and red mechanic shop towels are used as napkins. Oil cans or wrench hang from the pant loops of the farmer jean uniforms; and worker assumes an automotive name while they wait tables.

If you want to generate new sales and business in today’s market, you need to have a solid marketing plan in place. The old school thought of ‘build it/make it’ and they will come’ mindset is no longer a viable option for online sellers. A recent visit to a famous downtown street market in Charleston reminded me of this truth.

I watched customers walk the corridors lined with seller booths; most held little product appeal. However, there were a few booths that seemed to lure the masses into their marketing net with little effort.

 I made mental notes on what made these vendors different from others.

• Their product was unique and not found on the shelves of major discount stores.  
• Discount incentives were offered based on number of items purchased.
• Product samples were included with every purchase.
• The seller gave special attention to how the product was packaged and displayed.
•  Business cards and pertinent contact information was on display.
•  Product labels looked professional.
• The seller engaged with each customer and made them feel special.
• Someone was available to assist every customer before they lost interest and walked away.

We live in a world driven by technology and taking product to market requires more than a web site, storefront or vendor booth. Knowledge of social media venues has become critical to the success of every business.  Competition, in the past, was limited to regional or local businesses. But the birth of the internet changed all that; our competition is now global and this isn’t about to change

The rapid pace of technological development will continue to be a challenge to all of us; even more so for small businesses and entrepreneurs who tend to be understaffed and lack the funds for a marketing budget.

Here are six ways to market your product online with a shoestring budget:

1. Build customer relationships through social media programs. Take a look at what your competitors are doing socially. Understand, however, social media is not a one-stop marketing strategy and it does not generate overnight sales. Dedicate one hour a day to maintain your social media presence.
2.  Establish a blog and post often. It helps to establish you as an expert in your field. Include a “share this” button at the bottom of each post for easy distribution. I use WordPress to blog and find it easy to use; it’s free to download and offer fully-customizable themed templates for under $100.
3. Post relevant and helpful content on your web site or seller pages that will keep customers returning to your site. Not every post should be related to making a sale.  Instead, post information that can be linked to other sites which will boost your SEO rankings.
4. Give customers a reason to trust your company. Post customer comments about your products and service. Provide contact information including both an email address and phone number. Check voice and emails several times a day. Use your social media accounts to keep an eye out for problems with your product or service and step in with help.
5. Target your online audience with the use SEO key words, relevant web page titles and major search engine registrations.
6. Identify and target your ideal selling audience. Consider a narrower marketing niche so you can better present yourself as an expert and stand apart from the crowd. As you gather your database of customers, treat it like gold because it is the primary vehicle to communicate your marketing message.

Concentrate your marketing time and energy based on the Pareto’s Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule. Consider that 80% of your business comes from 20% of your customers. So, for maximum results you should utilize 80% of your marketing budget and time on retaining and expanding the sales of the top 20% of your customer base. Implement loyalty programs to show appreciation. This might include free samples; buy one get one free, discount coupons or referral rewards.

Make integrity the core ingredient of your business and you will succeed in marketing on a shoestring budget. Integrity doesn’t cost a thing, but without it, it will cost you everything.

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Denise Marks is a published freelance writer, children’s author, entrepreneur and CEO of Mold Market. Her stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul books and entrepreneurial magazines. As the owner of GoPlanetEarth.com and MoldMarket.com, Denise has over 16 years’ experience in the soap making business.

Soaper's Shout Out: Cold Country Soaps

 



I will be sending Teresa a Mold Market soaping apron and a few other goodies tucked inside the apron pocket. Thanks Teresa for submitting your favorite soap and sharing your passion for soap making.

There is still an opportunity to receive a free soaping apron and goodies by emailing  a picture of your favorite hand-made soap along with a short bio about yourself. I have two more aprons to give away. Don't be shy. Strut your stuff and let us see what you've been up to in your soaping kitchen.
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Teresa's Bio

My name is Teresa Jensen from a very small town in Northern Minnesota (Bovey). I am mother of 2 fabulous children and married for 18 years. I am 8 months into soap making and loving every time I create a soap.

I started with MP and moved to Cold Process 5 months ago and now have started teaching myself cupcake piping. Love both methods so I make both. The endless possibilities of soap making I LOVE IT !! 

Loving the benefits of handmade soap, getting the word out to others in my community to try handmade soap, (with the help of family and friends) has been great that I started a little shop Cold Country Soaps. This is the perfect hobby/business for me. Now that my children are 17 and 19 I needed something to keep me busy.

