If you are not yet familiar with @MsAmandaGreene or @LALupus Lady you must get to know her. now. She is the sweetest, kindest and spunkiest gal in Los Angeles, not to mention a huge advocate for raising awareness of Lupus (and Purple Lab)! Amanda has been a loyal Purple Lab customer and friend of our brand since our launch.

Here is Amanda’s entry to one of our Brickfish contests.

She hosted a Purple Lab on HSN Screening Party!

Amanda recently traveled to New York City and wanted to make it memorable – including an experience with Purple Lab. So, here is what happened. As told to me…

On a recent trip to New York City, I was asked by my friends at Purple Lab NYC if I was going to see a Broadway show while I was in Manhattan. I was in fact, I had just purchased tickets for “Promises, Promises” starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth. That is when I sent an email to Karen. I came up with a self-imposed “Ultimate Broadway Challenge.” The challenge: would I be able to get Kristin Chenoweth, star of stage, screen and Twitter, a Purple Lab lip gloss? E-mails flew and soon it was arranged that I was going to meet a Purple Lab intern to get the lip gloss that I was going to (attempt to) give to Kristin Chenoweth.

I was as nervous as someone who would be going on the Broadway stage that night during my pre-theater dinner. I was hoping that the timing would be perfect. I did not want to fall flat on my face for Purple Lab NYC, especially when I was the one who came up with this idea in the first place). I am a Multi-tasking Maven and I wanted to complete my mission.

My husband said I had a look of determination in my eyes, but also hoped the night wasn’t going to end with us at explaining Hoodia- infused lip gloss to an NYPD officer.

After the show, The excited crowd waited about 20 minutes before the cast started exiting one by one. Then there she was: the uber-petite Kristin Chenoweth! She was smiling and signing autographs. She was coming down the barricade–making her way along the very rail where I was. I started snapping pictures of her and I got one of the lip glosses in the foreground.

Then it was time to accomplish my Ultimate Broadway Challenge. I gave Kristin Chenoweth a Purple Lab NYC “Huge Lips, Skinny Hips” lip gloss. As she looked at the curvy box, I told her that it is lip gloss that is a plumper and had Hoodia inside to curb your appetite–that’s why it is called “Huge Lips, Skinny Hips”! Kristin’s reaction was priceless–I caught her smile in a classic “open-mouthed gasp” with my digicam. As Kristin walked away, she held a tight grip on her new Purple Lab NYC lip gloss.

Ultimate Broadway Challenge: Mission Accomplished!

Thanks Amanda! You rocked it!

MWAH!
Karen
Purple Lab Creatrix

First of all, I am horrified at long it’s been since I have blogged. Let’s just say that I’ve been in the midst of serious insanity.

We’re finally bringing back Love Your Thighs and Lychee Martini, two chic shades of Huge Lips Skinny Hips. Love Your Thighs is exotic coral and Lychee Martini, super sheer peach. And… Limo to Lobby (perfect pink) and Goji Berry Smoothie are on their way, too.

I’ll be debuting them on HSN. along with Pearlesque Show, our new silicone-free primer with a touch of crushed pearls and honey, in April. Click here to see when!

Oh! We’re also doing Lashionista Modelista in a new color – midnight blue! A really rich navy called Modern Classic. The blue is so sophisticated and it really makes the whites of your eyes pop.

This is what it looks like on my skin.

There are going to be three – yes three! – new products for July. The details are still hush-hush but I can tell you that one is an exfoliator (the best skin treatment before your makeup and it has amethysts!) and the other two are for the eyes (a primer and cream shadow but both with a twist – you’ll see).

There have been a billion passes as names – all of the ones I originally wanted are trademarked but it’s amazing how hitting a road block forces you to a better place.

Lab samples have been flying around the office. Been on a dozen new desk sides, thanks to Sharon, our killer PR princepesa. Figuring out things to do before HSN to promote our shows (look out for a contest on Closet Couture!). Planning a big look book photo shoot at the apartment office.

We’re shooting 20 different looks on ten friends and bloggers with photographer Ana Schechter. She is a genius with the camera. We’ll video behind the scenes action for fun!

I look so harried at the moment. I am so crazed that, get this, I had a ticket to go to Florida for Passover to see my family and Todd and I completely forgot about the flight. Literally just blanked. We thought we were going on Thursday but our ticket was for Wednesday and it took two days of nonstop airport stalking and double lay overs to get there!

But I’m coming back to life… and will have loads to share!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix

Sharon, Purple Lab rock star Communications Queen, managed to do something I cannot imagine anyone else in PR accomplishing.

