Hello! :)
I've been AWOL for most of this year and rearing to jump back on the social media train! Can't wait to catch up with some of my fave blogs and twitterers!
This is shocking - I haven't even checked my regular e-mail account since April !!
I am expecting a barrage of e-mails when I eventually log in. Must . Not . Put . Off .
Some good news:
My Trademark was approved in November! I am SO excited. This is a long process which I started in about December last year. My trademark is.. dun na na naaa... Jubuk®. I love writing that. This word means so much more to me than anyone can imagine!
My logos, website, everything is centred around Jubuk®. (pronounced "J'book") I felt that I couldn't really start doing business-y things officially until I KNEW this was approved.
I shouldn't have let it block me from going forward and perhaps that was not the best business decision I have made, but it felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when I received my Registration certificate in the mail. "This is it! I can finally get things going!"
Merry Christmas and have a FANTASTIC New Year!
And take care! I'll be back full steam ahead in January.
~Jxx
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Been Busy - Will Write
Sorry about my lazy posting, here and on other online places I live :) ... I've just been really busy lately!
There are some big changes happening around here, one of which is I am going to work on my business full time in 3 months. Yes, three! There are going to be some major website overhauls (as much as my HTML and Photoshop knowledge will let me achieve) and a proper online shop for both my businesses. I have no idea where I am going to get time to make product in the next three months (but when I am unemployed/self-employed there will be puh-lenty of time)... I am sure I will manage somehow!
I have been reading a lot about quitting your day job to pursue self-employment. One thing I wish I had was a mentor in a similar industry. I am not sure how to go about getting that, or how much it would cost. I have been getting my head around cashflow, stocktake, tax reporting requirements, aaaaalll the red tape that goes with opening up a cosmetics business in Australia, and also importing regulations. It's one fun, interesting and frustrating ride! (the red tape stuff is especially frustrating, as I am sure many Aussie businesses will attest to!)
I have been selling product on the side for quite a while now, even my raw ingredients - I am surprised as I don't advertise it, which is nice to know that if I actually start to get my name out there I may actually start to get the business wheels turning properly! One hurdle is cashflow. I have now taken on a full time job to make sure my credit cards are in the black (as much as they can be!) and to free them up for the rainy days that I am sure will be ahead. One small step for man... one ginormous leap for the business! Leaving a comfy, stable job in pursuit of my goals is one big hurdle I've overcome. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make in my employed life. I believe in this business, my ethics and my products enough to be sure that I can survive on my business alone.
Some things to look forward to that are in the works:
Here are some websites I currently have open in my browser, in regards to the transition from being comfortably employed and worry-free (well in regards to the next paycheck anyway!) to being self-employed:
Maybe You Shouldn't Quit Your Day Job
How Many Bars Of Soap Per Month For A Living? - The Dish (makes for an interesting read - it's important not to forget to pay yourself when pricing your products)
Is It Your Goal To Quit The Day Job?
Are You Treating Your Home Business As A Hobby?
Handling Fear In Your New Business
Generally I have found the Flying Solo website is an awesome online resource. This was later reinforced when meeting with a Small Business Development facilitator who suggested I visit that website!
I know this post is a bit business-y and I do apologise - it's what's been on my mind lately! I'll update more often, as long as this new 9-5'er doesn't completely drain me (data entry computer-work - very very draining when done 8 hrs/day 5days/week)!
Take Care :)
~Jus
There are some big changes happening around here, one of which is I am going to work on my business full time in 3 months. Yes, three! There are going to be some major website overhauls (as much as my HTML and Photoshop knowledge will let me achieve) and a proper online shop for both my businesses. I have no idea where I am going to get time to make product in the next three months (but when I am unemployed/self-employed there will be puh-lenty of time)... I am sure I will manage somehow!
I have been reading a lot about quitting your day job to pursue self-employment. One thing I wish I had was a mentor in a similar industry. I am not sure how to go about getting that, or how much it would cost. I have been getting my head around cashflow, stocktake, tax reporting requirements, aaaaalll the red tape that goes with opening up a cosmetics business in Australia, and also importing regulations. It's one fun, interesting and frustrating ride! (the red tape stuff is especially frustrating, as I am sure many Aussie businesses will attest to!)
I have been selling product on the side for quite a while now, even my raw ingredients - I am surprised as I don't advertise it, which is nice to know that if I actually start to get my name out there I may actually start to get the business wheels turning properly! One hurdle is cashflow. I have now taken on a full time job to make sure my credit cards are in the black (as much as they can be!) and to free them up for the rainy days that I am sure will be ahead. One small step for man... one ginormous leap for the business! Leaving a comfy, stable job in pursuit of my goals is one big hurdle I've overcome. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make in my employed life. I believe in this business, my ethics and my products enough to be sure that I can survive on my business alone.
Some things to look forward to that are in the works:
- Imported unrefined Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter from East Africa.
- Mineral Make-Up supplies, one of the biggest choices for colour in Australia (my goal).
- Imported oils that are hard to find for sale in Australia eg. Abysinnian oil
- A wide variety of cold process soaps for sale.
- My YUMMY emulsified sugar scrubs. My Warm Vanilla Sugar ones (Brambleberry) were a huge hit over Christmas. I love emulsified sugar scrubs and the process of making them!
- Hair Conditioner (Shampoo will be coming, once I perfect my recipe!)
- Shea & Jasmine Lip Balm - all natural. This one is a JubuK Specialty Recipe :D
- Massage oils are TDF!
- Doggy pampering products - because goggys deserve to be spoiled rotten too!
- Eventually.... a line of mineral-makeup. (already have a name for it!)