I have tried other hobbies but after awhile interest faded until I bought $100 worth of soap supplies and I kept building shelves to add more supplies. After dedicating a room of my house to soaping I knew I found my hobby/business.
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Thank you Teresa for sharing your beautiful cupcake soaps with all of us.

Melt & Pour Soap Making: St. Patrick's Rainbow Soap

 

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner. Time to get your soaps ready for the celebration. One of our newest molds from Mold Market is this rainbow. It takes a bit of patience to pour each layer of the rainbow (use our injector tool with this mold), but it looks awesome once it's done.

 

The soap pictured was done by our girl, Gabby. She's still learning the tricks of the soaping trade, but as you can see, even as a novice, her soap turned out well. For you die-hard soapers, working with this mold should be a breeze as long as the soap injector tool is used.

 

This isn't the only soap mold offered for St. Paddy's Day. The Celtic Round and Four-Leaf Clover are two other popular molds.

 

 

 

 

Melt & Pour: Follow-Up on Overcoloring Soap

In a prior post, I discussed issues with over coloring melt and pour soaps. This follow-up post shows the results of how the same pigment can give different color shades. GPE's Neon Bright Purple was used in this scenario.

The ice cream soap on the left was colored using white soap base. As you can see, the soap isn't even close to purple color. The opacity of the white soap base causes the purple pigment to soften to a pinkish, magenta color.

The center soap is closer to a lavender color. I used the Neon Bright Purple, but added a very small amount of Neon Bright Blue which yielded a soft lavender in white MP soap base.

Pictured right is clear soap with Neon Bright Purple colorant added. It's definitely not a true purple, but more of a mulberry color. To achieve a "true" purple color in clear MP base, you need to add a small amount of Neon Bright Blue.

If you take a close look at the far right soap, you will note that some of the white dots around the inside edge of the mold have faded away. This happened because the second soap layer was poured at too high of a temperature. It melted portions of the white dots causing them to migrate slightly into the purple/mulberry color.

My final test results showed that the Neon Bright Purple did not migrate or have bleeding issues when used relative portions. Adding extra color to deepen color intensity is going to create over-coloring issues. The soap pictured above sat for several days with no signs of color migration.

If you compare the two ice cream soaps, you will note that the second one is WAY over-colored. The Neon Bright Purple should resemble the lighter shade ice cream soap when used in white (opaque) soap base. If you want a "true" purple, use clear soap with equal parts of Neon Purple and Neon Blue colorant.

Handling Multi-Task Overload

On a recent trip to Chile, I snapped a photo of communication lines in the intersection of the city. I was in total awe how such a massive number of lines could operate under user demands. It didn’t take long to understand the lines didn’t operate under the load; two blocks over, traffic was at a standstill as emergency crews scrambled to repair downed lines.

Passing the downed lines, I reflected on how I push myself to multi-task even when my brain is screaming, “OVERLOAD.” Our culture pressures us to maximize every second of the day. Just handling kids, family duties and a social life can take a toll on our quality of life. When you throw in a faltering economy and pressures of running a small business it can be overwhelming. In a pursuit to compete with the big guys, small business owners tend to operate in multi-task mode. The fury to succeed often results in a brain power outage resulting in a crash and burn situation due to overload.

Most small business owners don’t have extra staff or revenue to offset production, inventory and labor costs. I speak from experience when I say the start-up costs for a small business can make you step back and say, “What was I thinking”. If you are the sole employee, it’s likely you operate in “Multi-Task” overload on a regular basis. It’s an intimidating place to be. If you aren’t connecting with local or online support to help you work through the crisis moments, you could be doomed.

So, how does one survive multi-task overload in this age of instant technology? Here are four questions I ask myself when wires cross and an overload may be hindering the success and growth of my business.

How big do you want to grow your business?
Forget the rhetoric of business textbooks; they aren’t running your company. In my first two years of business it was suggested I curtail business growth to ensure I was able to adequately service my current customers. I was appalled. What? Turn down new business. I later learned there was credence to this advice. When you begin to experience the pitfalls of trying to be everything to everybody, the point sinks in.

Bottom line, a business can only service customers based on current inventory levels and staff. If your business is growing but you aren’t ready to employ additional staff (or the monetary burden of additional inventory), that’s OK. If you have to add a day or two to order processing, then include a discount coupon or free sample in the customer’s shipment.

 How do you interact with your customers?
It’s important to determine your ability to communicate with customers. As the owner of Mold Market, I’m not always available to take calls. I rely on my personal assistant to respond to emails and oversee customer questions/concerns. My assistant’s online interaction with customers gifts me time to grow the business and focus on marketing, designing and managing the company’s future.