She secured a placement (translation: a piece) in the new Cosmopolitan Magazine!

Now… the reason it was an amazing feat.

Here’s the story. Sharon pitched the beauty editor at the magazine in the fall, when we thought we’d have the product in question… Luvah, the sexiest 3D lip color (both a stain and a gloss in one compact) infused with Dong Quai (an ancient Chinese herb known as a libido stimulant), Ylang-Ylang (used as the floral remedy for sensuality), Vitamin E (a nourishing antioxidant), vanilla mint scent (the better to kiss you with, my dear), and a double plumper I call “Complex OO.”

They loved it.

Problem: Production delays.

When we first started working on Luvah, it was slated to launch by November (and you have to hit up the long lead magazines three, four, even five months in advance). At the time of Sharon’s outreach, there was no sample, but we were close.

Then Purple Lab biz dev got in the way.

Todd and I were in the midst of finalizing a deal with our now partners and this product took a back seat. In fact, everything took a back seat. And you know what, everything in my life is STILL taking a back seat to all things purple. But that’s another story.

We picked our product development back up soon after Cosmo called to request a sample. The issue – we had no sample. The lab was still finalizing at this point. And no amount of my begging and pleading and saying “It’s for Cosmooooo!” would do. You can’t rush a scientist.

We received – and approved – the base of the formula. The “base formula” is the actual product but without actives. The way it works with our lab is that you approve that and then they work with actives, which can change the formula but they now have a standard to meet.

Anyway, we sent Cosmo the sample. They loved the look and feel but it’s hard to write a piece when the product isn’t final. Impossible, actually.

The story was off. But Sharon persisted.

Days before the editors were about to close the issue, we got the sample – wtih actives. Just in time. What I love about Shar – she never gives up, not even for a second. She’s a little bulldog in a cute, petite package with flawless olive skin.

Then they wanted to shoot it. Another glitch: we only had the product in an ugly pot, not the actual packaging. Though we did have a sample of the packaging, so we photoshopped it

It wound up looking like a cartoon. We thought, for sure, the item would be cut. But it wasn’t.  “Don’t worry,” Sharon assured me, “it’ll happen.”

The piece hit newsstands yesterday! It didn’t have a photo, but still… we were in there under “His Picks” and Luvah was called “lust-worthy lips.”

Damn straight!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix

The event last week was a smash hit, I have to say! Before I go on, I have to give serious props to Sharon, Purple Lab’s Communications Director. She executed every ounce of this event, from the signage to the sponsors to the layout to the organization to the registration to the gift bags to the… you get the point.

We had to be very careful about letting in ONLY the ones who registered because of fire hazards – God forbid something went wrong! And it pained every ounce of my being to have to turn some away (we did offer them a drink from our bar and suggested they stay because so many singles would mingle after).

Luckily no one threatened us with violence.

Sharon was overseeing the whole pre-party situation while I was in the green room, filming testimonials with the HSN crew. I asked random women to come and play with products and give their feedback for the camera, which you’ll be able to see on HSN.com as well as our debut shows, so please tune in!

At 9:30, the event really kicked off. Steve and I made an entrance and announced the rules of speed dating on stage. Ejai from True Sound Music busted out the sexy playlist.

<—- my friend, Jeannine, who wrote about her night on her blog, Beauty Sweet Spot.

The girls sat on one side of long tables and the guys, across from them. Every three minutes, a siren went off and the guys moved one seat to the right. “I never knew how long or how short three minutes could be,” one girl said, adding “it was long when the date was bad and short when it was good.”

Some matches were definitely made. I caught a couple making out after (thankfully, we provided Dentyne and Luvah is scented with vanilla and mint!). See below, I caught them exchanging digits!

But I can’t say that there were no glitches – what’s an event with 500 people without one?

Twenty minutes before take off, we sent two Purple Lab girls out to wrangle in some new guys – about 20 didn’t show up. All they had to say is “175 cute girls… free drinks… free food… 175 cute girls!”

The other oversight – as the guys moved to the right, the ones at the very end didn’t know where to go. We quickly remedied by sending our team to escort them to the other side of the room, but there was a moment of panic, I have to admit!

While I saw a few people get up and go to the bathroom in mid-date (is it me or is that rude? Couldn’t they hold it in for an hour?), I saw happy faces and lots of gloss application going on.

For the record: if any love matches are made, let me know. I will come do your makeup for your wedding!

