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Archive for the ‘AGH Business News’ Category

I have often wondered, just what is it about the goat milk soap that seems to help my skin, and per many customers, seems to help their skin (and their family members) as well?
I no longer suffer from acne, those types of break outs ended in my late 30’s. What I do suffer from, however, is dry skin, and itchy bumpy skin especially in the winter months. I get the sandpaper skin effect behind the arms and the legs during the coldest of months.
I had a wonderful email conversation with an allergist/dermatologist out of Pennsylvania last week. She asked me several really good questions. I answered her as well as I could. I told her that I do not know if the benefits from goat milk products (that she is hearing about and observing from her patients) came from the soap itself (no added chemicals), or if the sensitive skin help came from the milk itself, or if the benefits came from the fact that it is pure soap (look on your store bought soap wrappers, most cannot legally describe themselves as soap)! The physician agreed, she did not know either, but she thought it was a combination of all of the above. She said many of her patients had come to her with improved skin, improved after using goat milk products, and that she was wondering why all of the benefits herself. So, I decided to do a bit of snooping around. I am a teach me type of person.

So, I began my Google search looking for studies on goat milk soap and goat milk products. I looked for results from actual studies. I did not find any. But what I did find satisfied by interest.

Here we go:

From the American Academy of Dermatology I began looking at their various online brochures. One in particular drew my interest. For dry skin it was recommended to use a mild soap, okay, we probably learned that in first grade. But, next (and I copy):

For severely dry skin, a moisturizer that contains urea or lactic acid may be helpful. Both ingredients help the skin hold water. These ingredients are so effective that over-the-counter and prescription moisturizers contain them. The one drawback is that these ingredients can be irritating if you have eczema or cracked skin.

Goat milk…high in lactic acid. There you go, bingo!

I continued to read on, do a bit of self-diagnosis, see the photo above, and I found other photos looking very familiar. My winter skin condition is called keratosis pilaris. It consists of tiny bumps, sometimes itchy, harmless, but bothersome…the treatment (to diminish the appearance and itching of the rash) also included creams and lotions that contain lactic acid. The condition never completely goes away it just looks better after treatment. Yes, I agree, I can attest to it diminishing!

I cannot rightfully say my products can cure your skin problems, I am not licensed to sell my products as a drug or medication. And I try so very hard to not sound like an irritating infomercial for goat milk soap, but my customers with sensitive and allergic skin are very happy campers, and so am I. Why? I believe it is a combination of things (as stated above) mild soap, no added preservatives, stabilizers or chemicals (other than those that contain fragrance and/or non-natural colorants), and the lactic acid (which works with the skin’s PH balance).

Interesting…and I loved sharing it with you!

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Just what is the goat lady up to today? The rolling head, still on straight? Has she lost her mind completely? Nah! Just almost.

Actually, I began the day by cutting the large batch of lemongrass poppyseed goat milk soap I made yesterday. It looked so pretty I picked up my phone and clicked a pic before the soap bars headed to the curing rack.

Afterwards, I made two large batches of goat milk soap. The first unscented. Seems rather popular these days. The second batch is lavender rosemary. Purposely, quite a bit lighter on the rosemary end of the soap this batch. Rosemary is a wonderful essential oil. I love the scent, but it also has such good skin care properties, such as antiseptic and assistant to dandruff and scaly skin. But it sure can wake up the old nose!

Then the day broke loose. The head starting spinning, rolling along (as I told Alix of Casa Hice) in an email.

If you experienced payment problems today, if the website did not accept your payment, or if you ever do experience problems, please carefully note what occurred and give me a call, or shoot me an email. As we all know, one tiny problem can mean one big problem is brewing. Luckily all of the customer payment issues were told to be unrelated, but my doubting mind (because I want perfection) still wonders…but life rolls on (and right now it feels like my head is off rolling somewhere).

I had a great conversation with a good customer from California today. Yesterday her husband asked, “Do we have any more of THAT soap?” The phone call was rather on the desperate end. The payment was not being accepted and the husband wanted more of THAT soap. People that call me get what they get, they get me, I am never going to try to be anyone else. If I break out in laughter, please laugh along with me. This is one short life, and I intend upon making it all that it can be. We got the order resolved, and Mr. CA is going to have some of THAT soap to shave with. By the way, THAT soap is Moroccan Dreams, and Sandalwood Blend, as well as Patchouli Blend. Mr. CA shaves with THAT soap. So do I (my legs love it).

Have a beautiful evening, day, morning, whenever you read this…and if you find my head anywhere…treat it nicely. I need it folks!

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We had some nifty storms last night as the sun set. Leaves and tiny branches are scattered about.
I counted the goslings this morning, all 6 are still with mom and pop, including the 7th that we did not count a few days ago. Last night I thought about the goose family, and what did I see when I looked? They seemed to be floating along on the pond. I suppose the wind really wasn’t as bad on the water and downhill.
We dealt with losing Internet signal a few times (hence the photo of the mighty blue modem), along with some dust. You can look at it. I have some dust in the general area, tee hee. It was wonderful to see all 4 of the steady green lights back on!
I used my phone for certain services, company email for one. I really need to sit down with it and determine just what I can and cannot do. Plan A in case of a real power outage.
Other than the glitch with the equipment, no power outage (just flickering), I have been working on the newsletter and answering email. We ran some chores this morning…boy does that get expensive these days!
If you wish to receive the email, the newsletter sign up button is located near the bottom of my site’s index page. The newsletter is published once a month, and possibly twice a month in the future. I try to keep it short.
Did you know that today’s Internet readers are considered scanners? Many readers do not want to read long text. Make it short, concise, and most people are happier. It is a fast paced world!
Take care…have a good Thursday evening!

