Sooooo........I've been thinking.  Thinking about maybe, possibly reopening my shop. 

Truth is, I need a side hustle like yesterday!  And you know this girl loves Etsy.  So, I'll keep you posted on what I decide.

Tootles for now!

You Go Girl Is Closing!

Hi friends and family of You Go Girl Soaps,

Wow, it's been a great 3 years of fun, creative, soap making. I have enjoyed meeting you all at Craft Shows and events.

I have decided to move on from soap making into a new business endeavor. BLOGGING! I have had a blast bringing you all bargains and freebies through my blog The Coupon Sista. I've enjoyed it so much that I have decide to pursue it as a business. If you would still like to follow me and my business adventures, check me out at http://thecouponsista.blogspot.com

It's been a pleasure to serve you these few years and I have enjoyed the ride.

Take Care,
Stacie

Hi You Go Girl friends and family. Though things have been quiet around here I just made fresh batches of Cleopatra's Milk and Honey and Cucumber Cantaloupe. Check out my Etsy Shop to purchase. Have a wonderful Spring Day!

Grow your business this Spring

Here are some great business tips for my fellow entrepreneurs out there. Brought to you by the great people over at SCORE.

Get Up and Grow Your Business
SCORE April Newsletter

Improve. Get smart with Seven Keys to Growing Your Business.

Expand. Cash in and bring your small success to a larger stage.

Enter. $10k Contest Put Your Dream to the Test.

Ask. Ask SCORE for counseling. It's FREE, in-person or online.

Celebrate Customers, Volunteers and our Planet

Communicate. Keep relationships alive and communicate with your web customers.

Retain. Check out Creating Customer Loyalty, and other online business growth workshops.

Volunteer. During Volunteer Month, become a SCORE volunteer.

Detox. Celebrate an Earth Day success and how to green your business.

Community Outreach

Online. Read How to Use Social Networks to Reach New Customers.

Follow. Register and find us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and BlogCatalog.

Download. John Jantsch, of Duct Tape Marketing, gives Exclusive Business Marketing Tips.

Expose. Get out there and find small business groups in your area or start one.

http://www.score.org/April/

Encouraging words about business in these tough times

Here's a good quote for anyone that has a business, maybe pondering whether to start one, or just concerned about our economy.

"When someone stops selling, others stop making. When others stop making, many stop earning. When many stop earning, many stop buying. Then we have a depression. So keep selling."

So go get 'em!

You Go Girl!- update

Hello everyone!It has been quite some time since I have sent out a newsletter. I hope all has been well with you and pray that your year is going smoothly.I want to thank you all for a wonderful year in 2008 and for your continued support.

A lot has taken place in the last few months at You Go Girl! and I have decided to make some smart changes.

First, I am encouraging everyone to visit my Etsy shop to make your purchases. Etsy is a wonderful community of artisans that sells only hand made items. Sort of like an Ebay for Artsy Crafty people. The majority of my sales come from Etsy so this makes more sense for me.You can make purchases by paypal or credit cards there. I believe you do have to sign up, but Etsy is a great place to shop so it would be worth your time. yougogirlsoaps.etsy.com

My website will only carry my top 4-5 items such as Cleopatra's Milk and Honey, Vanilla Buttercream Cupcake soap, and a few others. Any new soaps that I add to my line will be found at Etsy. However, if you want to order what I have on the website, feel free to!

Yougogirlsoaps.com will be more for informational purposes. You will still be able to access my blog, which I try to update regularly,from yougogirlsoap.com, as well as my contact info, press, and whereto find us.

Please be sure to subscribe to our blog and you'll be kept up to speed on any news from You Go Girl!.http://yougogirlsoaps.blogspot.com/

Blessings to you all!

-Stacie

You Go Girl! latest news

Hello once again. I hope the new year has been going well for all of you. I just wanted to let my gracious customers know that I have taken somewhat of a hiatus. This is a slow time of year for me and I plan to cut back production. However, you can always email me for a special order and I will be glad to whip up a batch of soap for you. I don't mind doing this at all. In fact it keeps products fresh and prevents waste.
I've also been hard at work with the re-opening our gospel music store, Living Light Books and Music. It's still in the works but you can read the blog to be kept up to date. http://livinglightbooksandmusic.blogspot.com/. And don't forget my money savings blog, http://thecouponsista.blogspot.com/, where I update it consistently.