As the crowd trickled out, I got down and dirty for clean-up. I brought sweats for the cause and chowed down on the left over brownies and cookies. One day, I’ll be able to afford an entire clean-up team!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix

with my Luvah!!!

You may know that Friday of next week is attempt to break the world record for the largest speed dating event as we launch the new lip product, Luvah, the ultimate dating tool (it’s a cute purple compact with a lip stain and matchy gloss, laced with Dong Quai and two plumpers called “Complexx OO”).  Steve Ward, Master Matchmaker and host of VH-1’s Tough Love is hosting.

Anyway, had a little chat with Mr. Ward. (BTW, I cannot tell you how many girls who registered for the event have asked if he’s single. For the record, he’s not and his girlfriend WILL be using Luvah!)

Here are his expert dating tips and dos and don’ts.

5 Do’s in Flirting:

1. 1. Smile.  Nothing let’s a person know you’re picking up what they’re putting down better than a smile.
   1. 2. Make eye contact.  Making and maintaining eye contact shows a person you’re focused, confident and interested in what they’re saying and doing.
   2. 3. Flatter.  There’s no clearer indication that you have a romantic interest in someone then by complimenting them.

4. Take charge.  Take the conversation where you want it to go.  If you expect him to call, give him your number.  But if you want to call him, demand his.

5. Act gracefully.  If he’s unavailable or uninterested maintain your poise and just pretend you never started flirting in the first place.

Steve’s 5 Don’ts in Flirting:

1. Don’t make it obvious and flirt nonchalantly.  Subtle indications you’re attracted to someone are usually the most effective way of getting your point across tastefully.

2. Don’t stare.  It’s important to let the person know you’re interested in them, but it’s important not to make them uncomfortable as well.

3. Don’t overdo it.  A simple compliment will advance your efforts much farther than a fabricated pickup line.

4. Don’t flirt with others simultaneously.  It will confuse and bewilder anyone if you’re flirting with them and others at the same time.  Keep your eye on the prize.

5. Don’t feign interest.  For men flirting is often realized in hindsight.  If you flirt and feign he’ll feel you were just being nice in the first place.

His number 1 ”don’t” for dating?

 Don’t be negative.

Want more Q&A with the Ward? Tune in next time when we talk more about the secrets to speed dating!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix

You may think Crisis Management PR is only relevant to publicists who represent celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, politicians like Elliot Spitzer and models like Kate Moss (our favorite who always comes out on top). Well, think again! Beauty publicists need to be schooled in Crisis Management PR too, right alongside Paris Hilton’s peeps.

Not sure who was hanging out on YouTube last Saturday night at 10pm, but I can tell you who was…me!

Purple Lab ran into a bit of a PR crisis two week ago after posting what we thought to be a successful Dayton, Ohio news segment featuring Huge Lips Skinny Hips.

The segment was a publicist’s dream – five minutes, brand exclusivity, visuals galore, and all positive reviews from credible sources. (Now if only the Today Show would catch on!)

Because the segment only aired locally, we decided to share it with a larger audience by posting it on our social media outlets, one of them being YouTube.

Immediately, multiple viewers watched. An hour later, hundreds. By evening, thousands. P.S. with all of our fun, crazy antics – burlesque, pole dancing, runway lessons – THIS is the one that caught on! I mean… sumo… come on… our bloggess friend Michelle Joni Lapidos took to the mat in hot pink Jimmy Choos!

Check out her “Sumo Choos”!

As the viewership continued to grow, so did the comments – and they weren’t all positive. The Dayton Ohio ABC News decided to feature Huge Lips Skinny Hips after coming across a video review from the popular – and absolutely adorable - beauty guru, JuicyStar07 (a.k.a. Blair), who also happens to a friend of Purple Lab’s.

We saw her channel a few months ago and fell in love with her – her in that all-pink bedroom in Tennessee. She did the most amazing video. We never asked her to do it. It was totally organic; she didn’t HAVE make a vid just because we sent her a gloss. A million brands send her (and online influencers) products in the hopes that they’re cover it, no different than journalist/beauty editors/fashion editors, really.

Anyway, her seven minute video on us was just about the best thing I have ever seen!

Karen and I reached out to her to say thank you – how could we not show our appreciation? And when she mentioned she’d be in NYC soon, we offered to take her for a mani pedi (we met her mom and sister, Elle, too… they couldn’t be lovelier).

JuicyStar07 has become insanely popular over the past few months, which has caused some controversy amongst the YouTube community. Just like any celebrity, the more popular you become, the more people want to know about you. Think about it – no one cared who Kim Kardashian was until she was photographed all over the place with celebutante Paris Hilton.

