Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my fathers Birthday and he is 79 years young!
You would never know that my Dad is 79 years young - I hope that at his age I am still as chipper as he is. Kudos to you Dad! Have a great Happy Day!

One Of The Best Marketing Tools

How can you promote your product if you don't "Walk Your Talk"? Being the Creator of "Chrysalis" skin care line, and knowing the results, I use the product every day and the difference in my skins appearance has been recognized. When asked, "What do you use", of course I tell them "Chrysalis" my creation. This has generated a lot of sales and of course with others using the product they too help promote "Chrysalis". Referrals or word of mouth is a great way for your product to receive the recognition it so deserves. Also, keep in mind that you, the Creator, know your product better then anyone. From the ingredients to the benefits of each ingredient with all the properties they provide for your skin. Remember you can be the best marketing tool! Click on the above heading to read the testimonials of Chrysalis skin care.

MySpace Account - Meet The Designer

In our lives we are fortunate to meet wonderful friends and I would like to introduce to you one of my friends Alyssa Knowles. Alyssa is a young and creative woman with a lot of great ideas. Knowing this and with Alyssa volunteering to create the MySpace account I took her up on the offer. She did an absolutely fabulous job! Click on the heading above to see what Alyssa has created.
In the future I plan to continue to work with Alyssa in other aspects of my business. She is young and has a unique style in her thinking - a great creative edge.
Kudos to you Alyssa and Thank You for helping me prosper!
Wendy Goudie, Owner, Gwendolyn's Gate

Community Youth Network, Grayslake, Illinois

Gwendolyn's Gate is proud to announce that we will be one of the many sponsors for the following event. Please take the time to consider getting involved in this wonderful fund raiser. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded knowing that you have assisted the CYN organization to achieve their goals for the community. Click on the above heading or this link http://www.cyngrayslake.org/ for more information.
Take A Step For Kids - April 2008 SAVE THE DATE: Please join me for CYN’s 5th annual Take a Step For Kids: 5K Walk/Run & 10K Run on Saturday April 19th, 2008 at the Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville, Illinois. Help us raise funds for our programs here at CYN as well as raise funds to help aid our fight against one of this nation’s most troubling issues….child abuse. IT SHOULDN’T HURT TO BE A CHILD!
Wendy Goudie, Owner, Gwendolyn's Gate

2008 And We Are Ready To Roll

The beginning of the New Year is here and I have been anticipating a new beginning for Gwendolyn's Gate. The excitement and energy is in the air. If I were to put this to a song it would be, I'm Every Woman" by Whitney Houston. And I do hope she is doing well!
Today marks the first full week of the New Year and the plans for 2008 are in motion. A lot of wonderful changes are coming. New packaging is one - no need to worry the Butterfly and Crystal will still be present - oh but the paper and color will certainly catch ones eye. Of course the beautiful and luxurious ingredients will remain the same helping you achieve an overall sense of well being.
I am sad to say that a few products will no longer be carried once inventory is sold out. Look for special deals coming soon. The products are the beautiful Crystal Potpourri, Reed Diffuser, and the Gift Set of Body Oil.
The reason for the discontinued items is that I am reaching for my calling. With the amazing and verified results of my "Chrysalis" product line I am going to continue my research in skin care.
I am excited about the new beginnings and you will be too! Just wait by the end of February you will see the change. All for the better!
Wendy Goudie, Owner, Gwendolyn's Gate

In God We Trust

What has brought me to this thought is a conversation I had with my brother, Chuck, yesterday. During our conversation we were talking about my product and how things were progressing. Also, as mentioned in the previous post, I told my brother how my Body Butter and Bath Salts are helping those who have psoriasis and eczema. He then said to me, Wendy, God has given you your calling as a healer and you might want to change your approach. We further discussed my past as a Massage/Aromatherapist and that healing has always played a major role in my life.
After hanging up with my brother I remembered that a couple of years ago I went through a very hard time in my life. I moved with my husband from the city of Chicago up north close to the Wisconsin border. Talk about a change. Just before we moved I was offered a wonderful job with great pay but the travel would be too much with the move and I declined. My quest was on to find myself up north and this was the onset of my struggle as to where I was at in life. Then a friend gave me a book to read called, "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.
This is an absolutely must read book for all who need to find themselves. It is based on God and spirituality. It defines your purpose and gives you a new and different way to approach life. It will affect every aspect in your life. I trust in God - he has given me all that I have.
The book is on My Recommended list with Amazon.com you will find here on the right side of my blog. It is on the second page.
Happy Reading! Wendy Goudie

