Time for Small Business Saturday!

It's November, and those of you who have followed the blog since this time last year know that November means Small Business Saturday is coming up. As you all know, I'm a HUUUUGE proponent of Small Businesses, especially those businesses run by moms trying to help out their family. This year, I'm even more all about it since our family's financial future is slightly up in the air. I know we're definitely not the only ones, which is why I like to push EVERYONE to check out direct sales and other mom businesses this Christmas season for your Christmas list.

You all know the benefits of shopping small - helping the economy as well as a real middle class family (not some nameless, faceless corporation), better customer service, many times better products, more customizable options, and often times better prices. Why wouldn't you check them out? :)

There truly is a product for everyone out there now, not just the women on your list. Many companies have products for men and kids now, so you can "shop small" for everyone on your list :) You all know about my "Small Business Support" tab at the top of my page, and I'll hopefully be adding even more options to that list as the season goes on. I encourage everyone to go there and find a company that they're interested in ordering from and connecting with one of those ladies. I'll be highlighting a few of those ladies as the month goes on, and writing up summaries of their products and services. If there's a company in particular you've been wanting to hear more about, let me know, and I'll check it out for you!

I also encourage everyone to check out the Small Business Saturday Facebook page for more info and to add your name to the Small Business movement :)

Bonus Giveaway!

Yes, I know, I know. After all the giveaways this week, a bonus is just - well, Bonus! Some of you have already read the rules for the bonus giveaway, but for those of you who just joined us this week, here's how to enter: For every friend you recommend to my Facebook page or to follow my blog, you get an entry. Everyone who has begun following me on the blog or has liked my Facebook page since last Friday is also entered.

If you were recommended to this blog (or the FB page) by someone other than me, please leave a comment on this blog post or write on the page wall who sent you, so they can get their entry! I've made it super easy to find the Facebook page by putting a "Like" button over in the left hand column << that way. Just click the button, it's that simple :)

The winner of this drawing will also be announced on Tuesday afternoon with the rest of the winners.

 The lovely donation was from my friend Missy over at Missy's Musings. She makes lovely little girl things, and sells some beautiful hats and accessories for both mommy and daughter alike! 

[It'd be really nice of everyone to go over to her Facebook page and share some love ;) ] She has donated this adorable "Mommy and Me" set of leggings that I just adore.

Good luck to all of you who entered giveaways this week! Stay tuned on Tuesday for the winners to be announced, and come back again on Wednesday for the resuming of Aria's Adventures :)

Giveaway Week Day 6: Dove Chocolate

Ok, if you're anything like me, nothing says "mom's day off" or "pampering" like chocolate. And let me tell ya, Dove Chocolate Discoveries makes some pretty mean chocolate. I mean, we've all known that you can pick up a good bag of Dove chocolate at your local grocers, but did you know they have a wonderful direct sales department? I mean, the most gorgeous and yummy chocolates, scrumptious drink mixes and delicious cookie mixes.

Our sweet sponsor today is Jessica Sargent. You can visit her website by clicking here and check out her Facebook page  by clicking here. She uses her business to support the Wounded Warrior Fund; here's the rest of her story: I started selling Dove Chocolate because it is a product I believe in . 

I love chocolate and I love to explore the different things you can do and make with chocolate. In particular, I've become quite fond of candy-making. I also think chocolate makes great gifts and is always fun to share!

Jessica is giving away an amazing giveaway package: a gingerbread cookie mix, and a sampler pack of their drink mixes including chai, peanut butter smoothie and a daiquiri mix!

To be entered to win this awesome set, leave a comment below with your favorite sweet treat - are you a chocoholic like me, or do you prefer fruity flavors? Maybe you can't pass up a good molasses cookie, or you have to have some peanut butter with that banana. Share below and we can all drool together. (I know, I know, how cruel is this as everyone is trying so hard to stick to your New Year's resolutions? Hehehe....)

Giveaway Week Day 5: Simply Said Designs

Simply Said Designs is a relative newcomer to the direct sales world, but definitely not one to be overlooked. Their products are designed to inspire and create beautiful and personal spaces in your home. The vinyl wall designs are unique and will make your home feel more personal to you and your family. There are designs for everything from bedrooms to wedding designs, kitchens to scrapbooks. I especially love the clock designs.

Our sponsor today is Charity Guidinger and you can find her personal site by clicking here. She also has a Facebook page that you can go "like" by clicking here.  She is donating another one of my favorite ideas from Simply Said - a 'My Address' mailbox design (size A.)

The winner of the design will be able to choose from 10 different 'My Address' designs listed on pages 90-91 of the Simply Said catalog. You can customize this design with your name and address. (Click here to see the catalog.)

