Enterprise the Nation - Fund 101

Last month lots of links were appearing on facebook for Fund 101, asking for votes for various businesses. Me being me, clicked the link to find out more, and discovered that Enterprise the Nation were giving small grants to small businesses and to those who want to start a business.

My first application was regected. My second however was not, even though i feel my first was better and it went into more detail. Meh, nevermind.

The way it works is that, you apply for say a grant for £100. In order to get that £100 you need to get 100 people to vote for you.

I have applied for £500 and so far have 45 votes which i think is quite good for 12 hours of promoting. Ive spammed facebook, twitter and ive sent emails out to people. I have a giveaway on my facebook page for those who have voted. If i got the £500 it would be fantastic. It'll go towards advertising for the websites. Google adwords ive heard is the best thing to use to get custom. I'd also like a bit of help with the meta tag coding. I know a bit but not alot so having someone to point me in the right direction would be good.

Packaging is a big thing thats letting me down with my soaps, mainly my slices. Currently i shrink wrap them, then put a label on the back with ingredients etc on. What i really want is a lovely cigar type label. Ive attempted to do this myself on photoshop, i have been very fustrated with it.

Lastly the money will go towards getting the party plan consultant scheme up and running. Ive had fantastic responses from people about this, and now ive got my bath bomb certification i feel its the right time to start it. I need catalogues, flyers, business cards, brouchers, and order forms made, and loads of advertising.

So how do you vote...

Well my application is here http://www.enterprisenation.com/funding-applications/soaps-by-laura

You need to click the 'Vote for me' button under my photo. I think it asks you to register but it'll only take 2 seconds.

If you want to be included into the giveaway, leave a comment on the page

and thank you :o)

Bath Bomb Hearts

Been making bath bomb hearts this morning, all different colours for my websites.

From top left to bottom right we've got - Green, Apple - Orange, Passion fruit & pink grapefruit - Yellow, Daffodil - White, Neroli Chamomile - Blue, Baby Powder - Violet, Lavender and Pink (although it hasnt gone right) Strawberry Banana

All I can smell in my kitchen is Passion Fruit & Pink Grapefruit. It smells gorgeous, and its so much nicer going in there and not smelling smoke (from the oven), which only smokes when i have the grill on, even though its clean...it just never gets used.

New Soaps

I'm working on some new loaves. Partly for some retail packs that i am putting together and partly for the wholesale site, as i kinda feel like i need some soaps in a certain fragrance rather than having them all chosen by the customer.

First up is a Coconut Ice Loaf

I was very sceptical about this loaf. Coconut & Vanilla fragrances are notorious for discolouring so i'd convinced myself that when i came downstairs in the morning i'd find a brown loaf, but i have been prooved wrong and its stayed how it should, meaning that i'm one happy lady.

Second loaf is part of my mens collection. Scented in a Hugo Boss designer fragrance type. Smells gorgeous, and i'm very happy with how this turned out, as the stars are 1" big embeds lined up together to form 1 long one.

The work area

I'm rubbish at remembering to post in here.

Thought i'd show you where I make my soaps.

I have my own section in the kitchen. My hidy hole :o)
I also have a room downstairs which is currently full of junk, but im going through it and turning it into my workroom. Now that I can make bath bombs, i'm hoping to be able to make them in there, aswell as packaging everything.