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Drum roll…the winner is…Lynnanne!

This was a random drawing, for any commentor that joined in on the survey. I appreciate the short answers, and I appreciate the long answers. I very well could have added a professional looking poll widget to the blog for this contest but I wanted to hear comments, feedback, and I wanted to see the readers. The response was fantastic! It was a success.

Many answers were (and I agree): “goes hand in hand,” equal value. I will report back with what I compile, and of course, this is not an exact science, just a close match.

One of the future posts will be a discussion on packaging. I have some ideas, and some that have swung past me as well. Open feedback is excellent, even when you have to take the hammer in hand to make me understand what you are trying to say! Remember, I have about 130 goats on the farm right now (kids and moms). Zombiefied (but waking back up)!

And I have some brand new soaps to show the world. One that I am totally in love with!

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If you can answer a few quick questions, I want to send a bar of soap to you, your choice! And if I receive enough comments, I will send a bar of soap to two people (randomly chosen).

If you were shopping for handcrafted goat milk soap today, in what order would the following be of importance to you: price, color, size, scent, other (please define)?

Is all natural, or nearly all natural, important to you?

Which type of scents do you prefer (floral, woodsy/earthy, fruity, etc…)? Or, name a few scents/types if you can!

This is a survey, of sorts, but I also want to thank my commenters. I follow every post, and each reciprocated word is appreciated!

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Mr. Moo whispered into my ear , “Annie needs friends.” I asked the kindly bull calve what that meant. He replied, “Annie joined Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter and she needs friends.” I nodded, “Ohhh…now I see,” or do I?
If you know me well enough, you know Annie is a goat. But, Mary (me) has been slacking. She joined all three media’s quite some time ago and knows, based on her friend’s and mentor’s urgings, she needs to get the accounts active.
So, if you are a member and wish to contact me, or can throw me some helpful usage hints, or just want to say hello…my identities are:
Twitter: anniesgoathill
Facebook: Mary Humphrey
MySpace: Mary @ Annies Goat Hill
And, I giggled as I looked my identities up…how in the world I used 3 different names I do not know! I may make a change at some point so that they match up…even though, well, they are related. Right? πŸ™‚

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Due to the popularity of the sale, and due to the clearance of 3.5-3.7 ounce soaps in the the shop (the next generation of goat milk soaps are chunkier), the Brown Bag Special will continue through April.

After a great phone conversation with a customer a few days ago about her choice of soaps, I wanted to clarify that you can contact me if you want to place a Brown Bag order that contains your preference, your scent or type of goat milk soap. The ad states that the special order will contain soaps of “my choice,” but that is not set in stone. As always, I love to be of assistance, and will do what I can to provide what you might want or need, when available.

The Brown Bag special, can be ordered via a button at the bottom of my Soap Store page.

Have a great day!

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In today’s economy do you brown bag your lunch? I do!

Well, come on over and enjoy a brown bag special with me, but keep one thing in mind when you sit in the sunshine and enjoy your brown bag special, the condiments and wrappers are not included, what you will be receiving with your order is assorted goat milk soaps, 5 total!

Today I begin my March 2009 Goat Milk Soap Brown Bag Special (scroll to the bottom of The Goat Milk Soap Store to order).

Yes, the soap is shipped in a brown bag, with an Annie’s Goat Hill receipt attached (listed with the soaps of my choice). You will receive 5 soaps, approximately 3.5 ounces each, for 15.00, with a flat rate 5.00 shipping fee (shipped in a box via USPS), continental U.S. customers only, 20.00 total order.

Memories of lunch on the park bench, in the sunshine, 80 degrees, puts a smile on the face!

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Here is the other side the rainbow (from the post earlier today).

Annie’s Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps is adopting a new email address. This will allow me to get email on my mobile phone. If you have the AGH email address bookmarked somewhere, you will want to change it to anniesgoathill@gmail.com . The transition from the old address will take several months. I will not be cancelling the old address until then, and after notices in several locations.

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Huh…did you say a typo?????
Yep, I said a typo.
When you snooze, you lose.
For those that received their first newsletter today. Did you enjoy that it was from Annie’s Gaot Hill? Uh-huh…we raise gaots here. They are not quite like goats. A new species.
You know, I corrected that error several times. But, unfortunately, I guess I didn’t save my corrections.
Did you smile, get a laugh? I hope so!
Today’s shop soaps were lavender and honeysuckle. The curing rack is beginning to fill again. Spring anticipation! And if you want some special scents for spring yourself, let me know.
The husband, whom now says, “I am an employee that works for bologna sandwiches,” adjusted my cutter today. We have had shrinkage lately that I am not fond of. Bigger bars, shrinkage that means less soaps going to the Y discounted category in the Soap Store.
Speaking of Y discounted soaps, I am moving some lavender and honey oatmeal bars to the discounted section today. These are great bars of soap, averaging 3.5 ounces a bar.
Rainy day here…more to come.

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