The Change and the Tired

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tired after a busy week between the craft show, orders, school, and keeping house. I am exhausted! But, after I get this inventory done, I can take a little break for a week to relax and recharge a bit. Right now, I don't feel like doing anything! But, I know if I don't do it, it won't get done.

I think for those who are in the same position as me, the best thing to do is make time for yourself when you can. If you keep putting yourself off, you won't be able to give the other parts of your life the attention needed.

So, today, I am going to clean and reorganize my house, do inventory, and that's it! I'll worry about my new soaps later. I have time.

Oh! did I mention that my application to display my soaps in the Artisan's Emporium store was accepted? Well, it was accepted yesterday and I am so excited and busy planning an exclusive line for the store. So, I'm buzzing around like a busy bee trying to figure out which soaps to include in the store and which to keep for online sales. There will be new soaps and projects coming up as well. However, the store soaps will have different packaging and will be taller than the ones we have available now to help them stand out in the store.

So, be on the look out on here and on Facebook for those upcoming events and soap goodies!


Cheers!
Kristine

Professionalism: Language! Part I

So, as promised in my Professionalism Prologue post, I will be addressing the use of appropriate language and communication in the workplace. It's really a simple concept, just speak politely and watch what you say. However, there can be other factors and situations that can present themselves as questionable.

As someone who has worked in a retail setting with the public since I was 18 (let's see, that's 11 years! Wow....), I can tell you that it's not an easy job by any means. Sometimes you will deal with the rudest customers that belittle you and try to publicly humiliate you while other times you will come across the kindest customers that make you feel wonderful and appreciated. The important thing to remember when working with the public is not to take things personally. If a customer does try to belittle you, you just have to remember that it's not a reflection of you but of that customer and their actions.

With that being said, there are different forms of communication that are common in the workplace in which your tone and language can be misinterpreted if not taken into consideration.

Written Communication: Email, Social Media, and More

Some people many not converse with customers via email on a daily basis. However, for those who do communicate with customers constantly through email and written communication, this section is for you!

For me, sometimes I enjoy communicating through email and written communication because it allows me to take my time to think about how to respond. Since I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past two years, I have not been in contact with people on a regular basis, so I feel somewhat similar to a hermit! It does take time to get used to talking with others especially in crowds and at markets where you are trying to sell your products to people. It can be difficult for people who are introverts. You get super nervous and have all of these negative thoughts in the back of your mind that you will fail, but you just have to set that aside and move on with what you need to do.

When communicating with customers and potential customers via written communication, it is important to remember these simple guidelines:

1. Avoid ALL CAPS- Capitalizing words suggests shouting. Customers may find this offensive and you may potentially lose customers.
2. Avoid bolding words- While good intentions may have been the idea, bolding words in customer emails may give the impression that you're assuming the customer is incompetent and can't read.
3. What your tone- How on earth do you convey a tone through an email? Simple, by choice and use of words. Is your message short, clipped, or lacking the respective words 'please', 'thank you', or 'you're welcome'? Well, maybe you should reconsider the tone of your message if you said yes to any of the above. A written communication with customers should be warm, friendly, and professional. Here's an example:

Customer:

Can you send me a sample of the following soaps please:

Lemongrass

Blackberry Sage

Clear Complexion

Here is my address:

Elizabeth Johnson

123 ABC Street

Roxboro, NC 27573

Considering that you send samples upon request and this customer is female, this is an appropriate response:

You:

Mrs. Johnson,

Thank you for contacting me in regards to samples. I can certainly send these out to you. I will send these today. I will send a confirmation email once your samples have been processed and shipped. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kristine

Owner/Operator

Simple, professional, and friendly all at the same time. No need to over-talk your customer, but provide all of the information needed. Of course, this is not the only way to present yourself in written communication, but it is just an example.

The same applies for social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

Watch for the second part of this post:
Professionalism: Language! Part II

Cheers!
Kristine

Successful Event!

So, if you have been following me or at least reading my blogs, you'll notice on the Blogger site that the events I attend are listed on the left-hand side of the screen.

Earth N Moon booth at the Apr. 23rd Person County Crafter's Market

Today I attended the last Person County Crafter's Market as there will be a permanent store set up instead. I think we did rather well. I was super excited to talk to people and get my name out there to those within the community and those visiting. The last event was successful as well, so I have opted to put an application in with An Artisan's Emporium to display my products in the store. I think that will be a great move for me, or at least I imagine it will with all of the in-person success I've had lately. Most were repeat customers, so I'm very grateful that they are enjoying their goodies.

The Seaweed Clay Mask did phenomenal! I completely sold out of that so I need to make some more of that plus I am going to start experimenting with lotions, antiseptic sprays, and soap cupcakes. Yes, you read correctly, soap cupcakes. No, they're not edible, but they will be food-scented soaps in the shape of cupcakes. As I am typing this, I'm getting kind of nervous about the idea of soap that smells and looks like edibles, so I will definitely make sure to put my caution labels on these!

