And we don’t even want to think about all the things that need to be done for the business: like changing the website, blogging (more), doing something with all those email addresses we’ve collected.

What are you waiting for?  An Angel of Mercy that will somehow make all your dreams come true?  Fat chance.  You’re the only one that cares about your customers and your sales.  It would be nice if your employees felt the same.  But it’s your butt on the line when things don’t happen.

I’m sorry I can’t be more sympathetic and tell you it will be OK if you aren’t on top of things.  They won’t be.  Yes, I do give you permission to grouse and grumble one hour per week if that makes a difference.  But that’s all I’ll give you.

How much longer are you going to use the excuse “I’ll do it this weekend.”  Or “as soon as I have a free couple hours.”

I was using that excuse too.  There were so many things I should do….needed to do.  But I found myself ending the day with the same list.  Because I let my priorities set themselves.  I let others determine what I did with my day.  Didn’t want to offend anyone.    When you say no, I have to work, that can be part of an ongoing problem.  Is your work more important than theirs?  Are you really stating that they don’t work as hard as they do?  Sound familiar?

Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and say that you MUST finish your website.  You’ll set aside time for them AFTER your task is completed.  And then don’t wait around for them to start arguing.  Be nice, kind, and then become hard of hearing.  Somehow your kids, friends, partner or mother will survive until you’re finished.  They’ll mope and tell you that a “good” mother, wife, friend would put their needs last.  But you know better.  Remember that and don’t play that game.

First, submit yourself at every place you can find. The Herbal Green Pages is a directory that’s free to get listed in, but getting people to respond to requests is like pulling teeth. When we were in print, I spent a small fortune in postage trying to verify listings. Now, it’s even worse.  Businesses don’t take the time to even read their email let alone take advantage of free listings.

And check other places to get listed.  For growers there are all types of growing lists.  They are looking for people because your listings make them useful to their readers.  When I started many years ago, I put in every search term I could think of that took me to a site or directory.

It takes some time but a few minutes each day make a huge difference.  Trust me.
And if you want to get really serious about your business, come to Passion to Profit February 4-5, 2012.  There are some scholarships available so don’t let the cost keep you away.  Visit Star Marketing Systems and find out more.

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It’s understandable. Herbs can change your life. Or they can be a part of a crusade you have to help others. I know. I’ve been there.

But having an herb business doesn’t have to be a total giveaway. You can help others and not drain yourself in the process. Look at your business from a new perspective. If you aren’t financially successful you won’t be able to help others create a healthier lifestyle.

So let’s think of ways to get your business known. I know there’s so much to do in the business that a marketing plan is something you usually do at the last minute. And that really is not a plan. It’s a salvage operation. In the next few weeks we’ll go into detail on how to set up the steps you need to do to make your herb business the logical choice for customers, whether it’s local traffic or on the web. If you follow your plan next year at this time you’ll have a different problem….how to minimize your taxes, a good problem to have.

They started their lavender business not because they loved herbs, but because it was a viable business in a perfect eco-niche for lavender. And they wanted something that would lead them to a profitable retirement.

They always did things for the business that made it sellable. They wanted to love their business, but they always kept in mind “would this make the business more of a commodity.”

Now out in Sequim, there are a lot of lavender businesses. And there’s an annual lavender festival. And while the Reichners always supported the city’s festival, they had their own festival going on at the same time. And a glorious one it is.

Your herb business needs to stand the test of time. And grow with the times. Susun Weed and Sal Gilbertie are doing it now. Adelma Simmons and Bertha Reppert did it before. But, in spite of the opportunities that abound with social media, most people with an herb business keep as low a profile as possible usually in fear of the FDA.

I know you want to make wonderful products. But the only way you can get people to look at herbs as a safe, viable form of healing is to create a vital business that sells products the FDA can’t find fault with. If you aren’t big enough yet to create those wonderful products yourself, buy ones you can support and make them available to your customers. And remember, it’s perfectly legal to create individual products for customers. And those that need those products can get them. Small doesn’t need to be invisible. Grow to bring your own creations into the market.

But that’s where you stop. You’re afraid of getting bigger. Insurance, the FDA, competition….they’re all out to get you. Or not. You’re never going to see a change in your business unless you start asking different questions. Not how do I make my products (which everyone say is great), but avoid all the bad things. But how do I grow my business and still stay legal….and profitable.

I know we all want to help everyone, but we should get compensated for all our knowledge and effort. It’s not wrong. And every one of the really knowledgeable herbalists know this. I hate to break it to you, but every “name” in the herbal field is making decent money. Maybe they’re doing it differently than they once did. You won’t see very many of the experienced herbalists putting themselves in a position where they need protection. Unfortunately, that’s the name of the game today. But over the next few weeks we’ll try to answer a lot of those questions.
So start thinking of how you can grow your herb business safely and you’ll find it’s a lot easier than you think.

But times are always changing. Unscrupulous people that push certain herbs on desperate people have hurt those that promote and sell herbs ethically. And they’re changing the regulatory mode for the rest of us.

The days of making tinctures and salves in your kitchen sink and selling them to friends and family and everyone benefits are long gone. But sales of tinctures and salves are still possible though it’s going to require a bit more documentation.

We hope that here we can discuss regulations, ideas for increasing sales and other situations you may face. And I hope you’ll come away from this discussion realizing it won’t be impossible to make a living following your passion for herbs.

Sometimes you just want to shout out how much you love the plants and what they can do for people. Some days you’re convinced the FDA, AMA and other initialed groups would like nothing better than to see plants disappear. That’s ok….they won’t.

We’ll try to give you good information about what’s permissable and how to negotiate through the morass of information. We want to be a resource for you and help make herbs more accessible to people everywhere.