If you are a home-based business, generating enough revenue to employ extra help to process orders, handle returns or answer phones is generally not an option. But that doesn’t mean you can’t provide top-notch service to interact with customers. Prompt shipping and speedy emails go a long way in generating repeat business. It is confirmation you are serious about the service or product being offered. Some of my best online experiences have been with Etsy shop owners who are raising small children while operating an online business. It’s not uncommon to hear a child’s voice in the background when placing a phone order. Should a call occur during a multi-task overload (nap-times, etc), they have no problem asking, “May I call back shortly to ensure I provide you with great customer service?”

Do you know when to delegate?
If you are a type-A personality, you know you have the driving urge to control. Even if your body and mind screamed HELP, you may not recognize the benefits of delegating. I know the personality type well, because I am the poster child.

If you want to advance your business to the next level, you must expand your capability to get things done. Failing to delegate may put a lid on the growth of your company and communicates your lack of confidence in a worker’s ability to perform a task. Here’s a good example. There was a time I processed all postal shipments fearing my workers were incapable of preparing international customs forms or selecting the correct service. It’s no secret a business can’t afford returned packages due to an address error or invalid customs paperwork.

However, when upgrading our company’s payment gateway system, I was forced to relinquish postal shipments to someone else. The change caused an increase in postal shipments I could no longer keep up. It was time to delegate. To my surprise, my workers completed postal paperwork must faster than I did. It resulted in one less “multi-task wire” for me and a realization that delegation could prove to be my best friend.
Once you have trained someone to perform a task, it is important you entrust them with total responsibility for the delegated task. It’s difficult to hand over full responsibility, but workers will never set their expertise in motion if you are hovering over their shoulders.

Are you making time for family/friends?
A sure sign of operating in overload is failing to schedule time to enjoy life. If you’re not interacting with those you love, then it’s time to rethink your mode of operation. Time to shut down the computer, cell phone and walk away from work. It’s amazing how a few hours of interacting with friends and family can help clear your mind. You may also be surprised how dismissing work for even a few hours can make a big difference in the quality of work you do.

Unlike electronic devices, our brain needs downtime. Operating in overload inhibits creativity, organizational skills, and most importantly, our ability to have fun. At what cost are you navigating the perils of multi-tasking? According to a recent Forbes magazine post, the cost may be more than you think. It’s an interesting read: http://www.forbes.com/sites/douglasmerrill/2012/08/17/why-multitasking-doesnt-work/.

Gadget driven connectivity is undermining our ability for in-depth interactions with customers, family and friends. We have entered a faceless means of communication that just skims the surface of any real in-depth relationships. Succeeding in any online business is critical to our ability to balance the never-ending influx of data technology while continuing to nurture our interaction with people offline.
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Multi-tasking can fail us. At some point, overloaded and crossed wires can crash and burn. Internet technology allows great opportunity for small businesses, but it is a 24/7 operation (with plenty of competition). One vital secret to success is recognizing when you are in multi-task overload and responding to the brain’s cry for “HELP”.

Spin for Success

The grand kids arrived for their usual Wednesday night stay. The threesome bounded through the door and immediately spotted a spinning prize wheel on the counter. In a matter of seconds, the clicking wheel was in motion.

The wheel was a display piece my husband discovered in a storage closet at work. He was certain I would find a use for it. Come on, I have grand kids, of course I would find a use. I traced the original inserts and created colorful, age-appropriate inserts.



I watched intently as the grand kids took turns at the wheel. Would their spin yield wins, loses, opportunities or frustrations? Would my "I've got an Idea" draw cards inspire them? My intent was to create a fun game. But, I also wanted each turn of the wheel to mirror life-learning lessons. As adults (and business owners), we sometimes need to take a spin at the wheel and reflect on the following.

“Lose a Prize” Spin

Life isn't always fair and expectations can be dashed. Don’t have a pity party over disappointment, perceived unfairness, or failed promises. Accept it as a time-out moment. Not everyone plays by the rules.

“Move Backwards” Spin

Things don't always go as planned. You can prepare and plan but sometimes you're just meant to learn a lesson.

“Opposite Direction” Spin

Aim in the right direction, knowing chance can sometimes determine the outcome. Have a mindset that turns "opposite direction" challenges into opportunities.

“I Have an Idea” Spin

When inspired with an "I have an idea (light bulb moment)", weigh both the good and bad. If it seems feasible, believe in yourself, embrace the idea and run with it.

