Essential U Blog

Essential Wholesale 2009 Advent Event :: December 22nd Special

2009-12-22T00:00:00-08:00

Hurry this is it, the last time to take advantage of the December 22rd Advent Special! You need the supplies anyway so start shopping now at Essential Wholesale to get a $10 credit towards your next purchase of $100 or more. Make sure you use the Coupon Code Advent0910off today only to get your credit. Today at midnight PST this code will make like Cinderella's carriage and turn into a pumpkin. This special will not repeat again.

Just in case you are new - here is how the 2009 Essential Wholesale Advent Event works - every morning at 12 a.m. PST the Essential U blog will open up a new special that will run until 11:59 p.m. PST from now until December 25th! These specials will run exclusively on our social networking sites. Don't miss out on great specials. Check the blog each day or follow us on Twitter @EssentialWhlsl and @EssentialU (Kayla) and become a fan of Essential Wholesale on Facebook to find out what special is on the Advent Calendar.

The Business of Soap :: The Story Behind Monastery Creations

2009-12-22T00:00:00-08:00

I met Sister Cathleen Timberlake at a Handcrafted Soapmakers Conference. It would be hard to compete with Sister Cathleen's soap because she adds some unique ingredients to her Monastery Creations Soap. I always look forward to seeing Sister Cathleen at the Annual Conference because she is one of the most peaceful and joyous people I know. Her smile is genuine and she always seems singularly focused on the person she is speaking with no matter what is going on around you.

How did you get into the soap business?
I've always loved fragrance and a friend gifted me with a couple of wonderful Lavender bars of soap...and I thought to myself as I ran out of those soaps "I should be able to make that!!" And so after studying it a good long while on the internet I made my first batch. My first mold was an #10 envelop box!

What aspect of the business are you passionate about?
Everything!!   It is always a new thing each time that i make a batch of soap. I never tire of it no many how many thousands and thousands of bars of soap that I've made. I love talking to and meeting customers who have tried my soap or were gifted with it and are now buying it as a gift for someone else.


What makes your products unique?
Being made in a monastery is rather unique I suppose...but more than that the fact that I add some holy water to each batch and pray for everyone who will use it is I think rather unique.   Our main work here at the monastery is prayer and when I started to make soap I was trying to figure out how I might bring these two things together...prayer and soapmaking. Holy water and prayer for others seemed just right!

Who do you market to?
I do alot of business out of my soap shop here in Clyde; on the internet; I sell both retail and wholesale; quite a few other monasteries and gift shops purchase my soap also.

How has social media helped your business? Do you do twitter, facebook, blog, newsletters, other or all of the above?
I started to blog, get on Facebook, etc....but I got really really busy here running a Tea House here at the monastery besides my soapmaking so my presence on social media really took a hit.   I do hope to get back to it though as I do find it helpful and fun to do.

How long have you been in business?
I made my first batch of soap on November 16th, 2000.   I probably sold soap more seriously in about a year after that.

If you had it to do all over again in business what would you do differently?
I would have kept a bar of soap from my very first batch!!!!

What organizations have been helpful to you? How have they been helpful to your business?
I am a member of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild and currently serve on the Board of Directors.   It is just a delight to serve on the Board.   I've had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful soapmakers and continue to learn from others. I also am a member of Indie Business, though I have not been as active there.

Did you have start-up capital? If not what did you do to make it work?
It is our monastic custom or practice to hold all things in common, so my community is primarily responsible for my success!!

Who or what inspires you?
I hesitate to name names because I have been inspired by so many over the years: Leigh O'Donnell (HSMG); Donna Maria (Indie) and you yourself Kayla.   I wish Oregon was not so far away, I could stand to learn volumes from you!!   I am inspired by all three of you, your generosity, your commitment to excellence in the craft and your passion for life.

You can watch an interview of Sister Cathleen Timberlake on Indie Business here. I read this quote in a Press Release and had to add it. “Folks have ordered the soap to ship overseas to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Sister Cathleen Marie said. “The circle of prayer has widened more than I ever dreamed, and I am humbled for that.”

