April showers bring May flowers...

Spring and Summer have always been the hardest times for me to remain motivated to work on my side business. I could blame it on the change in weather calling me outdoors, the fact that there are less holidays that get me out of my full time job for a few hours, or the fact that people don't seem to burn as many candles when it's sunny and warm during the day, but the fact is that sometimes the best time to promote your business is when you're making the least sales... and I could take better advantage of my down time. I plan to do a few things every year to try to grow my customer base, but usually don't get everything done. I'm hoping this year will be different.

The main thing I try to make time for each spring and Summer is to take samples of my products to the buyers at local stores in hopes they will decide to add my line to their retail selection. Times have changed since I started my business... stores have closed... and only two of my original retail locations remain. (Thank you Hemp Wise & Midnight Sun for your loyal support.) My current strategy for obtaining more wholesale purchasers is to research the location and then bring some nicely wrapped free samples for the store's buyer to try out along with some printouts telling about the ingredients I use and prices I charge. I send custom postcards to thank them for meeting with me (assuming I get that far) and sometimes just to keep my products in their mind (i.e. when the buyer says they would be interested, but want to wait one to two months). It is hard to talk a store owner into expanding their selection during a recession, but I'm hoping to meet the ones who are optimistic about the 2010 economy.

At the same time, I need to continue working on my direct sales if I want to make more than a slight bit of frivolous spending money off my candles & soap. In 2009 I added a website, blog, facebook profile, and the occasional flea market or home sales party appearance to my job description as chief candle maker & marketing guru for Homemade by Hoyt. I even hired Google Ad Words to advertise my website day and night. I have definitely had some success due to these efforts, but the battle for increased direct sales is tough. My experience has proven that the best "advertising" I can buy is the personal referral of a friend. Last week I got to see a thank you note that came all the way from Budapest for a gift box that included Homemade by Hoyt soap & specially decorated Recycled Jar Candles. Many more friends have given my products as gifts and helped me win over another customer. (I'm not going to give you an exact figure, but I do like to give discounts and/or gifts to appropriately thank people who help me grow my business.) I also offer other special deals on my website and facebook page throughout the year, which I hope are making people peek at my products, but don't have a method to measure the traffic from facebook to etsy.


What I do know is that I would love to hear your opinions & suggestions if you happen to be reading this and could spare an idea. Is there a store you think I should check out? A craft fair or home party situation which you would like to attend? Do you or people you know read the blogs that review products and have contests for free samples? I am actually hoping to join an entrepreneurial women's networking group soon, so hopefully they can help me with these ideas if no one on the world wide web can... either way, the May flowers are here... 'tis the season to promote.

One week, one order, one pledge, one recipe

It's hard to believe the first week of the year has already come and gone. I've already gotten my first wholesale order of the year - thank you Hemp Wise - which begins the ticker for dollars pledged to the Environmental Defense Fund. This order will mean a future donation of approximately $5... it sounds small, but I think the number will be much larger when I finally tally it up and make the first payment and I'm excited to be supporting a cause with my work. I didn't find time for any marketing this week, on account of having a cold and being busy enough just making, labeling and wrapping candles for Hemp Wise. So far I've made Red Currant, Rustic Woods and Oceanside... tonight I will make the final batch, pomegranate spice.

I also did a bit more cooking, through the week... glass jars are accumulating slowly. I thought I would share my newest potato salad concoction with you. It's loaded with vitamins and contains much less fat than traditional recipes thanks to the addition of greek yogurt.

1 bag baby gold potatoes

1 - 12 oz jar roasted red bell peppers - diced

1 shallot - diced

6 oz greek yogurt

2 Tbsp mayonaise

olive oil

Wash the potatoes then put them in a large pot, fill with water and put it on the stove. Bring water to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until potato skins begin to crack open (approx 40 min.). Drain and cool.

While potatoes are cooking, heat approximately 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a skillet on low heat. Add finely diced shallots and stir frequently. Cook 2 min or until lightly browned.

Once potatoes have cooled 5 - 10 minutes, pour in a casserole, use a fork to break into smaller chunks, then stir in yogurt, shallots, mayonaise and diced roasted red bell pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Allow mixture to cool on the counter 20 - 30 minutes before placing in the refrigerator to prevent condensation from watering down your chilled potato salad. Enjoy!