“Lose a Turn” Spin

A “Lose a turn” moment in life does not reflect failure. It’s only a momentary delay in reaching your goals. Refocus and move on.

“Zap Me” Spin

People, circumstances and events can zap energy. When facing complicated situations, remain proactive and determine how much energy you are willing to forfeit toward a resolution. Accept that some situations may never be resolved. You may not always win or liked.

“Circle” Spin

Call it Karma, but what goes round comes round. A specific action leads to a specific result. Decisions and choices you make today comes back to you.

“Square” Spin

Life is about balance. Each side of a square represents self, family, business, community. Do you need to rebalance these areas? Have awareness of what's right for you and stop doing anything that's not moving you toward that goal.

  

It’s no surprise that operating a successful business involves planning, testing, marketing and having a vision. Your wheels may be spinning, but don’t confuse movement with progress. If there are no signs of progress, it's time to reassess goals.

After 35 years in the business, I have learned a successful life, family or business is not built on wild card spins. If things aren't working as planned redirect your momentum and energy to produce positive results. Learn to adapt your plans to new circumstances and opportunities. Anyone can spin the wheel, but not everyone sees opportunity behind each spin.

Targeting "Educated Guess" Customers

I usually give little attention to wine labels. Most are boring and rarely scream "pick me, pick me". However, this label caught my eye and I was curious about the evolution of this marketing idea. Of course, who better to share the story than my honey-man. He's been in the wine business for 35 years and it just so happens his employer has distributorship rights for this winery.

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The story behind the label

The name “Educated Guess” came about during a lively, second bottle of wine conversation about wine making styles, vineyard sites, and the progressive escalation of wine prices without comparable increases in quality. The discussion then proceeded to the “art vs. science” aspect of wine making and after a few more glasses of wine…“Educated Guess” was born!!!

So ask yourself this question: Have you ever found yourself in a wine shop or restaurant perusing the wines and wondering…how do I choose the best wine for the money? You may admire a label, recognize a name, or recall a great review…in essence you’re making an “Educated Guess.”
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So what does this wine label have to do with your product(s)? More than you think. Customers making educated guesses about wine are no different than customers making educated guesses about your product.

I tend to purchase products based on packaging appeal which is why I love buying product from Etsy.com. The majority of Etsy sellers understand the "pick me, pick me" concept. They engage the customer with creative packaging and capture the attention of the "educated guess" consumer.

If you were making an online purchase, which product would you pick?

  

As online presence continues to grow, so will competition. This is especially true for those in the handmade soaping business. The days of dropping a handmade soap into a cello bag with a tied ribbon are long gone.  If you want to compete in the marketplace (both on and offline) you better have a marketing plan in place and it should happen long before opening your online store.

What are you doing to stand out from the avalanche of growing homemade soaping products in the market? Do you desire a revenue generating business?  If so, you need to get obsessive about managing your marketing strategy. If you don't, I guarantee you'll be left in the dust of cyberspace.

How to start 

• Begin to target educated guess customers with creative packaging and labels that stand out from the competition. Develop a core flagship packaging idea and branch out from there.
• "Green" packaging sells (just a personal opinion from someone in the business). Re-purposed and bio-degradable packaging appeal to today's consumer. Recycled paper and Kraft type gift boxes are a great start point.
• Do your homework. Research the web for "brand" packaging "ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Don't copy someone's idea, but you have every right to expand on it.

GoPlanetEarth has created a new web page on packaging ideas. The ideas presented are affordable for those on a limited budget just starting out in the business. As a supplier, our company goal is your success in turning a profit in your the soap making business. GoPlanet continues to add new ideas to the web "Packaging" web page in an effort to inspire. Think outside the box!

No One Said We Were Neat!

Woooooowwww.... is all I can. On Friday afternoon, this was the outcome of one of our pouring work stations. TOTAL CHAOS!

Just wanted to let you know we're just as messy as most. Thank you, Kristy, for taking care of the clean-up so we can do it all over again next week. Some things will never change. Clean-up is one of them!

Business Paperwork Struggles: Are you With Me?

As we approach the end of our company's fiscal tax year, we are in a time crunch to make sure all our ducks are in a row for Uncle Sam. Are you feeling the same way?

With the current economic trend, every one is stretched to find ways to cut corners without sacrificing customer service and product prices. Smaller businesses don't have the advantage of  large volume inventory purchasing or the profit & loss margins to help them survive this next year.