NAHA Approved Aromatherapy Certification Programs

2009-12-21T17:34:39-08:00

Since I am a Registered and Certified Aromatherapist I get asked often to recommend a good certification program. I am a member of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists (NAHA) and have been for many years. I referred to their list of NAHA approved schools when I chose the program that worked best for me at the time. For a complete list click here.



The advice that I normally give is that any one of the NAHA approved schools is going to give you a great Level I and II foundation in aromatherapy. You have to find the one that will work best for you. There are many factors to consider. I am including a list of the NAHA approved schools, their description of the program along with a few notes from me on what I know about the schools. These are in no order of preference – just simply alphabetized.

American College of Healthcare Sciences
Accredited Certificate and Diploma in Aromatherapy.
American College of Health Sciences is the only nationally accredited, NAHA-approved Level 1 & Level 2 professional clinical Aromatherapy training available online. ACHS also offers a specialized Certificate in Aromatherapy Chemistry course along with a wide variety of online, professional holistic health programs meeting all of your accredited holistic health education needs. CEU´s are available for many professionals including Registered Aromatherapists (RA). Contact Admissions at to apply for the next intake of one of ACHS accredited online holistic health programs. FAQ about ACHS can be found here.

Kayla’s Notes: I have worked with the President and founder of ACHS, Dorene Petersen, on a committee that reviewed questions to be added to the test to become a Registered Aromatherapist. She is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about aromatherapy. Dorene serves as Chair of Aromatherapy Registration Council. There is no doubt in my mind that the education from ACHS would be wonderful. This program is also approved by AIA.

Aroma Apothecary Healing Arts Academy
Offering professional clinical aromatherapy courses in distant learning or in-classroom format. Approved for Clinical Aromatherapy Level One and Level Two. Level One is a 50-hour comprehensive foundation of clinical aromatherapy and therapeutic blending, Level 2 is a 240-hour (an in-depth continuation of the Materia Aromatica (55 essential oil profiles), advanced study of anatomy and physiology, five elements and acupressure meridians, integrative medicine and a holistic approach to health and disease, in-depth clinical study of stress related and auto immune conditions, client consultation and assessment, 30 case studies, professional ethics, business development, and advanced blending and formulating twenty organic products).

Other courses being offered include: Chi Nei Tsang: Internal Organ Rejuvenation, Five Element Reflexology, Women's Essence, and Aromatherapy First Aid. Instructor has 30 years of holistic clinical training and experience. Aroma Apothecary is an approved provider by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and the Texas Department of Health Services for continuing massage education.

Kayla’s Notes: I don’t formally know Shanti Dechen the Director of Aroma apothecary Healing Arts Adacemy. The program is approved for Continuing Education credits by NAHA and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. This could be a definite plus if your interest in aromatherapy is related to your Massage Therapy business.

Aromahead Institute School of Essential Oil Studies
Learn online or in person. 200 hour NAHA approved Certification Program (level 1 and 2 covered in a single course). Improve your skills and advance the Aromatherapy Profession by completing Aromahead's Scholar's Program, a 400 hour certification consisting of advanced aromatherapy chemistry, therapeutic blending, business skills, teacher training. and incorporating a wider range of essential oils. Classes approved for Massage Therapy CEU's by the Florida Board of Massage Therapy, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Kayla’s Notes: I have heard several aromatherapist mention Aromahead Institute. If you are on the East Coast their location could be a definite plus. The continuing education classes and certification classes that are taught at the Institute look great. This program is approved by NAHA and AIA.

Aroma Studio, LLC
Aroma Studio, LLC™ is a full service aromatherapy school for professionals. Aroma Studio, LLC™ specializes in Home Study Certification, Live Training, Therapeutic Essential Oils & Hydrosols, and Special Events. The program includes Foundation, Advanced, Master, and Teacher Level Training for aromatherapists totaling 300 hours. Aroma Studio was founded in 1999 by Katherine Graf who has over 20 years experience in the aromatherapy field. Katherine is the author of The Business of Aromatherapy: The Insider’s Guide To Success. Kathy is a Provence-trained aromatherapist who teaches European, Ayurvedic, Five Element, and other creative blending techniques.

