Preliminary Note: This post is old so the photos do not display. If you'd like, you can see photos from our 2008 advocacy trip at the INDIE FaceBook Page. Thanks!
Sweatin' For You In Congress and at the FDA!
I‘m excited to be back from our trip to Washington, DC to advocate against the FDA Globalization Act of 2008. I will be reporting all the details to Indie Beauty Network members in a members only conference call tomorrow. (Check your email members!) In the meantime, I just have to share some photos and a little bit about our journey. It all started at 1:00AM Tuesday (yesterday) when my dear youngest brother picked me up from the airport. I arrived at our family home at about 2:00AM and fell asleep almost immediately. When the alarm went off at 5:30AM, it was on. We squeezed in 4 meetings all over town in one day. Here's how we did it.
First Call
I met up with Kayla Fioravanti (see pronunciation lesson below) of Essential Wholesale, Jamila White of j.blossom, Anne-Marie Faiola of Brambleberry and Lela Barker of Bella Lucce at 8:15 at the Food & Drug Administration's Office of Cosmetics & Colors. We huddled in the lobby (there were no chairs) for about an hour rehearsing our presentation. The energy level was high. We were looking our best, even showing off our fabulous shoes. These are Lela's. Note the high heels.
Our meeting started at 9:00AM. We were done by 10:20. After our meeting with FDA, we ran (literally) to catch the metro so we would be on time for an 11:00 meeting with a staffer in Senator John Kerry's office. It wasn't long before we ditched our heels in favor of flats and flip flops, as demonstrated by Jamila White who sported a summer pedicure. We could really run fast without the heels.
When we got to the Senate Office Building, we promptly got lost. When we discovered where we were, we learned that we had entered the building through the door that was the furthest away from Senator Kerry's very grand corner suite of offices. So we ran some more.
By this time, we gave the Indie Beauty Network a new name. The Sweaty Beauty Network.
Lucky for us, the staffer was delayed. So we stood in Senator Kerry's outer office with our chins on the floor. That's right, our mouths were wide open in awe at the hundreds of photographs recounting Kerry's years of public service. Yes, the original swift boat photos are there. And the ones with the Dalai Lama and tons with kids. We posed for one of our own.
Enter: Senator Kerry's staffer. So, we delivered our presentation a second time. We tried to pawn off some beauty products on the staffer, but ever the law abiding citizen, she refused. Then we had to eat.
I Must Digress
But we couldn't eat before Kayla announced, after we've known each other for 6 years, that I had been saying her last name incorrectly for the past 6 years. And now, I was doing it in front of Congress. That apparently was the last straw.
So, everyone, Fioravanti is pronounced Fiora-vaaaaaah-nti. It's “vaaaaaahh-nti” like a soothing spa massage. Not “van-ti,' like a mini-van. Got that?! Check.
I think I kept messing it up anyway, being nervous in front of Congress and all. Now that I've spelled it out, it won't happen again. But I digress.
Food, Then More Sweat
So we took yet another metro to Union Station and gulped down some grub in a food court. Then off to meet with Virgil Miller, the Professional Staff Member in charge of the draft law that brought us to Washington, DC. We ran. We hustled. We sweated.
Our meeting with Mr. Miller was fantastic. He was professional, forthcoming and very interested in what we had to say. He also told us how we could make a helpful contribution to the overall political process where this law is concerned.
But we couldn't rest yet. One more meeting, which unfortunately required us to become sweaty again. Not only that, it started to rain. Indies in the City. Without umbrellas. Wet. Sweaty. Nice.
Thank God for paper towels. We made it to Congressman Jackson's office just in time, and once again, we delivered our presentation. The staffers were very encouraging and made some suggestions for how we could continue our efforts.
Last Call
After many high fives, and completely exhausted, it was time to head to California Pizza Kitchen. Sick and tired of being sweaty and tired, we decided to take a cab since we did not have to rush.
When we got to CPK, we found our second wind. Who wouldn't? Just look at these Indies In The City.
Seated: dM, Jamila White, Michele Keiper (Flower Peddler)
Standing: Kelly Bloom (Southern Soapers), Lela Barker, Kayla Fioravaaaaaahh-nti, Anne-Marie Faiola, Daniela Maldonado (Hello Bath & Body), Funlayo Alibi (Shea Radiance)
Jamila and Michele looking fetching, not sweaty.
We enjoyed a fantastic time drinking cocktails (on me!) and eating delicious things like white pizza, Tuscan hummus, pear and Gorgonzola cheese pizza and Thai crunch salad. It was the perfect way to cap an energizing, enlightening, empowering and, yes, very sweaty day.
Go Indie!
I absolutely love the pictures! I followed you on Twitter, and it looked like all of you had a busy day. Also, I was able to see the pictures that Anne-Marie posted.
Thank you for all you do!
Dusty
I absolutely love the pictures! I followed you on Twitter, and it looked like all of you had a busy day. Also, I was able to see the pictures that Anne-Marie posted.
Thank you for all you do!
Dusty
WOW! Can I just say how IMPRESSED I am with all of you amazing women! You not only accomplished your mission (made it to all your meetings and I’m sure knocked their socks off) – but did it with STYLE… and humor I might add. Really inspirational how much women can accomplish when there is a driving/uniting force. I was with you in spirit – but in reality, I was stuck in front of my computer all day. A HUGE THANK YOU for speaking out for all of us!