In surveying my office this morning, I realized that there is plenty of paperwork needing attention before closing out year end with my accounting firm. I'm guessing many of you feel the same.

We have great accounting software and employee help; but, the paperwork is never ending. Customer credits, refunds, receipts and credit card processing all instigate a paper flow thread that seems never ending. The concept of a paperless company seems far-fetched. 99% of GPE customers still expect a packing list or receipt in every order.

Social media folk can talk all they want about new apps, programs and software that can promote greater revenue. I agree in part. BUT, there are a good number of customers that still have dial-up for Internet connection, do not have smart phones, can't afford the many Internet bells and whistles. Heck, most small businesses have little time to learn all the new programs while manufacturing their product. Let's be realistic here. We are in the midst of an ugly economy and those who have been online for years are clueless to the hardships and start up costs facing newer, smaller companies. There is pressure to be everything to everyone via social media, blog posts, face books, Pinterest and twitter. New social medias venues are added on a regular basis.

As I dive into this year's mountain of postponed paperwork, I consider those small businesses unable to employ accounting staff to help process paperwork. Many of those small businesses are my customers. Just trying to focus on order processing is a daily accomplishment, especially during this busy holiday season.

Here's my opinion. Find your niche! Work and develop that niche to a perfection. Don't sweat bullets about those bigger soap companies promoting the host of  behind the scene workers. Do what you do and do it well. You'll succeed if you stay focused on your vision.

As for the paperwork: Find a bookkeeper that is willing to track and record your invoices, receipts and inventory paperwork. Then, on a monthly basis, send that info to a CPA accounting firm to make sure that all your tax deductions are accountable and deductible.

There are plenty of companies out there in our industry selling a marketing pitch. You should thoroughly investigate if their monthly or annual fees are justified. There are many in the soaping industry that seem to be your advocate. However, make sure you do your homework. Spend your marketing dollars wisely. Quite honestly, I would rather spend my dollars on good help than those that profess to promote my company online.

Sleeping With The Enemy Might Be A Good Thing

My grandson likes to play with small action figures. His favorite play station is my bedroom because it is a quiet retreat from his siblings. He uses my bed as the backdrop for his battleground drama. When passing by my bedroom door, I often hear a "kish", pooooff!, "coo!" sound or a shout of "man down, man down as he imitates noises and phrases heard in action movies. It has been amusing until recently.

On this particular night I was burning the midnight oil and working late in my home office. I finally called it a night and crept into my bedroom anticipating the luxury of my comfy bed. I threw back the covers, positioned myself and suddenly discovered I was sleeping with the enemy. Not just one or two, but the entire army. My grandson’s ‘bad guy” army had built a fortress under my bed covers.

In one sweeping motion I knocked the action figures into a crippled heap on the bedroom floor. I can assure you visions of sugarplums were not dancing in my head. As little character heads and arms went flying and all I could envision were action figures preparing to do battle on the woman who attacked them on neutral ground because she believed they were invading her territory.

Isn't that so like us in the business world? We believe that taking out opponents invading our territory will allow us to be the dominator. In the online business world this isn't the case. Pairing up with the competition (or so called enemy) may just help us win in the end. Sleeping with the enemy might be a good thing.

In the past, territorial boundaries in business have been well defined. We find ourselves competing to be better than the other guys and willing to succeed at all costs. The fact that two people can do the same thing and do it without conflict is inconceivable. And then along comes social media and networking. This shared community concept has turned everything upside down. Just like the farming community in which I live, information, equipment, knowledge and tools are being shared to allow everyone to succeed. Companies and individuals are joining hands and embracing the idea that survival in the small business arena means collaboration.

The days of working in isolation are long gone. The new age business concept has evolved into a “team spirit” mind set. It’s an environment that expresses, “tell me what you know and I’ll tell you what I know so we can both grow our companies and make a living”. The Evil Empire concept has been crushed. We are finding it necessary to merge with our competitors. We are coming to understand that our perceived (business) enemies are well informed and decent people who might possibly be able to help us.

As business owners, we need to grow through multiplication instead of division and turn our competitors into our best allies. It’s time to take a look and determine if sleeping with the enemy might be a good business move. As we begin to understand the product differences with our competitors, we can also begin to improve our own product and make it stand out.

Certainly there will be competitors that we do not wish to share information. Those would be the “bad guys”; the guys I wiped off my bed without thought or care of their outcome. In no way am I suggesting you wipe out your enemy or competition. What I am suggesting is coming to the realization that some competitors may actually help you in collaborating a new market or product in this ever changing online business world. Take a chance. Sleep with the enemy. Engage in a relationship with your perceived Evil Empire. You might be surprised at where it takes you.

