It's a New Year!

Happy New Year, all... I know, it has been much, much too long since I posted on Pami's Page. A bit going on, I have to admit - with the wesite, as well as in my personal life. Life does have a way of continuing on, as I do. To that end...
Even as I plug along promoting and updating SweetPea & Violets, I work at my other job - sales associate at Macy's. I have to admit, I do like my job. I like the department I work in, as well as the people I work with. Working through Christmas was an experience - very busy, stressful (in a productive way!) and exhausting! But, I did enjoy it very much. I like productivity and being busy. I like helping people and having my presence be a positive influence/experience to all involved. It has been a bit distressing, I will admit, to hear/read the news of store closures - and, no, where I am employed is not one of them! "My" store is actually in the midst of remodeling - due to be completed fall '09. It has also been distressing to read really negative blogs relating to bad customer service, etc, as related to Macy's employees (and company/store policy overall)... I cannot speak for the stores throughout the states, but, where I work, especially in my department, customer satisfaction is of utmost importance. We do our best to make customers happy. I know that I go out of my way to address my customers requests - and I like doing that! As for store policy - not a lot I can do or say about that. I have read blog comments from those that expect so much, demand so much (and I have assisted a few, myself) to the point of ridiculous-ness... However, I do believe that customer service is the backbone of any successful retail establishment and I think that if associates are not living up to our promise/commitment of service... well, a lot can be said for upbringing, in addition to on-the-job training implemented. It takes a bit of both. If I am rambling, apologies... Just know that I am commited to doing/giving/being my best - both at my department store job and in my website business.
As for the website: I have been caught up in making site/page revisions and in adding new product for 2009. As I continue to educate myself in all things aromatherapy, it only follows that it should carry over into what I do with SweetPea & Violets. I am working hard to create a "green" website presence - though I will be the first to acknowledge that not all of my offered gift products fall into that category. I am working on it, though! I have come across organizations and groups, other product sites that truly offer not only great products, but informative, educational information. Green America is one of several that I really value receiving newsletters from. Mountain Rose Herbs is another favorite company (I get my herbs from them!) that was voted Co-op America's (now, Green America) People's Choice Most Green Business for 2008... Congratulations to them!
In continuing along that line, though I do still love the Taronga candles line, I have pursued more organic candles and aromatherapy oils - I have included two new lines at SweetPea & Violets: Inbal Aromatherapy [I was familiar with them from The Blissful Soul store (visit Cheryl's updated Blissful Soul website btw)] and Crystal Journey Candles. At the SweetPea website you'll also find Inbal essential oils, as well as massage oils - great romantic Valentine's Day idea! I must say, I am looking forward to these changes, even as I implement them.
This past year was busy for me... family illness and loss... the move to Valencia (still love it here), a new place, a new job... Creating a new website and promoting that through various online communities. You'll find SweetPea & Violets at both MySpace and Facebook, in addition to StartUp Nation and Adlandpro. I work hard at promoting, but never seem to have enough time to do all I aim for! Hopefully this 2009 will be just a bit more successful at that, more productive. In speaking of that website promotion, though SweetPea & Violets did not make it in StartUp Nation's top 100 competition, we are trying again - this time in the first annual Leading Moms in Business 2009 competition. Check it out and vote for SweetPea & Violets! Thanks very much, in advance...
You know, some might believe that 2009 has had a rough start - what with our economic woes and all - but, I am one that believes in the adage that we receive what we give. I have so much hope and faith in our futures, despite the negatives that seem to make up all news media... we have all suffered losses, it is true - some more than most, both personal and financial. We need to hang in there. Have faith. Pray. Meditate. And work to make it all what we would have it be. That's what I believe. It's what I do. I hope you will, too.
Blessings.

