Suzy's New Homemade Products

In my search for more natural and healthier options for my family I began my looking for all natural products.  My daughters have sensitive skin and each of them break out with different things.  The two of them have reactions to certain laundry detergents so I found this recipe and I tried it.  To my wonder, no reaction from either one.  It didn't stop there because this recipe is unscented and I love freshly washed clothes to have that freshly washed clothing smell.  But that is where the largest chemicals come into play making the selling point of most detergents.  So I took the original recipe and started to add scents but making them all natural.  My favorite coffee shop in Manhattan was one of the first places to add flavor to coffee and the current owner's mother added dried orange peels and nuts to coffee one day and created this wonderful new blend.  So that gave me the idea for my orange recipe to use actual ingredient instead of oils that would risk spotting on clothes.  From there, I have created other scents like lavender and I am working on a rosemary/mint scent.  These are not overpowering and offer the perfect compliment for freshly washed clothing. 

My next product was homemade dishwasher detergent.  I have a great citrus recipe that works great.  I just haven't figured out how to package it yet to sell it so for now it is still my little secret I use for just personal.

My latest creation is a hand scrub made from sea salt.  I was inspired that make this after trying a similar product after eating seafood and it was wonderful in cleaning the smell and seasonings from my hands.  This was I trial and error to get a recipe that was not to firm or to oily but I have it down pat now. My husband expressed concern about if it actually kills the germs too.  So I have made 3 scents that all have natural antibacterial properties in the oils.  Scents available are orange, mint, and lavender.  This is great for daily use and does not dry out your hands.  It is really effective after eating finger foods like seafood or wings to get all those particles that stick around your nails.  Although I strongly share it is not for shower use because of the hazards of falling, my family has found great use for dry cracked feet by sitting beside the tub and scrubbing so it could be used for the entire body.   

One of the great things about my homemade products is how "GREEN" they are.  Since they are all packaged in Mason Jars there is no trash from using these products and I offer a recycle program offering a 50 cent deposit towards your next purchase with the returned jar and lid.  It is recycling and clipping coupons on an already great deal that is healthy for your family. 

Reflecting 2013

This has been a year filled with many ups and downs for me and my business.  In the beginning of 2013 I was celebrating major growth and was laying out plans to purchase my location in 2014.  Then  2013 ended with closing my store location and transferring to an online business.  Things seemed to start out really good and people were starting to become regular shoppers.  I was laying out changes and making improvements at a rapid speed.  During the middle of the year we had some growth in the valley and 2 new stores opened and one was on the horizon to be completed by the end of 2013.   I guess you have to change with the flow if you are a survivor and since they had some influence on my growth and sales, I decided to close.  It has been very emotional especially the last 3 months while I have been closing down and saying goodbye.  It's very challenging, as you watch everything you have worked for going out the door for half price and not sure exactly which direction you are heading to, I have never felt so lost.  We joked that we should have held a regular 50% off sale just raise the prices and reduce to half price because people do not always think about what they buy.  They see a bargain and just buy, I saw many people who never shopped in my store before.  I realize that is only a gimmick and only lasts for a short period before you would be discovered as a regular 50% off sale, plus I am not that type of business person.  My best personal traits are compassion, honesty, and customer service and that is a big draw for my business.  My online store has not taken off as I planned mostly because I have not gotten organized yet.  I thought I knew how much stuff I had in that building but I quickly realized I had much more than I realized and moving locations can be crazy.  I am still closing out some loose ends from closing a larger location but I am looking forward to things slowing down after the holidays and spending the much needed time to lay out my business for 2014.  I am sure it will be great and give me more flexibly at home.   Something I am looking forward to, is getting out and seeing those friendly faces I have missed in the coming months.  I have really changed how I am thinking and what kind of products I plan to carry since it is not practical to deliver a 25 cent item. This has been a challenge for me and I know that I'm going to make some mistakes as I try to adjust.  I look forward to setting up several categories on my online fronts so that I can set up times to do pick ups and drop offs as well as look for other new items to carry.  I want to thank everyone who has helped support my business in 2013 and look forward to serving you again in 2014.  Wishing you all a safe and blessed New Year!

