It's been a while!

Hiya!

I can barely believe it's been two weeks since I last wrote a post! I got so busy and yesterday I realized I had gotten busy being busy.  I was doing a lot of different things but not really getting much accomplished, or at least not all of what I wanted to accomplish. I decided it was time to stop, take a breath and reorganize.  In that moment of clarity I thought to take a look at what's been going on and give you an update on things.

Back on October 22, I began the SweetSavours crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.  I have been thankful for the contributions I received.  I can't really put into words the degree of thankfulness I have for the people who have shown love and support of me and my business.  Very specifically, I thank Jim & Linda Birchard, Becki & Ben Encinas, Margaret Hansche, Theresa Witwer, Freddie & Sharon Gipson and Sharon Jones!  It is great to see that with each contribution given, they each chose different perks to receive in return.  Their giving to me and for my business has not only added more fuel to the fire of my desire to work SweetSavours into a great small business it also put me in the position to make sure I have what is needed to launch the new products on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2014.

Originally, I planned to make the debut at the Phoenix Public Market.  I won't guess why I haven't gotten a response to my application, but I will say I am thankful opportunities are always available.  A few day ago, I sat at my desk thinking about what to do about my business without a location to display my products.  My phone rang and on the line was a friend I hadn't spoken to in a while.  Kim was excited about her new business, Origami Owl Jewelry.  I won't say it's ironic, but Kim asked if I would like to join her in hosting an Open House on Small Business Saturday.  WOW!!! You know I didn't turn her down!

Kim Cordts and I will co-host our Small Business Saturday Open House on Saturday, November 29, 2014. This event will be at 1295 S San Vincente Ct., Chandler, AZ 85286 and will run from 11:30am until 3:00pm. When you come you will have opportunity to see what we have available, Kim's jewelry and my body care products.  Don't forget, Christmas is right around the corner so gift shopping is avialable! If you plan to come, please let me know. Kim and I will have light refreshments available for you to nibble on while you shop.  You may post here or via the contact methods available.  

Speaking of what will be available, I'll tell you a little.  By the time you read this post, the "savour" making process will be in full swing.  By next Friday, November 21st, I will have made 4 batches each of lotion and crème, hand care products, foot care products and lip savours too.  I'm sticking to SweetSavours roots and I've focused on products that contain ingredients that are known to heal, restore, moisturize and nourish the skin. There is a lot of work ahead but the big deal of Small Business Saturday is the goal I'm working toward.  Over the next few weeks, I'll share a little more about the products I'm making, the ingredients involved and even how they smell.

I'm excited about what's coming up and I hope you'll be excited with me.  Thanks for bloggin' by!  Have a "sweet" day and "savour" every moment!

Sherri

The SweetSavours Gogo Has Begun!

Hiya!

I've said it before, learning to make lotion let loose my “mad scientist” alter ego! I was finding healing solutions for those I care about, as well as for myself. A few years after noticing the remarkable difference in my skin, many of my friends and family began to buy my lotions. What began as the need to heal my damaged skin became a vision that has now transformed into SweetSavours Natural Body Care Apothecary. 

My goal is for SweetSavours to make its public debut on national Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Phoenix Public Market in Phoenix, AZ.  There, I will also launch the newly formulated products that include body, lip, hand, and foot care.  Maybe I'm a little biased but I do believe the “savours,” the products I make are in a league of their own.  The SweetSavours standard is – "love infused, need-formulated, small batch, handcrafted, natural body care products." 

As do all businesses, SweetSavours has had its economical ups and downs and last fall I thought about shutting the doors of my business.  I got the advice I needed to hear when I was told to remember why and how SweetSavours' began, raise my expectations of what SweetSavours can be, establish new goals and determine what I need to do to make my vision a reality.

I realized early on that I can’t do this by myself. I believe "It takes a village to build a strong small business." From the owners of a company to its customers, it takes a multitude of people to make a small business grow and survive. When I realized I couldn't build my business by myself, I was thankful to have the answer made known. 

Crowdfunding has been around for a while but came more into focus in 2012 when the JOBs Act was signed into law. It is the practice of  funding a project or venture by raising monetary contributions from a large number of people, typically via the internet. This gives businesses, like SweetSavours, the freedom to ask its customers, friends and anyone who chooses, to contribute money to the business. The crowdfunding concept is NOT an investment opportunity. With every contribution a business receives, that business will give the contributor a "perk", or gift, in return.

The complete funding goal of the SweetSavours campaign is to raise $7,350 by November 30, 2014.  The funds raised will be used to purchase the ingredients and containers for the newly formulated products, increase social media and local publicity and help SweetSavours make its public debut on Small Business Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Phoenix Public Market. I am asking for you to support SweetSavours and make a contribution that will help this business grow.

Your contribution will help make the vision of SweetSavours Natural Body Care Apothecary become a REALITY! Time is key right now and response to the crowdfunding campaign has been slow. The fact is, in order to keep SweetSavours operating and make it's opening on the 29th, I need to have at least $750 more in contributions by November 8, 2014.  With this amount in contributions, I can begin to work on what needs to happen before November 29th. The reality for SweetSavours is, if this portion of the campaign goal isn't met, I will have to close my business.  This is something I'm not yet ready to accept.

I'm asking you to take a look at the SweetSavours crowdfunding campaign by clicking the link, http://igg.me/at/sweetsavours.  You will see the full SweetSavours' campaign, learn more about SweetSavours, see the variety of "perks" SweetSavours has made available to its contributors and learn more about Indiegogo and the crowdfunding concept.

When you support SweetSavours and make a contribution it's not only about the money. Your contribution is a "sweet" gift! You will also become a “Savours’Sweet" and a member of SweetSavours' village. You will receive the perk you've chosen and you'll also be included in "sweet" opportunities like testing new products when the time comes; receiving samples of new products or fragrances to help us make "sweet" decisions; the ability to purchase the new products before the general public and advanced notice of specials and discounts SweetSavours may offer it's "Sweets." If you aren't able to contribute, may I ask you to share the campaign link with people you know?   

I am still believing for contributions to be made and for SweetSavours to not only continue operating but also to grow.  I really don't want to give up now.  Thank you for taking the time, looking at the SweetSavours' campaign and making a decision. 

As always, thanks for bloggin' by. I hope your days are "sweet" and that you "savour" every moment.

Sherri