Aroma Studio, LLC tm specializes in mentoring professionals with a passion for aromatherapy to help them to achieve their aromatherapy goals and dreams. Aroma Studio, LLC tm is "your aromatherapy mentor tm."

Kayla’s Notes: The Aroma Studio is where I got my Certification in aromatherapy in the late 90’s. I chose this program because the price was affordable, all of the important elements were thoroughly covered and because there was a focus on the business of aromatherapy. I found Katherine Graf very easy to learn from and work with. We have referred several people to the Aroma Studio and sent some of our own employees through this program.

Atlantic Institute of Aromatherapy
The Aromatherapy Practitioner Course is a very detailed 200 hour course for self-study with over 500 pages of text and complete back up documentation. The Practitioner Module (optional 100 hours) includes case studies and a publishable research paper. Geared towards professional medical health care providers, the course is also easily assimilated by business owners, student beginners or the lay-person who simply desires a better quality of life. This course is considered the most well-referenced, wide-ranging, comprehensive and detailed course available, and stands alone in the marketplace. NAHA (Level I & II).

Practitioner Module: (Optional 100 hours) Contents: Setting up a practice and clinic. Consultation and treatment program design. The basics of business development Legal business and ethical issues Requirements: 1. Student must complete a 20-25 page research paper of REAL research, (a clinical trial), that is publishable in medical journals. 2. Student must complete a minimum of 10 case histories

Kayla’s Notes: I took a Continuing Education course from Sylla Sheppard Hanger when she came to Portland for a weekend course. I enjoyed her teaching style and passion for aromatherapy. Her book The Aromatherapy Practitioner Reference Manual is one of my favorite go-to books to check facts.

Basali Dermal Institiute
The Basali' Dermal Institute is one of the few spa service schools to offer advanced-level education to all students. Upon successful completion, our graduates are more knowledgeable, more experienced and more marketable due to a core curriculum that includes certification in Aromatherapy and MyotonologyTM and training in the latest, leading services.

Kayla’s Notes: There isn’t much information on the NAHA site about the Basali Dermal Institute and I am not familiar with it. But looking at their site it appears that this school has a focus on skin care.

Certification Academy for Holistic Aromatherapy (CAHA)
CAHA offers certification programs. (USA & Korea) NAHA approved Level One and Level Two professional clinical Aromatherapy training course. The completion of these classes qualifies students to take the ARC test to become Registered Aromatherapist title in the USA. CAHA offers very exciting aromatherapy D.I.Y. certification courses. (USA & Korea) Natural Soap making course ( I & II ), Natural cosmetic DIY, Spa DIY, Pets DIY, Aromatherapy Gift making.

Kayla’s Notes: I am not familiar with this school but it appears to be a great option if Korean is your first language. The website is all in Korean and the location of the school is Seoul, Korea.

East-West School for Herbal & Aromatic Studies
NAHA-approved Level 1 & Level 2 professional clinical Aromatherapy training available live and distance learning. The EWSHAS offers classes throughout the United States for Aroma101 and Aroma201 as well as other specialized modules. Specialized topics include: Chemistry by and for the Aromatherapists, Aromatic applications for the skin, Aromatherapy and Hospice Care, Aromatherapy and Energetic Healing, and a variety of workshops for the general public and practitioner. CE hours are available for massage therapists (NCBTMB approved provider) and for Registered Aromatherapists (RA). Contact Admissions at to register.

Kayla’s Notes: I have heard Jade Shutes name for as long as I have been in aromatherapy. Jade has played an important role in setting the standards for aromatherapy education in America. While I have never taken one of her courses her history as an educator speaks volumes.

Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy
The Certificate Program in Integrative Aromatherapy is a comprehensive correspondence course for health professionals and non-professionals. You will be personally mentored by author and Holistic Nurse Aromatherapist, Valerie Cooksley. The certification is fully endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Association, The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and NAHA (Level I and II). 325 CEU’s for nurses and massage therapists.

