The Business of Bliss

We’re all in search of wisdom, aren’t we?  That’s why you’re here reading Indiepreneur, and that’s why I write for Indiepreneur.  And that’s why business books tend to be good sellers.

The Business of Bliss: How to Profit from Doing What You Love, published by Victoria Magazine, is one such book that caught my attention way back in 1999.  I found it inspiring.  The inspiration came from the beautiful pictures, for which Victoria Magazine is renowned, of these women living their dreams in quaint shops surrounded by beautiful things. I love beautiful pictures and things so I snuggled into a chair with paper and pen, eager to plot out my own path to bliss.

If I remember correctly (I’m not going back to re-read every line in the book), the profiles that mention start up funds mention a daddy or a hubby.  Yeah.  Not helpful for me, because my dad died not much richer than he was born … and I married a poor man.  I know, momma said it’s just as easy to love a rich man.

Nevertheless, I need hope — hope that I, too, will succeed in my bliss of a business.  With the economy on a roller coaster ride taking with it bliss icons such as Rachel Ashwell, I wondered how the other profiled ladies were doing … so a Googling I went.

Kevin Simon, a self proclaimed world-class fashion designer (and she IS just that), was the first profile in the book.  Her mom got a job to support her daughter during start up.  What a wonderful mom!  The Kevin Simon Clothing website appears to be recently updated. Although it could use a world-class web designer not to mention a professional photographer.

Lark Pottery, too, has a few photos up on Photobucket and a current website.  I believe I’ve seen recent magazine mentions for this very talented artist.

Not surprisingly, Vanessa Noel Shoes is still going strong.  She’s a great designer who found a fabulous niche in a product category that will never die.  As long as women have feet, we WILL buy shoes.

Wells-Ware has a current website. The write up in Business of Bliss noted that she got a mention on Oprah. What a score that must have been. While a bazillion handmakers of jewelry have exploded onto the indie market, she found a niche creating one of a kind pieces using bits of a client’s life. Is there any doubt that custom sells every time?

Louise Green Hats appears to be thriving.  Milliners are rare these days. So if you’re looking for a hat for a special occasion — say a wedding — chances are Louise Green will be on your list.

Bonne Bouche Caterers. I have a hunch that they’re feeling the pinch as both consumers and businesses scale back social events that require a lot of catered food.  Still, they have what looks to be an updated website, so I’m putting them in the still surviving category.

Conni Cross Garden Designer. While I couldn’t find a website that looked like it belonged exclusively to her, she has received recent mention on a number of gardening sites.

The same goes for Pink Rose Pastry Shop. I couldn’t find a website, but they’re listed on a few critique sites highlighting shops in the Philadelphia area … although those listings seem a few years old.  Are you still in the dough Pink Rose Pastry Shop?

Rebecca Cole has a fantastic site highlighting all aspects of her business and her blog is current, too.  When I first saw her name, I mistook her for the HGTV and PBS TV personality Rebecca Cole. They are NOT the same person, but I bet is doesn’t hurt to have a celebrity with the same name in the gardening business.

I so want to visit this shop in New York some day!  Plants and home decor in one store just has to be a winner.

Savannah, Georgia restaurant Elizabeth on 37th looks yummy and appears to still be kicking. This is definitely an upscale restaurant.  They feature a 7 course dinner for $70 on their menu.  I wonder if they had to offer some more affordable alternatives and perhaps do a direct mail coupon or two to get people in the door.  Really. How many couples can blow nearly $200 (wine, tax and tip) on dinner?

The website forArchivia Books looks updated and current. Their niche seems very small — illustrated architectural type books. Evidently it’s big enough to keep them going.

Cornelia Powell has also found a good niche with Wedding of Grace.  I’ve heard and read that looking for love has replaced climbing the career ladder, and weddings will never go out of style. Powell’s online zine seems to be going stronger than ever.

Maybe I can take a publishing cue from her, eh? (No, I’m not Canadian.)

Debby DuBay is an antiques dealer specializing in Limoges. With a shop in downtown Rutland, VT, I wonder how she is doing. The site looks current complete with events the shop is hosting. Still, I can’t imagine Limoges selling with any strength in a down economy.

Another Indiepreneur who found a spot in the wedding category is Marlene Harris. She specializes in antique jewelry, especially wedding and engagement rings. By the looks of her eshop, she is still in business.  At first glance her prices seem very reasonable, too.

Linen designer Nancy Koltes has a website under construction, but pops up in online stores.

Grasmere Vintage and Floral appears to be in business still. Their website, too, could use some help. I love their summer hours and the warning that if it gets too hot, they might close even earlier.  Must be nice to keep shop on your own terms.

Whispering Pines has their cute as can be eshop. It’s what I wished my eshop to be, {sniff}  but not in their rustic way.  I do, however, recognize some of their items and can tell you from which wholesalers they came.  I hope they continue to do well.

Not sure about antiques shop Tancredi & Morgen. If they’re still operating, I suggest a web update.  It looks like it hasn’t been touched in 5 years.

Found a blog for Tracy Porter that lead to an eshop. Along with retailing her own stuff, she wholesales, too. Smart move.

The Grey Havens Inn (probably) still exists, but it looks like the site hasn’t been updated since 2007. For shame, keep your sites UPDATED people!  Also, no owners are listed … so, it could have changed hands since 1999.

The Thymes Limited another gorgeous eshop and another smarty-pants Indiepreneur who sells wholesale to other gift shops.  Bath and beauty products seem to be recession proof, too, don’t they? I see they’ve ventured into the baby market.

Habersham Designs seems to be surviving beautifully.  I guess upscale furniture will always have a market of some sort.  I’d be willing to bet they’ve seen a downturn, though.

I really don’t have anything else to say about this company other than the day I win a lottery, I’ll be on a plane to see them

Carol Bolton sold The Homestead to a lady named Brenda James.  It looks like the business is still breathing.

Shabby Chic, of course, we know is out of business via Rachel’s blog.

Aromatique has grown leaps and bounds.  I looked at Patti Upton’s product to purchase wholesale for use in my antique mall booth. Unfortunately, their opening minimum was to high for me.

I found nothing, or nothing recent, on the following profiles in the book: Wild Child, Buckingham Gear, Bravura, Tisdale’s  Yesteryear, Karen Skelton, and nothing solid on either Ambie Hay Jr. or Sr.  Finally, it looks like the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company Inn lost their chef and therefore their business.

So, there you have an exhaustive Googling of the Indiepreneurs featured in The Business of Bliss: How to Profit from Doing What You Love.  When I started this very long, long post (5 hours ago), I was afraid of what I might find.  Gotta say my hope meter has gone up a bit in finding that these women that are still living their bliss.

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Tagged as: ECOMMERCE, eshop, indie star