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Conference Speakers

Keynote - Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun

Born and raised in Chicago, Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun's interest in agricultural practices began as a child while spending summers on her family's pecan farm in Union Spring, Alabama. There she developed an abiding love of the land, and learned to see it as a gift and source of bounty, vitality and good health.

She ultimately pursued a career path in public service, and, hailing from a largely agricultural state, became involved in agriculture policy. First in the Illinois state legislature, and later as a United States Senator, she continued to express her commitment to sustainable farm policy. Working towards improved food safety, health and nutrition were priorities during her years in the legislature. As Ambassador to New Zealand, she became an advocate for sustainable American agriculture in trade discussions and negotiations.

Transitioning to the private sector in 2001 after nearly 30 years in public service, Ambassador Braun had the good fortune to be introduced to the Michael Fields Institute in East Troy, Wis., where her path to the organic products industry started with an initiation to Biodynamic agriculture. She embraced biodynamics as a holistic, sustainable agricultural system that could provide the American people with a healthier environment and better quality food production. This "back to the future" inspiration gave rise in 2005 to Good Food Organics®, a company to produce and promote Biodynamic and organic products in the grocery industry. Ambassador Braun continues to engage in the debate about the availability of quality food for Americans, but as a private sector businesswoman with an identifiable, high quality line of products.

Carol Moseley Braun received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois, Juris Doctorate from the University of Chicago. She is a former candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. She has served her country as Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, United States Senator from Illinois, Cook County Executive Officer, Illinois State Representative and United States Attorney.

The first permanent female member of the Senate Finance Committee, she proposed the first modern federal school construction legislation, and the first women's pension equity laws, and advocated for health care reform and support of family farms. She sponsored Environmental Justice legislation, historic preservation of the Underground Railroad, and the first federal support of Lupus research. She was a co-sponsor of a Balanced Budget Constitutional Amendment. Her legislative record reflects a commitment to social progress and fiscal prudence.

Ambassador Braun serves on the Board of Directors of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance, MWH Engineering, and the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, as well as the advisory Boards of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, the Bretton Woods Foundation, the US/UNA Committee, and the Association of American Ambassadors.

Her work has earned her more than 200 awards and 11 honorary degrees for contributions in the public interest. A new public school in Calumet City, Ill. was named the Carol Moseley Braun Elementary in her honor. The school team is called the Ambassadors.

Robert Tisserand

Robert Tisserand has been instrumental in bringing widespread professional and public recognition to aromatherapy. During his 15 years as a massage therapist, he wrote one of the first books on aromatherapy in 1977. The Art of Aromatherapy is now published in twelve languages. In 1974 he established The Aromatic Oil Company (a predecessor of Tisserand Aromatherapy) and in 1988 he founded The Tisserand Institute, setting new standards for vocational aromatherapy education. Also in 1988, he launched The International Journal of Aromatherapy, which he published and edited for 12 years. In the 1990s, Robert orchestrated three international AROMA conferences at British Universities, each attracting some 300 attendees.

Robert tracks all the published research relevant to essential oils and collaborates with doctors, herbalists and pharmacologists, integrating scientific data with traditional medicine and holistic principles. He is familiar with the foundations of oriental medicine, and Western herbal and naturopathic traditions, with their emphasis on cleansing, protecting, strengthening immune function and aiding natural healing processes. Robert also has 40 years of experience in essential oil blending and aromatherapy product development, and has an expert knowledge of essential oil safety.

Robert is on the International Advisory Board of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, and is a member of the Natural Perfumers Guild. In recognition of his pioneering work, he has been awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership of the International Federation of Aromatherapists, the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists, and the Alliance of International Aromatherapists. He was privileged to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the AIA in Denver in 2007, and is the current chair of the AIA Research Committee.

Books: The Art of Aromatherapy (1977), Aromatherapy for Everyone (1987), Essential Oil Safety (1995) co-author. Books chapters: "Essential Oils as Psychotherapeutic Agents". In: Perfumery: The Psychology and Biology of Fragrance (1988). Books edited: Gattefossé’s Aromatherapy (1993), The Practice of Aromatherapy, Dr Jean Valnet (1982)

Robert will be speaking on The Safe and Effective Use of Essential Oils in Soap.

