Time hasn't permitted me to write here. Actually, I haven't made candles for a really long time. I just made some Friday evening. It was something to do. I have been thinking that it is time to stop playing and move forward with Betty's Only. This has been something that I have wanted to do, I just haven't put forth the time, money, and effort it takes to promote Betty's Only.
My domain name expired. It was reinstated the other day. I don't know how to log into my account to check my email. There is a vendor opportunity on Broadway, I think I am going to participate, I have sent an email to find out more information. I have been wanting to do an event, but I am scared. That is a mess. I know, but I just don't want to fail. How do I know if I will fail if I don't try? That is the main question.
Since I haven't been making candles for so long. I have decided to put some money toward Betty's Only. I need to get some more item to make Betty's Only better, it needs to be revamped. The website updated. I need to offer more types of candles, more items, and a variety of things. Promotion is the one thing that needs to be done.
Things Needed
more wicks for votives
jars (variety)
leveler
I am about to see this thing through. Betty's Only is my candle company and I want others to know. I do understand that I have to work to make it grow to what I know it can be. It is going to take me to take it to the next level. The way it is packaged now doesn't offer the fragrance. It does give me a way to display the business card, you can see what the candle looks like, and they are matches too.
I truly enjoy candles and I know that they can offer many things to individuals.
light a candle after a long days work and just relax
give them as gift ideas for any occasion
color coordinate them to fit in any setting
us them to light up a room
A Variety of Different Candles
Vessel of Aroma with Business Card
Jars I Bought at the Attic Sale for 25 cents.
I would upload more photos, but it keeps distorting my paragraphs. There is a change coming for the best tired of being mediocre. There is enough out there for everyone to prosper. Now it's my time.
I Really Don't Know What to Say
Betty's Only has not had anything going on. Remember I had some candles on consignment. I didn't sell any candles there. I removed them in January. The place was not air conditioned, some of them started to melt. I had to change my formula. In the house I have many candles, but don't know what to do with them. I know I can sell that but the question is where and how do I go about doing that? I thought about the beer commercial, I make them and someone else sells them. I am somewhat at wits end. Betty's Only is about to expire. It has been up for one year and I haven't sold anything on it. Now, that is sad!
There have been some suggestions. For instance, contact big name brands and send some samples. Or send a few samples out just to get them out. I really don't know what to do. I just started back making candles about a week ago, that was my first time since December. I know.
I have the business cards, but don't pass them out. Ok, what I will do is make a card to put on the candle. I think my packaging will be a burlap bag with ribbon and a name tag. I think that is what I will do. I need help! I can make money, but I just don't know what to do to get them out there to the public eye.
I am making candles now. I have done this time and time again. Don't get me wrong, I have been selling candles, but not like I should. I will make 10 candles of each and at that point sell them so kind of way. There are so many things that need to be done, just a matter of handling it.
I haven't been here in a while. Things have been moving so fast, I can hardly keep up. I started coaching basketball at my job. That has taken time away from Betty's Only. To be honest, I haven't even checked my mail. Some things that are still in the working: brochure, pictures, magazine, online candle sells.
Candles have been sold, overall about $250.00 worth for the Holiday Season. About $750.00 short of my goal. Something is better than nothing right?
I am off unil January 5. I need to sort out my to do list for my break!
I was told that I am afraid of success. Maybe I am, I know I need to work hard for the things I want out of life. Why do I always sobatauge myself. Betty's Only has made many advances, I can't stop now. Keep watching, my growth wil be great!
Slowly Moving Forward, Even if it is Slow Forward Movement is Always Good
I have been trying to send Tucan the information for the brochure and order form, but I keep running into problems. When I tried the first time she couldn't open up the information. The next few times the files where too large. I sent some information today, I just sent 3 pictures per email, this way the files wouldn't be too large and hopefully she will be able to open them. I need to look over what she emailed me in reference to what I need to send her. It is moving along and I am glad.
Overall, I think to build anything takes time and effort. I have the time and I am putting forth the effort.
There really hasn't been much going on with Betty's Only. My personal life has been on a go, that's probably why I haven't done much with the company. One thing I have accomplished is the labels for the candles. The fragrance is on the label now and I have my business cards. I have already reformatted the card to use front and back. Other than that it has been the same old thing. I am still working with Tucan to design my brochure and order form. I just paid for it last week, I haven't sent the necessary pictures to complete them. I apologize for the delay. I think that is what I will work on now. Life happens and then what?
I will send the pictures now via email and not as an attachment so this can get done. It will work itself out. I know it will. I am my biggest problem.
Encouragement Comes from Where You Least Expect It
Today was somewhat a dramatic day. A car got stolen from my drive way with keys to the house on the key ring. Johnathan came over to change the locks for me. We hung out all day. He came into my candle room and started talking about how I have money just waiting to be made. That was crazy to me. I begin explaining that I have been making candles, but am not doing too well selling them. He said that the time now is to make candles and build inventory. I should have at least 1000 candles. At that point, the packaging should be right, and the process complete. Meaning, the website up and running (making sells), brochure, order form, professional photos, price list, and have done a couple of craft shows.
That entire conversation put much in perspective for me. I felt all warm and cozy inside. He also said that a beneficial part of my making candles is that I enjoy making them. I make them not to receive a profit. The profit will come later once the entire process is complete. I look forward to the growth and seeing how the company matures.
Thanks Johnathan, I really needed this encouragement and motivation. I am maturing and I am proud to be the owner and Creator of Betty's Only.
Thinking of My Process to Build Betty's Only Betty's Only must have a professional image consisting of coordinating gift bags, labels, business cards, tissue paper, price list, order form, match books, packaging, and there are some other things too. Reorganizing and growth is a great process that takes time and precision.