Now, she has her own reality show and her career is booming. So are the tabloids over her on-again off-again relationship with Reggie Bush, her curves and the debate of whether she really dyed her hair platinum for that short stint over the summer (I totally think it was a wig).

So, as Blair’s career grew at full force, her fans wanted to know more about her. And everyone has opinions… no different than celebrities you read about in US. Fact is, she is smart and savvy and already making a career for herself. It’s sad that there are nay-sayers out there, but they’re out there all the time, so it’s part of life… and the media.

That is where crisis management comes in.

As mentioned earlier, the comments began to roll in, in large amounts and our YouTube page became an open forum for JuicyStar07 haters, which is so not the place because A) Purple Lab has a great relationship with her and we don’t want anyone bashing our friends and B) No brand wants to see negative comments on their page.

As the backlash grew, the comments grew deeper and I have to say meaner! Comments about Huge Lips Skinny Hips and our relationship with JuicyStar07 were expressed, and they weren’t pretty. People wanted to know, “Did we send her product for free,” “Why are we promoting weight loss,” “Do we bribe the media…” The list goes on…

1. We did send her a gloss

2. We did not pay or bribe her

3. We met her in person and took her for mani pedi

4. There was all sorts of comments about whether we did or did not buy her a Coach bag because she received one as a gift when we met… we did NOT purchase a Coach bag for her

About our brand:

1. We are NOT promoting weight loss or defining skinny

2. We are being fun and cheeky

3. Huge Lips Skinny Hips is meant to be a reminder – because of the Hoodia ingredient – to be healthy and mindful; appetite is often about the head, not the stomach (i.e. I’m eating now and I am full from lunch)

How did we handle the situation?

First of all, this is what I looked like:

We replied to everyone. We expressed our perspective to clear up the confusion. And we never deleted a comment – it’s not natural for everyone to only have glowing things to say and we’re so passionate about what we do here that we don’t feel like we should manipulate anything.

That said, I want to outline the Do’s and Don’t of Crisis Management PR so you can learn how we handled the situation and what you can do if you find your brand (even if your brand is YOU) in a similar one.

• Do have an open dialogue. When someone posts a comment, whether positive or negative, respond to them. If the comment is positive, thank them for their support and make sure to personalize the comment each time, you don’t want it to come off like an automated response. If the comment is negative, again thank them for visiting your site (even though you don’t want to!) and attempt to clear the air – maybe they were misinformed about your brand, the situation, etc. A simple explanation could turn them into a supporter. Also, encourage them to learn more about your brand by visiting your website, Facebook page, etc. this way they will become well versed and educated about your brand and hopefully debunk any other rumors that are out their amongst consumers. Turn these people into brand advocates.

• Don’t erase comments. This is a BIG don’t. By erasing comments, you quickly will lose credibility. As long as you follow the instructions above, it is ok for consumers to speak negatively about your product, because if you respond properly, you may change their opinion. In addition to losing credibility, consumers will become less trustworthy of your brand. They will know when comments are erased and will most likely call you out on it, which lets face it, is embarrassing!

• Don’t let consumers bully you. Although you still want to be polite and treat each and every consumer with respect, stand up for your brand and your philosophy. But don’t engage in so much back and forth if what you’re saying is not putting someone at ease – sometimes, there’s just nothing you can do. But showing consumers how much you believe in what you’re about could encourage them to learn more about you and the brand, hopefully evoking an emotional connection.

• Don’t get defensive. As I mentioned earlier, don’t let consumers bully you, but don’t bully them either! Remember these are the people who evidently control your brand’s destiny (and sales). The last thing you want to do is leave a bad taste in their mouth. Do not respond to consumers with an attitude and do not ever tell them they are wrong. To avoid coming off as defensive, be selective with your wording (i.e. don’t reply when you’re all worked up!). For example, instead of, “You are wrong,” respond with, “I am afraid you may be misinformed.”

• Don’t change your story. And if you’re telling the truth, you won’t have to change your story (unless you’re a dirty politician – they put a whole new spin on things). Lay out the entire story from the beginning. Don’t leave anything out because most likely, those tiny, unmentioned details will surface eventually and that will only provoke more questions from consumers.

• Do craft a statement. As mentioned above, once you have your response, share it with consumers! After our fiasco, Karen filmed a video response that viewers could watch to get the story straight. Keep it short and sweet. The longer you speak the guiltier you may seem!