Soap Making: The Final Melt & Pour Project #1

This week has been a whirlwind. It was one of those weeks you wish you could clone yourself, not just once, but multiple times. I was thankful to have one of our former workers, Sophie, home from college on Spring break. She's was able to fulfill a list of soaping projects that I've been wanting to get to for months now. I've already showcased a couple of the designs in a former blog post. While I was off for a mother-daughter day on Friday, Sophie finished up the last few designs.

So what did Sophie do with those curls? She used them in our large Mold Market Cubed Production tray mold (#112). Which, BTW, is currently on special for $15 (limited time!!). The curls were made using a chocolate shaver/planer available at most full service chain or kitchen stores. Hint...hint... we will likely be carrying this little device in the near future :))

This tray takes approximately 6 pounds of clear soap base (not including the soap curls). Soap curls were poured in white soap base using soap colors neon bright yellow and bright pink. Soph jazzed it up a bit by adding some Snippets of Silver glitter to the top layer of the final soap pour.

Each sliced cube weighed (on average) around 2.2 ounces. Some more, some less depending on how many curls were in the cube. Since the curls are randomly placed, you won't have the same weight for each cube. Our new Bamboo & Citrus fragrance was used and, I must say, smelled awesome in the finished soap. Now is the time to sample this hot fragrance since it is on Web Special. It's a great uni-sex fragrance, crisp and clean!

Drop one of these cubes into our soap bags, add some ribbon and you have a perfect gift to include in an Easter basket. Don't forget that you can also use soap for Easter place settings. See a former blog post. You can add your own twist on how to label the soap bags, but what fun to have a "take with me" place card.

Business Scare... Linked to PORN site!!!

Yes, this is a must read for anyone using the Internet for casual use OR conducting business on the Internet. Most businesses would probably never post this info, but after today, I believe it is imperative to guard yourself and your company against the many malicious cyber-crimes and security spy ware programs out to sabotage your company's goodwill and identity.

GoPlanetEarth has a great number of security measures in place to protect our customer information. In fact, we spend a great deal of $$$ each year doing just that... protecting your information. As of today, I can report that we have done that with 100% success. After this incident, I realize that we need to implement other security measures concerning our web site FTP measures. Here's what happened and I'm sharing this because I believe other business owners could be in jeopardy as well.

This afternoon, I updated some of our web pages to reflect changes. I signed onto our FTP server as usual (which we have been using with NO issues for over 8 years). I uploaded our pages and asked that someone preview those pages to ensure all was well. All was not well. I had lost all CSS style menus which meant customers could not navigate our site. Bad News!!!! But, that was only the beginning.

Upon reloading our web site page in the browser, I immediately noted that there were other unknown web sites being scanned (in a VERY rapid succession) in the very right corner of the IE browser. This was a definite alert that something was amiss. I was able to write down just one of the web sites (which I will not name due to its content). A visit to this site was shocking!!!! Yes, absolutely shocking considering we are a family valued soap making company. It was a porn site. Our web site had been hacked via a FTP program and was being redirected to this site. HELP<> ME JESUS was all I could utter.

I apologize for the lengthy post, but believe it is warranted. Thankfully, I have an HTML progamming background and a history of web site development. I felt like Sherlock Holmes as I tried to determine the line of attack. I signed onto our FTP program since that is where the issue first began. Sure enough, I found a .htpaccess file that was recently accessed. I know most won't know what this is, but basically, someone....some hacker program had rewritten this file to redirect to their porn site.

I took the corrective actions (thank you, Jesus, for your wisdom and guidance on that one...and understanding of the .htpaccess files). I deleted the file and uploaded the correct file. WOW!!!! What a scare and what a lesson about FTP security. For those of you who think you are immune, think again. GoPlanet has taken extreme measures to secure every aspect of our web site's FTP services. I hope you do the same.

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations to Christina from Crossville, TN. She is the recipient of (10) 1/2 ounce fragrance oil samples of our most popular Spring scents. Our FB Giveaway asked that our Fans submit why they like to make soap. The drawing was random, but it was very interesting to read all the comments. I've posted Christina's comment as well as a few others. Thanks to everyone (and there were a good number) who entered. Look for more FB giveaways in March.


Our winner, Christina wrote....

