October's Business Worth the Buzz & Creative Corner

I admit that most of the businesses and artists that I have chosen to highlight have been friends. It is obvious how lucky I am to have such talented, passionate people in my life. With the few businesses that I have chosen that I met through the process, I am very happy to have found new talent to let into my life and the new friends that came along with that. 

I began reading a book that is a collection of writings from people who have been inspired by the Sierra Nevada in one way or another and show that in what they produce. The author started out the book by telling her readers about a conversation that she had with a friend. The conversation was about why there are so many passionate artists, writers and entrepreneurs that gather along the foothills, especially in Nevada County. They only came up with one conclusion and that is because we are attracted to the areas gold. We see the inspiration and wealth of the area. We thrive off of the elements that run below our feet. I am not suggesting that we are seeking riches; I suggest that we are seeking abundance and prosperity. We thrive off the mysteriousness of the trees, rivers, creeks, mines, hills, mountains and other creative elements that Nevada County has to offer. We thrive off of each other; our will to make the world be seen through the creative process.

For this month’s Business Worth the Buzz I chose a great neighbor and friend of mine. Tina Ennis, of Tina’s Creations on Esty.com has been living a sustained life her entire life. I adore her and all that she does. She sews, she cans, she preserves as much as she can, she is a serious gardener, she decorates cakes, she is constantly creating something and it seems that there is nothing that Tina cannot do. Tina has inspired me to get my family’s life “back to basics”.  I began canning, I began seriously gardening, I began going back to a natural way of life.  I began going back to how life was before we became so dependent upon grocery stores and gas stations. The passion that Tina has for all these “simple” elements of life spilled over the fence between our properties and inspired me to see and believe in a practical life. I hope that this inspires you to do that same. 

I chose this October’s Creative Corner, not just because he is a friend of mine, but because he lives his life with purpose and passion. Tony Loverde, is a documentary photographer who shows his passion of life and equalities through his talent. Tony entered the Air Force in February 2001. He began a fulfilling career in the Air Force until his life took a major detour. In 2008, he was honorably discharged under the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy that our country has. Since then Tony has feverishly been supporting the act to repeal the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy. Tony actively supports the group Servicemembers Legal Defense Network in hopes to once and for all repeal DADT and create equal rights for all gay service members. I have seen Tony’s passion on the subject through his submissions to newspapers, write ups in blogs and online publications and by just watching the story through his photography. Tony has also published a book called, “A Slient Force”, available at http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000374916/A-Silent-Force.aspx .

I hope that you have enjoyed or learned from the highlights of this month. Each really go back to basics, literally and politically. Please click on each image to view their websites. ~SH

September’ Creative Corner: David Mooney

Every time the seasons change I think of art. Not just any art, art that is crafted with detail and that shows true passion. Particularly, I think of David Mooney’s art. 

A couple of years ago I met David and his wife as their employee. I would go out to their house and help them with house cleaning, errands and working their home office. I was lucky to have been able to work for them. I am now lucky to call them friends. 

I was able to learn a lot about David and his love of art while spending time with them. He taught himself to paint, he plays many instruments and knows a lot about everything. Really, everything! I was lucky enough to see his studio, see where the magic happened! It is filled with books and paintings, both finished and in progress; paintings of churches, cathedrals, animals and landscapes. Each piece is a Chronicle of their travels that he chooses to share with the world through painting. His art touched me in a way that stuck with me for a lifetime. 

To find out more about David and his love for painting, please visit www.davidmooneyart.com.

Septembers’ Business Worth the Buzz: Bad Intentions Clothing

I grew up in small community. Cedar Ridge is a quiet town, surrounded by trees and inhabited by just over 200 people. The school I attended had a total of 500 children or so with the grades that ranged from Kindergarten to Eighth Grade. It is safe to say that everyone knew everyone on some level; whether by name or by face. Of course as time went on, we all grew up and moved on in life. That is one if the reasons that I enjoy being on Facebook; it allows me to connect with the peeps that I have crossed paths with throughout my 33 years of existence. Although the population in Cedar Ridge remains low and Art’s Full Service Gas Station is still operating and across from the post office, everything around our small community has changed.  

Touching base with Brodie Farber was a great pleasure to me. I was amazed to see that he had become a husband, father, a well-known American mixed martial artist and a business owner. WOW! I am always amazed with the talent that fostered from this area. That is one of the reasons I chose Brodie and his business, Bad Intentions Clothing for my Business’s Worth the Buzz this month.