So, nothing is set in stone yet because I have to submit my application and be approved, but I am hoping to become apart of An Artisan's Emporium where my items will be on display for the whole town to see! I'll post updates as available. I will say that there will be two lines of my products (if my application is approved)-one line exclusively for the store and a separate line of different items for other venues.

My next post will be a continuation of the Professionalism section. So, keep an eye out for that if you enjoy reading my blogs.

Hope to see you again.

Cheers!
Kristine

Professionalism: Prologue

Good morning! I feel so much better now that I've rested up last night. The past two days, I've felt like I could barely function because I was so tired.

So, I have something on my mind that has been sort of frustrating for me as someone who is just starting out in their business endeavors, and that is the growing lack of professionalism in the workforce. It appears that everywhere I turn, businesses are allowing their employees to talk to customers and potential customers in rude tones, throw their haughty attitudes in customers' faces, and use fowl language in the presence of customers. While all of these are equally unacceptable behavior in my book, fowl language is the most unacceptable display of unprofessional behavior in the business world.

When I refer to 'fowl language', I'm referring to cuss words, swear words, or whatever else you want to call them. Now, if your business is in the industry where that sort of thing is acceptable (I really can't think of any industries off the top of my head, but I'm sure there are some), then this doesn't pertain to you. However, most businesses are in industries where customer service and appearance are supposed to be considered top priority. 

Maybe it's just me, but using inappropriate language in front of customers isn't the best way to build your business reputation. Now, before I get defensive comments on this, no, I am not perfect and I do make mistakes just like everyone else. However, I'm not referring to your personal life, I am referring to the business aspect and presenting yourself in a professional manner. Really? If you walked into a nice restaurant or department store would you want to hear that kind of language coming from the mouth of someone who is trying to sell you something? NO or at least I hope you wouldn't. If that sort of thing doesn't really bother you, then okay but it would bother most people. 

If it's one thing I've learned from working with the public, it's to try to think of customers in general terms and to try to put yourself in their shoes. Poor employee and owner attitudes and the use of inappropriate language and behavior can ultimately cost a business sales, customers, and potential customers. 

I will be composing three sections on my experiences with professionalism in the business world along with tips and advice because let's face it, it's not always easy to deal with the public especially if you're an introvert like me. Sometimes you have difficult situations that arise and you need help to diffuse them, or other times you can't diffuse a situation and you are left with no other options. So, I will be sharing my experiences and advice on maintaining professionalism in the workplace.

My upcoming professionalism blogs will include:

Professionalism: Language!

Professionalism: Mind Your Manners

Professionalism: When it All Hits the Fan

As always, thank you for reading and I hope to see you around my blog. Oh, and don't be shy, post your comments, like, or share! You can also find me on different social medias listed on the left-hand side of the page.

Cheers!

Kristine

Turning Over a New Leaf

I feel like I should start with an introductory blog. This is my first blog, so please be gentle! I know I'll get into the habit of writing seemingly interesting blog posts, but right now it's a little awkward for me like when you get your very first diary as a kid and you have no idea what to say so you just start writing random thoughts and end with "okay bye". Yeah.

Anyway, so I want to start with who I am and how I got to this point. I started Earth N Moon in September of 2015 as a basic craft project with Melt and Pour Soaps that I could give to family and friends. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Melt and Pour soaps are soaps made from premade bases that melt easily and set up quickly. They usually contain a high Glycerin content depending on the soap. There are all sorts of Melt and Pour types such as Stephenson, Goat Milk, Clear (true Glycerin), White, Shea, Aloe, etc.

It wasn't until I started delving into soap making and researching the various techniques and soap makers that I really wanted to try my hand at cold process soaping which does involve making your own soap from scratch and does involve the use of a caustic ingredient known as lye. I was super nervous my first time because I was terrified of getting burned by lye.

*Word of advice, if you have never worked with lye, DO NOT Google pictures of lye burns before working with lye. It will only scare you to the point of saying NOPE all together*

However, with that being said, everyone should understand the hazards and proper methods of safe handling when it comes to any chemical ingredient. So, definitely do your research before you go gallivanting all over the place trying out DIY recipes on the Internet.

Back to my story (I know I'm terrible about staying on track, sorry!). My first bar of soap was a basic bar that had very little scent. I really liked my first soap and was instantly hooked on the whole soap making adventure.

So, fast forward to today and here we are talking about soap and having a grand ol' time making it. I'm learning new things every day. My advice for anyone looking into soap making is:

Research, research, research

Become active in the soap community

Talk to people

Share ideas and inspirations

Attend live events such as craft shows

I'll have more detailed and specific blogs on my adventures and view points on the different aspects of the soap business as I go along. So follow me, friend me, all that good stuff to keep up with all of the tips and advice I have to offer!

Follow Me on Facebook

I'm on Twitter too!

Here are some great places to find tutorials that I have used in the past and that I trust:

Soap Queen

Bramble Berry