Net (Working) Defense

Last year, I reconnected after 30 years, with a high school friend, Gail. We quickly discovered that we both had the same ambition, to own our own businesses. We knew that aside from the extra money, it would bring us personal fulfillment to be able to take control of our lives.

Gail had been working in corporate marketing for years and we realized that we were our own best cheerleaders, trading information and advice on how to get our business names out there before the public and draw in clients.

We debated the value of professional organizations, the power of networking among other like-minded women, and taking baby steps versus broad leaps in moving toward building our brands and finding our client base.

I had begun to waiver on whether building a soap business had any real viability. Then Gail e-mailed me about a women’s business expo that was being held at her church. This, I thought, could be a real test. I needed to see whether I had a product that would resonate in the broader market.

So I spent a week making soaps, getting my marketing materials together including a press release that Gail had written for me, and trying to design my table. I packed up my wares early on a Sunday morning and headed across town.

The event was held in a good-sized church auditorium and the turnout was heartening. Other women vendors who also ran their own so-called kitchen table businesses turned out to promote their event planning, cookware, real estate, financial services, marketing, custom jewelry, fitness, and a host of others. Beyond having clients come to sample our wares, I was please by the networking that went on between the women business owners.

Rather than having competition for time and attention, there was collaboration and information exchange, much like what Gail and I had been engaged in for weeks prior.

I managed to sell quite a few bars of soap and was quite heartened that people liked my product. That moment when they close their eyes and inhale the scent, smile a little bit, and decide they just have to have it. That makes my day.

It inspired me to take the online store to the next level, and start making appearances at local craft shows and flea markets. So I went on www.Eventlister.com and signed up for two shows in the spring. I am excited about it and am looking to really build my brand going forward.

I have learned about creating a logo, choosing packaging and getting my brand before people you can help me become more and more popular.

Someone asked me what my vision was for ChesapeakeBayBathandBody.com and I told them it was to become successful enough for me to move my operation into a Maryland farmhouse and spend my days making soap...and my afternoon and evenings with my son.


Kathy A. Gambrell
Founder
ChesapeakeBayBathandBody.com