Nevada County has housed some of the most determined, focused and creative business people. I am not sure if it is something in the water, the air or if these qualities were instilled in us by pure boredom and the dream of growing up and fleeing to the city; but the talent that comes from these hills is like no other. Maybe it is the gold veins running below our feet! 

Bad Intentions Clothing is a core lifestyle clothing company which offers a variety of men’s and women’s clothing. Visit them and see what they have to offer. Christmas is just around the corner and I know there is a least one person on my list who would love to have one of Brodie’s shirts. 

We stop buying it, the stores stop carrying it and China stops making it. IT IS THAT SIMPLE!

This is a tricky subject for me as I am a virtual assistant and the industry relies on globalization and trade. However, I refuse to deal with China. They are going to take over the world one crappy, cheap product at a time. The worst part is that we are allowing China to do it because we continue to buy goods from them. Why not stop? We as Americans have the power of supply and demand on our side...We stop buying it, the stores stop carrying it and China stops making it. IT IS THAT SIMPLE!

I received the message below in an email from a friend that feels the same way. I have not had a lot of time to read all the forwarded emails that I get but I sure am glad I read this one. Onward and Upward!

AUGUST 1st to Sept. 1st             
Well over 50 yrs ago I knew a lady who would not buy Christmas gifts if they were made in China. Her daughter will recognize her in the following.
Did y'all see Diane Sawyer's special report?They removed ALL items from a typical, middle class family's home that were not made in the USA .
There was hardly anything left besides the kitchen sink. Literally. During the special they showed truckloads of items - USA made - being brought in to replace everything and talked about how to find these items and the difference in price etc..
It was interesting that Diane said if every American spent just $64more than normal on USA made items this year, it would create something like 200,000 new jobs!
I WAS BUYING FOOD THE OTHER DAY AT WALMART and ON THE LABEL OF SOME PRODUCTS SAID 'FROM CHINA '
FOR EXAMPLE THE "OUR FAMILY" BRAND OF THE MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN "FROM CHINA"
I WAS SHOCKED SO FOR A FEW MORE CENTS I BOUGHT THE LIBERTY GOLD BRAND OR THE DOLE SINCE IT'S FROM CALIF.
Are we Americans as dumb as we appear --- or --- is it that we just do not think. The Chinese, knowingly and intentionally, export inferior and even toxic products and dangerous toys and goods to be sold in American markets.
70% of Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.
Why do you need the government to suspend trading privileges? DO IT YOURSELF, AMERICA !!
Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says 'Made in China ' or 'PRC' (and that now includes Hong Kong ), simply choose another product, or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.
Who needs plastic eggs to celebrate Easter? If you must have eggs, use real ones and benefit some American farmer. Easter is just an example. The point is do not wait for the government to act. Just go ahead and assume control on your own.
THINK ABOUT THIS: If 200 million Americans each refuse to buy just $20 of Chinese goods, that's a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor...fast!!
Most of the people who have been reading about this matter are planning on implementing this on Aug. 1st and continue it until Sept. 1st. That is only one month of trading losses, but it will hit the Chinese for 1/12th of the total, or 8%, of their American exports. Then they might have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness were worth it.
Remember, August 1st to Sept. 1st !!!!!! START NOW.
Let's show them that we are Americans and NOBODY can take us for granted.
If we can't live without cheap Chinese goods for one month out of our lives,WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET!

Augusts’ Creative Corner: Darbeads

When I began taking Business classes a professor said something that stuck with me. He said that, “Your customers will come to you because they have a problem and they think that you can fix it. Businesses are in business to fix their customer’s problems.”  My whole outlook on the statement at the time was broad and simple: businesses would not make products or offer services if there was no demand for them. The idea was introduced in general and was the foundation of the theory of supply and demand. It was not until recently I understood how the statement applied to small businesses that satisfy a niche market.

I had a problem. My daughter, Alyssa, was graduating from her Kindergarten Turtle class. The teacher had become so special to our family and we wanted to show our gratitude in a special way so we chose to make her a couple of pairs of earrings. 

Alyssa carefully picked out two beautiful green antique glass beads and I carefully made them into earrings, paying special attention to Alyssa’s instruction. I wanted to find her teacher the perfect pair of turtle beads. I searched all the bead stores in Grass Valley and Nevada City and was unable to find exactly what I was looking for. At the last shop I went to, the gentleman said, “Why don’t you try Darbeads on Spring Street? They may have something and if not they can custom make something for you.” I did and they were closed (because they are closed on Mondays). I thought, “Geez, I only have 5 days left until school is out!  I may have to go to Auburn or Roseville….ugggg.”  