Stay warm!
-Stacie

What's your plan this year?

Happy New Year to all! I hope things are going well for everyone.

The begining of a new year brings us hope and the desire for change. Many people make New Years resolutions only to find that they give up on them a month later. Some can't even remember what they were!

This year, choose to set a goal instead. Goals are healthy when you take the appropriate steps to get there. Make it simple and achievable. You set yourself up for failure if your goal is too large or too challenging.

My goal for my business this year is to cut back on unnecessary spending. I don't often follow a budget in my business spending and sometimes end up with lots of gift baskets, nick-nacks for my displays, and items that are so cute that I just had to buy them. Can I get a witness?

Anyway, my plan is to only purchase what I know that I need and work from a budgeted amount. How about you? What's your business goal this year? In one sentence, describe how your going to 2009 different from last year.

Merry Christmas from You Go Girl!

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone. I pray that everyone is safe, warm and that you would know that you are truly loved.

Enjoy your day!!!

3 Tips for Crafting a Vision for Growth

Many of my blog readers have home based businesses. As entrepreneurs, we may be examining the past year and looking to the future, thinking of ways to whether this economic storm. Here is an article from best selling author Robert Kiyosaki, "3 Tips for Crafting a Vision for Growth". Hope you find it helpful.


3 Tips for Crafting a Vision for Growth
As interviewed: Robert Kiyosaki, author Rich Dad, Poor Dad

For a small business looking beyond the horizon of today’s tight credit and sales environment, what three tips would you share on crafting a vision for future growth?

1. Learn how to "print your own money" by creating an artifact—a tangible asset like a book, game, product or service—that you can use to drive cash flow and grow your business.

2. Understand and appreciate the power of leverage, whether it’s your banker’s money, maximizing the asset value of an idea, or partnering with other companies or organizations to leverage their expertise or core competencies.

3. Keep pushing and investing in PR and marketing, especially when other businesses are cutting back. When the dust settles, you’ll have captured both market share and confidence.


What to Read Before Starting a Business

You’ve written how the "I can’t afford it" attitude of your "Poor Dad" limited his thinking. What can an entrepreneur do to maintain a proactive "Rich Dad" approach?
Robert Kiyosaki says, "I recommend Before You Quit Your Job – 10 Real Life Lessons Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Building a Multimillion-Dollar Business.
This book details the eight elements critical to the success of any business, large or small. It also outlines the importance of Mission, Team and Leadership. Coupling this with a ‘can do’ attitude, and aligning yourself with like-minded individuals, will serve you well in all aspects of our life.
Positive people attract other positive people. Associate yourself with those types of people you want to be like."

I've been a bad blogger...

...and I am so sorry! I have been really bad with reading my comments. Please for give me. I had neglected an important part of my dashboard and totally missed all your wonderful responses to my posts. I want you all to know that I am so glad to hear your feedback and your words of kindness mean so much to me. Please don't stop communicating back, I promise to do better!

No Coast Craft- O- Rama is a hit!

No Coast was a huge hit! We practically sold out of all of our Bath and body treats. Our Sweetiecakes line were a definite success. People loved the fact that these tasty looking desserts are actually soap!

It was so cool to meet such wonderfully talented artists and such kind customers.

Also, I am honored to announce You Go Girl! being chosen one of Venus Zine's Top 10 vendors! What a privilege! Click the link below to read more.

http://venuszine.com/articles/diy/4922/No_Coast_Craft_o_Rama_Gives_Recession_the_Finger

Find You Go Girl! at No Coast Craftorama!

Everyone in the Twin Cities, MN area, come and join You Go Girl! at the No Coast Craftorama! This is our first year doing this annual show and we are excited! We've been in the kitchen whipping up some tasty Sweetiescakes soap cupcakes and cake slices just for you. These delights are perfect gifts for the holidays!

So check us out at the Midtown Global Market this Friday 3-8pm and Sat. 10-5. Here's more info about the show. See ya there!

Our Holiday cupcakes are here!

Here are our new Holiday cupcakes!




New Sugar Plum Cupcake

New Holly Berry Cupcake



and New Gingerbread!

