Dirt Roads

Researching Christmas fragrances and read this: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/home/the-smell-of-the-holidays-is-in-the-air-what-kind-of-candle-is-your-go-to-christmas-scent/2018/12/04/ce0e5ca6-dc5e-11e8-85df-7a6b4d25cfbb_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.88fb67347a36 Haven't retailed any national fragrance lines since 2010 and can't believe how many of the same ones in top ten. I've already slotted a Frasier Fir for Christmas. Looking for 2 more. Was thinking that old Apple Jack and Peel and received a bottle from RE and it smells wonderful. Still thinking but I know I sold Yankee's Christmas Cookie extremely well. Sold Aromatique "Smell of Christmas" for years. Haven't noticed a dupe for this. Any thoughts here?

I've used Quick Books for years. When we had the mall stores, we integrated Quick Books with our POS (Counter Point) for 8 stores and with our web business on Monster Commerce. I don't do Etsy, etc but currently have a simple retail operation and only 2 shows a year. We currently use Quick Books for the taxes for Dirt Roads, personal taxes and for real estate. I have my own simple manual inventory turn evaluation system. I consider implementing Quick Books years ago to be one of the smartest business decisions. Running a multi location retail business would have been very difficult without Quick Books. IF I was planning on building or joint venturing (which I am not), Quick Books would be in place. I was very happy with Counter Point POS which also had a lot of report capabilities, but if I started right now, I would probably use Quick Books POS too. For someone like you that is building and growing, I would recommend it. I remember setting up multiple retail locations was basically a few clicks. I could see this fitting your different selling venues as they are basically just selling "locations".

I currently have 3. I'll add a few more but no more than 6 total. Along with 2 or 3 Christmas scents. Just wondering how many most people carry.

I've wondered about this as well. I was looking at one manufacturer that sells in quantities of 10 pounds. There is one fragrance I have already purchased 7 pounds of at $23.95/lb. The manufacturer sells at $12.50/lb. Currently, I only have 3 fragrances to retail. I have already noted some differences between fragrance oils. Trying to carefully assess information here on suppliers.

This place has fluorescent colors: https://www.aromabeadsonline.com/Florescent-Color-Set-4-1-oz-jars_p_637.html

I add the colors along with fragrance. I don't have a lot of different colors so I mix dyes to get the colors I want. I have some brights, don't consider them fluorescent. I mixed yellow and honey dew green to get the lime. The orange is red & yellow. The one by orange is a bright coral. I got it by putting in more dye and adding a drop of burgandy, it's the same dye as the light pink one. I don't have a purple so I mixed blue and pink. I only have 6 dyes: red, green, yellow, blue, burgandy & coral. The dark burgandy is Mississippi State University color maroon and I added a lot of burgandy with just a few drops of blue to get it that color. I just mix and add as I go along watching the colors develop, no exact formula. I've been selling in sachets mostly but made a few aromies. NOTE: From what I've read, you can only use candle dyes. I've only used liquid dyes so far. RE has 45 dyes. https://rusticescentuals.com/colorant-candle-dye-liquid/

Thank goodness I read this. (along with the rest of the post and all posts concerning the Presto. I bought a Presto before even buying wax). I had read somewhere where a candle maker said they had one for every fragrance. But I read this before starting.

This is disappointing to find out about the shelf life. BB said it had a one year shelf life ............ I was really hoping this base to be a staple because customers are loving it. Thanks for looking it up.

I originally bought the flip top but that absolutely will not work. Now I'm using a normal pump for a 6 oz bottle and it seems to work fine for customers It's the BB aloe lotion base. The 70 pounds will make close to 200 lotions. I don't see making a lot more than 200-300 lotions a year. I like the zip lock bags or piping idea. I'm looking into one of those inexpensive filling machines but will see how fast the lotions continue to sell.

Is there an easy way to actually get the lotion in the bottles? I'm using a really thick lotion base from BB. It will not pour. It sits on a funnel for minutes. I currently use a large pump, from the mixing container (awkward) . Should I buy something to assist in this? (used up 2 gallons of lotion base and just ordered 70 pounds)

I use BOP from Rustic Essentials. On my 3rd 16 oz bottle. Just wish they made bigger more economical sizes. I have used it in M&P soaps and lotions and it smells wonderful .... similar to the well known one. It's vanilla with strawberries with a little coconut. I've noticed some of the BOP's have floral notes, but not this one. I have candles in that BOP curing now. I have a leather from RE too. Used it in M&P soups and it was nice. Haven't made any Aromies yet but I'm guessing the fragrance would be similar used in them?

I've been enjoying the board for several weeks. Thanks to all the very sharing and knowledgeable contributors you have here. I have business called Dirt Roads Pottery & Jewelry. Located in Edinburg, Mississippi. Been making some melt and pour soaps and lotions. Just selling these to customers in my retail location. Hope to try a few candles soon. I am fascinated with all fragrance products ... too much to choose from! I hope to try a lot of them just for fun. Cheers Sharon Grimes Dirt Roads Pottery & Jewelry Edinburg, Mississippi

That Painted Pony logo looks very attractive on the black background. 1st label is very good. Other logo looks good on black too. I'm curious about how you will attach the tassel too. As I have a small pottery Mississippi shaped ornament on my products, attached with twine. (recently saw that isn't the best for candles, so I might have to do something else when I get the candles done) Thanks! You answered it while I was posting. Can't imagine a single reason you won't get this sale. A lot of effort on your part, looks great as all of your designs that I have seen on this board do.