Business Feature: Made With Hope 

From the site: 

"I love the following: World Vision, pearls, painting, and awesomeness. There aren't too many ways you can combine all of those passions, but very recently (January 2011) I decided to open an earring shop to help support myself. 

But the problem is that I want to help others as well, so I've decided that when you buy from my store (Made with Hope), a portion of the profit goes to help World Vision's Hope for Girls campaign. 

So feel free to splurge today and help another girl feel beautiful tomorrow."


DIY Hair Care Blog, got the opportunity to ask Brittany (the owner of Made With Hope) about her business here is our convo! Enjoy!

DIYHCB: When did you start Made With Hope?
Brittany: I started Made with Hope January 2011.

DIYHCB: How did you come up with the idea to make button earrings? and rings!
Brittany: I met a lady who made necklaces from old buttons and I realized that buttons would make great rings and earrings.

DIYHCB: Being a small business owner, what do you find is the hardest part of running a business?

Brittany:The hardest part of owning a business is staying motivated to work everyday. I don't really have set hours, so it seems like there isn't anything pressing when no one is dictating your schedule.

DIYHCB: Since you've started your business what is one of the biggest lessons you have learned?
Brittany: I have learned that I shouldn't just sell products that only I enjoy. Sometimes it's good to expand to products and prints that others frequently suggest.

DIYHCB:  Would you like to share any tips for other women looking to make their own products to sell?
Brittany: Don't get discouraged if you don't hit your selling goals when you first start out. Selling is hard and there is always something you can do better.

DIYHCB: Can you tell us more about your products? What are some of your best sellers? What product do you like making the most? What product is your personal "Must Have"?
Brittany: I make button jewelry that benefits World Vision's Hope for Girls campaign. This campaign (from which the my business name is derived) rescues girls from sex trafficking and gives them the necessary medical, psychiatric and educational attention they will need to succeed in life. I am a huge supporter of green businesses. I try to use recycled fabric when possible and all of my jewelry is shipped in gift boxes made from recycled paper. My best sellers are my new Queenie Button Dangles, which is my latest, most enjoyable product line. This product line is geared toward the natural hair community, or just anyone who wants a unique ethnic dangle. My Orange Kente Queenie Button Dangles are a must have for anyone who wants a vivid, tribal earring without a lot of extra frill.

But wait there's more!! Enter: DIYWITHHOPE at checkout and receive 20% your total order with Made With Hope!!

Oh Wait there's another thing! 

Made With Hope has offered to sponsor a Giveaway for you all!! 

To Enter: Comment with: "I love these earrings!" with a link to a pair from her Made With Hope Etsy store that you like! Contest Ends august 21,2011!! 

Thanks Brittany, Owner of Made With Hope for letting our readers know more about your wonderful jewelry!

For Your Body & Hair Butters Visit: DIY Hair Care Products

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I'm learning that it is better to take years and truly learn your craft then to dive in a only half know what you're doing.

I was reading a thread over on a haircare forum and the posters were really outing a lot of small business, WAHM companies for not being knowledgeable about their craft. I was embarrassed for the companies!

Since I have been researching a lot myself and looking up ingredients and beneficial oils and whatnot, I have learned a lot. I too have noticed how a lot of small businesses may not truly be educated about what they sell.

• Soap making- I keep reading some companies say you need to preserve bar soap! This is soap making 101, you don't need to preserve bar soap, liquid soap maybe but not bar soap! How can I have confidence buying from you if you don't even know the basics?

• Natural Hair- I instantly get turned off by people marketing shea butter, jojoba oil, and the like as moisturizers. This again is haircare 101 knowledge. Very few oils penetrate the hair shaft and, most other oils are sealants. A quick google search will lead you to this knowledge.

I hope small businesses step their game up and start putting their best foot forward because as customers get informed, we are going to start reading the fine print. When you are selling products and marketing them as "high end" you need to have "high end" knowledge to back that up.

We all like making money but, we have to be fair, honest and trustworthy. Know your stuff so you won't be embarrassed later on...