As of today, Betty's Only has sold $27 + $10 + $5 + $10 + $55 is $107. $893 to go until $1000 before January 1, 2008. I can do it. It's just a matter of getting them out to the public.
I will have more information on how my process will actually go.
Things need to get done:
Brochure Order Form Gift Bags Labels with type of candle Professional pictures Secured website
Today, I have a meeting with someone pertaining to the overall development of Betty's Only. I look forward to what she may have to tell me to better my business. Currently, I have match books, business cards (ordered via Office Max 7-10 turn around), and a price list. In the works, a brochure and order form. Slowly, planting seeds for future growth.
This weekend there is a craft fair, due to me having candles on consignment I can participate for free. That is good, I have never done anything like that and I always wanted too. I have to contact the lady for this endeavor.
I am positive about what Betty's Only has to offer. I give myself 1 year to have things up and going. Believe and achieve is what I feel today. Planting seeds sometimes takes a long time to see the growth. There has been and will be growth for my company. I will not promise that I will stay positive because that is human. I am human, but I feel the company has much to offer. The candles are different, fragrant, long lasting, and made with love from me. What seems to be funny is that people purchase them and don't use them. Use them because that is what they are for.
I am ok now, how long it will last I don't know. Looking forward to my business meeting and building my company. Blood, sweat and tears will bring Betty's Only to the forefront of this industry. Professionalism is what I am to achieve. Stick with me and watch the growth.
As for the brochure and order form, having serious computer issues at home. I will tried to resend the information, but it failed to send. Problems, if that doesn't work again, I will put more photos here so they can be copied and pasted on my information. I may seem scattered and I know that about myself, but overall, I am making moves in a positive way and supporting myself and my business.
I have My Ups and Downs :( I should be happy, no, but not me. I did sell $37.00 worth of candles. A friend came yesterday and wants to incorporate the candles in with her bath salts. A great idea. I gave her $55.00 worth, so all in all, I have sold $92.00 worth of candles. I am very proud of Betty's Only for this accomplishment. I also have to make a V-Lite Sampler for someone.
The reason I say I have ups and downs is I feel I could be doing so much better, but that depends on the outside influences. I see others using the Internet to promote and I have even fallen for the antics, but no support. I am learning right now and there is still more to learn, but what am I doing wrong? What can I do to better the situation? I know, continue to move forward and keep my head up. Betty's Only needs to have a web presence and I really honestly don't know what it takes to get that done. I interact in Twitter, I leave comments on other blogs, I push the website. Still no online purchases, no comments, except from people that I told to do it.
My bad, I know, I just needed to clear my chest, because this is too much. $908.00 before the end of the year. In the process of having a brochure designed and an order form. Those that get orders for me will get a gift. I think I have 3 people that will take out the forms for me. I know was bad today, but I really needed to get this off of my chest.
Building, Growing, Learning, Expanding
Betty's Only is doing big things. Sometimes there are spurts of people wanting to purchase candles. I have an order to fill. I said that $1000.00 before December 31 is what I am looking toward. Currently, I have sold $37.00 worth of Betty's Only candles. I have got to get with a wholesaler for candle handlers. That will another addition to the company. A friend called yesterday and asked about some candles for an event their doing at her church. I am making a price list. The meeting is later this evening. I will take some samples, price list, and and order form with me.
Charisma came down this weekend and we talked about the face of Betty's Only. Many good suggestions were given to enhance the business. New business cards, labels, and bags. Upgrade http://www.bettysonly.biz/ with new things that will be beneficial for a candle user. Put more candles on www.etsy.com/bettysonly. Learn from others that are doing well. Make solid colors. Things are getting better.
Gifts Bag are Needed
I contacted a company pertaining to gift bags for Betty's Only. I am also interested in packaging. Branding my company. This is a great beginning. The gift bags come in 250 per order. I may just start with the medium bags first. I think this will be a great addition to the company.
We are having our financial meeting Thursday. I am supposed to have candles for the group with labels and business cards. I have done that. So, I am ready for my presentation. The candles will be samples for them to use and give me feedback. I think I will do great.
Betty's Only will make $1000.00 before the end of 2008. The first 5 customers will receive a free gift. Help Betty's Only get out there to the public. Look for more to come. Little steps move to larger ones. I am up and going and will not stop. I may slow down a bit, but forever moving forward.
Betty's Only started back in Montgomery, AL while I was attending Alabama State University. I had a candle that I adored, but used up. I thought that I could remake the candle with the reminding wax and I was right. I went to a local craft store purchased a how to make candles book and materials and also some small jars. This is where is all began. I would make candles and take them to work with me, they would be all sold, or I would have orders to fill. The name comes in because I am Betty's only child. I have been doing this for more than 10 years, I believe. Slowly getting things in order and the time is now for things to get better.
www.bettysonly.blogspot.com started this summer. I thought that it would be interesting to have a blog about my candles and the road to promote and build. Etsy, I have been a member since December 07, but didn't start using it until April of this year. Having a web presence is interesting and rewarding all at the same time. I was just introduced to Twitter. I see many people interact and promote one another. Usint it I have learned much about this Internet thing.
I want to say thank you to all for reading and supporting me. I know sometimes I can be a bit much. I know I can get it done and learning is a major part of achieving success. I may be back later today. Thanks Twitter for introducing me to some wonderful people from different walks of life.
Here are some photos of some candles I will upload to Etsy. I need to have www.bettysonly.biz updated to represent the specific shapes and designs I offer. I have to brainstorm on how to get some candle lovers to purchase from the site. Follow me, I know I can learn from you and you may be able to learn from me too. :o)
