Goodbye my shop.
kiss kiss.
On to new things. Back to old things. Open the door because here I COME BABY!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Emotional Shop Closing
Is has been a very emotional couple of weeks for me since our decision to close the store. Almost everyone that has come into the shop is a repeat customer and, while they are shopping, I've mentioned that we are closing the shop at the end of next week.
Their first reactions are usually worry and sadness.
"Why? What's wrong?" When I let them know I'm o.k., then they immediately say, "Oh no, where am I going to get your soaps, and smell them, and touch them?" ... "I can't go back, Joanna! It's all I use now....."
I love my customers. Apparently, they've gotten hooked on handmade soaps and smelling-before-buying. So I am gathering all of my local customers' names and email addresses and will contact them if I start going to a regular farmer's market or find a monthly location where I can display my soaps.
Today, one of my regular monthly customers came in and chatted me up with political conversation, thoughts on living in other countries, and ideas of a better life before we moved onto a soap chat. He always comes in alone after his shift at the hospital, buys 5 or 6 bars of different soap, talks about the world, his wife and grown up children, and jokes that being physically dirty is the reason he stopped in.
I have really loved my time at the shop for so many reasons, but in this post I want to thank all of the customers that came in because they were curious, dared to try one of my products or soaps, and came back. I loved meeting you. I loved talking to you. I wasn't pretending, except for the crazy guy with the hands like shovels that wouldn't leave the shop.
c r e e p y d u d e.
We are down to our last few days. Today was busy for me with organizing equipment and doing inventory. It wasn't a wildly busy retail day, but I told the customers about the shop and sure enough they scooped up a variety of soaps, fearing they wouldn't be able to smell them for awhile. "Can't live without these, Joanna....." Very sweet story: A 17 year old guy from the fishing shop two doors down came in for his mom "just because she was at home all day doing laundry and stuff and she'd probably like this stuff". Could there be a nicer kid? Dropped over $30 of his own money because he thought his mom was working hard at home. I can only hope my son stops to think like that when he's that age.
My heart has been doing the involuntary tightening twist these days and it's not been easy. The decision was a hard one and it was really sad at first, then brutal and heartbreaking, then it moved towards being realistic and reasonable and now I feel like it is absolutely the right decision and that it will really help me hone in on what I need to focus on with the business and life in general -- for now. The experience was incredible and I'd do it all over again. I have been wearing many hats for many years, but this balancing act was by far the most fun to "endure". Every day was a joy. I looked forward to getting to the shop every single day. There wasn't a day that I stared at the clock so I could go home.
I need to thank every single one of you who walked into the shop over the last fourteen months and changed my life. You know who you are. So.. as part of growth, both personally and professionally, I will hone in, focus, work harder than ever and make magic. This is what I need to do. But I do have you all to thank. You have touched me.
One more week in the shop. I will continue to keep you updated as we go, of course. Shop hours next week will be:
Saturday and Sunday we will be moving and cleaning (I think). If we can swing being open on Saturday we will be, but I just don't know...
Thank you.
xo
love, Joanna
Their first reactions are usually worry and sadness.
"Why? What's wrong?" When I let them know I'm o.k., then they immediately say, "Oh no, where am I going to get your soaps, and smell them, and touch them?" ... "I can't go back, Joanna! It's all I use now....."
I love my customers. Apparently, they've gotten hooked on handmade soaps and smelling-before-buying. So I am gathering all of my local customers' names and email addresses and will contact them if I start going to a regular farmer's market or find a monthly location where I can display my soaps.
Today, one of my regular monthly customers came in and chatted me up with political conversation, thoughts on living in other countries, and ideas of a better life before we moved onto a soap chat. He always comes in alone after his shift at the hospital, buys 5 or 6 bars of different soap, talks about the world, his wife and grown up children, and jokes that being physically dirty is the reason he stopped in.
I have really loved my time at the shop for so many reasons, but in this post I want to thank all of the customers that came in because they were curious, dared to try one of my products or soaps, and came back. I loved meeting you. I loved talking to you. I wasn't pretending, except for the crazy guy with the hands like shovels that wouldn't leave the shop.
c r e e p y d u d e.
