Essential U Blog

Essential Wholesale is Your One Stop Shopping Center with No Minimums

There is one question and one statement that we hear all the time when we talk to people about Essential Wholesale.  The question often is, "Where have you been all my life!?" and the statement most commonly said is, "I didn't know Essential Wholesale carried that too!"  

  

In one blog I am going to attempt to give you the insiders tour of Essential Wholesale.  Hang on because the Essential Wholesale website is one really large site! 

The Business of Candles & Soap :: Ten Digit Creations

Ken and Amber Harper gave up being couch potatoes and started a business together.  While they might not have an opinion on who should win American Idol, they do have a shared passion that they have turned into a business.  The phone lines at Ten Digit Creations are open for business and the return customers have voted on the quality of their products. 

    

With products like it looks like Sweet Orange and Chili Pepper, Monkey Farts, Little Black Dress, Redneck Woman and Whiplash Ken and Amber are having alot of fun with their business together.  I vote for family business over shared couch space any time. 

The Importance of Not Being Far-sighted or Near-sighted :: Clear Vision

It is always important to focus on your long term goals; but not so singularly that you miss your short term tasks along the route to the ultimate long term goal.  A perfect example lack of focus on the steps needed to reach a goal happened just the other night in my world. 

    

It all started once homework time was done at our house.  I had a handful of tasks that had to be accomplished prior to reaching my long term goal, which was to read and relax.  My short term tasks were: feed my kids, drop Dennis' meal at the office for him, drop off movies at the video store, take the girls to dance, pick up something from the mall while they were in class, go home with kids, make dinner reservations, put the girls to bed, and then finally read and relax.

Wordless Wednesday :: Rice Pads :: Udan Thani, Thailand by Ryan

The Business of Soap :: The Story of Stonehouse Skincare

Annie Roberts, the owner of Stonehouse Skincare, start in the soapmaking business sounds familiar to my start in aromatherapy.  She had a child with a skin problem, she did research, she experimented, she fixed her son's skin problem and in the process found her passion.  Annie has the perfect equation for a successful business.  She loves what she is making, her family is involved and she has invested her time and energy into a business that makes her happy.  Passion + Family + Business = Happy Momma

    

How did you get into the soap business? 
My youngest son has severe eczema and I'd tried the steriod creams prescribed by the doctor will little success.  I happened across an article in a magazine about a couple of women who made old-fashioned, handmade soap.  I was intrigued because they claimed it to be extremely gentle on the skin.  I went to the library, and to the internet and researched primarily, cold-process soapmaking.  So I decided to try it for myself and once I used my first bar, I was hooked.  My skin texture changed, and it even kept my son's eczema in check.

Are You Available to the Risk of Opportunity

Just before speaking with a friend in crisis, I sat, heavy with the thoughts that the moment demanded.  I shifted through the banks of my memory for the piece of my history that I had left stored along the mouth of the road that led to my old mistakes.  The road lies in a state of disrepair now, deserted and barren, unfit for travel.  I left warning signs at the mouth of all roads that led to the mistakes of yesterday, even those that detoured into those dark and empty memories.  

    

I left the signs to warn myself not to double back into the past in order to beat myself with mistakes and failures.  I shuttered up the windows that peer into the sorrow and hurt.  Do not trespass, reads the sign leading to regret.  Danger ahead, reads the one leading to anger.  Warning sharp curves ahead state the others.  I left the signs to warn myself, but also to stand as monuments of my history that I can use to show glimpses of to others who are in the midst of their own similar and painful journey.  The worn paths that circle around the exits show evidence of the struggle I faced to let regret go.  They speak to the shared history that was once painful but now stand in stark contrast to my present. 

United Aromatherapy Effort Call to Action for Haiti Relief

News Release from United Aromatherapy Effort

    

Call to Action: HAITI RELIEF: we are now collecting for the Haiti tragedy to go in with the FEMA mortuary workers and others as we get access. Please send mask sprays/insect sprays/antiseptic wipes/inhalers (empty spray bottles, inhaler blanks) to help them do their work. Once the rescue/recovery becomes a relief effort and it is safe and accessible we can supply other teams.

A Report of the Handcrafted Soap Industry from the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild

Throughout history soapmaking has been an art and craft that is the perfect combination of artisanship and business.  Essential Wholesale has been strong supporters of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild for many years because of its mission to promote the handcrafted soap industry and share information that is beneficial to soapmakers.  In the current economic situation that the world is in the stability of soapmaking as a business is more important than ever.  I asked the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild for information and statistics on the industry and they provided me with even more than I expected. 

    

The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild is a powerful resource and advocate for anyone that makes handcrafted soap.  The 2010 Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado promises to be an uplifting business environment, educational resource and full of powerful tools for businesses of all sizes.  It is with the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guilds permission that I share this report on the industry of soapmaking. 

A Closer Look at Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate can be found in the top ten list of ingredients to avoid by countless “experts” despite the fact that it scores a 100 on the biorenewable carbon index, is naturally sourced from the fatty alcohols of coconut oil, is completely safe in wash off formulas, lets off 0% VOC (won’t vaporize into the atmosphere), is readily biodegradable, and is EO/PO free (contains no Ethylene Oxide/Propylene Oxide Copolymer).  By all green standards sodium lauryl sulfate is the perfect ingredient but many self proclaimed watch-dogs in the industry claim otherwise. 

   

The Sodium Lauryl Sulfate molecule has one end that is polar and water-soluble and another end that is non-polar and organic-soluble.  Sodium lauryl sulfate is a wetting agent and foaming agent that is designed for wash-off products only.  If you are finding them in your leave-on products, discard those products.

The Business of Aromatherapy :: Jennifer Jefferies :: Work Life Balance Expert

Jennifer Jeffries, ND is a busy woman.  She is a health practictioner, author and professional speaker.  Jennifer is the author of 7 Steps to Sanity, Amazing Scents; A Guide to Aromatherapy, If You Want Great Skin Throw Away Your Cosmetics, Essential Woman; A Guide to Using Aromatherapy for Women, Calm Kids; A Guide to natural Therapies for Children, Aromatherapy Insight Cards for Intuitive Aromatherapy. 

   

Jennifer promotes a simple, practical and proven 7 Steps to Sanity can help bring balance to anyone living a busy life. To read more about what Jennifer says about how you can have it all without sacrificing your health, sanity or sense of humour along the way click here. Jennifer teaches how to work and play as hard and as fast as you choose without burning out. I like her Sanity Saver:  "Remember you're human the world won't end"