...thoughts on communities and networking and other website aggravation

I've only recently begun networking via communities such as AdlandPro and StartUp Nation - both of which are more business affiliated (you'll notice their banners on this blog site, actually - I am indeed a loyal promoter, I suppose). I've had my difficulties with these, as one needs to be a paying member in order to reap the major benefits. I've posted my ads as directed, issued friend invitations, and been invited. Started a forum or two. And been completely flummoxed when attempting to reach members for feedback on my site or any "offers" I myself may actually be promoting. (Yeah, I succumbed to that hype, too) Salespider is pretty cool - I seem to be able to get the feedback I am looking for over there. And, really, the few people I've "met" at each community are pretty nice and very helpful. At StartUp Nation, I've actually entered my business/website in a competiton: Homebased 100 2008... I've no idea how I will do, but any votes would be appreciated! StartUp Nation HomeBased 100

At the (really good!) suggestions of a couple of Adlanders, and after much consideration and back-and-forth debates with my own good sense, I finally relented and started this blog (after several attempts directly on my website - dismal failures, each). Blogging is interesting - though, I tend to get carried away with nonsensical writing rants. I am learning as I go; I like to check out other blogs and have even found a few of my community friends. It'd be very cool to actually end up with a blog that has grown as popular as, say, oh, I don't know... (the oft radically opinionated) maddox.com (a favorite of my son, I have to admit - and, though it isn't necessarily a favorite of mine, the guy is an interesting writer - if radically opinionated :-). Of course, I realize that would take years.

And, now I have again taken good advice (relented) and started pages with both Hover Spot and MySpace communities - to start (haha). I succumbed after noting a few of my own favorite businesses with pages of their own over there. I admired them (check out Mountain Rose Herbs MySpace page) and figured, okay, if it's working for them (and it seems to be, judging from both's number of "friends") it might work for me. Also family members are convinced that it will bring attention to SweetPea & Violets. Which is want I want! Have a look and maybe even join yourself! http://www.HoverSpot.com/parriaza and http://www.Myspace.com/sweetpeaandviolets

Sometimes I feel I have no idea what I am doing, while my entire goal is to promote my online business - SweetPea & Violets - which is a retail venture, not an "opportunity" such as those promoted on both AdlandPro, SaleSpider and even StartUp Nation - all of which I do belong to and from which I have made a few decent contacts. Not enough sales, as of yet. But the contacts are there. It's all about the "friendships" fostered and the contacts made, after all.

And, of course, the whole idea of promotion is to make sales (much needed sales!!!) that will indeed validate my staunch belief in a tangible brick-n-mortar store front. My goal, my dream, my ultimate achievement - a store of my own. Maybe two or three, even. Who knows? If I am gonna dream, might as well dream big - right?

In any case, I am working, it feels, around the clock on maintaining these pages, these sites, these blogs (one can blog on every one of these communities - there's even blog access at my Etsy site!). My hands hurt, my eyes burn, my head aches. And, I am never finished! There's always something new to add, some adjustment that needs to be made...

So, I have started the new pages on Hover Spot and MySpace. Added a few images of my work (myself and SweetPea & Violets logo, too) - but, no candles or aromatherapy images, although I do make mention of my services in the way of spiritual guidance, if one so needs... I have sent out a few invites (and had a few responded to favorably, yay!) So, now, what - I sit back and wait for results? For potentially thousands reading my/SweetPea's info and flocking to my website to buy a candle or two, maybe an essential oil, or (yikes!) maybe even one of my beloved hand crafted knitted/crocheted sets???? If only.

Unlike those articles (and I have read HUNDREDS) that promise the world and the moon in immediate financial success, I have found that all of this business promoting does indeed take work and more work, commitment, and time!!! The one thing I don't always have a ready supply of. You need to understand how to build a website (or have the money to pay someone else to do it for you), you need to understand a myriad number of techniques of selling - and there are all sorts of techniques of selling, believe me, most of which I do not get, personally - and then, there's ad/copy writing which is a major pain in the butt. I don't require convincing when I have made up my mind to purchase something, so it is hard for me to not only be motivated but to understand the necessity of creating a convincing reason for someone else to want to buy from me!

Though I rant, though I become mightily annoyed, disappointed, discouraged, I never lose sight of the goal - to promote my business and make it grow. I want people to look at my sites and think "wow, I like that..." I want them to look at what I offer and want to buy it for themselves or for a loved one, as the case may be. I work hard to make my sites user-friendly

-- though I do honestly wonder at my success at that, as feedback has not been what I would prefer. I receive several "Your site is so pretty..." but, that doesn't help, if all its prettiness doesn't sell the product I am offering. I ask for input, I'd rather have the sale - I'll be honest.