Kayla's Notes: Valerie Cooksley was one of the Board members of the Aromatherapy Registration Council and on the Advisory Board for NAHA. She has written several books on aromatherapy. A full list of the books she has written and more can be found here. I have read many of the books and articles that Valerie has written. Her course is designed for health professionals and non-professionals. Valerie is a Holistic Nurse Aromatherapist which would provide a very unique prospective as a teacher.

Institute of Natural Beauty/ AND Group, Inc.
Following her family tradition, Leana Golan, Moscow born and raised, brings 20 years of experience to research of product safety. Golan has opened The Institute of Natural Beauty in the Russian language. I am introducing the magic healing of plants in skin care, known for many hundreds of years which for some unexplained reason is being discounted and not utilized. But thanks to the latest scientific research and after participating in some of the research myself I feel, I will be able to introduce in my school many new methods and ways of utilizing plants for better health.

Kayla's Notes: This would be a good course for some who speaks Russian as their first language.

Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy, Inc.
The Institute of Spiritual Healing & Aromatherapy, Inc offers two programs: The Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry program in energy healing and the Certification in Clinical Aromatherapy program which is a NAHA approved school of aromatherapy. Offering both Level 1 and 2 in aromatherapy, the ISHA courses present both the British and French models of aromatherapy. The 240 hour coursework includes three classes, required reading, homework packets, a research project and written exams.Contacts hours are awarded to nurses, massage therapists and chaplains. Courses include hands-on energy treatments, anatomy and physiology, organic chemistry, introduction to botany, toxicity and safety, vibrational frequencies, professional issues, description of 55 oils for physical, emotional and spiritual clearing. This program is a holistic approach to the study of essential oil therapy and prepares students to take the ARC exam. Our faculty are all certified aromatherapists, and certified energy practitioners and instructors.

Kayla's Notes: This course blends both British and French approaches to aromatherapy. I have not personally studied the spiritual healing side of aromatherapy. I don't have enough personal history to give any accurate recommendations on this school. This program is also approved by AIA.

JennScents® Institute of Aromatherapy
Level I (24 hours) & Level II (218 hours) approved. Holistic Aromatherapy Correspondence Courses include workbook/DVD. Level I includes history, safety, quality, limbic and immune systems, essential oil production, application methods, 10 carrier oils, blending introduction, aroma-chemistry introduction, 25 essential oils. Level II aromatherapy courses - Advanced, Specialized, Body Systems, Herbal Integration, Emotional Healing, Business Building and Skin Care. Courses address fundamentals of aromatherapy, modern development, safety, quality, limbic system, practical applications, basic botany, extraction methods, aroma-chemistry, anatomy/physiology, herbal integration, emotional healing, skin care formulations, 25 carrier oils, 35 essential oils, business development, ethics and legal issues.

Kayla's Notes: What stands out to me is that the courses here are taught on DVD. Everyone learns differently. The DVD's could be a great method of learning. The course is taught by Holistic Aromatherapist, Jennifer Hochell Pressimone.

Online Continuing Ed, LLC
OnlineCE.com, a division of OnlineContinuingEd, LLC is a leading provider of distance based continuing education programs. Start your Aromatherapy studies with our Aromatherapy Level 1: Fundamentals of Aromatherapy, a 40 hour course offered entirely online. You can then continue your studies with Aromatherapy Level 2: Professional Aromatherapy Certification, a 160 hour course which is completed by distanced based learning using our online format, but you also communicate by email/fax with a personal tutor. OnlineContinuingEd, LLC is an approved NCBTMB provider for Massage Therapy, the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers, and our HandCredits division is an approved provider of AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association).

Kayla's Notes: Oneline Continuing Education Courses teaches continuing education for Aromatherapy, athletic trainers, Chiropractic Physicians, Hand Therapists, Motercycle Safety, Massage Therapists, Naturopathic Physicians, Occupational therapists/Assistants, and Legal Secretary/Word Processor.