Chrysalis Skin Care Helps Relieve Psoriasis and Eczema

Before launching my line, I felt it was important to have testimonials other than my own to give the line the credibility needed when marketing. At the time of creation I felt the most important product to have testimonials was the 3 Simple Steps due to the immediate results with the age defying affects. The results were wonderful and are published on my site along with a few other testimonials. Click on the heading above to read the testimonials regarding my product.
Recently, others have given me testimonials on 2 of the products in my line, the Body Butter and Bath Salts. Although, the intent on making this product was to be used as a luxury, the results from my customers have been surprising. What has been discovered with the body butter and bath salts is that it relieves the outward symptoms of skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, and other rashes of the skin. The testimonials I have heard have been heart warming. To know that I can affect someones live in a manner that makes them feel better about themselves is more fulfilling than one could describe.
Gwendolyn's Gate is now on a new journey to take these 2 products to another level. Soon the testimonials will be listed on my web site http://www.gwendolyns-gate.com/ and a new product is born.
Stay tuned for more of Gwendolyn's great products to help you achieve an overall sense of well being.
Wendy Goudie, Owner, Gwendolyn's Gate

Improving Product Liability

When saying, "Improving Product Liability" it's just not about having the insurance to cover yourself or your assets, it's also about you personally being liable for your products. Knowing that all my hard work with the research and experimenting of the ingredients I would be solely liable for the results. To increase my liability and the credibility of my new product line "Chrysalis" I decided to have as many people sample my product before launching it to the public. In doing so I received positive and negative feedback in which I took all under consideration and applied what needed to be changed. Criticism can be hard to take. But, when necessary we must take it in stride and realize that it is not personal it's about growth and understanding what the public wants.
During this process I developed a few relationships in which I trust their opinion and advice. I then decided to enlist these individuals on what I call my "Test Panel". With each person I enlisted they all have different personalities, great characteristics, strong believes, and a certain area of expertise in their career which allows me to trust in their advice. When I am struggling with a decision whether it's about packaging or marketing I contact the people I trust most and ask for their opinion. I then take all of what was said, consider all options and the final decision is made. Keep in mind the decisions are not made in a day it can take a week or 2 sometimes longer before all is finalized.
In creating my test panel this has given me the substantiating proof needed to launch my line with the credibility of a quality product and the personal liability of being a true and sincere entrepreneur with integrity in all that I do. All of my hard work, research, and ideas have been rewarded with the help of others.
Enlist those that you trust to enrich the growth of your company. They will want to see you successful without riding on the wings of your hard work. Their commitment is always recognized with gratitude. As they say, "One hand washes the other"!
Click on the heading above to see how others have helped me succeed with my passion to assist individuals achieve an overall sense of well being.
Wendy Goudie, Owner, Gwendolyn's Gate

Chrysalis Body Cream

Due to the popular demand of our luxurious Body Cream our inventory is low. Please note that the availability of our cream will be first come first serve basis and the e.t.a. for full inventory will be January 17, 2008.

Thank you for making this product our #2 best seller in our line. The beautiful combination of Goats Milk, Honey, & Shea to name a few, leaves your skin deeply moisturized with a silky smooth feeling.

Also, please note that Gwendolyn's Gate products are all measured by weight and not volume to give you the true value of our product. Our Chrysalis skin care line is also highly concentrated - a small amount is all you need to receive the benefits you desire.

Please click on the heading above to visit our web site to see all the other beautiful products we offer. Here you will find the increasingly popular "3 Simple Steps to a Youthful Beautiful You"!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Happy New Year To All!
I would like to take this time to Thank All Of You who have supported me throughout my new venture with Gwendolyn's Gate. It has been a great year with the inspiration and support I have received. Without all of you I would not be where I am at today. Because of the past year I see 2008 as being a prosperous year with all the growth from 2007. I look forward to sharing my new packaging and products in just a few short months.
Thank You again and God Bless. Wendy Goudie, Owner, Gwendolyn's Gate

From Childhood Passion to Career Fulfillment

About 19 years ago, while working in the corporate world, I decided to go back to school to study natural healing arts. At that time, I enrolled in The Chicago School of Massage Therapy graduating as a CMT. During my studies we also learned about other natural healing arts. One in particular that was of great interest to me was Aromatherapy - I always loved nature even as a child. I decided to further my studies into aromatherapy and implement the art into my Massage Therapy practice.
When I decided to pursue the practice of Aromatherapy I contacted my Mother and told her of my plans. She was supportive and mentioned that she still has the first bottle of perfume I made for her. I was shocked, surprised and elated that she would still cherish something I created 20 years prior. The memories came back - picturing myself sitting on our back porch smashing flowers in my tan colored bowl, adding water, and then straining into a Barbie bottle. Also, realizing at that time, the onset of my career and passion began at a very young age.
When I first started my practice(s) it was not in the mainstream of society - there was still a stigma attached. I would not allow this to overtake my passion and continued to practice. As years went by both Massage and Aromatherapy became recognized as important healing arts. They are now in the mainstream and have become traditional in healing.
Follow your childhood dreams to be fulfilled in life when choosing a career. I did, and look at where I am at today!