Joshua Onysko

Some call him sagely, most call him a wunderkind, yet everyone can agree on one thing: Pangea Organics’ founder and CEO, Joshua Onysko, is an exemplary model for smart, successful eco-living for both civilians and corporations alike. He thinks outside the landfill, and it shows in the company he runs, the products he makes, and the people he inspires.

It was Onysko’s personal devotion and commitment to inspiring social sustainability that sparked the inception of Pangea Organics in 2000. Throughout Pangea's growth, from its inception in 2000, Onysko, 32, has retained private ownership of his company, never straying from its vision: Ecocentric Bodycare: Always Beneficial, Never Artificial. He realized that corporations were inheriting the earth and that, by leading by example, there was potential to influence others to reconsider their ways. To propel the momentum of this new paradigm of social responsibility, a generous portion of Pangea’s profits go to support the important work of Women for Women International, a non-profit dedicated to creating stronger women, stronger nations by helping women in areas of conflict become self-sufficient.

Through his stewardship, Pangea Organics became the first company to introduce (and be awarded for) biodegradable, compostable, plantable packaging; Facebook/Twitter on packaging; and origami fold packaging. His efforts and products have been lauded by Entrepreneur, O (The Oprah Magazine), Time Style & Design, among many other top tier media outlets.

To date, Onysko and Pangea’s efforts have been recognized in 47 notable awards since 2006, including: Entrepreneur of Distinction (Espirit) Award ’08, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 & 2008 (Rocky Mountain Regional Finalist in the category of Socially & Environmentally Responsible), Redbook’s 2007 MVP Beauty Awards (for Facial Creams, Facial Scrub and Facial Cleanser), Gala Spa Award (Germany), and the New Business Journal Business Achievement Award ’07 (in the category of Environmental & Sustainability). With his feet rooted on the ground and his head admirably in the clouds, Onysko is also a renowned sustainable eco-living speaker, and has been profiled in numerous leading print, online, radio and broadcast media outlets.

Joshua will tell us the The Story of Pangea Organics.

Amy Kalinchuk

Amy Kalinchuk has been making soaps for about seven years, and has been teaching others to make soap for the past four years. Her two books on soap making, Making Soap In Your Own Kitchen and Best Soap Recipes, are popular resources for new and advanced soapers alike. She has recently wrangled her husband, Izzy, into making soap and selling it at local farmer's markets, so she can give more time and focus on her newest publishing venture: craft e-revolution.

Teaching is a focus of Amy's life. Whether it means teaching children with disabilities how to read, or teaching adults how to make soap, Amy's passion is in giving people the freedom to choose their way in life. "Crafting is not just a hobby. Creating things for ourselves can be a transformative life force. It can bring balance and joy to our lives, and sometimes can become a career. I love teaching people how to make things--I feel like I am helping to enhance their lives."

Amy's topic at the 2010 conference will be Ditch Your Thermometer and Save Time.

Marla Bosworth

Marla Bosworth is founder of Back Porch Soap Company, a retailer and wholesaler of handmade, sea-inspired bath and body products. Marla teaches hands-on bath and beauty workshops to students worldwide. She coaches bath and beauty industry entrepreneurs through product development, retail/wholesale channels, launch and growth stages. Marla provides group and private classes and consulting, industry market research, as well as online courses.

Marla will be speaking on New Opportunities For Your Melt & Pour Soap Business (Demo).

Kelly Bloom

Kelly is the owner of BloomWorks® Holdings, LLC established 1997 and formerly known as Natural Botanika. BloomWorks Holdings, LLC is the parent to BloomWorks® Natural Soap Company, Southern Soapers® Fragrances, and the brand new Soapalooza!® Soap Arts Studio business division. Kelly opened Southern Soapers, the supply division of BloomWorks Holdings, LLC in Fall of 2006 to support the wholesale side of her soapmaking enterprise. Most recently Kelly finalized the launch of Soapalooza! Soap Arts Studio where local patrons can come to Learn, Explore, & Create in a retail, hands on soap studio environment. She is the owner of the 4000+ member Southern Soapers Yahoo! Group, a forum that welcomes soap makers, chandlers and industry suppliers from around the globe. Kelly has over 20 years of soap making experience and is the author of several copyrighted soap making articles.

Kelly will be speaking on Master Batch Soap Techniques and How Emulsifiers Vary.