RJ Buckle and Associates, LLC
Dr Jane Buckle—Clinical Aromatherapy for licensed health professionals—not open to the lay public. Taught course (250 CEUs) - 4 classroom weekends plus student-work comprising 33 case-studies plus small mentored research project. Successful completion leads to CCAP (Certified Clinical Aromatherapy Practitioner). Program endorsed by AHNA. CEUs through AACN and NCBTMB. $375. Home-study available for aromatherapists interested in exploring Clinical Aromatherapy. Can lead to Certificate in Clinical Aromatherapy. Two CDs plus mentoring $550.The 'M' Technique®. method of touch suitable for the critically ill, very fragile or novice massage giver. Video/DVD (4.5 CEUs) $45. Certification course (14 CEUs) Two days plus case-studies. $375. Available in the USA.

Kayla's Notes: This course if for health professionals only. Dr. Jane Buckle has a long list of publications that can be found here.

Sara Holmes Educator Aromatherapy Level I and II
Sara offers Aromatherapy Level I and II at Parkland College located in Champaign, Illinois. Sara offers Aromatherapy: Basic Principles, which focuses on the basic properties of essential oils, history, safety and therapeutic uses. Aromatherapy: Advanced Principles, focuses on the knowledge and skills used in professional aromatherapy including identification of essential oils, safety, actions, methods of use and clinical assessments. Certification is offered after successful completion of both courses (250 hours) and a written exam. Classes receive college credit. Parkland also has a Massage Therapy Program which offers an introduction to aromatherapy.

Kayla's Notes: Sara Holmes teaches Aromatherapy for Bodyworkers, Basic Aromatherapy and Completmentary Alternative Therapies in Health Care I at Parkland College.

The Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies
Offers 40-hour "Aromatherapy Essentials" Continuing Education course to massage and bodywork professionals and non-professionals. Home study course. Level One. Approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Kayla's Notes:  The link took me to a website called Natural Wellness which sells herbal and nutritional suppliments. I couldn't find any link to an aromatherapy course.

Monday Motivational Moment :: Child Like Silliness Just For Laughs

2009-12-21T00:00:00-08:00

I have learned so many things through my contacts on twitter and facebook. I have know the joke that goes with this song for years, but I learned on twitter from @IllusElu and on Facebook from Allison Kontur that there is a song. Just goes to show you that social media isn't a chore - it is alot of fun.

Essential Wholesale 2009 Advent Event :: December 21st Special

2009-12-21T00:00:00-08:00

Hurry because December 21st Advent Special will not repeat again. This is your last chance for your order placed at Essential Wholesale to be entered to win a 30 minute FREE consultation regarding your choice of either; Business Development, Aromatherapy, Social Media, Graphic Design or Esthetics! You get to pick the which consultation would be most helpful for the growth of your business.


Here is how the 2009 Essential Wholesale Advent Event works - every morning at 12 a.m. PST the Essential U blog will open up a new special that will run until 11:59 p.m. PST from now until December 25th! These specials will run exclusively on our social networking sites. Don't miss out on great specials. Check the blog each day or follow us on Twitter @EssentialWhlsl and @EssentialU (Kayla) and become a fan of Essential Wholesale on Facebook to find out what special is on the Advent Calendar.

The Business of Organic :: The Organic Home Story

2009-12-18T00:00:00-08:00

I met Mark from The Organic Home on Facebook recently. I thought his business concept was great and asked if I could blog about his company. Social networking is the fastest way to spread the word about your company. One contact can turn into dozens and then multiply even farther. I'd like to introduce you to one of my newest social networking friends. You can find the Organic Home on Facebook and Twitter.



How did you start your company? What was the inspiration behind it?
I was sitting in my car, in traffic, around 5 years ago, and I noticed a local organic store, with people queuing out into the street, and thought to myself, 'people do not want chemicals and poison in their foods and bodycare' and this inspired me. I created The Organic Home firstly with my imagination, then with a website, and then with our first store selling our product range, and on....

What does The Organic Home do? Who does it market to and how does it help consumers?
The site functions as a free International directory for the Organic community, and also publishes blogs, news and events concerning the organic and green communities.
What makes your site unique?
One unique aspect is my personal blog.... I have been writing for over 3 years, and much can be seen here and also our own product range that can be seen here.

