Posts: 5
by: Debi Dodson It is said that clean air, crystal clear water and a penchant for easy going life contributes to some of the world’s most beautiful women. There are countless natural beauty secrets hidden in the mountains of Switzerland. In 1975, Petter Morck wrangled a group of biochemists, biologists and herbalists to harness these natural wonders, and set forth a skin care empire: Arbonne. Arbonne’s commitment to natural beauty was based in the idea that natural botanicals were much more effective and safe than laboratory produced synthetics. In 1980 Arbonne’s products hit the United States in full force, and grew to include products that enhanced inner beauty as well as outer beauty. Innumerable women began to see the wonderful effects that Arbonne products had on their well being. Word spread, and Arbonne became a leader in home-based, word-of-mouth sales. Arbonne is a multi-level marketing company. Its sole profit is based on consultants who believe in the product and want the world to share the benefits. The company is not without its critics, however. Since Arbonne is a multi-level marketing company, it often gets a bad rap. Often compared to the controversial company, Amway, proponents are quick to point out it is only similar due to the fact it is, indeed, a direct marketing company. The differences being: * Member of Direct Selling Association * The product is of high quality * Arbonne believes in face to face selling * The company is based on high standards of integrity * Consultants have an equal chance for success There only seems to be one negative to Arbonne’s disfavor, if you can call it a negative…the products are high priced. Again, those who stand-by the product insist you get what you pay for, and the products are definitely worth the extra money. After all, they are no more expensive than designer products sold in any high-end boutique or name brand department store.
Arbonne manufactures several lines of skin care products, including natural age defying products, as well as dietary supplements for nutrition, weight management, fitness and life enhancement. Their newest line includes products for children. Claimed to be made from the finest botanicals and herbs, the products are preservative free and don’t use mineral oil, artificial fragrances or colors. The company claims nearly 1.5 million consultants, now in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.
SheUnlimited-Daily Confection recently had a chance to visit with Amy, an Arbonne Consultant. Q. Hi Amy. How did you decide to become a consultant for Arbonne? A. I decided to become an Arbonne consultant because firstly I loved the products and was a faithful user, and secondly I wanted the financial freedom Arbonne offered as well as a chance to be my own boss and make my own hours. With my love for the products I knew this was a buisness that I could see myself really enjoying Q. With all the negative talk about MLM companies, in your opinion how does Arbonne differ? A. Arbonne differs from other Multi-level marketing companies in many ways. The first being the products sell themselves, once someone tries the products they can't help but want more of them. They are a basket to casket company, which basically means something for everyone. They offer a great compensation plan as well as Arbonne University, an online advanced training course as well as weekly webinars for their consultants for knowledge and support. Q. You have a certain radiance about you, Amy. Which products are included in your beauty routine? A. Living in Florida I try my best to stay out of the sun but inevitably at times its impossible. The RE9 anti-aging line helps repair damage already done as well as help to prevent future damage. I can't imagine using any other products on my skin as well as the makeup which is all natural as well. I can't live without the Sunless Spray Tan and the Herbal Foot Cream. Being a hairstylist and make-up artist for 18 years I can't imagine using any other shampoo and conditioner being that these don't strip the color off of color-treated hair. Q. What one tip would you give someone thinking about becoming an Arbonne consultant? A. The one tip I can offer anyone interested in this company is that this is truly an opportunity of a lifetime. You won't regret it and as with any home based buisness you get out of it what you put into it. Your family and friends will thank you once they've tried the products. I can't tell you how many people I've sponsored into the buisness after they tried the products. Q. Arbonne perks and rewards are famous. Do you have your eye on an Arbonne Mercedes, the most prestigious of the rewards? A. I definitely have my eye on that white Mercedes. With Arbonne I know its a goal and a dream I can achieve. Q. Living up to the Arbonne ‘code of ethics’ I’m sure you’d be happy to help someone wanting to start the adventure. How can they reach you? A. Anyone interested in Arbonne, whether it be to purchase the products or to be on your way to a successful career can reach me at amynyc@comcast.net (cell) 1-904-465-6333 or (home) 1-904-215-3412 I'd be glad to help anyway I can.
