In March, I told you a “Going Out Of Business Success Story,” featuring Jen Denslow of Blooming Lotus in Kansas City, Mo. Today, I bid a fond farewell to more amazing Indies. Toorrow, longtime IBN member Kristen Leigh Bell is closing Aromaleigh. Earlier this week, Chandi Plank announced that she is selling Mineral Basics. You can see Chandi's announcement here, and read Kristin's announcement here. As you can see, neither decision was precipitated in any way by HR 5786. Having said that, as you read their blog posts, you also get a glimpse of the kind of challenges today's Indie Business owners face.
This graphic displays Chandi's mineral eye shadow (left) and Kristen's mineral rouge (right). Many items are 60% off at Mineral Basics, as you can see here. Aromaleigh's last day of business is tomorrow, though, as you can see here, there is a chance Kristen will open for a short period of time in September if there's anything left to sell. If you order, read their blogs and policies carefully because shipping is delayed from the normal as they juggle everything business and personal. Having used both Mineral Basics and Aromaleigh products, I can tell you that it's worth the wait. (In fact, this week's Indie Product Showcase video features the products of Aromaleigh, along with other Indies-made goodies.
Kristen, Chandi are current members of IBN, and Jen was up until the day her business closed earlier this year. While I never met any of them personally, I served them with every fiber of my being. It has been my great pleasure to watch these tenacious women start businesses from scratch, make and market products, blog, Tweet and tend to their families and personal lives with grace, gusto and style.
Bittersweet indeed.
Please join me in wishing Kristen and Chandi much success, peace and well-being as they pursue new adventures!
Question: How do you feel when you see an Indie move on to new pastures? Bittersweet? Hopeful? Disappointed? Excited for them? All of the above??!
