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CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
Introducing Sally B’s Skin Yummies
Blending nature and technology, Sally B’s is committed to making high quality, luxurious, and effective skin care products from certified organic and natural plant based ingredients. The creams, lotions, makeup, and fragrance are created in Inman Park, Atlanta, and are sold throughout the world. See for yourself what organic skin care will do for you and for the planet!
Check out all of Sally B’s great new products here, arriving just in time for spring!
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Organic, Luxurious, Healthy
What are your most popular products or services?
Mineral makeup, Eye Cream, Night Cream, Eco Body Lotion and Tinted Moisturizer.
People may be surprised to know…
I’m one of eight children.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
After Cancer, I had to treat my own skin differently. Out of necessity, I created my own products.
Who is your role model or mentor?
My Dad started his own business after WWII. The company he founded is still going strong.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Don’t think small. You can’t do it all nor are you qualified to do it all.
How do you spend your free time?
Trying to catch up.
What is your indulgence?
Long Baths
Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
The beach. Pawleys Island is my favorite.
Introducing Ronda Smith Designs
Ronda Smith Designs was born out of a love to create and design stylish and affordable jewelry for all women that is both feminine and edgy. Inspired by her faith, her designs blur the distinction between vintage and modern using natural gemstones, vintage charms and crosses with chains, leather and other repurposed materials.
Be sure to check out the Ronda Smith Designs trunk show at the GRAND RE OPENING of WEAR March 31, 2011 5-9 pm.
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Beautiful, Stylish, Versatile
What are your most popular products or services?
Customizable hand embossed bracelets and double wrap necklaces
People may be surprised to know…
I’m a cancer survivor
What or who inspired you to start your business?
My dear friend, Chris Glavine gave me the inspiration to make my first bracelet.
Who is your role model or mentor?
I strive to be more like my Dad because I admire his patience, strength and gentleness.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
I have learned to handle my mistakes by maintaining perspective and having a sense of humor.
How do you spend your free time?
Laughing with my 3 beautiful children and husband
What is your indulgence?
Cookie cake
Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Doesn’t matter where you go when your girlfriends are as great as mine, but the beach with margaritas sounds great!
Fresh Face: Claudia Mejerle
To Claudia Mejerle, makeup is an accessory to an outfit. It expresses style and personality. It is an art form. And it’s fun! This savvy makeup artist discovered her passion for makeup as a little girl playing in her mother’s makeup drawer as she was getting ready for my ballet recitals. Makeup made her feel beautiful. She realized that when you enhance your God-given external beauty, it is more than just an outer transformation. Looking and feeling more beautiful makes you feel powerful. You exude confidence and joy. Who doesn’t want that?! And it is her hope that she can show women how to enhance their natural beauty through makeup.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
creative, playful and passionate
What is your biggest goal for the future of your business?
It is really important to me that I stay true to myself and my style as I grow my business. I hope to align myself with clients that allow me to do that, but I also want to be challenged with new types of work that help me to grow as an artist. I really want to push myself to discover new, unique ways that I can share my love for makeup artistry.
What is one thing you could not live without?
There have definitely been a lot of challenges in making my dream become a reality, but having the love, support, and encouragement of my family and friends has really made this possible. My incredible support system has given me courage to take the leap and has been an unbelievable source of business leads from the beginning. It is essential to have that support in order to grow and it is so much fun to have people to share the adventure with!
What is your favorite thing about living in Atlanta?
Hmmm…probably the fact that there is so much great food to eat! But I also love that this town is perfect for anyone looking to go out on their own and do something new. Atlanta may be a large city, but it amazes me how connected everyone is. There’s so much room for growth and the people are eager to support new businesses.
What inspired you to start your business?
Well, there wasn’t ever a specific moment when i said “I am starting a business.” It has just kind of evolved. I have always enjoyed doing makeup for friends and over time I started getting referrals to do makeup for weddings. My hobby just turned into a business and I figured if I could make a living doing something I love, I just had to go for it.
What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?
Oh gosh. I love everything about being an entrepreneur! It’s so exciting. I love that there is so much flexibility and freedom to do things the way I would like. I am able to be creative in my actual art as well as in the way I develop my business. There is so much fulfillment and motivation knowing I am in control of my success.
If you could have dinner and talk about business with one person, who would it be?
There are a number of famous makeup artists I would die to have one minute with, but I think Carmindy (from What Not To Wear) is at the top of my list. She has a way of making everyone not only look gorgeous, but she makes each woman feel special and more beautiful than they’ve ever felt.
