Small Business Design Resources

Small Business Profile: Claudia Fileto, Blooming Bods

	contact via email			www.BloomingBods.com

Tell us your story of why and how you decided to start your own business.
In 2006, we became parents again for the 3^rd time. Which meant we now had 3 children under 5. I remember feeling very overwhelmed with three young children. I often scoured the marketplace to find any baby products that would make my busy life easier. I was always in search of any gadget or gear that would simply enhance my life. Soon I realized there was a need for a place where busy expectant moms and moms could shop for Maternity, Baby, and Kids products. And so Blooming Bods sprouted in 2009.

How would your customers describe your business?
They would describe Blooming Bods as a wonderful and fun place to shop for great quality products for Maternity, Baby, and Kids. Where excellent customer service is provided by partnering with parents to meet their needs as busy parents who want the best for their children.

What’s unique about your business, how do you differ from your competitors?
We are a 3-in-one online store for Maternity, Baby, and Kids. You can shop for three different categories in one place, one shopping cart. Blooming Bods is actively partnering with parents to access and meet their needs. We are all about making “Parenthood Simplified”.

What’s your most popular product?
Maternity belly bands. Maternity belly bands are great for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. They grow with your wardrobe wonderfully and are a fun fashion accessory. They are a pregnancy must have for their practicality and function.

How do you market your business?
We market our business mainly through social media which includes, Facebook and Twitter. We also engage in promotions and pass them along to our current customers as well as our social media followers.

What role does your website play in your business?
A big part! Without a website, we simply could not function. We would not be in business.

What would you say to small businesses who currently don’t have a website or have neglected it?
If you do not have a website, you need to get one. It is absolutely imperative that you get some sort of web presence to begin to establish trust with your online market.

Anything additional you want to tell us about your business that we don’t know yet?
Please stay tuned. We have lots of wonderful projects taking place in the new year. We are very excited to share them with you. Please connect with us in some way so you can be the first to hear the wonderful news.

Small Business Profile: Naomi Gauldin, Naomi’s Dish

(517) 214-7303	chefnaomi@yahoo.com			Naomi’s Dish

Tell us your story of why and how you decided to start your own business.
I decided to start my own business because I want to be my own boss and I have all these ideas of what I want to do. I really admire Oprah’s business acumen and when I turned 30, I had an ‘aha’ moment. I said to myself, the only way something is going to happen is if I make it happen. So I looked into what I could do while I was finishing school and still working my full-time job. I found out that being a personal chef could allow me to work and go to school while fulfilling my passion in cooking. I get the chance to interact with people and prepare meals, which is what I love to do. Being a personal chef is a starting point for me until I can open my own restaurant.

How would your customers describe your business?
Great food and service that is like no other in the area.

What’s unique about your business, how do you differ from your competitors?
I will prepare any food that the customer desires as well as give them new foods to try out as well. I differ from my competitors in that I will tailor each menu to the customer’s needs and wants and provide original creations by myself as well.

What’s your most popular service?
Not only will I prepare meals for during the week, I will also prepare meals for special occasions such as wedding anniversaries and small, intimate parties. Anything that your heart desires!

How do you market your business?
I have business cards, direct mailings, word of mouth, Twitter, my blog and Facebook. I will be getting a website in the future.

What role does your website play in your business?
Currently, I’m using my blog as my website and that is helping me get the word out for my business to attract customers as well as give updates to what’s going on.

What would you say to small businesses who currently don’t have a website or have neglected it?
I would say that you need a website eventually since a number of people go online to research information. If money is an issue, which is was for me, I would say to definitely have business cards and utilize Twitter and Facebook for your business until you can get a website.

Anything additional you want to tell us about your business that we don’t know yet?
Follow me on Twitter and visit my blog to leave your feedback. I’m open to all ideas and suggestions!

Small Business Profile: Kisha Kingston, Royale Amethyst Invitations, LLC

(646) 552-7015	contact via email			RoyalAmethystLLC.com

Tell us your story of why and how you decided to start your own business.
It all began in December 2008, when I had the opportunity to plan my sister’s winter themed bridal shower. After unsuccessful attempts to find the right stationery for the occasion, I decided to get creative and design my very own. End result, a satisfied bride-to-be and the birth of a new venture.

Shortly after, I started promoting my services to friends, family and co-workers which resulted in me being the “go-to” person for their event stationery needs. Within months my services were requested for baptisms, baby showers, weddings and small business branding. It was the success of these past orders that led me to continue on the path of event stationery and start my own business. Deciding the name for the business was quite simple and personal. I decided to use her birthstone, Amethyst, and the royalty that the stone represents, hence the name Royale Amethyst Invitations.

How would your customers describe your business?
My clients would describe my business as being full of quality, service and creativity.

Client Comments:

• I have to tell you the first word that comes to mind when I think of “Royale Amethyst Invitations” is…. Wow !! The young lady who is the brains behind this company is Fabulous, she knew exactly where I was going for my Jewelry party invitations it was as if she was in my head thinking what I was thinking…the finished product literally took my breath away….my invitations were simply “FAB” –Kurt W.

• Thanks to ROYALE AMETHYST Invitations! My invitations for my sister’s baby shower were the least of my worries. The service I received was very professional yet friendly. I recommend ROYALE AMETHYST INVITATIONS to anyone wanting the best stationery. Thx – Onica B.

What’s unique about your business, how do you differ from your competitors?
My business is all about service and my clients can attest to receiving personal service from conception to completion of their order. I take into account their vision when designing custom stationery and with strong attention to detail I am capable of bringing their vision to life. When I am designing I always think “outside of the box”.