Here are some websites I currently have open in my browser, in regards to the transition from being comfortably employed and worry-free (well in regards to the next paycheck anyway!) to being self-employed:
Maybe You Shouldn't Quit Your Day Job
How Many Bars Of Soap Per Month For A Living? - The Dish (makes for an interesting read - it's important not to forget to pay yourself when pricing your products)
Is It Your Goal To Quit The Day Job?
Are You Treating Your Home Business As A Hobby?
Handling Fear In Your New Business
Generally I have found the Flying Solo website is an awesome online resource. This was later reinforced when meeting with a Small Business Development facilitator who suggested I visit that website!
I know this post is a bit business-y and I do apologise - it's what's been on my mind lately! I'll update more often, as long as this new 9-5'er doesn't completely drain me (data entry computer-work - very very draining when done 8 hrs/day 5days/week)!
Take Care :)
~Jus
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
FaerieMade Is Faerie GOOD!!!!!
I received my lovely perfumes last Thursday, the day after Alkali soaps. Postage from the US was only a week for standard postage, how good is that! I was also lucky to receive 3 sample soaps, scented with essential oils only and using natural colours:- Ginger Lime, MoonLady's Ocean, Tea Tree & Eucalyptus.
Ginger Lime is a really nice blend, different, but I think the amounts of ginger and lime are right. I tried to make this essential oil combination a couple of years ago but was a bit heavy-handed with the ginger, resulting in very err.. the only word for it is "gingery"... soaps. A bit overbearing for the shower. FaerieMade's blend is a light ginger with the right amount of lime to balance it out.
Tea Tree Eucalyptus, a very self-explanatory blend! Herbal and refreshing. (very antibacterial as well if you wanted to know!)
Moonlady's Ocean... now as I have said previously I'm not good with scents (it does help when the soap name gives the scent away!) ... it smells citrusy and flowery/herbal. I really like it.
I am absolutely in
with FaerieMade perfumes. I know how much time, work and effort it takes to make a synergistic blend let alone a blend limited to only essential oils, resins etc. I am very impressed!The perfume blends are Chandon Rose, Sandalwood Amber and Wild Bergamot.
Chandon Rose surprisingly doesn't smell like a rose (to me). I would definitely class it as floral though but a fresh funky floral, not an older woman's floral. It smells slightly herbal and flowery. This is as much as I can explain the scent! It is a well-rounded blend, and really nice. Also, it is green! (I heart green).
Sandalwood Amber definitely has more base notes and stays longer on the skin than the other two. It is a sexy blend as you could imagine. It has a warm 'feeling' to the scent. Straight Out-Of-(the)-Bottle (OOB) it smells so freakin good, but once it's developed on MY skin (not necessarily anyone else's) I feel it doesn't suit me. But that is JUST ME. Perfumes are very personal things!
Wild Bergamot is very citrusy and once developed really becomes something! OOB it was my least favourite, but it really suits me. It is fresh, clean, citrusy. It is wonderful to put on straight after a warm shower.
(L-R: Wild Bergamot, Chandon Rose, Sandalwood Amber. Soaps T-B: Ginger Lime, Moonlady's Ocean, Tea Tree Eucalyptus)
My scent preferences OOB:- Sandalwood Amber followed by Chandon Rose then Wild Bergamot. The funny thing with perfumes is that on every person the scent changes!! Once I'd actually worn them on three different days, my preferences changed to Chandon Rose followed by closely by Wild Bergamot and Sandalwood Amber. Funny! The business owner, Tina, informs me that Sandalwood Amber is her biggest seller, and I can see (smell) why.
I think I'll definitely be purchasing a larger sized bottle of Chandon Rose. How many perfumes can you buy in a store that are all natural, smell this good and are green?! AWESOME! :)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Alkali Soaps Have Arrived!
I received my Alkali soaps today!
They are just as gorgeous as they look in the picture. And they smell delish too!
I'm hopeless at describing scents but here it goes:
Georgia is on the left, it's the same one that was used in the picture on their website! It is just as vibrant in real life as it is in the picture. It smells sweet and fruity.
Drizzle on the right is a hard one to describe! It smells feminine bordering on unisex scent. It smells foody but isn't a foody scent, and smells floral but not quite floral. There might be a slight hint of musk in there. Whatever it is I like it :)
I received two samples as well :) Equinox (left) is a spicy scent, but not manly spicy, actually it reminds me of BB Country Sleigh. Omen on the right smells masculine, but I'd happily use it! Close up I can see some sparkly mica in the swirl. And if you don't already know, I LOVE micas. I shouldn't publicise this, but sparkly things are my Achilles heel!
The perfumes are on their way, they were shipped last week. I bought my mum some natural perfume samples a couple of Christmas's ago, and have been meaning to buy myself some since then. I can't wait for them to arrive!
They are just as gorgeous as they look in the picture. And they smell delish too!
I'm hopeless at describing scents but here it goes:
Georgia is on the left, it's the same one that was used in the picture on their website! It is just as vibrant in real life as it is in the picture. It smells sweet and fruity.
Drizzle on the right is a hard one to describe! It smells feminine bordering on unisex scent. It smells foody but isn't a foody scent, and smells floral but not quite floral. There might be a slight hint of musk in there. Whatever it is I like it :)
I received two samples as well :) Equinox (left) is a spicy scent, but not manly spicy, actually it reminds me of BB Country Sleigh. Omen on the right smells masculine, but I'd happily use it! Close up I can see some sparkly mica in the swirl. And if you don't already know, I LOVE micas. I shouldn't publicise this, but sparkly things are my Achilles heel!
The perfumes are on their way, they were shipped last week. I bought my mum some natural perfume samples a couple of Christmas's ago, and have been meaning to buy myself some since then. I can't wait for them to arrive!
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