Way back Wednesday: This Woman in Business is Cleaning UP!

WE Mag interview w/ Swipes CFO--This Woman in Business is Cleaning UP!

• Tell us about your business?
• Swipes inc is the minority/women owned company that produces Swipes Lovin Wipes ®, are an all natural, biodegradable, compostable, dispersible, and flushable personal hygiene wipes that are, free of alcohol, chlorine, and dyes, made of 98% renewable resources and are intended for adults to freshen up before and after intimate moments. Because it is enhanced with only aloe and vitamin E and are also hypo-allergenic, they are safe and soft for even the most sensitive places.
• Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?
• Before I started Swipes Inc, with my partner, Vera, I had the intention of starting medical school. Although, I was excited about continuing my education, I felt as though there was something more that I wanted to do. Now that Swipes Inc is running on all cylinders, I have the freedom to work with people I want, get involved in events and charities I care about, and take pride in knowing that I am offering an eco friendly product that is priced reasonably and therefore accessible to more people.
• What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?
• My inspiration was my mother, who after working 17 years for someone else, decided to open her own Physical Therapy office, she has never been happier because she finally gets to treat patients with personal care and attention. The greatest influence was my sister, she is an environmentalist and guided me in all aspects Green.
• What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
• From a business stand point it has definitely been: overcoming the hurdles placed in front of us by large companies, but slowly and surely they have seen the value and opened their doors.
• What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers?
• Get advice from as many different channels, don’t accept the word of one person as the final answer. Everyone you meet has words of wisdom, but ultimately your gut instinct will make the best decision.
• What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business?
• Apart from the social media, the most effective initiatives we have taken have been to get involved in local and non-profit organizations. By providing product samples to people at these types of events, we get the product directly in the hands of the consumer and we get to support a cause. Great for branding and all around feel good experience.
• What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years?
• Ask questions. No matter how good you are at your business, there is no possible way you can be the expert in all aspects of your business. Nobody is going to know or love your business more than you. But don’t be afraid to know your limitations, people are always willing to help, especially in their area of expertise. It gives them a chance to shine, helps your business, and facilitates in better decision making
• Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business?
• I believe this depends on the area of your business. If, for example you are an eco company, get involved in eco groups, communities, events, etc. If you are a baby product, get involved with mommies. And ask them what they want. If you have a great idea, but don’t know how to get it out there, nobody will know you exist.
• Do you have any new projects coming up (or have you just completed a big project ~ reached a milestone, etc.)?
• We just celebrated out official Grand Opening Party, as members of certain communities, we reached many people and by hosting the event at our location, giving away samples, we made sales, new customers, and were even interviewed by the local media. In addition, after months of chasing, piles of paperwork, and endless emails we have just been welcomed into a large distribution company. Very exciting.
• What do you do for fun/relaxation?
• Living in Florida, I definitely take advantage of the things around me. I love to go for a run outside with my Jack Russell, “Ocean.” To cool off in the heat I am an avid scuba diver, and I love to go fishing and cook what I catch. To relax (and so much more) I enjoy Hot Vinyasa Yoga.
• What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year?
• To make Swipes a household name.
• You want to write a book on: Cooking what you catch-recipes for the kitchen and for life, learning how to take advantage of your resources, whether it be food ingredients or life experiences
• Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
• I just published a Children’s book, but it was just for fun.
• It is called the Adventures of the Chinchilla and the Gorilla:
• What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you?
• http: //www.swipes.com
• http: //www.facebook.com/swipesfans
• https: //twitter.com/#!/sexyandgreen
• https: //www.youtube.com/user/SwipesLovinWipes?feature=mhum
• http: //sexyandgreen.tumblr.com/

Freaky Friday: Sleep Naked

Believe it or not but sleeping naked has great health benefits! Obviously it could heighten your love life but it will also help with your overall physical and mental well-being!