What’s your most popular product?
I would have to say the Pocket invitation because it is more elegant and looks great with add-ons including ribbons, feathers and embellishments.

How do you market your business?
I market my business through social media. I am very active on Twitter, Facebook and my Blog. I also post my business information on wedding sites such as Wedding Wire, Project Wedding and Bridal Tweet.

What role does your website play in your business?
My website plays as the main source of information for Royale Amethyst Invitations. My clients will find important information such as my biography, frequently asked questions, social media links and photo gallery. My website is my online business card and resume.

What would you say to small businesses who currently don’t have a website or have neglected it?
A website is a necessity for anyone conducting business. It is the main place your clients will go to gain more knowledge about your company and what it has to offer. Similar to how an invitation sets the tone for an event, a website with proper maintenance does the same for your business.

Anything additional you want to tell us about your business that we don’t know yet?
Since the launch of Royale Amethyst Invitations, I was nominated and won the 2010 Twinkie Award for Best Social Media Marketing Campaign. My company is also privileged to have clientele that exclusively uses my custom invitations to send to the offices of local politicians as well as the White House.

Small Business Profile: Rita White, Raw Ingredients

(917) 239-3678	ritasemail@verizon.net			Raw Ingredients

Tell us your story of why and how you decided to start your own business.
Raw Ingredients natural skincare was created in 2009. I suffer from eczema and found that over the counter products didn’t work on my skin. I couldn’t find products for sensitive skin with fragrances that I liked. I conceptualize the products, scents and packaging. I create the products in my kitchen at home. If a customer wants the product unscented or wants a fragrance created exclusively for them, I can do that as well. My passion for natural products comes from experience as a former beauty advisor for major skincare and cosmetic lines such as Kiehl’s and Borghese. I’m also a skincare writer for examiner.com

How would your customers describe your business?
Here’s what our customers are saying about Raw Ingredients skincare products:

“I just finished using one of your scrubs! It was a sugar scrub with red seeds. End result: soft hands!”-Kisha K.

“Fabulous Rita, BTW, your “body butter” was the empty container at the end of the night,… u have something special…”- Letitia O.

“It’s yummy”-Rosemary J. –after using our Sexy coconut Body Butter.

“Thanks I received the order, It smells like you can eat it…but I won’t…lol”-Aaron R

What’s unique about your business, how do you differ from your competitors?
Customers have the opportunity to buy products that are made-to- order. Products can be custom formulated according to their specifications or skin concerns.

What’s your most popular product?
Our body butters are the most popular product. The body butters are 98% natural. They contain aloe vera and chamomile flower extract, to soothe and calm sensitive skin in addition to jojoba and sunflower oil which nourish, hydrate, soften & heal.

How do you market your business?
Raw Ingredients skincare products are marketed in several ways. I have a company website, facebook and twitter sites. Many customers buy products through word-of-mouth or at craft shows that I participate in, such as Shecky’s Girls Night Out or Green Flea NYC. I carry business cards and a few testers with me at all times, so potential customers can sample the body cream.

What role does your website play in your business?
The website plays an important role in my business, it’s an online store where people have access to my products at any time. It highlights the company’s credibility and customers can email comments and questions.

What would you say to small businesses who currently don’t have a website or have neglected it?
I would tell small businesses that currently don’t have a website or have neglected it that a website is a must. More potential customers are within your reach. It’s a great way to track customer feedback, testimonials and product inventory. You can provide general information and website links about other topics that may interest customers too. A website is very convenient for clients especially if they can find everything they need in one place.

Anything additional you want to tell us about your business that we don’t know yet?
Raw Ingredients donates to charitable organizations, such as Light the Night, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s event to raise funds against cancer. The company is located in Bronx, New York.

Small Business Profile: Ellen Hart, Careerbags.com

(310) 491-1460	ellen@careerbags.com			www.careerbags.com

Tell us your story of why and how you decided to start your own business.
In 1990 I was unable to find a business case that fit my needs as a professional woman. I designed a collection and sold it to a major luggage company called Hartmann Luggage. I stayed involved in the sales and marketing of the collection for many years but eventually went on to create other products. Four years ago some of the retailers that I dealt with called and asked to have the collection redesigned and updated because there were no lines out there for women professionals and students. I researched the Internet and found some fantastic designers and decided that there were plenty of options out there but not one great place to find them all. I grabbed the domain name Careerbags and started my business a year later.

How would your customers describe your business?
Great selection, well organized and fun place to shop. Grateful to find a store that carries such a wide variety of products specifically for women.

What’s unique about your business, how do you differ from your competitors?
We focus on the professional woman, listen to their ideas and suggestions and follow the fashion and technology trends. We are always available to guide them over the phone and be a personal shopper to help them find just the right product. We like to hear about what their career, personal style, what they carry to help them find the perfect solution.

What’s your most popular product?
17” laptop bags are flying off the shelves and we just cannot keep them in stock.

How do you market your business?
We have several blogs like our www.laptopbaglifeline.com and we use social networking like twitter and facebook, outreach to other bloggers and we wait for our HARO (help a reporter out) emails to show up and pounce on any opportunity for PR.

What role does your website play in your business?
That is my business and without keeping it updated and fresh and working with Design Leap to find out what we can do to make it better on a weekly basis, I wouldn’t have much of a business.

What would you say to small businesses who currently don’t have a website or have neglected it?
It is vital and the most cost effective and expedient way to reach their market what ever that may be.

Anything additional you want to tell us about your business that we don’t know yet?
Visit the website and see for yourself and I am always open for ideas. Life on the Internet changes everyday and I cannot wait to see what’s next!