We are down to our last few days. Today was busy for me with organizing equipment and doing inventory. It wasn't a wildly busy retail day, but I told the customers about the shop and sure enough they scooped up a variety of soaps, fearing they wouldn't be able to smell them for awhile. "Can't live without these, Joanna....." Very sweet story: A 17 year old guy from the fishing shop two doors down came in for his mom "just because she was at home all day doing laundry and stuff and she'd probably like this stuff". Could there be a nicer kid? Dropped over $30 of his own money because he thought his mom was working hard at home. I can only hope my son stops to think like that when he's that age.
My heart has been doing the involuntary tightening twist these days and it's not been easy. The decision was a hard one and it was really sad at first, then brutal and heartbreaking, then it moved towards being realistic and reasonable and now I feel like it is absolutely the right decision and that it will really help me hone in on what I need to focus on with the business and life in general -- for now. The experience was incredible and I'd do it all over again. I have been wearing many hats for many years, but this balancing act was by far the most fun to "endure". Every day was a joy. I looked forward to getting to the shop every single day. There wasn't a day that I stared at the clock so I could go home.
I need to thank every single one of you who walked into the shop over the last fourteen months and changed my life. You know who you are. So.. as part of growth, both personally and professionally, I will hone in, focus, work harder than ever and make magic. This is what I need to do. But I do have you all to thank. You have touched me.
One more week in the shop. I will continue to keep you updated as we go, of course. Shop hours next week will be:
Monday through Friday: Noon - 6 pm for sure.
Saturday and Sunday we will be moving and cleaning (I think). If we can swing being open on Saturday we will be, but I just don't know...
Thank you.
xolove, Joanna
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Very Short Sale AND...We Have Some News
For our first sale of 2010 we're offering Crème Fresh at 10% off, from today through Monday, Jan 18th. Here's what we say on the site about it:
Ze brie and ze butter on ze baguette can’t hold a candle to our latest and greatest moisturizer, Crème Fresh. Smooth and silky, Crème Fresh sinks in quickly, moisturizes deeply, and leaves you feeling velvety soft. You have to use it to believe it. Ooh la la!
And now, it's offered in a new formulation that's slightly lighter but even more potent. Because in addition to the moisturizing and anti-aging properties of the grape seed and coconut oils, Crème Fresh is now made with a copious amount of aloe juice that helps heal damaged skin.
Want to grab some? Hit the site and use the coupon code creme10 during checkout to get your 10% discount.
Now about our store....
First, the bad news: we're closing our retail store. While we loved meeting and working with customers in person, it divided our attention, and balancing the store with the formulary work was taking its toll on both sides of the business. Combined with the slow economy, we just can't justify keeping the retail location open.
The good news is that we aren't going out of business. Not by any means. We still have a formulary and will continue to provide the same handmade, freshly formulated goodies to our retail and wholesale customers. So don't worry!
AND A HUGE THANK YOU! Every one of you that came over the past year made our shop and formulary a wonderful place to work; we thank you sincerely and look forward to many more years of providing you the soaps, scrubs and balms you love.
xoxoxox
Ze brie and ze butter on ze baguette can’t hold a candle to our latest and greatest moisturizer, Crème Fresh. Smooth and silky, Crème Fresh sinks in quickly, moisturizes deeply, and leaves you feeling velvety soft. You have to use it to believe it. Ooh la la!
And now, it's offered in a new formulation that's slightly lighter but even more potent. Because in addition to the moisturizing and anti-aging properties of the grape seed and coconut oils, Crème Fresh is now made with a copious amount of aloe juice that helps heal damaged skin.
Want to grab some? Hit the site and use the coupon code creme10 during checkout to get your 10% discount.
Now about our store....
First, the bad news: we're closing our retail store. While we loved meeting and working with customers in person, it divided our attention, and balancing the store with the formulary work was taking its toll on both sides of the business. Combined with the slow economy, we just can't justify keeping the retail location open.
The good news is that we aren't going out of business. Not by any means. We still have a formulary and will continue to provide the same handmade, freshly formulated goodies to our retail and wholesale customers. So don't worry!