If you could give one piece advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Don’t let fear get in the way of your passion. The unknown can be scary, but going after your dream is an adventure. If you do something that you’re passionate about, you can’t help but succeed!
Want to learn more? Visit her website at http://claudiamejerle.com/
Fresh Face: Amanda Wheeler
Southern charm and elegance meets big city sass and sophistication in the form of Savannah Rae. The dazzling combination of traditional and original designs by Savannah Rae embodies the fun-loving, charismatic, flirtatious and energetic attitude of the designer, Amanda Wheeler.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Caring, playful, fashionable
What is your biggest goal for the future of your business?
Savannah Rae is inspired by my family and friends. I want to provide stylish designs that look great on everyone, are affordable, and make them feel confident and comfortable. With that in mind, my long-term goal would be for boutiques and stores nationwide to carry my line. I really want to saturate the fashionable yet affordable market.
What is one thing you could not live without?
Family and friends. They have been my rock whilst taking this leap of faith to become an entrepreneur and to really follow my dream. Without their love and support, I wouldn’t have had the courage to bring Savannah Rae to life.
Other than that….. my hair straightener. 
What is your favorite thing about living in Atlanta?
Atlanta has a lot to offer. It’s a very metropolitan city with a lot of great attractions, like the High Museum, that’s one of my favorite places. But the southern charm of the city is also very present. That’s why Atlanta is so special, because of it’s ability to balance the fast paced city life with the comfort of it’s renowned southern hospitality.
What inspired you to start your business?
My passion for fashion really took hold in high school. When I went on to do a degree in Fashion Merchandising, it was then that I realized I wanted to do the design side of things. I transferred universities to do a degree in fashion design, where I was able to learn all of the necessary technical skills. After having worked for several fashion brands, including Ralph Lauren, I felt the time was right to bring Savannah Rae to life.
Savannah Rae is inspired by my friends and family. We all have different body types, and I wanted to create designs that were not only concurrent with the latest trends but also fit them comfortably and gave them confidence. It’s important for every woman to feel comfortable in what she wears but also reflects her personality, whether it’s romantic, flirty, shy or playful. Savannah Rae is very reflective of my personal style, and it was also important to me for my designs to be versatile, so the pieces can be dressed up or down for a cheery day look or sassy night look.
What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?
The flexibility and creative control have been extremely rewarding. I like feeling unrestricted in my creative thinking and being able to just act.
If you could have dinner and talk about business with one person, who would it be?
Diane Von Furstenburg. I’d relish in the opportunity to pick her brain about how she established and marketed, and continues to market, her brand. Her sustained success and proven ability to innovate a staple item, like her iconic wrap dress, is absolutely inspiring.
If you could give one piece advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be?
To always follow your dream. I know it sounds cliche, but if you’ve got a good idea, and you know you have a good idea, don’t let others discourage you. Yeah, it’s scary to take the risk, but if you really believe in what you are doing, that’s what matters.
Introducing TSP Marketing
Known for constantly thinking outside of the box, TSP Marketing leverages traditional marketing, public relations and innovative social media marketing to uniquely and effectively position their clients and services, to create and maintain a strong presence in the marketplace, and grow their businesses. In 2007, Taryn also founded Women Intelligently Networking (WIN!)®, a premier online and offline community of business women headquartered in Atlanta.
Business Bootcamp for Wonder Women 2 Day Atlanta Conference on Feb 25 + 26 is for women entrepreneurs, small businesses, brick and mortar store owners, attorneys, doctors, professionals bloggers and other professionals. The BBWW Conference will be offering over 30 how-to sessions, panels and workshops on marketing, technology, social media, law and sales and development.
Women Intelligently Networking (WIN!)® is generously offering a special for the CRAVE Atlanta community through February, 15th! Use VIP code: CRAVE2011 to receive $40 off the general admission ticket.
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Innovative, Magnetic, Dynamic
What are your most popular products or services?
- social media marketing workshops / lunch + learns
- public relations and marketing consulting
- business networking and referral marketing coaching
- public speaking
People may be surprised to know…
I’ve been using «social media» since 1990. At age 12, I started my first online community and am still friends with many of those members.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
I made the choice to take control of my life, to not to conform to others’ rules but rather create my own game, call my own shots and surround myself with great people. My biggest fan, my husband, was instrumental in this realization.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Learning and mastering the fine art of delegation!
