Fearless Friday – Vintage Body Spa, LLC June 27, 2008

Fearless Fridays are rolling around so quickly these days! Our treat this week is Alyssa Middleton of Vintage Body Spa, LLC and the timing couldn’t be better. Alyssa just found out that one of her products was accepted for inclusion into the Femail Creations/Barefoot Parties Holiday Catalog! Alyssa’s interview covers all of the issues that we’re all experiencing and are concerned with.  She’s been very honest and thorough – I forgot to tell her that she didn’t have to answer all of the questions!

Please join me in thanking her for sharing her expertise and toasting to her continued success!

How were you inspired to create your own business?

I wish I could claim that I created Vintage Body Spa. In actuality, it was started in 2005, and I purchased the company in September 2007. My daughter was diagnosed with eczema when she was an infant, and I had been searching online for natural products to use on her skin. I came across Vintage Body Spa, loved the formulas and learned that the company was for sale. I fully believe that it was a Divine encounter, as everything fell into place very easily, and I took over ownership in 2007.

I had made bath & body products, candles and soaps as a hobby years prior, and loved creating new items and giving them as gifts. Purchasing Vintage Body Spa enabled me to turn that hobby into a business and work from home while raising our daughter.

Did you have role models in your immediate family or mentors who supported you?

My grandparents had their own woodworking business, and my mother has had her own business as a seamstress since before I was born. Growing up, I loved to watch them create things from scratch and seeing their pride in a job well done. It was a blessing for my mom to be at home with her kids and have the flexibility in her schedule to attend all of our events and activities. I’m convinced that is why we’re still so close today. I want to be there like that for my daughter as she grows.

How did you choose your product?

Some of the product formulas are from the original owner. They’re great formulas, and they have a loyal following, so there was no need to change them. Then I looked at the current offerings and made a list of what was missing – other items that could be added to help to create an indulgent spa experience at home – and have been working off of that list. Formulas go through a lot of testing with my family and me before they are ever sent to my tester panel – men and women of different ages, skin types, etc. I collect comments and feedback and make alterations and send out another round (or two, however many it takes) until the panel approves. Then the product is released to the public. We’ve released two products since purchasing Vintage Body Spa (massage oil and whipped shea butter) and I’m very excited to be releasing 5-6 additional products by the end of the summer, just in time for the holiday shopping season!

How did you fund your start-up?

I had a loan for the purchase of the business. When new supplies, packaging, etc is needed I reinvest profits rather than borrowing additional funds. This has meant that I haven’t been able to do all of the things I’d love to do with the business as quickly as I’d like, but it is very important to me to retire the debt. Besides, it’s a great motivator to keep pushing for more sales!

Did you have a business plan?

My business plan is an ever-changing document, as I learn more from women who have been down this path before me and are mentoring me. One of my goals for the summer is to sit down with a mentor and hammer out a formal business plan so that I can better track goals, successes and setbacks. Doing the formal research into my target market, competitors, etc will also help to give me a clearer picture as to how I can expand and compete in the marketplace.

How do you handle it when sales are slow?

There are always so many things to be done, that some days it’s a relief to not have orders to fill so that I can work on other necessary projects. But I don’t like having too many of those days in a row! Staying focused on the blessings I know are to come help me to keep a positive outlook and keep my energy up.

What are your goals for your business, short and long-term?

I have specific financial goals for this year, my first full calendar year in business. Marketing and networking will be a big priority for me the remainder of the year in order to reach those goals. I want to expand the number of wholesale accounts we have, and I want my private label division to continue growing as it has been since it opened in April. Long-term goals include expanding into international wholesale accounts (we already have a private label contract with a company overseas) as well as a brick and mortar storefront. I want the business to grow to where I can hire staff and create a positive, supportive work environment where people are happy to come to work and they know they’ll be encouraged and rewarded for their creativity, hard work and customer service. Most of all, I want the company to continue producing incredible, natural spa products that truly help the customer feel pampered.

How do you balance business with personal and family life?

This can be difficult at times, but I am blessed with an incredibly supportive husband who steps in and helps out whenever and however he can. My daughter is just 20 months old, so during the day, I really try to focus on her (although I’m guilty of checking my email while she’s playing by herself!) But as soon as she goes down for a nap, then I start working at full speed. After my husband is home and we have dinner and unwind as a family, then I work for a bit again. The majority of tasks get done late at night when everyone is asleep, but I’m working on changing this so that mom can get some sleep as well!

Do you have a website? Blog?

The website is www.vintagebodyspa.com. The blog is not currently active, some changes are being made behind the scenes and should be up by early fall.

What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?

Have fun! There was a reason you went into business for yourself – don’t get bogged down by the stresses, the ‘to-do’ list, etc – stay focused on the goals you’ve set for yourself and keep steadily working towards them – you will reach them!

Life on earth is short, so have fun and involve your family as much as you can – not only will it make your job easier by delegating tasks, but your family will take ownership and become invested in seeing it become a successful business, and you’ll create great memories along the way.

Surround yourself with other positive women entrepreneurs – not only for the networking aspects, but also to keep your spirits lifted during trying times. Pay it forward as much as you can….blessings WILL come back to you tenfold!