AND A HUGE THANK YOU! Every one of you that came over the past year made our shop and formulary a wonderful place to work; we thank you sincerely and look forward to many more years of providing you the soaps, scrubs and balms you love.
xoxoxox
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
We Are Back In 2010
Happy New Year to all!
After a very needed, long and wonderfully relaxing vacation here at Product Body, we are back today faced with a pile of orders, both from online and wholesale. This is great for us, thank you!!
I do want to let you know that we were cleaned out of products because we were open right down to the wire on Christmas Eve and folks were coming in for last minute gifts. The shelves are empty, so today, I have to whip up a ton of product to send to customers and to fill the shelves back up.
Luckily, I have some soaps that are due to be unveiled and brought to the floor....
So if you have an order placed with us, please have some extra patience and know that we are formulating your products and it will be fresh, fresh, fresh and we will ship it as soon as we can. We promise!
Again, happy new year and we thank you for being a part of Product Body for yet another year. We love you!!
After a very needed, long and wonderfully relaxing vacation here at Product Body, we are back today faced with a pile of orders, both from online and wholesale. This is great for us, thank you!!
I do want to let you know that we were cleaned out of products because we were open right down to the wire on Christmas Eve and folks were coming in for last minute gifts. The shelves are empty, so today, I have to whip up a ton of product to send to customers and to fill the shelves back up.
Luckily, I have some soaps that are due to be unveiled and brought to the floor....
So if you have an order placed with us, please have some extra patience and know that we are formulating your products and it will be fresh, fresh, fresh and we will ship it as soon as we can. We promise!
Again, happy new year and we thank you for being a part of Product Body for yet another year. We love you!!
***
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Holiday Shop Closing Announcement
For all of you who can't stand being away from Product Body's Crush On You and soap and the new Creme Fresh, order today or you will have to wait until we return from vacation before we start formulating and shipping again.
Our physical store will be open 10 am until 7 pm today through Wednesday and then on Christmas Eve 11 am until 4 pm. After that we will be closed until January 5th. That is the day we will be returning to the shop/formulary so any orders that do come in will be sorted, and we will begin to formulate, but shipping for those orders will not begin to go out until Thursday January 7th or Friday January 8th because we will be making all fresh EVERYTHING, so you must be patient.
:)
We love you and thank you all for your support and patronage this year. Have a warm, wonderful holiday and a very safe New Year celebration.
I leave you with what I have always told my kids since they were itty bitty:
Surround yourself with people that make you feel good.
Our physical store will be open 10 am until 7 pm today through Wednesday and then on Christmas Eve 11 am until 4 pm. After that we will be closed until January 5th. That is the day we will be returning to the shop/formulary so any orders that do come in will be sorted, and we will begin to formulate, but shipping for those orders will not begin to go out until Thursday January 7th or Friday January 8th because we will be making all fresh EVERYTHING, so you must be patient.
:)
We love you and thank you all for your support and patronage this year. Have a warm, wonderful holiday and a very safe New Year celebration.
I leave you with what I have always told my kids since they were itty bitty:
Surround yourself with people that make you feel good.
This isn't always possible during the holidays but it's something to think about for the new year. Have a happy, all!!
**
**
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
You Still Have Time To Order For Christmas!
You still have time to order for Christmas delivery. If you order now, we can still get products to you. We have to ship by Friday to play it safe, so if you order by THURSDAY, you can make it. That leaves you today and tomorrow. I will work my TUSH off and get that package to you. I promise you will get it before Xmas.
Everything is still handmade and fantastic. I will even throw in a free surprise.
:)
Shop away!
Everything is still handmade and fantastic. I will even throw in a free surprise.
:)
Shop away!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
New Scent For The Winter
Steaming creamy milk tea with ginger and a whisper of clove.
We are only offering it in Crush On You and Creme Fresh for now. ....Well..... I made a loaf of soap, but it won't be ready until mid January. Pictures to follow when I cut the loaf.
I tell you, I am hooked on the scent, BIG TIME already. It's my new favorite.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Our Gift Sets Are Apple Crispy And Ready
Hot baked apples, drizzled in butter, sprinkled with brown sugar, cinnamon, graham cracker crumbs and a whisper of cloves. Oh, you must try this set. If you don't get the set for someone else this year, get one for yourself. There are a limited number and we may not be offering this next year, so get 'em while they are fresh out of the oven!