How do you spend your free time?
At the gym, often brainstorming on how to continue adding value to my networks and communities… I’m also a conference jetsetter and public speaker.
What is your indulgence?
I have a few! Interacting with my social networking communities (Twitter and Facebook). Sushi… And listening to really great dance music, preferably at the gym.
Fresh Face: Melanie Stewart
Melanie Stewart has been an entrepreness for almost ten of her twenty plus year career. In 2009, Melanie branched into the product industry by co-founding M&M Consumer Products, Inc., a women-owned company devoted to developing products that add both comfort and convenience to people’s everyday lives. Melanie is constantly looking at ways to make her life more comfortable and better so that she can help others live a more comfortable and better life.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Passionate, funny, loving
What is your biggest goal for the future of your business?
To be a multi-million dollar internationally recognized company for creating comfortable, convenient and creative solutions to everyday health and beauty needs.
What is one thing you could not live without?
My products of course. No, seriously, my family. They are my rock and my support. They believe in me and encourage me. I would not be where I am personally or professionally without them.
What is your favorite thing about living in Atlanta?
The phenomenal business women that live in city! There are so many great women entrepreneurs in Atlanta to network with.
What inspired you to start your business?
I wanted to be able to be more involved in my son’s life when I co-founded my first company, Compliance Partners, Inc. in 2001. When I co-founded my second company, M&M Consumer Products, Inc. in 2009, I had been unsuccessfully searching for solutions to health and beauty issues that I was having. Since I could not find any solutions on the market, I decided to create them myself.
What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?
Freedom, flexibility and creativity. Being an entrepreneur allows me the freedom to do what I want, the flexibility to do it when I want and the creativity to do it how I want.
If you could have dinner and talk about business with one person, who would it be?
Mary Kay Ash. I think that she is such an inspiration for women entrepreneurs. I have a long list of questions that I would love to ask her.
If you could give one piece advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be?
BELIEVE! Believe in yourself, believe in your product/service and believe in your success. Believe and you can achieve!
We’re CRAVE-ing The Starfire Group
The Starfire Group is a creative powerhouse which specializes in Event Production, Marketing & PR. With over ten years experience, The Starfire Group has become known for its creative concepts and wow-factor results which is the driving force behind their success. With expertise in various scales of events, NO EVENT IS TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL, THE STARFIRE GROUP IS HERE TO SERVE ALL!
Join The Starfire Group as they present SHOP & SIP… FOR LOVE! A fabulous event with cocktails, chocolates and up to 40% off CRAVE-able gifts for your Valentine! Visit Tous in Lenox Mall Wednesday, February 9, 2011 and RSVP to EVENTS@THESTARFIREGROUP.US (Subject: SHOP & SIP… FOR LOVE!) to attend.
How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
EXTRAORDINARY, EXUBERANT, AND EXPLOSIVE!
What are your most popular products or services?
My most popular requests for events are definitely grand opening celebrations and birthday celebrations.
People may be surprised to know…
People may be surprised to know that I actually started planning events when I was just 16.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired by my surroundings and fornate enough to have friends around me that don’t just participate but motivate.
Who is your role model or mentor?
My role model is not built in one person, but in every individual that made a way out of no way.
What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Being afraid to take a chance.
How do you spend your free time?
Mostly just relaxing at home and spending time with my friends and my dogs.
What is your indulgence?
Hmmmm, it is definitely food. But what-just depends on what I am CRAVE-ing at the time.
Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
My favorite place to go with my girlfriends are to new restaurants. We are always looking for a new fave place to CRAVE!
Fresh Face: Claire Watkins
Claire Watkins is the creative entrepreness behind Claire Watkins Interior Design and author of popular interior design blog, High Gloss Blue. After writing her law school entrance essay on the characteristics of design as an argument, then paying for her business license and law school deposit in the same week, Claire made the decision to pursue her real dream. Currently, she’s thrilled she gets to talk about chairs every single day, recession or not.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
One. Hot. Mess.
What is your biggest goal for the future of your business?
My biggest goal is the same as every small business owner’s goal to hire people to do all the non design related stuff I do for Claire Watkins Interior Design. More concretely, my biggest goal is to take more design risks and fewer business risks.
When I first started my company, I was nervous about pushing clients in their design choices (would they think I was not listening to them or asserting my personal taste over theirs?). I was nervous about having clients sign contract (would they think their was something in the fine print?). I was nervous to push them to pay me on past due invoices (would I seem rude in following up on a late invoice?). I’ve learned to listen to myself and now it is just a matter of having the discipline to always impart things.