According to Sleep.com article, "sleeping naked increases feel-good hormones in your brain, strengthen emotional ties and heighten both desire and intimacy between you and your partner."

The following are just some of the benefits of sleeping naked:

• Releases hormones. Skin-to-skin contact releases oxytocin, a hormone known to promote sexual arousal and feelings of bonding, reduce stress hormones, increase trust, lower heart rate and raise overall sex drive. With all-night skin contact from head to toe, you will get a nice flow of this very useful hormone.
• Creates a stronger bond. Skin contact creates more than just useful hormones – it creates a bond! Increase the sense of bond between you and your partner and feel closer together than ever before. Remember, increased closeness encourages greater sex.
• Induce desire. Sleeping naked helps couples overcome relationship obstacles as the intimacy can close the gap when you feel separated from your partner.
• Look more erotic. Sleeping naked will become an open invitation to sex as no man can resist his wife curled up on one side without any clothes.
• Feel better. 30 minutes to an hour of love making per day can make you feel more satisfied with your life, fitter, healthier and just plain old better!

Having a partner isn't a criterion for sleeping naked! It can also allow the body to relax peacefully increasing your chances of being more energetic and alert the following day. It could also play a role in improving your self confidence!

And to add a in a little Green to this Sexy tip...sleeping naked will also keep you cool therefore you don't have to keep you AC on freezing or wash pajamas! Saving energy and water! Win win :)

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

Peace, Lovin, Swipes!

Tip of the day---Bicycle: $0/Gallon

We should really work on biking more...not just for the environment but for our health! It's a win win!

Let's start with just once a day...shall we? Baby steps people...baby steps.

 

Peace, Lovin, Swipes!

Why use gas...when we have air!

So we all know that gas prices are getting out of control and probably will only get worst. We want to learn to do better by our environment, right?  But some of us make long commutes and can't see changing over to an only bike lifestyle, so what are we to do? 

Well, we need to hop on the Indian bandwagon...or shall I say air-wagon? India is set to release a new car that runs off of---AIR! Yes, air. India's largest auto maker, Tata Motors, have contured up a air-powered car! It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing car but for $2 to "refuel" every 300km (about 186 miles)...I"ll roll in it!  (Oh and here's another cool new car---the Air-pod.I want one!!!)

Check out their press-release:

Tata Motors is ready to introduce Air Car - Will it be the next big thing? Tata Motors is taking giant strides and making history for itself. First the Land Rover/Jaguar deal, then the world's cheapest car, and now it is also set to introdhe car that runs on compressed air.

With spiralling fuel prices it is about time we heard some breakthrough!

India's largest automaker, Tata Motors, is set to start producing the world's first commercial air-powered vehicle.

The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy NAgre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine's pistons. Some 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets by August 2011.

The Air Car, called the "MiniCAT" could cost around Rs. 3,475,225 ($8,177.00 USD) in India and would have a range of around 300 km between refuels.

The cost of a refill would be about Rs. 85 ($2.00 USD)

The MiniCAT which is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that is glued, not welded, and a body of fiberglass powered by compressed air. Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car, so one tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators, etc.

There are no keys - just an access card which can be read by the car from your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less than 50 rupees per 100 Km (about a tenth that of a petrol car). Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in cities where 80% of motorists drive at less than 60 Km. The car has a top speed of 105 Kmph (about 65mph).

Refilling the car will, once the market develops, take place at adapted petrol stations to administer compressed air. In two or three minutes, and at a cost of approximately 100 rupees, the car will be ready to go another 200-300 kilometers.

As a viable alternative, the car carries a small compressor which can be connected to the mains (220V or 380V) and refill the tank in 3-4 hours. Due to the absence of combustion and, consequently, of residues, changing the oil (1 litre of vegetable oil) is necessary only every 50,000 Km).

The temperature of the clean air expelled by the exhaust pipe is between 0-15 degrees below zero, which makes it suitable for use by the internal air conditioning system with no need for gases or loss of power.