Can you stand it?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Brine Thyself!
It does look like snow, but acts like the ocean to soothe, soften and take you away to a place of bliss. We've made a bottle of relaxation just for you to enjoy in your tub. 10 ounces of a magical mix. Sea salt, epsom salt, tapioca and fragrance.
Salt Snow... Fantastico!
Come see what all the fluff is about.
*
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Joy Of Statistics
Have you heard the big news?
It's very big for us. After serious number crunching and long, hard hours of back and forth between me and my husband/business partner, we have dropped our prices by 15-25%. This was a hard decision, but we believe that in these economic times that we all face and with the situation being what it is for so many of us, we need to put this company in a more accessible place without sacrificing quality. We hope that Product Body will be what you reach for when you need something and that it is easier because we brought it closer to you.
We love our customers and every email and phone call we get brings smiles and adds lifts under our toes and sparks energy into our very noisy muses, so thank you thank you thank you for your support and feedback.
You have no idea what joy it brings me, personally, every time you add a comment on my blog or send an email about an experience you had about a product you used and how it made you feel or what memories the scent evoked for you. You think I may not be listening or don't care? You are wrong. I read every word myself. I eat that stuff up. Maybe because it just brings me such joy to bring people such joy!
=)
It's very big for us. After serious number crunching and long, hard hours of back and forth between me and my husband/business partner, we have dropped our prices by 15-25%. This was a hard decision, but we believe that in these economic times that we all face and with the situation being what it is for so many of us, we need to put this company in a more accessible place without sacrificing quality. We hope that Product Body will be what you reach for when you need something and that it is easier because we brought it closer to you.
We love our customers and every email and phone call we get brings smiles and adds lifts under our toes and sparks energy into our very noisy muses, so thank you thank you thank you for your support and feedback.
You have no idea what joy it brings me, personally, every time you add a comment on my blog or send an email about an experience you had about a product you used and how it made you feel or what memories the scent evoked for you. You think I may not be listening or don't care? You are wrong. I read every word myself. I eat that stuff up. Maybe because it just brings me such joy to bring people such joy!
=)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Soaps On The Curing Rack
In the soap curing rack:
Soap : time the soaps are ready for sale
Pumpkin : Halloween
{with real pumpkin pulp with scents of pie, graham cracker crust and warm spices}
Cocoa Java : November 20th
{Caffeine packed! Made with real unsweetened cocoa and pecan praline coffee grounds, sweet, hot dark chocolate and a drop of vanilla}
Ruby Red Rock Star : November 20th
{A burst of freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice. Pink topped with glitter.}
Rhubarb Yuzu Cocoa Butter soap : November 15th
{Moisturizing bar made with extra cocoa butter and babassu oil, scented with sweet garden rhubarb and tart yuzu grapefruit}
This is for now.
Stay tuned for more.
Soap : time the soaps are ready for sale
Pumpkin : Halloween
{with real pumpkin pulp with scents of pie, graham cracker crust and warm spices}
Cocoa Java : November 20th
{Caffeine packed! Made with real unsweetened cocoa and pecan praline coffee grounds, sweet, hot dark chocolate and a drop of vanilla}
Ruby Red Rock Star : November 20th
{A burst of freshly squeezed ruby red grapefruit juice. Pink topped with glitter.}
Rhubarb Yuzu Cocoa Butter soap : November 15th
{Moisturizing bar made with extra cocoa butter and babassu oil, scented with sweet garden rhubarb and tart yuzu grapefruit}
This is for now.
Stay tuned for more.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Bring It Home
...bring it on home to me....( Led Zepplin if you didn't already guess ;))
3/50. Great concept. Click to read it clearly.
*
*
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Mashed Potatoes?
We had our shea butter sugar scrub, Crush On You, photographed (by us of course, as usual) thinking we did a great job and how peaceful, spa-like and luscious it all looked. Well, Girl's Life (GL) wanted to do a give away with us a week or so ago. GL 's a magazine and blog that is targeted to 10-14 year olds. This I didn't know until after the giveaway started. I actually thought the audience was 14-17. So, on their blog, two comments mentioned that the Crush On You looked like mashed potatoes, so now every time I see this picture, I think of potatoes.