Kevin Dunn

Kevin Dunn is the Elliott Professor of Chemistry at Hampden-Sydney College. His book, Caveman Chemistry, brought him to the attention of handcrafted soapmakers and because of this he has undertaken a series of research projects on the chemnistry of handcrafted soap. This research has culminated in a second book, Scientific Soapmaking, to be published in the Spring of 2010.

Professor Dunn has appeared on the Learning Channel's "Mysteries of Magic" and the History Channel's "Modern Marvels". He lives in central Virginia with his wife and several cats.

Kevin will be speaking on Trace Analysis.

Debbie Chialtas

Debbie Chialtas is the owner of Soapylove Glycerin Soap Design and self taught "M&P" soap crafter. When pregnant with her son in 2004, she started experimenting with glycerin soap and discovered her creative passion. She started selling her creations online and has since turned Soapylove into a full time career. Her distinctive look combines bright colors, yummy fragrances, and dessert inspirations. Soapylove's popular soap pops can be found in shops worldwide and have been featured in several well known magazines.

Debbie also loves to teach glycerin soap crafting. Her first book, "Soapylove" was just published by North Light Books, and her eZine called "Let's Get Soapy" is published seasonally. Debbie frequently teaches at The Nova Studio and has been an instructor twice at Otion's Soapmaking Weekend Intensive. She has even partnered with Bramble Berry to create a custom line of Soapylove soap making supplies.

Debbie loves to experiment with glycerin soap and is constantly coming up with new techniques and projects. She resides in San Diego with her husband and two adorable children.

Debbie will be giving a Melt & Pour Crash Course and then later speaking on Artisitic Techniques in Glycerin Soap Crafting.

Marie Gale

Marie Gale is a soapmaker and writer and has been a supporter of the handcrafted soap industry for over a decade. Today she is the owner of Chandler's Soaps where she sells her own handcrafted soaps and body care products and ForSoapmakers.com supplying unique packaging and ingredients to other soapmakers.

In 2007 she wrote and published Soap and Cosmetic Labeling: How to Follow the Rules and Regs Explained in Plain English, which was updated and reprinted in 2008. Her book has become a standard within the handcrafted soap and cosmetics industry, providing valuable information to small manufacturers to enable them to follow the regulations in labeling their products. She feels strongly that the best method of ensuring continued self-regulation within the cosmetics industry is by educating small manufacturers on how to comply so additional government intervention and regulation never becomes necessary.

A member of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, Inc. since 1999, Marie served as President of the HSMG from March 2004 to June 2009. During her tenure as President, membership doubled, insurance benefits for membership were added and the HSMG has become a major force within the handcrafted soap industry. In addition, she has been the Webmaster of the HSMG since 2004 and editor of The Handcrafted Soapmaker, since 2007. In May, 2009, she was awarded the status of Honorary Life Member of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild in recognition of her work.

In addition to her own businesses and work with the HSMG, Marie is fascinated with the history of soap. She has collected an extensive library of soap and cosmetic books from 1850 - 1930 and continues to delve into all aspects of soap, both formulations and how soap has influenced history and our society in general. Her blog, Soap-Bits, started in May 2009, is her outlet for the many varied tidbits of information she has collected.

Marie currently lives on her family ranch in Southwestern Oregon, with the man in her life, 3 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a number of chickens. She has the great fortune to be able to stay connected to and interact with the world via wireless high-speed internet and phone.

Marie will be speaking on Getting the Most Out of the HSMG Website and Soap and Cosmetic Labeling Requirements.

Kayla Fioravanti

Kayla Fioravanti is the Vice President, Chief Formulator, ARC Registered & Certified Aromatherapist for Essential Wholesale and its lab division Essential Labs. Wife and mother of three, Kayla runs her company along with her husband Dennis. In 1998, Kayla started creating products in her kitchen using essential oils. Essential Wholesale grew out of a $50 investment in raw supplies. Dennis and Kayla turned the profit from their first batch of product into more supplies and then repeated that process over and over again. The initial $50 investment from their home kitchen, combined with blood, sweat and tears has now become a multi-million dollar company housed in a 30,000 square foot certified organic facility.

