Road Trip to Texas.

Bring back the roller girls!

I love the caption under Ann Calvello's photo: "The Demon of Derby". Classic.

So here I am planning my road trip for tomorrow to Austin, Texas and I come across this great site txrd.com (Texas Roller Derby - Lonestar Roller Girls). This is a real live roller derby for women, owned and operated by the skaters. Long live Austin... Bringing back "the cool"! So, I had to share because these photos brought back memories of rollerskating in a wildly loud disco roller rink as a child. And I occasionally like to go back to that 70's place when things were simpler.

So the trip to the Lone Star state shall be long. It will probably be a grueling 20 hour drive, but it is worth it. We are considering the big move to Austin, one of my favorite cities in the country. I hope to live there one day soon.

I'm In A Book!

About a year and a half ago, I was contacted by Ann Holmes, an author who was writing a book about women starting their own businesses. She was interested in interviewing me... how I got started and what my experience was like owning and running my own business. I was thrilled, of course, and told her everything about me and my journey. A year went by, not really thinking about the book. I was touching base with Ann periodically to see if and when it might be published. No real hopes.

Last month Ann contacted me and told me the book was published and was available. Well, I went to a bookstore, opened up the index to see if I made it in, and BAM! My name was in there. Holy cow. Me? OK.... The book is not about me. Let me not mislead you in anyway. But it turns out I was mentioned on 3 different pages briefly as a counterpoint! (yeah) In one instance she was discussing a woman who had started a bath and body company, like me, and never really focused in and made a business plan.... blew through $100,000 and was basically not progressing very much. So, I was used as an example of executing a business plan, which structures steps and broadly budgets each of these steps. So there. I am in a book.

When Ann told me about the book, she also invited me to speak at a luncheon event that will be held for Ann by The Commonwealth Institute, a non-profit organization that supports women CEOs, senior execs and women entrepreneurs. This feels like a big deal and I am flattered and feeling very official all of a sudden. So I have to speak in front of 100 people. Never done that, although I had about 80 people at my wedding. Does that count? What does a girl wear?

I truly enjoy talking about my journey with Product Body because I love what I do so much. Of course, I could choke and faint right there at the podium. So the luncheon is on Thursday. Wish me luck.... and for any of you who want to start a business, I suggest you buy Ann's book. I haven't read it all yet, but it is very insightful so far. Wish me luck!!

Bodacious Body Butter Mousse

Oh, it is coming soon. It is new, whipped to a light mousse consistency and I can tell you now how much I wish I could have used this when I was pregnant both times! Before we created this mousse, we were bombarded with emails and calls from women about the effects of Mama Bomb (our belly balm) on their skin... Great news about all sorts of skin conditions "miraculously" disappearing before their eyes. I had no idea it would be used for so many things! Eye lash conditioner? up the nose moisturizer? Who knew? So, I figured that a poured balm like Mama Bomb needed a partner in crime... another all natural belly goo that feels scrumptious to touch and glorious to spread. As you may already know, I am very tactile and the "feel" of everything is so key to everything I put my skin on. I have designed it and you all are going to love it! It really feels light and airy and moussey! Like chocolate mousse without the calories!!

So with this said, keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the new yum yum platter from Product Body because, once we settle on mellow scents, you all will be knocked over!

Kiss!