These available for purchase at our Etsy Shop. www.yougogirlsoaps.etsy.com

You Go Girl! has been busy!

Last weekend was a very full one for me. Friday, I attended the annual Women Venture Conference in Minneapolis. Jane Seymor(Dr. Quinn Medicine Women), was the keynote speaker. It was a inspiring day filled with advice and encouragement. Last year, I was blessed to be a vendor at this great event and this year, it felt good to be on the other side as a participant. Also, to my surprise, the Women Venture magazine article that I was featured in, was set on everyone's luncheon seat! What a honor!

Here's a picture of last year's table.



Saturday, I set up at the Excelsior and Grand Art Show. This is always a great show for me. I enjoyed the atmosphere wich is classy yet cozy. Sweetiecakes were a big hit and I'm baking more cakes as we speak.

It's amazing!

Obama is our new president, and no matter who you voted for yesterday, you have to understand what a great historical accomplishment this is.
As I was out and about running errands on Nov. 4th, the whole world seemed to be abuzz. People didn't seem to mind waiting in long lines at the poles. Which is something I have never seen. As I got me free coffee at Starbucks (If you didn't know about this, check my fellow blog http://thecouponsista.blogspot.com/), people seemed giddy about the change that was about to take place.
As I watched the final tally late last night, I thought how amazing! I never thought I'd see the day when an African American would be president! As a person of color, I feel a sense of pride. Pride in my country and in my race. Regardless of who you and I cast our vote for, this is a huge achievement for this great nation.
It also reminds us that anything is possible. With hard work, diligence, faith, and patience, we can do anything we put our minds to. Lets remember this as run our business, homes and life.

Great Holiday gifts from You Go Girl!

As the holidays are fastly approaching, be sure to keep You Go Girl! in mind for all of your gift giving needs. Our cupcakes are great for hostess gifts and stocking stuffers and are sure to put a smile on any face.

Our newest scents are Pink Pomegranate and Cinnabun Cupcake. We also working on some new ones too!

Save money with The Coupon Sister

I have been thoroughly enjoying my new found past time. Coupon clipping! So much so that I have decided to make a site devoted to saving you money. It's called The Coupon Sista.

A few weeks back, I told you about the coupon mom and other sites that you can visit to earn how to save big bucks. I will be keeping these links and many others, as well and freebies and much, much, more. I'll show you just how easy it is to use coupons and many other tips and tricks. Be sure to check my site daily for specials and limited time offers!

To visit, click here! http://thecouponsista.blogspot.com/

Follow through!

Today I learned a hard but valuable lesson. In business, you must follow through!

Several weeks ago, I posted a blog regarding a free business banner program that FedEx offered local businesses. You could get a free banner for your business that was well over $100 value.
In my attempts to get my banner made, I ran into a few obstacles. The first being that I was at the wrong FedEx, and when I went to the right store, the person who would have helped me was out that day. So after spending an hour in their store with two very bored and anxious boys, I decided to come back another day. Well, needless to say, another day was to late. I called FedEx this morning to find that the program ended in August!!!
I am beyond frustrated, but not at FedEx, I'm mad at myself, even though they did make it a little challenging for me. The fact is I made excuses for not going back, like, "I'll wait until the boys are back in school", and "I can't do it today, I've got to make soap"! But the truth is I blew it and missed out on what could have been a great blessing for my business!
Which leads me to my point. I must follow though! You must follow through, we all must follow through. In these tough times, the success of our businesses depends on it. So as I work on my issues, I hope that you will take a look at yours too. What's holding us back? Why do we make the excuses for not seeing a project through? Let's get real with ourselves. We have too much to lose!

Girls In Action

In effort to continue my passion for working with girls in the community, I have decided to be a consultant for Girls In Action. Girls In Action is a Minnesota based company that works with inner city high school girls teaching them about their personal power.

The mission of Girls in Action™ is to decrease and prevent violence among high school girls while positively engaging them in academics and leadership. GIA teaches girls personal power, leadership development, service learning, and career building.

I have been a long time follower of founder Dr. Verna Price for some time now, and am proud to be a part of this great and so needed work!

For more info on Girls In Action, visit http://giaction.org/.