What is the mission of your company?
Our Manifesto and Mission Statements can be read here. Note from Kayla: This Brand Manifesto is excellent. Here a few highlights from it but it is certainly worth clicking through to read the whole thing.

"...Have you ever tried to back-track an event to its initial cause, or even tried to rewind a chain of thought? The number of contributory factors are large, perhaps even infinite, but we can often identify a single pivotal event, which in its way acted as a crossroads in our lives, precipitating an enormous change in our destiny.

We can call these events... 'Deflectors' - Events that deflect and shift the trajectory of our lives, altering the course of our progress, so that over a period of time our destination point is far removed from our original destination. A single degree of shift in direction can result in an arrival point 100's of miles distant had that degree of shift not occurred.

The secret of the 'Law of Deflection' is that we can apply our own 'deflectors' in our lives to arrange a preferable destination for ourselves.

Each tiny component can multiply, and by using understanding, insight and wisdom we can set a fresh course for ourselves, our family, our home and the entire world by adjusting our interactions within ourselves, our bodies and our homes.

The Organic Home will create the conditions for an integrated deflection, changing the course of your life and the health of the World, by providing a single integrated source of home products, services, body products and nourishment, deflecting our destination from harm to health and happiness.

But, we ain't no group of bean eating hippies - we have good lives, but fun lives. Healthy lives but cool lives. We work hard but we play too... We are serious but we live here - integrated with our families and friends, we don't live on another planet, man..."

How does Organic Home benefit from a company registering with it and how is the company registered helped?
We currently offer only free listing on our directory, over 1000 companies so far, and growing daily. I believe that listing with us assists findability, and maybe even a little bit of credibility, as I personally decide whether a company is admitted or refused. To submit your website click here.

How long have you been in business?
The Organic Home website has been live for just over 2 years, and is now one of the leading European organic websites.

How has social media help spread your companies message?
Using both Facebook (over 1100 fans) and Twitter (over 8200 followers) I have found, and have been found, by 1000's of fellow 'Organicos' from all over the World, and more are connecting each day, it really is an exciting time to be involved with the social media networks... I need more hours in the day though...

My Sonny and Cher Variety Show Performance at St. Elizabeth's

2009-12-17T22:27:00-08:00

I can't sew. It is a hereditary thing. I inherited my mother's inability to sew. I think it has more to do with lack of patience than anything. I first learned of this hereditary inability to sew when I was in Kindergarten. My class was putting on the grandest of all end of the year end programs. The largest production of Sonny and Cher to ever to take the stage. Dozens of little Cher's hit the stage with their matching Sonny's.



The mothers were given the task of sewing matching Sonny and Cher outfits. My mother hired someone to sew my Cher outfit. Shiny green fabric was chosen with a custom chocker, big earrings and a head piece - and ta da I was Cher. My outfit had all the makings of a diva dress. I was so excited. I loved all things shiny and glittery – ok I have to admit it – I loved all things gaudy. In Kindergarten I would have willingly worn any of Cher's outfits onto any stage.

When the big day came I pranced onto stage glowing with pride beside my Sonny. We sang, we danced and with every word of the songs my Sonny spit into my face. Literally, the louder we sang the faster the saliva flew from his mouth onto my face. I was distraught and disillusioned. How did I get the one and only faulty Sonny? My dreams of a Che-like stage life were being drenched by Sonny at a very tender age. The show had to go on, but I was certain that every eye in the audience was focused on my spitting duet.
I decided right then and there that I was done with stage life forever. I was humiliated through my smiles. The wonder of my dress wasn't enough any longer to distract me from my woes. I had climbed onto the stage feeling beautiful and confidant; but once on stage with Sonny it took every ounce of courage I had to not add tears to my already drenched face.