by: Debi Dodson, Daily Confection-SU The world is moving faster these days. Kids need to know so much more at a much earlier age. Aside from the rigors of academics, keeping up with the latest fashions and who has a crush on whom, kids are bombarded with the latest video games, high tech gadgets and an enormous amount of ‘congestion’ from every aspect of their lives. www.cartoondollemporium.com. Not only is CartoonDollEmporium fun, it also teaches valuable life lessons. There is play currency for buying and selling. And how does she obtain this currency? She has a job of course; just like everybody else. The doll must work to maintain a good reputation, learn to barter, how to be a good citizen, and so many things that challenge today’s girls. CartoonDollEmporium offers a world full of wonder and mystery. Participants are able to interact as little or as much as they like, and always treated equally. Interview with Elizabeth Seward. Q. CartoonDollEmporium is a very unique and interesting place for girls. Where did the concept begin? A. Evan owns a lot of companies that are more academic and he was looking for something that would be more exciting and more imaginative. He saw how popular online dolls were becoming when looking at a tool that tells you how many searches are performed on search engines and saw that this was going to be a huge craze. Nobody out there had a cartoon dress up site – there was only pixel dolls. So, he interviewed some artists that he felt shared his vision and the idea caught on like wildfire. From that point, he kept adding things he thought would be simple and fun and help girls to feel creative. Since Evan was genuinely interested in keeping the site creative from the beginning, the site has experienced great success because of his passion and devotion to it. Q. With Internet predators on the rise, how can parents be assured their daughters are safe on your site? A. Since our site caters to young girls, internet predators were an immediate concern of ours. We have thought through this issue thoroughly and continue to adjust our site security with every advancement that has been made with technology recently. Currently, we have 24 hour monitoring done by our own employees. We also have automated (script) reporting to moderators that alerts them when certain words, phone numbers, or e-mail addresses are mentioned, and we have worked extremely hard to develop an online community on CDE that generates positivity. Our visitors know when to report a suspicious character on the site, should there be one, and they are removed immediately. Parents have really learned to trust in us because of how much we care about this one issue in particular, and I feel as though it is one of our strong points. Q. You offer 24 hour monitoring of the chat room. Does the monitor interact with the girls, or simply keep a steady eye out for problems? A. The moderators interact a great deal with the kids, even going to the extent of babysitting them when their parents aren’t home, giving them advice, and playing role playing games with them. Our moderators are much more than security guards, but just like a guardian, they know when to step up and put a stop to an uncomfortable situation. Q. The site states girls can create lifestyles by using virtual currency. What kind of things do they buy and sell? A. The girls on our site can buy and sell services such as graphic creation. However, the most interesting thing they do is take each other to a virtual courtroom if there is a dispute and hire each other as lawyers and advisors. They also hire each other as therapists, personal assistants, and homework helpers. It's really amazing how seriously these girls will take their roles on the site. We appreciate it and feel as though it is one of the most crucial parts of our community online. Not only that, but it really helps to strengthen the leadership skills of the girls and their ability to see themselves in an important role in a community. Q. Although CartoonDollEmporium is designed with girls in mind, are boys welcome too? A. They are, and our new site redesign will be more neutral in color to welcome boys more. As society changes, I think we have all been readjusting to the fact that boys can enjoy dolls, pets, and even the color pink. In no way do we frown upon boys on our site; in fact, we welcome it. We hope that our redesign will bring more boys to CDE. Q. The doll’s outfits are chosen from a set provided by the site. Are there any plans where the girls will be able to create their own? A. Absolutely. Our Fashion Design Studio is coming soon. It’s exactly what the kids want next. Not only will this give kids the freedom they have never before had with dolls-virtual or real-but it will also challenge their creativity and perhaps even lead some of them into a professional career in fashion one day. We consider the site a gateway to endless possibility for the kids. Q. For a small fee, girls can join the CDE fan club. Specifically, what can they expect to get for their money? A. This feature is for girls who have really engaged themselves in our site. For the small fee they will receive tons of additional dolls and premium access to our new profile system where girls will be able to interact with each other in a virtual hangout. Our members who have already subscribed have shown total satisfaction with the club. Q. Your site is a breath of fresh air. All signs point to a whopping success. Is there anything that hasn’t been covered that you’d like to address now? A. Basically, just know that there is a lot more to come. We love entertaining kids and keeping them safe. The kids inspire new ideas. We have lists and lists of ideas to implement. Expect exciting new things every month, and expect CDE to be the innovator in the girl’s entertainment space, far more than Barbie or Bratz. Since our site is based around constant progression, creativity, and news ideas based off of feedback, I'm confident that we will always be surprising and pleasing our old visitors while attracting new ones.