"I first became interested in soap making at the age of 5 years. My family went to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO before it became known as Branson, and outside there were these ladies dressed in 1800s costume making soap. I stood there watching them as long as my parents would let me. I couldn't take my eyes off them. I never forgot it and always in the back of my mind was the desire to start my business making soap. I would go into stores and would think if only this was available in this color and fragrance only it wasn't.

At our family owned and run business that is exactly what we offer. We offer all natural soap, body care, perfume, make-up, and hair care products that we make right in our kitchen. I am thrilled to see my life long dream come true. I truly love being able to personally make each customer's order. When they are allergic to a product offered we simply customize it for them using ingredients they are not allergic to.

Owning our business with my sister enables me to home school my 12 yr old daughter and spend quality time with her. It has drawn us much closer than when I was working for Employers. We look forward to seeing our business grow and my daughter is learning it."


Alison from California wrote:


"In this constant struggle against germs and dirt, One person must grab a bar of soap and say "Enough is enough!" I see myself as a hero amongst those who wish not only to be clean, but smell good and feel soft in the face of this adversary we call Body Odor! No longer will we walk around destroying others nose holes! No longer will we be ashamed to raise our arms with fear of killing those near us and ask "why can't we just smell good for once!?" That is why I Love to make soap! To help those in need of a good bathing. Not only help them, but help those around them AND RISE UP AGAINST STINK! =] "

Denise's comment: Clever~might need to hire you for marketing ;)


Tami from Utah wrote:

"I love soapmaking! As a woman, much of what I do each day... I wake up and do again the next day (laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc.). Soapmaking gives me a creative boost, and in the end I can stand back and look at the beautiful, fragrant soaps I have created and feel a touch of pride. Using them in the shower is the icing on the cake!! Having someone say their "wife asked for my soaps for Christmas" is the ultimate!!!"

Denise's comment: Yes, having someone request product or compliment you on it is a high. Keep it up!


Nikole from Michigan wrote:

"I've never thought of myself as a creative person - in fact, I pretty much thought I just ruined anything I tried to accomplish. so when I forced myself to choose a hobby, I picked soap making. Hey, why not get soft happy skin while stimulating my brain...right? It has completely changed my outlook on, well everything.

Not only is it actually fun to design and create items that are actually good for your skin, but for me it's more. Making soap gave me confidence that I've really lacked for a long time in different parts of my life, it extends further than just feeling that boost from having people compliment me on my products (and actually purchase things from me because they really do like them) but somehow it's also helped me to realize that I can't possibly suck at Everything, right? haha, That's what I'm going with anyways :) "

Denise's comment: You keep going with that girlfriend!! I've always been a creative person. Sadly, my daughter always compared herself to me and my work. She felt she lacked in her creative abilities. Today, she has far surpassed me in more creative ways than one. It's all about perservering and believing that you can "DO IT!" Thanks for sharing.

VENTING: USPS Service STINKS!

Ok. For months, even years, I have withheld my opinion of the US Postal service. We ship a good number of international orders and if there was another shipping option, that was reasonable, we would be using it.

On a scale of 1 to 5:

Overall service= 2

Phone service= 1 (even had someone hang up on me today because they had NO IDEA how to assist)

The fact that I am paying tax dollars for this service gets a 2, and their web site service is sporadic. I spent over two hours today trying to print two international custom forms to Russia.
Forms never did print and the person on the phone line treated me like I had never navigated the Internet... that person gets a "0". I so wish I knew their name. Funny how the US Government doesn't require employees to give name/badge numbers.

Tax dollars at work!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me mention that we ship to Russia several times a month. This is not anything new to us and the person I spoke to was more than insulting. I can only guess she has never seen anything outside of the rural area she lives. Yes, that sounds ugly, but it's probably VERY TRUE. MY POINT: don't put people in phone positions who are clueless about the region, international area, or company types with which they are working. HELLO.... you are the US governement... is your employee pool that limited???

OK... I will take your feedback, but don't expect any kindness on my end.


For those of you working for the US Post... sorry. But, this is a government agency that needs reorganization. Sometimes there are just not good things to say about a company (it this really a company, or a monoply?). Sling your good and bad comments my way, but I will never be a fan of the USPS. It should be privatized and taken out of the hands of the US Government.

What are your thoughts?

This Web-based App is Worth a Peek & It's FREE

Small businesses are often operating on a shoe-string budget. This is especially true when just starting out in business. The Internet offers a wealth of apps and programs that can help jump-start your business and many are FREE. But which ones are really worthy of consideration. Well, (in my opinion) this particular app/program is definitely worth a second look. More than just a to-do list manager, Remember the Milk acts like a full-blown calendar, but without the row-and-column display. You can send reminders via SMS, e-mail or instant message, and view the lists themselves via RSS (Really Simple Syndication).


