January 26th 2006:http://www.versamaeluxe.com

1. When did you start you’re biz? Well, I took the jump & made it official during October 2004. However, it took over a year to get everything up and running. My website went “public” during December 2005.

2. How did you come up with the name? My grandmother’s name is Versa Mae. As a little girl, I would visit her for several weeks during the summer. Each evening after bathing, I was allowed to use her “special” body powder. This powder wasn’t special because of its aroma, price or mystical powers, in fact; it was a simple powder purchased at local department store. However, my grandmother didn’t store her powder in the container it came in; she kept it in a beautiful vintage glass container along with a very large “powder” puff. While the powder was simple, its presentation to a little girl was luxurious. I remember how special & beautiful that simple powder made me feel. That’s the feeling I want my customers to feel each time they use a product they purchase from Versamae Luxe-Simply Luxurious. So, my business name comes from…Versamae (my grandmother’s name) Luxe (represents the feeling & quality of our products)

3. Are craft stores evil? No! I love craft stores! I could spend hours just browsing & daydreaming. Our local craft store does classes on all kids of wonderful things; I’m always learning something new & exciting! .

4. What do you like better soap or so bath bombs? Most definitely bath bombs! They are so fun to use! When you plop it in the water it fizzes & releases the most intoxicating aromas. Really great bath bombs will also moisturize your skin as you soak & leave your skin feeling oh so soft & silky afterwards.

5. Why sell beauty & spa products? I’m a bath junkie! I take baths during the winter just to get warm, I take them when I’m feeling bad or sick, and I take them to brighten my day…I take lots of baths! So, naturally with all those baths, I have tons of bath & spa products. It just seemed natural to choose bath, beauty & spa products as my first business adventure.

6. Why choose boutique & indie brands? I like choosing products & brands that are developed & owned by indie businesses. Indie designers, who develop & run their brands, tend to have higher standards & tons of passion for their products. I take great pride in handpicking & using each product I sell. Products have to pass my high standards before I place them in my boutique. All products must be of the highest quality & value and they must work! If a moisturizer says it moisturizes & heals dry skin it better!

7. Why do say “Enjoy Life’s Simple Luxuries”? I believe that everyone despite social class or income deserves a little luxury in life! One of the things my grandmother’s powder taught me was that luxuries don’t have to cost a fortune or complex to be luxurious. Taking a warm silky bubble bath, the aroma of an intoxicating candle or the way your skin feels after applying rich creamy body butter are all “Simple Luxuries”.

8. You’re packing rocks how do you come up with the packing? Hmm…Well, if I’m packing them to give away (must be some valuable rocks) I would start by picking out a box…Filling the box with scrunched baby blue cotton fabric for cushion. Next, I would tie each rock with a ribbon & place them in the box. Finally, I would wrap the box in a gorgeous wrapping paper (silver) & top it off with a hand tied ribbon (blue with silver edging) & bow… Voila beautifully packed rocks!

9. What is you’re best seller? My best seller so far has been our Mad Gabs Hand & Body Balm. Everyone who uses it LOVES IT! It’s 100% natural, you can read & know all (6) ingredients in it. Best of all…It works! My husband uses it on his tattoos, I use it on my feet, my grandmother uses it on her hands & I could go on & on….

10. How easy is having an online shop? It’s a business first and fore most. So whether it’s a brick & mortar or e-boutique you still have to run it as such. With a brick & mortar business when you close down shop & leave, you tend to be done for the evening. However, with an online boutique it’s always in front of you. So, if you think of something at dinner you needed to do, you simply run into the office and do it. This means I work way to many hours. On the other hand, I get to go to work in my pajamas & messy hair!

11. What 4 words describe your little shop online? Simple, Luxurious, Friendly & Inviting

You can find tinagriffindesigns here.versamaeluxe Item to check out . Lucky Chick Mimosa, Jasmine & Violet Pampering Sampler