That said, I will keep up the work, the never-ending promotion, the commitment to create a successful business enterprise: SweetPea & Violets.



Onward. For any interested, I am working on a really late newsletter - had a few problems with my email provider and lost my entire email contact list... I won't go into that. I am working on it and all should be good-to-go shortly. I'll keep all interested posted, and with that -

'til next time...

...thoughts on aromatherapy

I've known of (been familiar with) the term "aromatherapy" for a long while, since the late 1980s, in fact. Of course, aromatherapy, itself, goes way back farther than that. Wisewomen and medicine men and women of old practiced exactly that, if calling it by another name at the time. The art of aromatherapy is fascinating - knowing herbs by sight, touch, smell; knowing the properties of any particular plant or flower. Knowing what part of each plant to use - leaves, flowers, roots - and the resulting benefits of each (again, whether by use of tea, poultice, or collected oil essence). Fascinating. I never tire of reading up on the subject overall, or of delving into particular methodologies.
What first came across my path was a sheaf of photocopied pages from an old book. I read about the different herbs, their properties, their origination and habitats, the uses of each. Peppermint leaves crushed into a paste to clean the teeth and tongue - or even the use of a twig to clean between the teeth - and this before the advent of tooth paste and brushes! A rinse of rosemary to cleanse one's scalp and hair. Lemon for lightening. Creating colognes from lavender, rose petals, orange zest and a bit of alcohol. Or men's cologne with bay leaves, spices, and rum.
Aromatherapy practice consists of beauty treatments: skincare, bodycare, haircare - inside and out (with caution and the knowledge of an educated practitioner, please!). It includes treatments (use of herbs in teas or inhaled essential oil essences) that alter our moods and emotions. Oils are used in massage therapy to ease body aches and promote both relaxation and healing. And through each of these methodologies, aromatherapy heals the whole person - body, mind, and spirit.
Imagine how long aromatherapy has been around - our prehistoric ancestors watched and learned from nature around them. And passed it on to us.
My favorite aspect of aromatherapy is discovering essential oils particular aromas and properties and finding those that are complementary in order to create a really terrific blend.
I first began blending, quite by accident, in the store where I worked. At the time, I was only concerned that it smell great! In the end, my first blend not only smelled terrific, I had concocted a blend that, when inhaled, one couldn't help but feel uplifted, better. I liked that effect. I liked that customers commented positively on the aroma filling the store. It was 2 years later before I reproduced the blend to sell it. I have it for sale, now, at my website SweetPea & Violets.
A delicious blend of orange, lavender and white clover (hard to find, folks!) I call it Irish Morning. I am working on others, including a "signature fragrance" - something that is the epitome of what I want others to understand what SweetPea & Violets is all about.
Just a note, here - I am not a practicing herbalist or aromatherapist. I am an aspiring aromatherapist. I am working on certification, a degree in holistic theology, as well, even as I write this. But, I am not prepared to offer advice, other than a recommendation to one who may be more qualified than I. What I do here, in my writing, as well as through my website as I create products or just sell safely ready-made product, is offer to share what I know and what I am learning. That aspiration is what inspired me to create my other website: Your Well-Lived Life - to be able to share and to point interested readers toward those other sources and/or sites that I believe will be of help and growth. So, there you are.

For those interested, I've completed the SweetPea & Violets website newsletter, which will shortly be sent out. Showcased a few really good items: promoting the Terra Nova products, and, of course, the candles. Added a few notes regarding the gifts that I have offered in the past, as well as a link to a gift catalog found on my Gift Gallery page. Made those all-important updates to my Etsy site: SweetPea16.etsy.com which will hopefully result in a little bit of positive feedback - and maybe even a sale or two!

In the meantime, I keep up with my studies, my work, my art. I've begun the writing, again (thank you my Adlandpro , Salespider and StartUp Nation community friends for inspiring me to commit to a blog - though I did heartily resist)
More to come...