"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius and power and magic in it."
~Goethe~

Changing Directions

I know my latest news has shocked many people.  The personal messages and people that have stopped by to say goodbye have been overwhelming.  It is great to know you have been so well excepted and loved.  Please know I feel the same way in return and will miss you all too.  At every place I have worked and moved on, my customers are the ones I miss the most.  It is awesome to see them out and about and catch up.  I look forward to seeing everyone in the future. 

In my last blog I expressed that I was not giving up on my dream only makes many changes.  I am proud to say the transition has already started and is falling into place nicely.  My new contact information is updated and I will be able to take my website with me.  Only changes are phone number and address which I have set up but are not live until November 10th.

I have already updated my Ebay Store and my store on Facebook and I will post items on Craigslist.  After I am done building these sites, I plan to build my Esty site and Pintrest pages as well.

 For those that are regular shoppers at my store, I plan to operate my Facebook site as a yard sale site by posting photos of items for sale much like I carried at the store.  If you post under the photo that you are interested and send me a personal message to set up a meet location and time.  Items will be first contact first serve.  I will gather items from week to week and give you a total.  Sorry no layaway or payment plans.  Cash and carry only or I can accept card cards via Pay Pal on site or send and invoice with receipt.  Larger items may have to be a pick up appointment only at my home.  My current meet times and locations are:  Tuesdays 9:15am to 9:30am at Giant in Shippensburg; Tuesdays 11am to 11:15am at the former Lumber Barn location in Spring Run; Thursdays 9:30am to 9:45am at Chambersburg Mall; Thursdays 11am to 11:15am at South Gate Mall in Chambersburg.  Additional appointments can be made by request on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

As for my Ebay store I am obliged to the rules and regulations of Ebay but can offer the items listed with a meet place instead of shipping if you purchase or have the winning bid.  Items are listed at a higher rate as I compete with competitors and the items listed are usually a higher quality. 

I also plan to set up at a few local events like flea markets and craft shows during the year.  If you would like to be on my mailing list to get my schedule please email me or sign up at the store this week before I close.   I have much to do before the holidays this year so I will not set before 2014 but plan to have an active year ahead.  I will also post updates on my sites throughout the year. 

End Of The Road

I keep replaying the movie " You've Got Mail"  and the conversation between Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks about business.  Tom Hanks tells her to "Go to the mattresses" because it is not personal, its business.  And while I am a business women, I know that it is true all decisions must be made from a business perspective but as Meg Ryan says towards the end of the movie.  That it is personal and what is so wrong about being personal anyway.  People who say it isn't personal, just means it isn't personal to them.  I sadly inform you that I am closing my current store front and while I know it is business, it is very personal to me and maybe for some of my customers.  For those that are worried that I am giving up my dream, please do not worry for I am not, just turning the page to the next chapter.   Some things have changed in my personal life and some things have changed in the Path Valley area over the last few months. I have not thrown in the towel yet.  I am taking some time to make some adjustments and I am not certain where that will take me next.  For now Suzy's Treasure Chest will still conduct business but it will be online only.  I may never get another store front, but if all conditions are right, I may.  To many things are left uncertain at this stage of the game.  I do look forward to seeing my current customers again at local events, locations and maybe from completing a business transactions.  I am excited to experience the next step and look forward to catching up in my personal life.  Before I sign off this posting, I sincerely wish to thank many people who have supported me the last 2 years those who stop by to shop; those who drop things off to sell; those who stopped by to play tickets; those who have helped me get supplies I have needed; those who helped advertise; those who have supported my creativity and fueled ideas; those who picked me up on my bad days; and my family that has helped with more than I can list.  I could not have taken this journey without you see you in the next chapter.  Thank you!!!

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard" Winnie The Pooh.