Remember the Milk web app has been widely acclaimed over the past several years, and it works for individuals as well as small businesses. Best yet, RTM integrates with Gmail and Outlook, and the service has mobile apps for Windows, Android, iPhone and BlackBerry. My iPhone has a calendar but I don't have the ability to separate all my entries into specific lists. With RTM, you can. There is a list for Work, Personal, Study or personalize it by creating your own list folder like "Meetings" or "Customers". Once I create my list entry, I then set a reminder to be sent to my iPhone (see below). You can also have it sent to your email address, instant message program and even Skype.




This is a very thorough planner and list maker, easy to use and best of all it's free. It's definitely worth a peek.

Reflections on 2010 and Survival Tips for 2011

On the eve of this 2010 New Year, there are a few things I want to share. The end of a year is always a great time to evaluate where you started, where you ended, and where you want to be down the road. With the economic times we now face, there is much uncertainty about future plans. So many are closing up shop and the bigger guys just keep gobbling up the little guys. Certainly, nothing new. However, it seems to be happening more and more. The small home-based businesses can't survive and import items seem to offer the better bargains though not necessarily the better product.

Sad, but true, customers are looking for the best price. If they see it on another site for less, they assume you are overpriced. The truth is, many small online businesses are selling at discount prices and are happy to make just a marginal profit. That's great...except for those of us who operate small businesses and pay commercial rent, warehouse space, IT people, web site developers, employees, and purchase manufacturing equipment and inventory product at all times.

As I look ahead to the future of small businesses, I see many changes. Not because we want those changes, but because the government, economy, customer interest, competitors and trends will ultimately dictate how well a business survives. So how do you survive? Here are a few tips to help jump start your New Year Business Resolutions:

• If you haven't already, start a blog and then make sure you post every few days. As a business owner, I know it's sometimes hard to post everyday...BUT...you need to post on a regular basis.
  
  
• Remember, you don't need to market to the masses to make a living. Market what you know and make sure you do it better than the other guy. Figure out what you need to make per month and then focus your marketing strategy based on that figure. Determine the steps needed to make each sale to enable you to reach your goal.
  
  
• If you need help, consider hiring a virtual assistant. I know, it sounds crazy, but it's the wave of the future. If you need help with marketing, problem solving, or answering emails or setting up monthly newsletters but can't afford to hire multiple people to fulfill those tasks, then a virtual assistant may be your ticket to survival.
  
  
• Find an untapped niche. Yes, there are still plenty of new ideas out there. It's not so much about "what" you do as it is about "how" you do it. You need to have a detailed business plan on how you will execute your product to the marketplace. You could even make "customer service" your niche. Out service the other guy!
  
  
• Change your behavior and attitude to meet the needs of your customers, not the needs of your company. This is a tough one but will ultimately yield a big return. You may have the skills to do your job, but does your behavior and attitude lend themselves to generating new business?
  
  
• Make use of social media marketing... like Face Book. With so many hand-held search devices, you can't afford to not diversify your search marketing options. For small companies, this can become all consuming. This is where you might want to earmark some funds to hire someone to help you set up a social media network.
  
  
• There is nothing wrong with NOT expanding your business. Sometimes it's easy to look around at what everyone else is doing and believe you should be doing more. It's OK to reach a point in your business where you have no desire to expand. Hey, I'm in my mid-fifties and quite honestly, I want to retire at some point and expanding the business will no longer be a priority.
  
  
• Join a network of people that can help you grow your business. Brainstorm with these individuals. Bounce your marketing ideas into their arena for shared input. Find out what business growth strategies have worked for them and learn from their experiences. LinkeIn.com is a starting place for networking with others.
  

I am getting ready to sign off the computer for today as I prepare to entertain a few friends for a New Year's Eve dinner party. I hope that each of you have a safe New Year's Eve and a joyful and prosperous 2011. All of us at GoPlanet will be back to work on Monday. We look forward to servicing your soaping needs in the next year.

Christmas Countdown: STRUT YOUR STUFF!

STRUT YOUR STUFF! Here is a chance to showcase your handmade soap or toiletry goods. Email your best holiday wares. It can be lotions, gels, body butters, soaps, sprays.... we will be showcasing them on my blog. A great opportunity for a business shout out. I will be showcasing the best of the best and posting every day until Christmas. What are you waiting for? Strut your stuff! This is part of our Christmas countdown.