• Do act in a timely manner. Stay on top of the negative comments and respond as quickly as possibly. It may not always be at the most convenient time (i.e. Saturday night at 10am – did I mention I was at my Grandfather’s 90^th birthday?) but it is so important. Don’t let more than an hour or so go by because the longer you let consumers rant and rave, the more gossip will appear. The last thing you want is supporters of your brand to read negative comments ignored by the brand, because they may start believing them! The sooner you address the negatives comments, the sooner you will clear up the misconceptions.

In case you are wondering, our crisis has, at the moment, been averted. But, if you have any Crisis PR situations of our own and need advice, please email me at Sharon@PurpleLabNYC.com

Mwah!

Sharon

Communications Queen

Where were we last time I gave you the business building update (still trying to catch us up to current day and we’re so close, I can taste it).

It was summer. We were on the verge of leveraging one of Todd’s properties in Brooklyn to squeeze out some cash to continue funding Purple Lab’s further product development (there were 50 products in my head that I was itching to get out), production, and overall growth.

Just as we met with a big gun who was able to do the deal with us, we got THE CALL. The call we were waiting for and hoping for and praying for since day one… the call that would potentially end all stress, all suffering, all bankrupting (financially, emotionally, physically).

It was a call from a very well connected, beauty-entreched mogul who owned many a brand, has a family who has been in the industry for more years than I have been alive, and is very close with a major direct to consumer electronic sales company (i.e. TV – three letters… you do the math).

He was interested in creating a partnership – he does all back end (our weakness); we do all front end (our strength).

Just what the therapist ordered. Still, it’s a long way from a call to a signed legal document. But it was on… almost.

The story in detail is below!

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix

You know how I told you that you’d be hearing from the interns  multi-tasking mavens? Meet Cristina, an adorable blond who goes to NYU. She came on board a few months ago and if it’s up to me, she’s not going anywhere.

This is how she got her Purple Lab start!

***

Where do I begin!? Well, first off, my name is Cristina and I’m a Multi-Tasking Maven for the beauty brand Purple Lab!

Of course, I wasn’t just handed such an honorable position. I had to use my connections and my go-getter personality to prove I was the best choice for Purple Lab. How, you ask?

My first encounter with the lovely ladies of Purple Lab was through a friend- Kirby Marzec, editor and journalist for fashion and beauty blog Fashion Indie.  (Karen, the Creatrix, first met Kirby at the Runway Class she hosted with model booking guru Drew Linehan.)

Sharon, the Communications Director for Purple Lab, asked Kirby if she had any fun, responsible friends who were looking for an intriguing marketing internship. Guess who Kirby emailed!?

I automatically reached out to Sharon. We lunched. We talked. I worked my magic. Sharon fell in love with me, of course!

A professional yet fun demeanor and a sharp resume later,  I had an official interview with Karen!

This was where it counted… what did I have that no other responsible, smart, and sassy intern did not?  Here it comes… a huge connection on the set of Gossip Girl, not to mention a close friendship with Richard Avedon’s grandson (Richard is Karen’s favorite photograher).

Let the schmoozing begin! I am lucky enough to know the sound mixer for Gossip Girl, so I promised to do whatever it took to get Huge Lips Skinny Hips into the hands of the two leading ladies, Blake Lively and Leighton Meester - duh Mission accomplished and internship landed! (I actually crashed  

I had officially proved myself worthy of the Multi-Tasking Maven title!

So, now that I’m here at the Purple Lab headquarters (Karen’s art-filled apartment with a desk in the kitchen and a stripper pole in the living room!), I am doing my very own blog/vlog.

I completed the challenge of becoming part of the Purple Lab family, so now it seems only natural that I have been challenged to  jump over some more hurtles.

My first week on the job was Fashion’s Night Out, a crazy New York night where every major store held a shopping soiree until 11p.m. I dolled up in Purple Lab gear, carried a cigarette tray filled with invitations and gloss, and pounded the pavement to get the word out!

And it’s been uphill and crazy ever since (minus my swine flu incident/absence).

More of my multi tasking ways coming your way…

Until then…

Mwah!

Cristina

Multi-Tasking Maven

So what happens when you unleash a Multi-Tasking Maven into the wild streets of New York City?

Her hair comes down and out comes an inner pole-dancing superstar!

Maven at work!

I tried, I loved, and I conquered the pole! I am now officially “Kitty Poledancer,” the pretty pink gloss shade of Huge Lips Skinny Hips that was inspired by Creatrix Karen’s favorite form of exercise (can you believe this was a job requirement?).