Today, Kayla is the go-to-specialist for formulating and supplying information on natural, organic and pure cosmetics and personal care items. She formulates thousands of products including: mineral make up, skin care, body care and products for bath, body, spa, hair, baby and so much more. Through her lab division Essential Labs, Kayla formulates private label products for customers big and small from around the world. Kayla recently earned a spot as a finalist for "Innovation of the Year" by the International Cosmetic Manufactures and Distributors Association. Essential Wholesale, a leader in the industry, was recognized by the INC 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in America for three years in a row; it also supplies raw ingredients, bulk personal care products, mineral make up, and aromatherapy supplies at wholesale prices.

Kayla's articles can be found in Dermascope Magazine, Les Nouvelles Esthetique, New York Metro Parent, Saponifier, National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists, Handmade Beauty Business Magazine, HK Magazine Online, Indie Magazine and Total Mom. Kayla's quotes are featured in the 2009 and 2010 The Woman's Advantage Calendar, Kayla has been a guest on Millionaire Moms Radio, Organic Beauty Radio, Indie Radio, KPDQ Northwest Showcase, Good Day Oregon, 104.1 The Fish and Podcast From the Heart. Kayla was recently included in a brand new book called, Millionaire Mom, The Art of Raising a Business and a Family at the Same Time by Joyce Bone. She has been a speaker for Handmade Beauty Network and Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild Conference. She also writes Essential U News for Essential Wholesale and for the Essential U blog that launched in 2007. Kayla is the driving force behind the Essential U online University, an educational center for aromatherapy, cosmetics, industry standards and business ownership. What matters most to Kayla Fioravanti is teaching others about the wonders of natural and holistic living.

Kayla will be speaking on You are the Secret Ingredient :: Formulating Your Dream Business.

Alison Covarrubias

Alison Covarrubias was raised in San Jose, California. She graduated with a BA in Speech Communication from Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo. Her professional chutzpah comes from her years working at salesforce.com, 2000-2005, where she worked in many roles including Executive Assistant to the President, EA to the Founder/CEO, Sales Recruiter, Human Resources Coordinator and Sales Representative. She got her start-up legs at the force and carried them to Ladies Who Launch as the San Francisco Leader and Bay Area Director from 2005-2009. Her own small business marketing consulting business, Business Legs, has been absorbed into Hatch Network. Hatch Network is a modern business school for women entrepreneurs. Hatch is for women interested in entrepreneurship and supporting other women entrepreneurs in starting and growing businesses. Alison lives in San Francisco. She loves to talk about the latest diets, dating and anything pop culture. Favorite quote: "All of this is already finished on some level. For now, you get the pleasure of creating it.\

Alison will be speaking on Branding Your Products for Effective Marketing and From Passion to Profits.

Anne-Marie Faiola

Anne-Marie Faiola is the owner and founder of Brambleberry, an online soapmaking supply company. She founded the company in 1998 after a brief and unsuccessful stint as a correctional officer. She enjoys running the non-profit instructional site www.teachsoap.com as well as blogging almost daily at www.soapqueen.com. Anne-Marie has an instructional Soapmaking channel and loves to Tweet (twitter.com/brambleberry) and FB with other small business owners and soapmakers all over the world. Anne-Marie loves to teach and does so often at the shop she owns Bellingham called Otion which specializes in teaching soapmaking to all ages. In her spare time she likes to scuba dive, run and read. She is married and lives in Bellingham, WA.

Anne-Marie will be presenting a two-part class on Liquid Soapmaking.

Cindy Jones

With a background in chemistry and microbiology, Dr. Jones found the transition from cancer research to skin care easy and exciting. Cindy owns Sagescript Institute, a company that provides microbiology testing for cosmetics manufacturers and does consulting on formulating and scientific literature review. She has taught college science classes for a number of years and feels that running a skin care company is a teaching job as well. Cindy also grows herbs, using them in her skin care line called Colorado Aromatics. Her tendency is towards natural and natural sourced ingredients.

Cindy will be speaking on The Nature of Chemistry and its applications in skin physiology and skin care products. "Don't be scared, we'll try to keep it fun," she says!

Debbie May

Debbie May began making and selling soap in 1996 to help support her growing family. At the time, she and her husband Dave had two children (one child requiring full time disabled care). From her home, Debbie cared for the children, refined her craft, and eventually grew a successful finished soap business named May Showers. Her products sold coast-to-coast in retail stores, craft shows, home parties, and fundraisers.

