Sunday, August 25, 2013

Welcoming the Change

Wow!
When I look back over the last few months it is amazing the changes and happenings within the company!
I am in the process of writing the mission statement, and on one hand feel so young in business and on the other, so much wiser from the trials and changes already experienced. I have been forced to grow and forced to look for new avenues to grow through. It is very challenging!
Within the last week the product count on Amazon has grown to 46 items! WOOHOO!
I have at least 35 more to add and weekly have new ideas to keep track of for research and development days.
I have been reading Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership, and listening to Mindset:The Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck, Ph.D. Both books are fascinating and are helping the business and I to grow.
I highly recommend both books, even if you are not in a business or have to manage anything other than yourself.
Thank you again to Lucky Lizard Naturals customers, supporters and encouragers; by your actions and words we are growing and improving and for that I am eternally thankful.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

What's up Lizard?

This is the way one of our kids typically greets me, and as they are each so unique, his way of greeting me is truly his own! So, what is up?

First, I will repost here what my self-described intro is:
I am an RN, BSN, a Texas Master Gardener and we live on a small farm in SE Texas. I love to be outdoors with the animals (dairy cows, chickens, dogs, cats), gardening, volunteering or just doing farm things...all of it keeps me grounded to the natural world.

The natural world stays with me in the form of all natural cosmetic and beauty products.
I started out making a things for myself, and then a few to share with friends. As it turned out, they liked them as much as I do! Their friends wanted some too, and what do you know?
Me, a former died-in-the-wool-no-makeup-tomboy discovered I love makeup and beauty products that feel natural and nourish every part of my body and my face.

It is my hope that you enjoy them too, naturally!
This, as a basis for a personal description is true, though will be refined into personal and business mission statements. I am reading EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey, and have already learned quite a bit about refocusing and refining my personal/business goals and my leadership style. Another great help is my acceptance into the Holistic Management International program Beginning Women Farmers, Texas. HMI  Pre-reading the material we are to cover has proven to be one "lightbulb" after another. We do not have to be reactive to the weather, to shares fluctuating, to finances fluctuating, and they are going to teach me the skills to bring home to employ for a truly whole-istic farm/family/business lifestyle. I am very excited about learning new skills for decision making, problem solving and (as gleaned from all the participant letters), having a more grounded, "rich" and realistic family life that the entire farm benefits from.

I will be changing the format and the name of this blog (my, how it has evolved!), to represent the Lucky Lizard Naturals business, though my personal journey will still be interwoven. (For anyone interested in that journey, I will leave all older blog posts up for your perusal).

I had some large obstacles with the Amazon site, for at least a month, but those have been resolved and there is a watershed of additional products listed (more to come!), check it out here:
Lucky Lizard Naturals Amazon Store

My work off the farm (as an RN) has been a roller coaster ride this summer, mainly because I opted out of a responsibility change because my bosses were unable or unwilling to answer/address my concerns and questions. When I was informed that in order to keep my full time position I had to push my employees off the schedule, I opted to work per diem. I mistakenly believed that my work experience and dedication to the culture of the company would ensure ample hours across several facilities. This proved not to be the case as previously hidden agendas and gross abuse of power by others became apparent. I was crushed by having my rose colored glasses ripped off! I began working for SG more consistently and I started employment with another free standing establishment. I hoped to attain and worked toward full time employment with all of the entities I was employed by, to no avail. The more I tried to push, the more I was thwarted. Roller coaster indeed.
Though painful, stressful, and frustrating as hell all of these actions/reactions and sequelae did serve a great purpose. The last three months have seen Lucky Lizard Naturals grow, become a more accessible online entity, become more professional and the business has been a light in a very dark tunnel. I could not have survived with my sanity intact without my family and friends and the business as a beacon on the horizon.

The acceptance into HMI's program has come at the perfect time (sigh, all things do, if we wait for it!).
Their goal is to empower farmers to make sound decisions in every aspect of the farm, to grow their farms to be sustainable and to teach sound business skills. These are all principles that will be applied to  the farm, Lucky Lizard Naturals, our personal time, and our lives. I am very excited about it and about the future for us!!

Thank you to every single person that has ever placed an order, every single family that has signed up for shares and especially to my beloved family and friends for all the support and encouragement they give, sometimes without their knowledge. I love you, and I thank you for being a part of this journey!

Now, go buy some of the best cosmetics in the world--and tell a friend!!! ;-)
THE BEST, MOST NATURAL COSMETICS EVER!