In reality, I'm sure no one noticed. The spit was probably not even visible from on stage, let alone off stage. But my reality at the moment was different. I saw an imperfection that was out of my control as a fault line the destroyed everything in its path. I'm sure every parent had their eyes firmly fixated on their own child and didn't even notice as I deflated before their very eyes. Even my parents were probably enchanted with my smile that covered up my inner turmoil. But my view of reality was obscured by how I believed the actions of Sonny reflected on me.

Before the Sonny and Cher show at St. Elizabeth's I was prepared to take center stage at any given moment. I was fearless and confident. Afterwards I shunned the stage. I believed that imperfection had marred my stage presence. I believed that my image wasn't fully in my control. It is silly, really, that just a bit unintentional spit sprayed onto my face had impacted my confidence so completely, but it did.

While my example may seem far-fetched, the reality is that we all allow a collection of minor incidents and major events of the past to impact how we view ourselves. Past unintentional slights can touch us deeply and shake our confidence. The words, actions and treatment of someone can re-mold our image of ourselves. Sometimes those hurts cut so deep that they separate us from our God given gifts. I was terrified of public humiliation and I couldn't even remember were the roots of that fear had been planted.

Long after my Sonny and Cher debut I learned that the actions of others are irrelevant to who I am. Over time we all must accept that the words of others cannot define us unless we allow them to. The actions of those around us reflect only on them. How we react shows our character. We must not allow reality to be clouded by the shadow cast by others around us. What matters is how we respond to circumstances and not the events that happen in our lives.

NEW Products at Essential Wholesale

2009-12-17T20:36:59-08:00

What's new at Essential Wholesale? There are a lot of NEW products at Essential Wholesale this week!



NEW Lipsticks!

Essential Wholesale is taking you places with our new pink and red hued lipsticks including: Dallas Lipstick, Munich Lipstick, Tokyo Lipstick, Vegas Lipstick, Paris Lipstick, Portland Lipstick, Seattle Lipstick, New York Lipstick, and Baltimore Lipstick.

NEW Organic Peppermint Toner

We are expanding our Organically Preserved line with the addition of our new Organic Peppermint Toner.

NEW Dry Shampoo

The new Dry Shampoo is great, whether you are using the no-poo method of hair care or simply don’t have time to wash your hair you will love this product. This product was formulated for athletes taking part in long sporting events, periods of convalesce or to add an extra day between shampoos.

NEW Colorants

Essential Wholesale expands your selection by adding new powdered colorants including: Black Iron Oxide, Brown Iron Oxide, Yellow Iron Oxide, Red 150 Iron Oxide, Red 160 Iron Oxide, Red 180 Iron Oxide, Russet Iron Oxide, Ultramarine Blue Iron Oxide, Green Chromium Oxide, Maganesse Violet, D&C Orange 5, FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 40, D&C Red 28, and FD&C Yellow 5.

More Coming Soon

Essential Wholesale is growing, expanding, adding, researching and making it easier for you to do your shopping under one roof.

Excessive Legislation Hurts Small Businesses :: Don't Mess with My Cheese

2009-12-16T23:07:09-08:00

Leigh O'Donnell, HSMG President, wrote a blog about her trip with Donna Maria and Lela to Washington D.C. to speak on behalf of small businesses. You can read the complete blog here. Leigh shared an email that she Julie Hammond of Hammond Farm sent her. The email caught my attention for several reasons. First off the topic was cheese and I love artisan cheese. Most importantly I love small businesses and Julie shared with Leigh about the legislation going on in Texas right now in the cheese industry.



You might wonder what cheese legislation in Texas has to do with skin care, soapmaking, aromatherapy or your niche in the industry. The answer is everything.  This is another example, like the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) that put small handmade businesses out of business overnight when it is enacted in a few short weeks, of how legislation can harm small businesses.

I asked Leigh and Julie to allow me to share the email from Julie along with some follow up information because it is important that we support other small businesses in all industries and that we learn from what is already happening in other industries.
Julie Hammond wrote, "I have read your recent article regarding a trip to Washington regarding soapmakers and the pending regulations that may effect small businesses. I hope that Donna Maria and others can change legislation so that it does not effect the small business.

With that said I wanted to bring to your attention legislation going on right now in Texas for the Artisan cheesemakers.