Here's Charity's story:

I am the type of person that avoids Pampered Chef and Mary Kay type parties like they are the plague. I never like to feel pressured by salesmen. So, whenever I was invited to a Simply Said party I found some excuse not to go. My sister decided to go anyways, and she brought back a Simply Said catalog. I began just casually flipping through the catalog, and I got really caught up in the designs. I asked my sister how the party went, and she said that it was really fun and laid back. She said they played a game and ate banana splits. She also talked about how the Simply Said rep messed up during her presentation, but it was no big deal and everyone loved the products anyways. The wheels in my head began turning. I had been looking for a part-time job that paid decently AND that I could work around my full-time job. So, naturally, the idea of setting my own schedule had a big appeal. I prayed about it and sought the counsel of my parents and boyfriend, and then I jumped in. It has been a joy all the way. It's very easy to get started, and I love getting to schedule my own hours!

For today's giveaway, please leave your favorite quote or saying in the comments below (it's not cheating if you Google one!) :) It can be funny or serious, good advice or something to take with a grain of salt. Whatever saying that has gotten you through rough times or helped make you who you are today. We'd love to hear it!

Reminder: For those who hadn't joined us yet when I posted the rules, you much be either a follower of the blog or "Like" the Facebook page to qualify for a prize. You can "Like" the FB page by clicking the button over on the left << or you can view the page by clicking here.

Giveaway Week Day 4: Avon

Today's sponsor works for one of the oldest and best known direct sales companies in the US (and possibly the world.)  Avon calls themselves "the company that puts mascara on lashes and food on tables; that fights wrinkles with one hand and Breast Cancer with the other." The have been providing jobs and make-up for women of the world for 125 years now. Misty is one of those women. You can check out her website by clicking here, and during this giveaway, if you enter the code FIRSTREP, you can get free shipping on your order!

Here's Misty's story: I started selling Avon because they have been in business for so long, 125 years, and my friends were asking me if I sold.....since I was a direct sales junkie!

Now, Avon is my sole income and allows me to be home with my two precious children. I have a team of over 20 girls and growing.

Last year, Avon bonuses paid for our family vacation that we were able to take for the first time in several years! With their 100% satisfaction guarantee, I love being able to service my customers no matter what their need is!

Misty has generously donated a Footworks set with an inflatable tub that can be stored. Watermelon scented exfoliator, lotion, and cooling spray, and ruby slipper nail wear. You'll feel fully pampered after winning and putting this set to good use!

Since this week is all about giving moms the day off and pampering them, I want you to have to pamper yourself a little bit for today's contest. In the comments below, leave your favorite part about YOU - do you have great eye-lashes or nice skin? Maybe you love your lips or your fabulous hair? 

Tell us in the comments so we can all celebrate our bodies together!

Giveaway Week Day 3: Scentsy

Today's featured sponsor is a dear friend of mine who sells one of my favorite products out there. Scentsy is a great company that sells "wickless candles." Basically, they're warmers that melt scented wax, thus creating a lovely scent in your home. What's so great about the wax is that it melts at about 100 degrees, so it doesn't burn your (or your toddlers!) skin if it accidentally spills. There are so many scents available, there's something for everyone and there are so many beautiful warmers out there, they fit in with any room decor.

Ok, so enough about the product. Our wonderful sponsor today is Missy Douthit.

You can browse more Scentsy products by clicking here or email her for more info at stepgirl@cox.net. Her Facebook page is a great way to keep up with current specials etc. and you can find that by clicking here.

Here's her story:  I started selling Scentsy after I tried it when my daughter was 10months old. I fell in love with the product since it was safe for my toddler, cheap compared to candles, and smelled AMAZING!!! My husband had been unemployed from June 2009 (2 weeks after we found out we were pregnant) to Sept 2010. I started selling Scentsy as a way to help my family financially and help get us out of the debt that unemployment put us in. 

I love working for a company that I believe in and love.

Missy is donating a bit of a sampler pack: a Scent Tin, Scent Circle and a Scent bar in either Sticky Cinnamon Bun or Clean Breeze. You'll also receive a discount on any product you want to order from her. This is an ideal prize for someone who wants to try out Scentsy but doesn't know where to start!

My favorite Scentsy scent: Mediterranean Spa.
This scent is always in my bedroom warmer.

To enter today's contest, simply leave a comment below telling me what your favorite scent is. I love the smell of autumn right when the leaves start to fall, the smell of buttery rolls in the oven and the scent of Aria's hair immediately post-bath - I just love that baby smell!