So sad and potatoey. You CAN tell me it doesn't look like potatoes, even if you lie to me. ;) Just lie to me.
On the flip side, it is the best damn scrub I have ever used. =0)
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Closeouts are going going going...
photo credit twp (wire mesh materials)See what's left before they are gone!
*
Friday, October 2, 2009
Our New Line Up
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Changes
There will be changes coming with our products....
Some new things, some things gone for good. Stay tuned for our newsletter and I will update you here as well with the news and with photos.
Some new things, some things gone for good. Stay tuned for our newsletter and I will update you here as well with the news and with photos.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A Thousand Thank Yous
We made it past 50 endorsements for Shine A Light! I am thrilled. We are into the first round of the "Judging Phase", I can't even believe it. Brad nominated Product Body and who knows?? Well, you never know. I'm sure thousands have entered, but Product Body sure could use the award money for marketing, staff (boy, I really could use help!!), a sales person... we could really be efficient!
We may be inspiring enough....
I love you! And so I give you a thousand thank yous and my promise to continue to try to be the best I can be and try even harder.
We may be inspiring enough....
I love you! And so I give you a thousand thank yous and my promise to continue to try to be the best I can be and try even harder.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Shine A Light Small Biz Award. Can't Do It Without You.
Shine A Light Program is an opportunity of a lifetime for me and Product Body. Amex and NBC are asking people to recognize inspiring small businesses. I have until Sunday to collect at least 50 endorsements to qualify...to be in the running for a monetary prize so we can make Product Body go to the next step, to continue to bring you yummy body treats.
When you go to endorse Product Body, you do need to register. It will only take one minute of your day. I promise.
So if you'd be willing to help us, please register here: Shine A Light and then hit our story page and click the Endorse Now button on the upper left part of the page.
You can get to our story page directly by either going here, Product Body Shine A Light Profile Page or by clicking on the Nominations button, then using the search box and searching under Product Body.
When you go to endorse Product Body, you do need to register. It will only take one minute of your day. I promise.
So if you'd be willing to help us, please register here: Shine A Light and then hit our story page and click the Endorse Now button on the upper left part of the page.
You can get to our story page directly by either going here, Product Body Shine A Light Profile Page or by clicking on the Nominations button, then using the search box and searching under Product Body.
This means the world to me. You have no idea.
Thank you.
ps: If you are really feeling crazy, tell the world and send the message out to nominate us, too!
*
Thank you.
ps: If you are really feeling crazy, tell the world and send the message out to nominate us, too!
*
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Facelift
Product Body's homepage was redesigned and I am loving the colors, the treatments and the whole vibe. It needed to be brightened up, cheered up and simplified along with our slimming menu changes.
We hope you like the changes and the eye candy. Thanks to my husband for his talent, perseverance and his patience with my perfectionism, nit-pickiness with this-n-that, and my random thoughts through the process.
Go see it for yourself: Product Body Website
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Thursday, September 3, 2009
Very Slimming
The shop looks so much nicer now from the front. Must. Take. More. Pictures.
And my hair has grown. ;)
With that, we have decided to discontinue some products from our line and just focus on the products which are our best sellers.
We will be eliminating:
- Chez Salt
- Velvet
- Butter Scrub
- Bubble Rubble
- Tangerine Whipped Dream
- Coconut Milk Bath Soak
- Salt Bath
The Crush On You is amazing and is our very best seller. Apparently, some of you scrape the bottoms of your jars while you wait for your paychecks. I totally know how you feel, though because I can't live without it. I have to scrub my face with it every night, and I am addicted to the Baked Bread scent. Can't live without it, oh my gawd! It's THAT good.
The other thing is that we added some handmade soaps to our site. You can still see all of my soaps that are available on my Etsy shop, but if you want one transaction when you shop with us, we'll be offering more and more soaps as we go right there at the Product Body site.
So this is my update for now.
Hope this wasn't too much of a hit.
I still love you! And I'm still here. =)
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