S Factor was exactly what I hoped for and nothing that I expected all wrapped up into one invigorating two-hour experience that left a kink in my neck (so worth it!) and some pep in my step saunter.  

Make that a new… slow… sultry… sexy walk that I try to do as often as possible, even in the Purple Lab office if need be.

The S-Factor walk, which is a vital part of the class and philosophy of the studio, may be a pedicure-killer (as you take one step forward, you drag your other foot up to meet it), but it’s worth every chip of my dark purple polish.

The saucy workout franchise is the brainchild of actress/author/dancer, Sheila Kelly who created the wonderful world of S when she had to be a stripper in a movie and fell in love with the movements of the pole. A little bit yoga, a little bit sex pot, Kitty Poledancer is so good, I honestly think it should be mandatory for anyone with two X-chromosomes (Karen swears she’ll teach her daughter – if she has one – to get on the pole the minute she can walk!).

The first hour of my intro class was spent warming up. Hair had to come down (it’s part of sensuality). The room was dark. There were no mirrors (hence, no self criticism). We were asked to close our eyes (no fear of others judging us). And We were instructed to feel every ounce of curves as we slithered from one stretch postion to the next. Even the ab session felt hot!

I can’t lie – when we got to the pole, I felt self consicously silly and almost childish, like I was forcing myself to be “sexy.” Isn’t being sexy just something you naturally have or isn’t sexiness supposed to be a quality that someone just naturally exudes? Well, I was feeling anything but  “sexy” while tripping over my own feet and rolling my hips like my life depended on it,  but as I almost hit my face against the wall, it clicked!

This is a kind of sexy that isn’t based on the perception of another. This isn’t the sexy you get from a magazine of an airbrushed cover girl meant to be ogled. This sexy belonged only to me and was all my own to control – Tiffany’s bubble of sexy where feeling good in my own skin was the only thing that mattered.

The self-conscious feelings dissipated when I soon realized the women around me were tripping up too, some were smiling and some were serious but all were enjoying themselves in their own respective bubbles, complete with “Bittersweet Symphony” oozing from the speakers. (Love that song.)

When it came time for us to learn our trics, I watched in awe as our instructor Ilov (pronounced I-Love, yes, her real name) gave us a preview of the “basic” firefly. (Click here to see Karen’s take on it – around the pole in her apt office.) 

I doubted the fact that my body could move that way, but by the end of the class I was whipping and whirling around the pole at ease. (And all of us girls cheered each other on the whole time.) 

If you’re in NYC definitely try to get a lesson with the famed Barbara Dial (Karen’s teacher) who won the Pole Superstar competition held in NYC. Watching her, even on camera, is so mesmerizing!

Actually, you can see her – and all of S-Factor here – too!

More trying soon!

Mwah!

Tiffany

Communications Princess

In the last chapter of the Purple Lab tale, I was seeing my psychic/astrologer Karen Thorne. She said our lives would clear up – a huge level of stress would be released – by mid-summer.

It was in the stars, apparently. It was decided.

And it actually happened… just when we got down to our last $58.22!

Our heads were spinning.

We were developing SWAC,  scrounging for components (we did not go back to the original manufacturer who sent us the 30,000 damaged guys). We found a vendor who has really interesting packaging and clients whose products you definitely use (I am not sure if I’d be allowed to say who but let’s just say that their biggest one rhymes with Shack).

It was a squeezy tube but not in a typical shape – more sleek and sophisticated. Our branding genius, JD of Calliope Studios, was working on a logo. I thought it would be nice to give SWAC its own identity – and to move away from purple packaging so that it stands out on a counter.

That was in progress – and coming along beautifully.

Our packaging engineer was on top of the lab, managing the go-between with the vendor making our boxes and the “love note” inserts, the people who shrink wrap the glosses and pack them in shipping boxes which eventually are delivered to retailers. It was running smoothly. Finally.

But not so much financially.

In our road to finding investors – and by investors, we mean THE RIGHT investors, the kind who have the experience we lacked and the kind who could partner with us to create something bigger than we could on our own – we were near destitute.

Todd and I talked about putting up one of our his properties to get a loan and continue to finance the brand (at the rate we were going, we couldn’t even remotely expand, support major retail distribution properly and develop the next dozen products I was dying to create).

And it was when we were down to the final hour that it all came together – exactly as our psychic predicted.

I can go on but here’s the story via vlog!

Stay tuned…

Mwah!

Karen

Purple Lab Creatrix