The next day I thought that I would try stopping by Darbeads again before venturing off to the city. I am so glad I did!  When I walked into the store I was mislaid in awe. The entire collection of master pieces was carefully displayed throughout the antiqued building perfectly! Pendants, beads, earrings, necklaces, marbles…all original, all handmade, all breathtaking. I was instantly in love. 

Darby and Janien of Darbeads took my request and specially made a pair of turtle beads that were more beautiful than what I had originally imagined. Better yet, it was affordable and they were done the day before school let out.  Plus, I really enjoyed talking with both of them. 

This experience not only taught me a little more about what Mr. Professor said years ago but it taught me something about patience, community and the astonishing world of small business and niche marketing. 

For more information on Darbeads go to www.darbeads.com

These are the turtle beads that Darbeads made for me!

Augusts’ Business Worth the Buzz: Frontier Angel Soaps

I was on a mission. On a mission to find the purest, safest body soap for my family. I needed something with Shea Butter; a soap that smelt great and that worked. I searched online. I searched at local retailers. I searched the health food stores, the farmers markets and etsy.com! Then, I found Frontier Angel Soaps at Briar Patch. 

At first I was skeptical. I had tried so many soaps and been disappointed so many times, I could not immediately see the qualities that set this soap apart from the rest…until I tried it. The first scent I tried was ‘Lavender Fields’. Once the bar of soap was wet and a nice lather had been created it was like my shower turned into lavender fields (no pun intended)! I said to myself, “there is REAL lavender in this soap!” I was ecstatic as the scent of REAL lavender is hard to come by. The next bar of soap from Frontier Angel Soaps I tried was the ‘Milk & Oats’ made with local goats milk. The next purchase I made from Frontier Angel Soaps was their ‘Odds & Ends Bag’ which had a pound of samples from the different scents. This gave me the chance to try just about all of her soaps. I loved it and suggest this for anyone interested in trying these soaps! 

I have been using these soaps for a couple of months now and have to say my skin has never felt better! The frequent rashes I would get from the fragrances and other ingredients that are in store brand soaps stopped. Yippee! Plus, my daughter’s allergies are much less bothersome and I feel really good about knowing who makes my soap. 

Now that it is time to replenish my stock, I hope to get more of the ‘Milk & Oats’. Although I enjoyed all the soaps in the ‘Odds & Ends Bag’, I fell in love with the ‘Milk & Oats’. ‘Yuba Wild’ and ‘Pacific Blue’ are also on the top of the list.

For more information about this company go to www.frontierangel.com

Passion makes my world go 'round!

I am passionate about family, business and beauty; each for their own reasons. Family is what gives life substance and meaning. Where would we be without family? Business is fascinating to me. I am fascinated with the different types of businesses, the people behind them and how they operate and market themselves. Beauty is what inspires me to love, understand and let go. Each of the three completes me and my life without either feels empty.

To fulfill this need to create, market and give, each month I draw attention to a business and an artist that I feel passionate about on the home page of my website. There is no real criterion to the selection. The business owner or artist has to be passionate about what they do and doing it with compassion, integrity and in good nature.

This month I will begin blogging about each business chosen but first wanted to take a minute to reflect on the passionate people that I have highlighted in the past few months.

Business Worth the Buzz
May: Brigitte’s Arbonne Experience-“Be the best you”-Natural skin care for the entire family- http://www.bethebestyou.myarbonne.com/

June: Simply Divine Cupcakes-“Vegan never tasted so…divine!”-Organic and Vegan cupcakes- http://www.simplydivinecupcakes.com/

July:Gold Country Cakes-Whatever kind of cake you can dream up, Gold Country Cakes will make it a reality-www.goldcountrycakes.com

Creative Corner
May: 'Footpath to Mitford' By artist David Mooney-David is a self-taught artist and is was gifted with his talent-www.davidmooneyart.com

June: 'Rocky Mountain Lakeside' By artist David Mooney- David sat as the Artist-in-Residence at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado- www.davidmooneyart.com

July: JKA Photography-This young photographer is creative and has a successful career in photography ahead of her- https://www.facebook.com/pages/JKA-Photography/122862091089281

You can find more information about these businesses or artists on my Facebook Business page at http://ow.ly/5Svid. Keep your eye out for the blog on Augusts’ Business Worth the Buzz and Creative Corner.

Until then, onward and upward!