Dear Arrion & Hendersonville Co-op Community,
My little glycerin soap company is growing, and your support has been instrumental. Arrion, your advice to meet with our local SCORE non-profit small business group gave me the foundation I needed to get Be Kind Solutions inching forward. These gentleman quickly evaluated my products, my company goals, and my dilemma of "What Do I Do Next?" John Moore, Western North Carolina SCORE President, and the group are awesome. During my sessions, I got some great feedback and direction from successful professionals--marketing, chemical engineering, product development, trademarking. Since I teach English at Polk County High School full time, I used this past summer to fine-tune my glycerin distillation process, glycerin products, labels, research, testing, business plan. SCORE has helped me realize I have a great product and story, but a lot of work ahead. Now that I am back in the classroom with my seniors, I expected my company's growth to slow down. Not so.
Since my sustainable glycerin soap company actually started in my classroom over four years ago, I have always included my students and community in my journey. Even though I have moved forward with a company and a product line, I still give my glycerin cleaner to my high school coworkers, to the Humane Society, to my oil donor restaurants, and to neighbors. I still teach biodiesel to students for their Senior Graduation Projects, and several science teachers and I are moving forward with what I call the "Wolverine Biodiesel Collaborative Project."
Yes, there is so much to do, but here's some Be Kind progress made since you, Arrion, and the Co-op gave me the opportunity this past summer to offer my WARHORSE Multipurpose Glycerin Cleaning Soap in your store.
1--Testimonials pouring in:
I love your product. I can't believe how much money I've wasted on ten different cleaners, especially considering how harmful most of them are. Honest/Awe-Inducing Testimony: this morning I ran my dishwasher and washing machine. I showered. I cleaned my daughter's tub. I wiped down our stainless steel appliances and washed the glass on the front door. I used your product for EVERY SINGLE ONE of these activities. It is so refreshing to be able to breathe deeply and safely while cleaning. July 26, 2011. Dawn Forward. Hendersonville Co-op shopper.
"Hi Tawana, I'm a neighbor of [someone] who agreed to try some of your glycerin soap. I'm very glad I did. I love it! I have to confess that I kind of eased my way into using it. . .it's a little counterintuitive to me to be using a product derived from grease. . .on grease. But, I soon got over that. I tried it first on my tired-looking stainless steel kitchen sinks. Nice. Then I did the cook top. Even nicer. Some time went by. I had run out of my (previous) favorite cleaning product, Murphy's Oil Soap, and tried the soap on our cherry wood floors. I don't like to use harsh products on the wood and this was perfect. My husband, Sam, even noticed how nice they looked!! I just finished working on my riding boots and dressage saddle and feel the need to e-mail you about the results. Spectacular! The saddle has two different kinds of leather: one is smooth and the other has a grain. The grainy part has always been a challenge to get right. It looks like new! As if that weren't enough, I had a little left and tried it on our glass shower stall doors. They also have a grainy surface that holds on to mineral deposits from the soap & water and never really looks clean, even with scrubbing. It does now, and I didn't have to scrub. So, I'm a believer. I actually even like the smell. How do I get a supply?? Thanks! Gerda Hook"
see bekindsolutions.com testimonial page for more user feedback.
2--Several local restaurants now use WARHORSE for their general cleaning-commercial kitchen appliances, walls, floors, glass, stainless steel, company vehicles. Co-op customers can see the Channel 7 news story here: Restaurant and Be Kind Going Green.
3--Local NC Health Department evaluates WARHORSE and approves for use in restaurants. Several local Polk County restaurants clean with our non-toxic, glycerin-rich product. My first restaurant in Hendersonville, Orr's Family Restaurant, just added WARHORSE to their cleaning process--thanks so much. Word is spreading about its aggressive and kind cleaning ability. We've just shipped some to restaurants Savannah, GA for evaluation.
4--Polk County High School teachers and students set to meet with Dr. Houser and his biofuel graduate students at Appalachian State University Oct. 31 for our first Biodiesel Collaborative Project. Maybe we can get a Hendersonville high school to jump on board and get a biodiesel processor too. Loads of chemistry, research, and curriculum expansion to gain. If any school staff or parents are interested, contact me at Polk County High School or tweicker@bekindsolutions.com
And Co-op members, I want you to try WARHORSE, so I am bringing some 2 oz sample bottles to Arrion. Samples will have mint, lavender, and lemon essential oils, as well as unscented. Below is a WARHORSE label for you, and paper labels will be available as well. The product info will not fit on a sample bottle, so please read the labels and experiment with the product. The WARHORSE samples are arriving soon, so see the Wellness Department staff for your free samples.
Dear Co-op customers,
Yes, when you see my WARHORSE on the Co-op's shelves, it is the DARK cleaning product. The soybean oils turned dark amber when they reached high temperatures in the local restaurants. So, when the recycled oils are used in our Be Kind soap recipe, the dark oil and glycerin byproduct produces our dark amber products. The color DOES NOT stain surfaces, leather, or clothing. Even though a few retailers have suggested we change our product to look more like the other cleaning products, we haven't found a natural way to do this. Besides, my WARHORSE definitely sticks out on the Co-op's shelf. Take a look for yourself when you're at the Co-op. Be Kind does not use Titanium Dioxide or synthetic chemicals to lighten our product. We know from years of product feedback that many customers understand the products' color, and are so pleased with its cleaning ability and versatility, they love it. Plus, think about the natural and raw foods that have a brown, amber color--brown rice, raw sugar, wholewheat flour. I believe today's informed consumer has learned that dyes and coloring can often have a negative impact on our health and environment.
See the testimonials on our bekindsolutions.com website for specifics. The products' glycerin, sulfate free, sustainable recipe is kind to your skin and cleans without fumes or toxins. Also, please call or contact me with questions.
Thanks again Arrion and Co-op community.
Tawana Weicker
Be Kind Solutions LLC
bekindsolutions.com
828-817-0350
Hi Tawana,
No comments:
Post a Comment