Giveaway Week Day 2: Mary Kay

Today's giveaway is going to be a truly pampering experience for the lady who wins this! It's sponsored by the lovely Kristen Lila representing Mary Kay. You can check out her site by clicking here and her Facebook page by clicking here! 


Here's her story: 
I chose Mary Kay because I was extremely impressed with the products, and since I had a problem with really bad skin and had tried EVERYTHING (literally) and Mary Kay was the first thing that actually worked I knew I believed in the prodcuts. Besides having amazing prodcuts, the company is an AMAZING opportunity for women to provide choices for their familes. I make good money doing what I love to do, helping women feel great about themselves and at a pricepoint that works for them.
I started just after my husband and I got married, knowing when we had children I didn't want to have them in daycare and someone else raising them. This opportunity will allow me to be home with our baby (due this summer) and still be providing our family an income with amazing flexibility. I am SO grateful for this company and work at home mom opportunity I have been given.

Today's giveaways package will include a 

pedicure set (complete with pumice stone, soothing foot soak, and healing/moisturzing foot cream) as well as a new nail color and filing set to pamper those tootsies when you're done! 

You can choose between these 2
for your free nail color if you
win this package! 

Also, thanks to Kristen this week only, any and all readers can take 30% off their order! You'll need to shop via her site and contact her for details.

Here's what you need to do for today's contest: we all know and love Mary Kay for their gorgeous eye shadows and easy to use "look book." I love the personal service you get and all the options they give you when choosing a face wash, foundation or nail color, but what is your must-have make-up item? Gotta have your black mascara or just a great moisturizer that you just can't live without? Tell us about it!

Giveaway Week Day 1: Pampered Chef

We're going to start this giveaway week off with a bang! Pampered Chef is one of the most popular and loved direct sales companies out there because of the fun and tasty party options and dream-tastic kitchen items. Our wonderful sponsor today is Deanna Sweidel.

Here's her story: "I sold Pampered Chef when my boys were little. It allowed me to stay home with them. But, after a divorce, I stopped. I really had regret from walking away. 7 years later, I am back to it. I loved it THAT much! It allows me to provide income for my family while never missing anything they do. It has taught my kids how to cook and eating healthier."

She's currently hosting an online show that will allow you to earn hostess rewards for just collecting orders from a couple friends. You can find more info by clicking here. Her site is www.pamperedchef.biz/dms and you can email her at dsweidel@gmail.com for more details about Pampered Chef and her products.

Now, for what you've all been waiting for... THE GIVEAWAY!

We're giving away a scrumptious set of chocolate sauces including a Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Carmel and Chocolate Mint. All you have to do to be entered for this fantastic set is leave a comment below with your favorite ice cream topping! PS - Mine is either caramel or a crunchy toffee topping!

This giveaway will close Monday the 16th at midnight and a winner will be chosen and announced on Tuesday the 17th at noon. All entries must be on the blog, and not on the Facebook page.

Small Business Christmas Challenge

As we're gearing up to tackle the holidays head-on, we're usually saving money ahead of time, shopping early or spreading it out, using layaway or any other method we can to ease the emptiness of our wallets that buying gifts for everyone entails. We're scraping together money and.... blowing it at big department stores.

 Now, don't get me wrong: I love my trips to Meijer with Aria, as my regular readers know, but when you think about it, wouldn't it be awesome to be supporting other people's Christmas shoping by simply doing our own Christmas shopping? Instead of running to Walmart, Meijer or Kmart, check out that family owned bookstore or toy store. Give a gift certificate to a local non-chain restaurant (they usually have better food anyways!) Or (my personal favorite!) find direct sales reps. in your area that can help you out. Between Avon, Mary Kay, Dove Chocolate, Thirty-one, Scentsy and Uppercase Living you can get tons of your gifts crossed off your list, and help a work-at-home-mom provide for her family's Christmas (and yes, most of these companies now offer some great gifts for men and kids as well!) If you click on the names of the direct sales companies I gave above, they'll take you to the sites of ladies I like to work with and my own site.

Now, you may feel as though I'm tooting my own horn here, but what I'm really saying is support any small business out there. You don't have to buy from my particular small business (although I appreciate it!) - just find one that you'd like to support. Ladies that run their business remember their good customers, and trust me, the service you get from them will be far better than what you get at a chain department store, because they need your business and will work hard to keep it!

My challenge to you is to find at least one gift on your Christmas list from a small business, whether it's a family owned shop downtown or a friend from college who sells from her home. Then share here! Tell me what you bought and about your experience - will you do it again? and why?

Remember, small business ownership is one of the things that makes the economy of our country work. So put it to work for you! :)