While other crafters had trouble selling their products, Debbie enjoyed success and consistently left craft shows with empty boxes. As more and more crafters sought her soap making advice, Debbie started a new company in 1997 named Soap Supplies Plus. Through that company, she helped other crafters learn the soap making process and supplied products to begin their own businesses. By 1999, crafters seemed ever more interested in candles and candle making, so a new company named Wholesale Supplies Plus was launched.

Wholesale Supplies Plus, Inc. is a privately held corporation with Debbie and Dave May the sole shareholders. Debbie is the President and CEO with the responsibilities of Corporate Vision, Contractual Partnerships, Product Development, Marketing and Customer Service. Dave is the Vice President with the responsibilities of Human Resources, Benefits, Accounting and Warehouse Operations.

Although the company has grown, Debbie still believes that every customer is equally important and deserves the highest level of customer support. Wholesale Supplies Plus still supports an enthusiastic motto - Your Success Is Our Business. Debbie?s personal belief that it is her job to "Work Hard for Your Success" because it is only through the success of customers that she can obtain personal success.

Debbie and Dave May believe in corporate responsibility and giving back to the community. They have established Life Center for Autism Foundation with the mission to socially enhance the lives of those who struggle with autism spectrum disorders. They have an immediate goal to a build a specialized activity center in Ohio. When a customer places an order at WSP they have the opportunity to make a donation to this federally recognized nonprofit organization. WSP matches all customer donations. Thanks to the generosity of customers, this program will raise over $25,000 in 2009!

Debbie will be speaking on Creativity vs Compliance and Taking Your Business to the Next Level.

Donna Maria Coles Johnson

Donna Maria Coles Johnson is founder and CEO of Indie Business Media, and of the Indie Business Network, a trade organization serving small manufacturers of soaps, cosmetics, candles, aromatherapy products, fragrances and confectionery products. She was one of the first members of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild and is a frequent and popular speaker at our conferences. Johnson is the author of Making Aromatherapy Creams & Lotions (Storey Books, 2000), and The Media Is You, a book detailing the social media marketing strategies she has used to attract some of the nation’s most well respected media outlets to her front door.

Ms. Johnson hosts the Indie Business Radio show, a weekly show featuring authors, experts and influencers who are as committed as she is to encouraging small business success. The Small Business Administration has honored Ms. Johnson as the Washington, DC Home Based Business of the Year. Ms. Johnson has been featured in dozens of national media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Washington Business Journal, The Chicago Tribune, ABC World News, National Public Radio, Entrepreneur Magazine, Working Mother Magazine and Ebony Magazine. Ms. Johnson blogs at Indie Business Advocate, Indie Business Blog and The Media Is You.

A native of Washington, DC, Johnson resides in her adopted hometown of Charlotte, NC, with her husband and business partner and their two children.

Donna Maria will be speaking on How to Use Social Media Marketing To Solidify Your Niche, Attract New Customers and Increase Sales.

Jamila White

Jamila White, The E-Commerce Diva™, is an award-winning Internet Strategist, web designer, and blogger who was named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful and Influential Women in Social Media.

An Internet marketing pioneer since 1995, Jamila helps small business owners learn and apply proven strategies that increase web sales and traffic. She quit her “good corporate job” in PR at age 23 to start her first web business and never looked back. Since then, she has helped thousands of entrepreneurs launch and further their Internet-based ventures with her consulting and training programs.

Jamila’s corporate clients have included The Smithsonian, PBS, Georgetown University, and the National Education Association. Her projects have garnered a PBS "Eddie" Award, the APEX Award for Online Communications Excellence, Yahoo!com "Pick of the Day", Project Cool's "Site of the Year"; and recognition by The New York Times for excellence in online education; yet her most proud achievement was finishing in last place on television’s Wheel of Fortune show and being awarded "some lovely parting gifts".

A summa cum laude graduate of Howard University, Jamila lives in Bowie, Md., and is known for her funny, informative, "plain-English" teaching style

Back by popular demand, this year Jamila will show you how to unlock your web site’s sales potential during her Soapy Sales: The Secrets to E-Commerce Success workshop.

Information on additional speakers will be announced and posted as it becomes available.