Featured Entrepreneur: Lisa Aiken, Owner and Founder, Serah's



How did you become an entrepreneur?

I started crafting soap in October 2007 for myself to have natural ingredients in my bath and body products. I gave soap gifts to my family and friends for various occasions and they thought the soap gifts they received from me were something I purchased instead of something I had made. They encouraged me to sell my soap creations and I established Serah's in March 2008.



What is the nature of your business? What kind of product/service to you provide?

Serah's is an online bath and body boutique that sells cupcake soaps and artistic soaps made from some of the highest quality natural ingredients with an emphasis on glycerin and shea butter. My cupcake soaps are also sold nationally and internationally in boutiques and bakeries in France, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. My products service the needs of those looking for unique soaps for themselves or as gifts or favors for weddings, birthday parties, bat mitzvahs, and other events.



Why do you love what you do?

Soap crafting allows me to express my creativity. Some of my soap creations such as my cupcake soaps are designed by me and therefore, are unique to my company. I carve the model for the soaps by hand and I manufacture my own molds. It's exhiliarating to be able to create something by hand and share it with the world.

How long have you been in business for yourself?

I have been in business for myself for 2 years.



How do you attract clients?

Aside from word of mouth, I attract clients by participating in crafts shows, festivals, and other events in the Southern California area. I use my mailing list and social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace to connect with customers. From time to time, I will create online advertising campaigns.



Share any information that helps to further describe your business including any publications, awards you have received or shows in which you have participated.

Most recently, Serah's cupcake soaps have been featured in Télérama, one of the best magazines in France. In its first year, Serah's Mini Cupcake Soaps were featured in the VIP gifts bags at the Andy & Debb fashion show at New York City Fashion Week. Serah's soaps have been featured in The Times Picayune Newspaper in New Orleans and on Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly in South Carolina.

Contact Info:
Lisa Aiken
Serah's
(805) 268-SOAP (7627)
info@serahsonline.com
Shop Serah's
Twitter: @serahs
Facebook: Serahs Getting Clean Never Looked So Good
Blog: Serah's Blog
Flickr: Serah's Online Photos

Featured Entrepreneurs: Ashley Kelly and Christin Brown, LunaBella Make-up Art

How did you become an entrepreneur?

The both of us quit our cooperate jobs, Nov 2008, and decided to own our own business no matter what it took. Now almost one year later, we're so happy that we made that decision. We're now able to have more artists, all working toward the goal.

What is the nature of your business? What kind of product/service to you provide?

We're a on-location make-up & hair artists crew that travels to our clients providing more than just our service, but also an experience. We specialize in weddings, body art, photoshoots, and so much more.



Why do you love what you do?

We love what we do because for that day or moment in time, we're part of something that's bigger that us. When we do a wedding, we're part of the production & almost part of the family. We go home after a long day and think back on how happy the client is right now, and it makes it worth while. Also, we get to work together & grow together on a daily basis, so it's a blessing.



How long have you been in business for yourself?

We officially went into business on January 1, 2009 , so our 2nd year is upon us.



How do you attract clients?

Word of mouth & the internet is huge for our business. The social networking has lifted our business in the most amazing way, so believe that we'll continue with Twitter, Facebook & other sources.



Share any information that helps to further describe your business including any publications, awards you have received or shows in which you have participated.

Here are a couple publications & some of the shows that we have participated in:

*UGG Boots Austrailia Fashion Show in Laguna Beach 2009
*Make-up & body art team for OLIVIA travel & vacations cruise line to the Caribbean
*Featured in ESSENCE magazine this February 2010 issue
*Published in La Dior Magazine in September 2009
*Brayn Leee "Get Out & Golf" Fashion Show
*Avon Breast Cancer Fundraiser


Contact Info:
www.LBMAinc.com
lbma@lunabellamakeupart.com
(805) 450-7049
Twitter: @LunaBellaMUA
Facebook: LunaBella Make up Art
www.lunabellamua.blogspot.com