Sunday, October 21, 2012

The End of Market Season

Whether you are a shopper or vendor of farmer's markets, you know the season is coming to a close very soon.  My local weekly market, the Lansdowne Farmers Market, closes for the season on Sat. 10/27.  While I love vending at markets and seeing all the regulars, it's a bit of a relief to be finsihed.  Being caught up with weekly inventory demands, loading and unloading the car, taking up a large chunk of garage space... all while maintaining a full time day job takes a toll after a while.  It will be nice to have a break.  The LFM does host several special winter markets, the first being 11/17 (I will be vending!)  There are some other markets, holiday gift fairs, and festivals for which I am awaiting vending approval.   I also hope to teach some classes on making bath & body gifts during the holidays.  I intend on staying fully active during the "off-season" in vending and working hard on my business. 

My fall/winter business plans are:
~Refine my hot process soap recepies - and make lots more soap!
~Create new perfumes in specially themed lines
~More internet promotion, marketing, networking & eCommerce
~Marketing to local retail shops, and networking with local business owners
~Tweak & finish www.akimabotanicals.com
~Research and possibly venture into making incense cones, bath bombs, bath salts, massage & aromatherapy oils
~Blog more frequently

What are your "off-season" plans?

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Cemetery Perfume Oil & Spray

Our Cemetery scent is now available as a perfume oil on Etsy.  It was previously only offered as a room spray and body spritz. Just in time for Halloween! 


Cemetery is simple and too the point: Moist earth, freshly manicured plots, and the smell of roses freshly laid on the graves. It is a bittersweet scent reminding us of the peaceful resting place of our loved ones.


Monday, October 1, 2012

New Harmony Vegan Chinese Restaurant, Philadelphia

I found New Harmony Chinese Restaurant in 2008 or 2009 when I worked in Center City Philadelphia.  Being just blocks from Chinatown I often walked through, and one day I just stumbled upon what would soon be one of my favorite places for eats in Philadelphia.  Located on 9th St. between Arch & Race, everything on their impressive menu is vegan & kosher (see the certified letter from Rabbi Roth in the back of the menu).  Even the air & water is filtered for purity.  Here are pictures of their Sweet & Sour Tofu and Lemon "Chicken", respectively:



Lately I've been ordering the Sesame Beef with a special "mayo" sauce... it blows my mind.  Make sure you try the veggie pancakes - they have the same "mayo" sauce.  Fried yes, but vegan which makes it ok, ha ;P.  Freshly brewed tea comes with every menu, as does a greeting & smile from owner Ming - our buddy.  New Harmony has a devoted following of those vegan and meat-eating alike.  No matter what you eat, you can't deny how delicious their food is.  Oh yea, and all you can eat Dim Sum buffet on Sundays!  Save room for dessert!