Holiday Schedule

Gwendolyn's Gate will be closed on December 24th and 25th to enjoy the holiday with family and friends. We will return on the 26th of December until the 31st.
May you have a Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Wendy Goudie, Owner

A Personal Thank You

Thank You for giving Gwendolyn's Gate the opportunity to fulfill your Happy Holiday shopping. We always strive to provide you with the highest quality product and service to meet your needs. We look forward to developing an even better relationship in the New Year to come.
God Bless and Happy Holidays, Wendy Goudie, Owner

Holiday Shipping

As of December 19, 2007 Gwendolyn's Gate is still shipping orders within 24 hours of receipt. Please place your orders promptly to ensure holiday delivery.
We hope you are enjoying the holiday season and wish you all the best throughout the season and the new year to come.
God Bless, Wendy Goudie, Owner, Gwendolyn's Gate

Hubris - Etymology: Greek hybris

While watching Monday night football, I heard a fascinating word, "Hubris", meaning exaggerated pride or self-confidence; arrogance.
In classical Greek ethical and religious thought, overweening presumption suggesting impious disregard of the limits governing human action in an orderly universe. It is the sin to which the great and gifted are most susceptible, and in Greek tragedy it is usually the hero's tragic flaw.
For such a small word the impact is quite vast. A hubris character flaw in relationships and work will only stop any future growth within that one might have. When misfortune happens will you be able to rise again without pride getting in one's way? Have integrity in all that you do - do not allow malice to play a role. Honesty, Integrity, Loyalty, and Truth, is what we all look for in someone or something. Apply the HILT and reach the acme of success.

Retrospect

While looking back in my first year of business I can see where I have prospered and where I need improvement. Although, I have made my mistakes along the way I do not look at them as a failure but an opportunity to make the necessary adjustments needed to succeed. What I found to be extememely important is to have a plan and remain focused on it and not to steer in another direction. Being a creative soul is wonderful but also can have it's downfalls. I love to learn, research and develop new product keeping myself busy all the time. But, being a 1 man show with only part time help remaining focused has played a very important role. I have been frustrated in the process but I am beginning to reep the rewards. Staying focused has allowed me to begin planning for 2008. During this time I designed a new marketing strategy and developed 2 more products. The marketing will begin as soon as January and will be in full swing by February. As for the product I have become more indepth with the development utilizing ingredients on hand and the same with the packaging. The launch of the new product will not be until late February. Stay tuned for Gwendolyn's Gate new product and exciting happenings in 2008. Here's to a Happy Prosperous New Year!

Gwendolyn's Gate Holiday Special

Treat yourself kindly - Gwendolyn's Gate is having a special holiday offer. The Body Oil Gift set is now 50% off. When you purchase the set online you will receive 2 for 1. The "Chrysalis" Body Oil" is made with pure sweet almond oil and scented with beautiful essential oils. The Body Oils may be used as a moisturizer, bath oil or massage oil. Indulge yourself and be beautiful! Also, did you know that Jacqi O' use to use almond oil as a moisturizer? Happy Holidays!

Joining A Network For Business Enhancement

For many years I have been developing product. But, this year with the new line I created called "Chrysalis" I decided to take it to another level due to the amazing results. Credibility and a professional image is what I was looking for. My first step was applying for all the appropriate licenses through the state and county - I was now legal and have the credentials to show. To further enhance my image I decided to join The Indie Beauty Network in which I received Product Liability Insurance as part of the membership. The membership and PLI not only adds to the credibility of my line but also creates a stronger image of being a serious entrepreneur. Honestly, I can say that in the beginning I was not a very active member. I would always read the online weekly newsletter I received and browse the web site. Then one day I decided to write an email to the founder in which she replied. The enthusiasm I felt in the email was overwhelming. From that day forward I decided to become more active, read the articles and participate on a different level. The results have been great. During this time I have learned quite a bit and I look forward to a great future with my business growth.

Healthy Winter Skin - Body Butter

The winter months can be very hard on our skin-applying moisturizer just doesn't seem to work. Especially in specific areas of dryness where we tend to flake and itch. One of the most important things to do is exfoliate your skin. This allows the moisturizer to penetrate into the skin and not just lay on the surface. You can purchase exfoliating gloves that can be used in the shower with the cleanser of your choice. The next step is to apply a deep moisturizing butter. The ingredients in Chrysalis Body Butter is designed to alleviate winter dry skin and to protect your skin from the harsh elements of the winter months. The kokum & shea butters are used to rejuvenate and moisturize your skin, as are the oils of kukui, sunflower & soybean. But, the added oils also assist in the healing process. During the winter months certain skin disorders seem to surface such as psoriasis and eczema due to the dryness, and stress during the holiday season. With the combined ingredients of my Body Butter I found the symptoms of skin disorders were lessened and your skin retained the deep moisturizing qualities. For more information on Chrysalis Body Butter please click on the heading above. Here's to Healthy Winter Skin!