So tell me how did the idea of Soy Spacasso come about?

I am a candle nut and my husband Matt always bought me candles for my birthday and Christmas. One day he came home from work with 6 candles and they were made from soy which I had never tried before - always been paraffin. He told me a woman that he worked with made them and he wanted me to meet her as she was going to be at our famous Iowa State Fair. We went to fair and I met her.

Her name was Sara. As I was checking out her candles I smelled the most wonderful smell - what was it I asked her - It was Lotion Bars that were Pear Berry scent - I LOVED THEM and had to buy a pack. Sara and I started talking more and she said she was looking for someone to help her market her brand Soy Illuminations - I told her that was my major and I would love to market Soy Illuminations.

My husbnd and I had started our eBay business called Lordsflag Crew and I told Sara that I would market Soy Illuminations for Lordsflag Crew Essentials. Both of us did craft shows for 1 year. But Sara was slowing down her interest as she is young and was more interested in marriage and starting a family. After that intial first step Spacasso was born.

How did you initially become involved with Nolcha Fashion Week?

I was at work sitting at my gray cubicle and my husband called me and asked me did I check our email and I told him about 15 minutes ago, He said you had better check it now because I got some email from something called NOLCHA in New York!

I read the email from Kerry inviting me and I said yeah right and shut off my computer. When I got home I opened it up again and read it very closely - OMG is this for real - I just couldn't believe it! I had to find out if this was a joke company. Well I googled NOLCHA - OMG it was for real - I emailed Laura and asked her if she had anything to do with this she said no - but even if I had to take a loan out I had better go as Fashion Week was huge ( I didn’t even know that and I considered myself a pretty hip chick! You don't know them and esp if you've never previously come across them

So we came and met you, Kerry, Louis and everyone - What a beautiful blessing!!!! And the My Fashion Initiative - that indeed is all God's writing as if that part wasn't in it - I would be sitting in that cubicle until I retired - would I be upset with that - no because that would have been God's Will- But I am very grateful that He wrote my life how it is now.

How did you fund the business? Were you offered any form of support?

We just use our own money and money we make from eBay. Louis is right now meeting with the banks to get us funding as when My Fashion Initiative starts marketing, I will have to be in the position to quit my job, hire employees and get a building for the factory.

Who are your products targeted to?

There is a 2 plan marketing - One is to stay on eBay and target anyone - it is mostly women and men - 18+ The other plan is it will be in very high end boutiques and stores - If plans start to conflict then it will come off eBay.

What differentiates your product or service from your competitors?

No competitors in the soy skincare it is a very unique product line . SOY SPACASSO is a complete line with lotions, lotion bars, body scrubs, body sprays, body creams lip spa balms, and the ONLY soy based liquid parfum. Soy is grown in Iowa, so it is not hard to get.

How do you currently market your business?

Through my website, press releases, pamphlets, business cards, My Space, networking and eBay and articles that I have written or others have written about SOY SPACASSO.

What are some of the challenges and rewards of having your own beauty business?

Challenges - how to stand out from the crowd - need catchy name and different than norm packaging. Keeping with creating unique products such as the lotion bars and the parfum. Rewards - Making people feel good when they use SOY SPACASSO as soy is very beneficial to the skin. Soy has antioxidant properties, promotes healing of the skin, has excellent moisturisation keeping the skin smooth.

What future developments/projects do you have lined up for your beauty business?

For SOY SPACASSO to be stocked in high end boutiques and stores all around the world

Where can people purchase your products?

It can be purchased right now at: www.lordsflagcrewessentials.com

If you look at my website you will see THE WHITE SPA address in Southampton and also the Luttrell's Asthetic Laser Centre here in Lowa are the other two places people can purchase. My Fashion Initiative is setting up: www.soyspacasso.com to purchase also,

So what advice would you give to someone looking to break into the beauty industry?

Advice is: First be honest, if people trust you they will trust your product and help you, listen to peoples suggestion and advice without getting prideful and upset, be patient, be unique in what you create whether it be product or packaging, network it is very important to get to know people and build relationships that are healthy and trustworthy and pray for guidance and doors to open.

What is currently your best selling line and why do you think that is?

At this current moment the 9oz. SOY SPACASSO Strawberries & Champagne Silky Smooth Hand & Body Lotion. Why - who wouldn't want Strawberries & Champagne all over their body - ha. It is really a wonderful fresh scent, The lotion is very smooth and very moisturizing without being greasy. It is a thicker lotion so your body holds the moisture.

Last but not least how do you relax / spend your pastime?

We do two things - First one my husband and I go out to our backyard sit and swing by the 2 big ponds we dug by hand - yes dug by hand and listen to the waterfall in one - fountain in the other and watch all the fish swim around while our dogs lay at our feet. And when able to leave town we go up to our permanent camper sit out on our deck with a SOY SPACASSO candle going and chill. We also golf and go garage saling for eBay items

Anything else you would like to add?

Yes, I just want to truly Thank You Yolande for this most blessed opportunity to tell you the story of SOY SPACASSO. I am so glad to have met you and I hope to see you again!!!!! I do keep my promises and I will buy some art from you when I am able. Thank you so much!!!!

For more information on Soy Spacasso visit www.lordsflagcrewessentials.com