Texas did a case study showing that the new regulations would adversly effect some artisan cheesemakers (small businesses). As noted in the preamble for these new regulations the cost to each of the small businesses would be anywhere from $10,000 - $25,000 for each small business and it was noted the difficulty each of these small businesses would face including some going out of business.

Yet, the legislation still pushed forwarded these new regulations which are now up for a vote before the milk council. The dollar figure estimated would be the cost of a pastuerizer with chart recorder. Most small businesses are pastuerizing on a double boiler with no recorded instances of contamination or public health was noted with any artisan cheesemaker. As of today it is legal to pastuerize in a small double boiler and only the new regulations would require the expensive pastuerizer with chart recorder.

In these regulations it was also noted other items that would burden the small cheese maker like adding rooms to their exsisting facility, putting in concrete or asphalt roads in access of a mile from the cheese plant to the road, and regulations for hauling the milk with a cost of $25,000 minimum each trip. Remember these are farms where their cheese plant is some distance from the road. It was noted in the proposed regulations that these roads would need to be concrete or asphalt.

Why I am bringing this to your attention is that it does not seem to matter about the small businesses. The regulations are written without regard to the small businesses and the requirements for these small businesses are out of reach for some.

It has been questioned why we can't have regulations with regards to the small cheesemaker and there are none to date. We are waiting for the outcome of these new regulations (should know within the month) and we will see now many artisan cheesemakers go out of business. Instead of the government promoting artisan cheesemaking they are squashing it with our unemployment rate the highest in a long time. The proposed regulations made no provisions for the small cheesemaker.

It appears that the government does not care about the small business. I do hope that with the soapmakers it turns out different but I do not think this will be the case.

Just wanted you to know what is going on in other industries in regards to small business.

The organization fighting for cheesemakers is the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. Interestingly, Judith McGeary of Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance is a retired attorney much like Donna Maria. She has sent in her bullet points on the proposed regulations as well as other cheese makers making their comments by the required deadline. We are now waiting on the announcement from the milk council after their review of everyone's comments on what will be the new rules and regulations.

At a minimum any of the proposed regulations put into place will adversly effect the artisan cheesemaker. Most noteably the requirement of a 10,000.00 pastuerizer with chart recorder. There is an arguement that this should not be required since some artisan cheesemakers are pastuerizing on a double boiler and the milk inspectors are finding no problem with their cheeses through lab testing. So if there are no problems through lab testing with the cheese why require this expensive machine that is putting some out of business. The other arguement is that their are cheaper means of achieving results by testing the cheese than by requiring this equipment that micro businesses can not afford. The proposed regulations if passed, would require this equipment to be mandatory.

Here is the link to the proposed rules. If you look at the preamble it is noted the hardship for small businesses.

It is hard to understand so I have included some bullet points: Noting that micro businesses have caused no outbreaks of foodborne illness that we know of.

1) The requirement of a pastuerizer, cost $10,000.00 (plus shipping) to $17,000.00 plus shipping. This would cause some cheese makers to go out of business by the cost of this equipment alone.

217.74(a)(2) would require that "construction and maintaince of driveways and adjacent plant traffic areas shall be of concrete, asphalt, or similar material to keep dust and mud to a minimim.

The cost of this for some small farms who have driveways in access of a mile or more would be exorbiant.

217.61 - 217.64 impose extensive requirements on the transportation of milk for future proccessing.

This expense is costly in transportation costs for the small scale producer who is only processing a small amount of milk at one time. This proposed requirement could easily cost the small scale producer $25,000 each haul of milk.

217.77 - the requirement for stainless steel cheese presses.

Not necessary as the cheese does not come in contact with the press.

217.74 (b) Requiring seperate rooms for processing. A seperate room simply to clean milk cans.

At this time artisan cheesemakers are waiting the final outcome and posting of the new regulations that they will have to follow."

It is critical that as small business owners we join in and support each other to stop crippling legislation like this from entering our industry.

Wordless Wednesday :: Big Brother :: Little Sister

2009-12-16T00:00:00-08:00