WOW! Can I just say how IMPRESSED I am with all of you amazing women! You not only accomplished your mission (made it to all your meetings and I’m sure knocked their socks off) – but did it with STYLE… and humor I might add. Really inspirational how much women can accomplish when there is a driving/uniting force. I was with you in spirit – but in reality, I was stuck in front of my computer all day. A HUGE THANK YOU for speaking out for all of us!
Huge pat on the back to all of you. Well done. Sounds like it was a very positive day, and I can’t wait to hear about what’s next. High heels and pizza? Isn’t that the name of a song?
-Susan
Huge pat on the back to all of you. Well done. Sounds like it was a very positive day, and I can’t wait to hear about what’s next. High heels and pizza? Isn’t that the name of a song?
-Susan
You Ladies Rock!!!
Kudos to all of you for everything that you endured to make this happen! The personal and financial sacrifices you must have made are appreciated and your dedication to our industry is to be commended! I look forward to learning the details…
Blessings and appreciation!
Ellie
You Ladies Rock!!!
Kudos to all of you for everything that you endured to make this happen! The personal and financial sacrifices you must have made are appreciated and your dedication to our industry is to be commended! I look forward to learning the details…
Blessings and appreciation!
Ellie
You are all an amazing group of ladies, very professional as you stood up for Indie Business Owners. Thank you all!!!
You are all an amazing group of ladies, very professional as you stood up for Indie Business Owners. Thank you all!!!
Thank you so much for taking the effort to make our industry known.
Best Regards, Julie
Thank you so much for taking the effort to make our industry known.
Best Regards, Julie
Thank you wonderful ladies so much for your efforts. You have inspired me more than you will ever know. I have always admired Donna after reading her book and my feelings are intensified even more by the voice you ladies have given us. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart for your hard work and dedication to our craft. I feel blessed to have such a classy bunch of ladies on our side.
Very Respectfully, Cory Timmermans
Thank you wonderful ladies so much for your efforts. You have inspired me more than you will ever know. I have always admired Donna after reading her book and my feelings are intensified even more by the voice you ladies have given us. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart for your hard work and dedication to our craft. I feel blessed to have such a classy bunch of ladies on our side.
Very Respectfully, Cory Timmermans
Thank You, you are a terrific bunch of ladies to go the extra mile for those of us that can’t go. I truly appreciate each and everyone of you.
Carol
Thank You, you are a terrific bunch of ladies to go the extra mile for those of us that can’t go. I truly appreciate each and everyone of you.
Carol
Donna Maria!
I feel like I was there with you, sweat and all!
Thank you for your blood, “sweat,” and sore feet….
xo
Jennifer
Donna Maria!
I feel like I was there with you, sweat and all!
Thank you for your blood, “sweat,” and sore feet….
xo
Jennifer
Wow! What a day, what an accomplishment!! Like everyone else, I am so thankful for your hard work and vigilance! I am also envious of
all of the cutie footwear displayed! I love Jamila’s flip flops as much as I love Lela’s heels!!
Thanks to all of you ladies for being so amazing!!
Wow! What a day, what an accomplishment!! Like everyone else, I am so thankful for your hard work and vigilance! I am also envious of
all of the cutie footwear displayed! I love Jamila’s flip flops as much as I love Lela’s heels!!
Thanks to all of you ladies for being so amazing!!
Thanks Ladies for all of your hard work. I was on the sideline cheering you on!!
Shaunic
Thanks Ladies for all of your hard work. I was on the sideline cheering you on!!
Shaunic
Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for all of your words of support and encouragement. It’s great to know we are carrying the powerful voices of Indies around the nation. Thank you for staying tuned and participating with us. I will keep you informed of developments here.
Hi Everyone! Thanks so much for all of your words of support and encouragement. It’s great to know we are carrying the powerful voices of Indies around the nation. Thank you for staying tuned and participating with us. I will keep you informed of developments here.
Sweaty Beauty Network Unite! If we need to do it all over again i am totally there — but wearing different shoes. And for the record I’ve been meaning to tell you for the past 6 years when you introduce me that you were saying my name wrong, but by the time we finished whatever radio interview we were doing I totally forgot because we were having so much fun. It just so happened that hearing it wrong several times in one day jogged my memory to tell you.
Sweaty Beauty Network Unite! If we need to do it all over again i am totally there — but wearing different shoes. And for the record I’ve been meaning to tell you for the past 6 years when you introduce me that you were saying my name wrong, but by the time we finished whatever radio interview we were doing I totally forgot because we were having so much fun. It just so happened that hearing it wrong several times in one day jogged my memory to tell you.
Thank you so much ladies! I’m out here nursing my new business, so I unfortunately couldn’t make it out there with you. I’m sure you power women all made an impact, so I guess we’re all waiting with bated breath here as to what will come of it. Thank you all so much!
Thank you so much ladies! I’m out here nursing my new business, so I unfortunately couldn’t make it out there with you. I’m sure you power women all made an impact, so I guess we’re all waiting with bated breath here as to what will come of it. Thank you all so much!
Thank You Ladies ever so kindly for all your hard work! Here’s to you and other Indies Best Wishes and Continued Success!
Thank You Ladies ever so kindly for all your hard work! Here’s to you and other Indies Best Wishes and Continued Success!