What is one thing you could not live without?
My dogs.
What is your favorite thing about living in Atlanta?
The climate, hands down.
What inspired you to start your business?
After earning a degree in commercial interior design, I worked in textile design for major hotels and then as a photo stylist. I always felt limited working for other people, like I was only using one half of my brain. Looking for a challenging career, I decided to go to law school. When I wrote the check for my tuition deposit, something clicked. I bought my LLC the same week. Design is my passion and I figured I could get this thing going in the three years it would take me to graduate from law school.
What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?
It is tremendously rewarding. Every thing from getting to know new clients, to walking into a finished space, to creating relationships with artists, craftspeople and the Atlanta community in general (hello CRAVE and Laura Scholz), all the good stuff that comes with owning your own business really brings a high.
If you could have dinner and talk about business with one person, who would it be?
Let’s be honest, my next big client.
If you could give one piece advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be?
You can do it. Keep a day job, prepare to fail, meet all the people you can and start now, no excuses. That is one sentence, so does it count as one piece of advice? Oh and social media, social media, social media.
Five Focal Points To Simplify Your Biz
Being a business owner means that you perform a multitude of roles. And often it seems like there’s always more to do than there is time.
But there are ways you can keep things as simple as possible and reduce the amount of time and energy you spend running your business.
I’m sure you’ve heard of the KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). Well, let’s leave off that last word and just focus on keeping it simple. Here are five areas of your business you can simplify starting today:
1. Your Business Model
Your business model is the foundation of your business, how it makes money. If you’re offering too many products and services or if your products and services are not logically connected to a central theme, then you’re going to struggle.
Take a close look at your most profitable revenue streams (more on how to do that here) and only focus on promoting the ones that are most profitable.
You may discover that there are products and services that aren’t making you money (or that don’t fit with your focus) that you can simply stop offering. To find out if your business model is healthy read this.
2. Your Time
You get to choose how you spend your time. You can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to all of the opportunities available to you.
For many of us it seems crazy to say ‘no’ to something that could be good for the business. But if you’re extremely clear about your focus, you can easily see which options are the best use of your time and will know which ones to say ‘no’ to.
For more information about how saying ‘no’ can grow your business check out this article.
3. Your Marketing
Mediocre marketing done consistently beats ‘stop and start’ marketing that’s done randomly every single time. Analyze your marketing efforts and find out which of your marketing strategies are the most effective.
Once you know that, focus only on the strategies that work and drop the rest. Having a few successful marketing strategies that are done consistently can work wonders for your business.
4. Tasks you don’t like or aren’t good at doing
Outsourcing and delegating are fabulous ways to simplify your business. Think about thinks like: administration, technical tasks, accounting, and taxes.
By hiring someone to do these tasks for you, you will have more time to focus on higher value activities and the things you love to do.
5. Your Life
I’m guessing you started your business because you are passionate about what you do and you wanted the freedom to create a business that supports your life. If your business is running your life, it’s time to turn that around.
It’s critical that you make time for yourself to do the things that give you energy and allow you to recharge your batteries. If you don’t do this you are actually putting your business in jeopardy.
So although it may seem counterintuitive, and you may feel like you don’t have time to spend on yourself, the truth is you can’t afford not to.
Make the decision to keep it simple in your business and change the way you’re currently doing things. By applying the KISS principle, you’ll have more time, less stress, and more money in your bank account.
This post was written for the CRAVE company by marketing coach Stephanie Ward of Firefly Coaching.
Pucker Up and Get Ready to KISS
Pucker up everybody, it’s time to KISS. In other words – keep it simple, stupid! This month, CRAVE is focusing on the best ways to un-complicate your business.
There are so many companies out there that have a single focus – cupcakes, edgy haircuts, handmade greeting cards, you get the idea – and they are successful because they have perfected their craft and don’t let extraneous or unnecessary “stuff” take away from what they’re truly best at.
Throughout February, we are going to hear from women business owners from many industries and locations on their strategies for KISS-ing. We hope you’ll stay tuned – there’s lots of juicy advice coming your way! You’ll learn what works, what doesn’t, and why you need to KISS from these impressive entreprenesses.
Get the low down on how to keep it simple as our experts indulge you with valuable tips about how they manage to keep their business models and their lives operating with sweet, sweet simplicity.
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