© James2000 by: Debi Dodson The Beverly Hills Hotel has always been a main attraction to tourists and natives alike. It has hosted more than its share of celebrities and has shown up in quite a few movies and TV shows. But trendy it is not. Not unless ‘trendy’ was a word used to describe the Beverly Hills landmark a few decades ago. This ain’t so any more! The once austere and antique tea room in the hotel has been transformed into a hot and very trendy bar: Bar NINETEEN12. Named after the year the original Beverly Hills Hotel was built, this new light in an old place sparkles like a newly given engagement ring. The onyx and mahogany bar is shimmied up to in high backed leather chairs. Wood paneling, an earthy color palette and rattan furniture help to give the bar an exotic feeling. Clientele ranges from old time industry execs to hot, high-profile starlets. Cocktails run the same gambit as the customers. You can look cool and debonair with a classic martini in your hand, or chic and stylish enjoying an apple martini popsicle. The bar is already gaining a reputation with their mojito Jello shooters: colorful shot glasses brought to your table on a clear bowl of ice entwined with twinkling white lights. The food is not your normal bar fare. Nibble on buckwheat blinis (small pancakes) with black pearl caviar or brioche toast topped with salmon and dill crème fraiche. You can enjoy the atmosphere of the newly transformed room, or choose to admire the hotel grounds by kicking back on the southern style veranda. While taking in the view, you might want to indulge in a little exorbitance and purchase the bottle service, a fully stocked mobile bar that comes directly to your table. The Beverly Hills Hotel might have been where big deals were made in days gone by, but I’ll bet they’ll be made again at Bar NINETEEN12. It’s Trendy! Available At: Bar NINETEEN12, 9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210-2938- Phone: (310)273-1912 barnineteen12.com
by: Debi Dodson Location, location, location! The Hotel Nikko in Osaka, Japan attracts tourists and the business travelers alike due to its location. Smack dab in the middle of the city, and monopolizing on sparse accommodations, this white monolithic structure towers thirty-two stories high. A stone’s throw from the Shinsaibashi subway station, and center stage on chic Midosuji Dori Avenue, Hotel Nikko is so conveniently located it is a must for anyone visiting Osaka. The hotel has four subterranean levels that house a parking garage and a wonderful shopping mall. Trendy boutiques surround the hotel on all sides, making it a shopper’s paradise. Hotel Nikko has 640 small, but clean rooms. The upper floors offer a fantastic view of the surrounding city. Although the whole place could do with some updating, it is very comfortable and the service is A1. There are no gym facilities or swimming pool, but Hotel Nikko does offer five restaurants, concierge service, room service from 7AM until midnight, in room massage and same day laundry service. Check in time is 2PM and checkout is at Noon. Early check in or late checkout is available for an extra fee. Parking rates for the underground garage are: 1200 yen per night for guests, or 1200 per hour and 600 yen for each additional half hour for non-guests. When in Osaka, the Hotel Nikko is definitely the ‘IN’ place to stay. Address: 1-3-3, Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku Osaka, 542-0086, Japan Phone: 81-6-6244-1111 ¥18,500-¥20,500 ($154-$171) single; ¥28,500-¥38,000 ($238-$317) double; ¥28,500-¥33,500 ($238-$279) twin; Nikko executive floors ¥54,000-¥57,000 ($450-$475) double, ¥54,000 ($450) twin. ¥1,000 ($8) extra per person Sat and nights before holidays