Merry Christmas to you all from Kalabash. Goal setting in numbers
I hope 2018 has been a good year for you and that you’re still smiling even if it's been a tough one.
This year’s festive season is one to celebrate here at Kalabash. After spending 12 months planning, researching, formulating, designing and creating, I held my breath and finally launched Kalabash Bodycare, 2 weeks ago. 3 months later than originally planned.
It’s been an incredible and exciting journey with a steep learning curve. There’s still lots to do, but step by step with my trusty bullet journal and Tim Ferris’s 4 Hour Work Week at my side, the goal has been achieved and the brand is out there - at last!
As you may know from an earlier blog post, Kalabash’s first incarnation was back in 2006. But, back then social media and even blogging were new innovations. There was no need to worry about whether a website was responsive or not, as both Iphones and Android were still at the development stage.
The first time around I created a one size fixed all web page which seemed to work. No-one I knew had internet on their phone and I used my old faithful Nokia mobile phone for calls, texts and nothing else.
Seriously, internet life was simpler then and care free. There was no need to worry about having Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or YouTube Accounts, parallax scrolling, GIFs or video (to name but a few) all linking or loaded to your website. Page loading speeds were not an issue, as everything was slower pre Wi-fi. Social Media wasn’t mainstream and Followers and Likes weren’t a measure of success or popularity.
12 years on, the business world has changed, dramatically. I’m sure my fellow introverts will agree, its noisy out there! Don’t get me wrong, I love it - there’s no question that its impact has opened up hundreds of new opportunities for thousands of entrepreneurs around the world in very short timespan.
But, to be fair, I must hold my hands up because when social media did arrive I was no early adopter. I reluctantly opened a Facebook account in 2009 long after everyone I knew at the time. I only joined up because my daughter was about to go travelling and convinced me that Facebook was the easiest way for us to stay in touch. I didn’t touch the account again when she returned home and it sat dormant for nearly 10 years until earlier this year!
On reflection, that was a bad move because in the last few months I’ve been taken well out of my comfort zone. Forced to catch up with a decade of social media innovation in a few months, I’ve had to take several social media crash courses and binge watch hours of YouTube videos. I’ve even dabbled in a little coding. Don’t even start me on Google Analytics and SEO!
What a difference that decade has made. But, in fairness, despite the information overload we all complain about at times, this difference has improved how we reach, engage and stay in touch with others in our personal and business lives. It’s here to stay, is constantly evolving and amazing
2018 in Numbers at Kalabash Bodycare
NB: I couldn’t stretch to an Infographic (I haven’t finished the course) so here are my numbers for 2018 in old school analogue.
16 New products researched developed, certified and approved by a cosmetic scientist
1 Re-brand with logo, brand colours, packaging etc.,
6 Products launched
4 New social media accounts opened
1 New, responsive website designed
1 Revamped business with accompanying blog re-launched
5 Blog posts so far …
None of this could have been achieved without the love and support of my husband and daughter who’ve generously given their graphic design and marketing expertise and encouraged me to keep going on the bad days. A very special thank you to them both.
Looking forward to 2019 my goal is to get to get more comfortable and active with social media and blogging – which is a big challenge. But I’m up for it.
A less daunting goal is to launch the rest of the Kalabash Bodycare product range:
Please keep an eye on the website as 8 products will be added to the website in the coming weeks:
Mineral Rich Bath Salts: To give you the ultimate home spa experience, Dead Sea salt crystals are combined with Epsom salts for their mineral-rich therapeutic benefits. Healing herbs and pure aromatherapy essential oils are added for fragrance. Finally, the crystals are coated with exotic coconut oil to soften the water and moisturise your skin, leaving it feeling soft and silky.
COMING SOON - 3 essential oil and herbal blends of this product
Organic Body Oils: This lightweight luxurious body oil absorbs into skin like magic. Our unique blend of six powerful exotic fruit and seed oils moisturise, firm, and brighten your skin keeping it feeling soft, hydrated and supple. Rich in natural nutrients, coconut, papaya, sunflower, avocado, macadamia and sweet almond oils work on keeping your skin radiant. Fragranced with our proprietary blend of tropical pure essential oils to soothe and balance your mind, as you breath their aroma COMING SOON - 3 essential oil blends of this product
Organic Body Soufflé: This light and fluffy body moisturiser is made by whipping together our unique blend of soothing organic Aloe Vera extract, exotic organic coconut oil, organic unrefined fair trade African shea butter, a high quality all-rounder, infused with natural antioxidants and vitamins A E & F; organic rosehip oil which is clinically proven for improving the appearance of scars, age spots, stretch marks, acne scars & wrinkles, organic Macadamia nut oil - high in palmitoleic acid, a natural component of skin which diminishes with age, making it suitable for nourishing and moisturising mature and dry skin. COMING SOON - 2 essential oil blends of this product
Thank you for supporting Kalabash in 2018. I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to read this blog.
Happy goal setting for 2019 - I recommend bullet journaling (for more info Google it). In the meantime, please feel free to share your own goals in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
Wishing you all a very restful and joyful Christmas break and happiness and health for 2019.
Until next time ...
