By Contributing Columnist, Cynthia Nodland aka Puddin Pies

For anyone who has enjoyed visiting shops that think outside the box as well as inside the box will enjoy this interview from the owner of Blisstopiabox.

1)How long have you been in business?

I started Blisstopia Box this past fall in November 2009.

2)I was wondering why you started your own business (website) instead of joining one of the other handmade venues, did you start elsewhere and then started out on your own or did you always have your own .com.

I started Blisstopia Box with the concept of creating themed gift boxes using handmade bath & body products from small indie businesses. As a woman I wanted to share my passion for bath & body products by purchasing from other women and re-selling these fabulous products on my own website. This is my first online business.

3)What caused you to decide to start your business?

Blisstopiabox is a concept of mine that started out of the idea to categorize bath & body products by scent into themed boxes, such as, The Bakery, The Beach, The Chocolate Shoppe, The Happy Home, The Spa and others. blisstopiabox is an online boutique featuring fabulous handmade bath & body products made by small indie owned businesses.

4)What is your favorite/recommended product

I carry so many different products that I don’t really have a favorite. I do love the handmade soaps if I would have to pick one. As for recommending a product, that would be all the gift boxes of course!

5)Your shop reminds me of a boutique that I would enter in a quaint but lovely tourist town, did you ever have your own bricks and mortar shop and do you have any thought of doing this?

No I have never run a boutique shop before. But in designing the website that was the look I was going for. I feel I have succeeded in bringing the boutique style when you visit my shop. At this point I am happy just to run the online store. But you never know where things will take you, so I could never rule out opening a bricks and mortar shop if that is what the future brings.

6)If you were asked to pass along advice to others about starting their own .com as opposed to a group venue: what would that advice be?

I like being the boss and having total creative say over what my website looks like. I do everything behind the scenes that is needed to keep blisstopiabox up and running. All the pictures and written material and where they are placed is all done by me. I believe with a group venue that your creative input would be limited since they already have a format for you to follow.

7)Have you always been into crafting, tell us about any other businesses or day jobs you might have had or still have?

I have always had a hand in crafting. I love to paint with acrylics, but unfortunately have not done a painting in a few years. Recently I have been making up-cycled trinket and keepsake boxes from old cigar boxes and adorning them with beautiful papers, paint, vintage brooches and bows. I have them for sale on Etsy and Artfire under the name of Bejeweledboxes. I do work outside the home as well with two part-time jobs. I am an in-home caregiver and also an administrative assistant.

You obviously have a passion for your business. Why do you love what you do?

I love what I do because plain and simple, I am creative and need that outlet to express myself. I also love to share my love (bath & body junkie) of these fun and fabulous handmade bath & body products with others. Not only are customers benefiting from these products but I am also helping other women by purchasing their wonderful products for resale.

9)Tell us a bit about your family or home life, how does where you live play into your art?

I will be married to my wonderful husband this upcoming April for 16 years. I have a son who is 14, and twin identical daughters who are 12. As my children are older now it allows me to run my business from my home with minimal interruption. My husband is supportive of my online craft business and is proud of what I have done with my website, and of course that makes me feel good. The kids think it’s pretty cool too!

Thank you blisstopiabox for a wonderful interview and for sharing your life and and loves with us!

Chinese Valentine Boxes by BlueRockGourds

Tags: bath, bath and body, boxed gifts, handmade, online craft business, soaps

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