A Season in the Life of an Entrepreneur...

Running a small business is not as easy as it looks.  Brian and I are the founders, owners, operators, sales people, marketing, PR, web design, branding team, creative, accountants, bakers, makers, labelers and janitors.  That is a lot of balls in the air on any given day.  Caffeine is a very good thing - our go-go juice.  Every once in a while, one or two balls are taken out of rotation and it can throw off the flow.  This season, we've had the rotation interrupted by Mother Nature.

Each year we participate in our local outdoor farm markets.  On Saturdays, he attends the Bloomington Market and I attend the Peoria Riverfront Market.  The start of market season was a challenge due to the number of storms that occurred on Saturday mornings.  The rain, wind gusts and potential severe threat makes for a tough outdoor market.  The more severe of a forecast, we don't take the risk to attend.

Plus, we've had SO much rain that we've had flooding to contend with - most notably in Peoria.  In fact, Peoria Riverfront Market has moved to two different locations this season to try to escape the rising flood waters.  The City of Peoria even built a flood wall at the cost of $$$$, to help Riverfront businesses.  The water was/is relentless.

The great news is that our incredible local market customers seek out the market and show up - rain or shine - no matter where we are moved - no matter the set-up.  I don't know if they realize how truly magnificent this is and how truly appreciated they are for supporting local farmers during this trying time and local businesses like JAVA & Co.  Wow, they are awesome!  I mean it.  Awesome!!

JAVA & Co. has hit a small snag in the market transportation area as my car has been at the mechanics for a few weeks.  The good news, they've pinpointed the problem and the part is being shipped out to a specialty shop to be fixed - expected part return is 10 business days - and then it has to be installed and tested.  Hoping for the best outcome.  We are a two car family and now that we are down one vehicle, I've had to miss weeks at the Peoria Riverfront Markets and will be missing more.  I've spent the time with Brian at the Bloomington Farm Market and meeting new customers; and catching up on chores around the house.  The personal chores are always the last on the list as the business always comes first.  Could this be considered a blessing in disguise?  Maybe. Jury is still out.

There are some things that are just out of one's control - flooding, storms, mysterious car repair.  This is a time for reflection.  One day at a time.  Sometimes you can't do everything you want to...even with a strong cup of coffee (or two), but I keep moving forward and the coffee keeps me sane.  : )

Follow us on Facebook and if you are in the Peoria area, I hope to see you real soon!

Jamie Knoll
JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com




Oh yes, and lately, I may be adding a little something-something to my coffee and TiRUMisu coffee syrup (TiRUMisu martini).  wink wink  ; )

WEB BUSTERS!

JAVA & Co. is discontinuing Toffee DECAF body care...not the lip care...the body care only. We've permanently replaced it with Amaretto DECAF. This means drastically reduced savings on the final batch that was made for the remaining body butter and body scrub (discontinued body scrub is now sold out). I am listing through multiple sales channels to blow these babies out and once gone, they are gone. No back orders. Take advantage of this incredible savings.
Happy Friday!

Update:  Discontinued Body Scrub is sold out.  Very limited quantities of the discontinued body butter remain.

Spiced Chai Tea Recipe

Not much of a tea drinker.  Therefore, I don't make tea very often, but it has been so hot and an iced tea sounded really refreshing.  I don't have one of those sun tea type containers, so I got out my saucepan and green tea packets and began to make tea.  I stirred in honey for a touch of sweetness and then a light bulb moment.  What if I added JAVA Spice?  So, I did.  AND I'm so glad I did.

You see, I love iced chai tea.  Love it!  Used to drink iced chai in between my coffees when I worked at Sfuzzi (Italian Restaurant) in Las Vegas during the very hot winter months.  It soon became an addictive habit.  Coffee in the morning.  Chai in the afternoon.  The caffeine carried me through the day and late night closings.

With key notes of clove, cinnamon and star anise and more, the JAVA Spice adds a chai quality to my very basic cheap green tea.  I bet if I added more Spice, the chai flavor would be deeper and richer.  I'm going to experiment with my tea this month and see what the flavors produce.  I added the Spice during the hot steeping stage.  After approximately five minutes of steeping and melting in the honey, I finished the tea with equal amounts of cold water.  Poured tea over ice for a tasty beverage.  Try it and let me know what you think.  I really do love when something in my pantry can be used to make so many different things with varying flavor levels.  Plus, the bonus, our JAVA Spice has Arabica coffee blended into the spice.  Win Win!

Jamie Knoll
JAVA & Co.
Small Batch Recipes
www.javaandco.com

JAVA Spice

FREE Gift with Purchase!

Try our NEW Purifying Face Mask. 

Make an online purchase of $50 or more and receive a FREE Travel Size Purifying Face Mask - a gentle detoxifying multi-tasking active charcoal face scrub. What a great way to try this brand new amazing multi-purpose mask. Check them out here!

Enter Promo Code TRYME at checkout.

*Offer Details: Limited Gift Quantities. While Supplies Last. Valid online at www.javaandco.com. No backorders or rain checks. Not valid with other discounts or offers.  One gift per customer per address.

Purifying Face Mask
Detox. Cleanse. Remove Impurities. Reduce Blackheads.

Refresh the Skin on Face and Neck.

Purifying Face Mask is packaged in a bathroom safe 2 ounce jar - naturally made in small batches with proprietary recipes and hand picked fresh ingredients. No artificial dyes or colors. No parabens.

No phthalates.  No SLS.  No petrochemicals.  Fragrance Free.  Key Recognizable ingredient list.

The infusion of activated charcoal, organic sugar, coupled with nourishing oils and shea butter make JAVA & Co.'s Purifying Facial Mask an effective detoxifier, gentle exfolliant and light moisturizer in one.  Activated charcoal acts like a magnet, drawing out dirt, oil and other impurities.  The organic sugar gently exfoliates dead skin cells from the skin's surface - containing glycolic acid - an alpha-hydroxy acid that is crucial for maintaining healthy skin.  The glycolic acid in organic sugar draws moisture from the air, conditions and protects skin from toxins.  Shea Butter and Sweet Almond Oil are used to help keep the skin soft and supple.  Your face will be left feeling invigorated, nourished and refreshed.

Directions: Scoop scrub onto fingertips and apply to damp face and neck in a gentle circular motion. Do not tug skin. Avoid eyes and lips. Let dry for 5 to 20 minutes. Remove with clean damp cloth. Pat dry. Follow with JAVA & Co.'s Infusion Face Cream.  Note:  Exercise care during application and removal.  May cause staining to towels and clothing.

Key Ingredient Profile: Activated Charcoal:  Activated charcoal is an excellent detoxifier.  It acts like a magnet and draws out bacteria, dirt, oil and other micro-particles to the surface of skin, helping to fight acne and improve overall facial complexion. 
Shea Butter: Beneficial for dry or aging skin. Moisturizes and retains elasticity of the skin. Helps to protect the skin against the damaging effects of the sun while repairing cellular degeneration.
Jojoba Oil: Similar to our natural skin's oil, it helps balance oil production and is easily absorbed into the skin. Jojoba oil is non-toxic, noncomedogenic and non-allergenic. This means that it will not clog pores and will not cause allergic reactions. It is also anti-bacterial and not an irritant. It has a high content of beneficial minerals and Vitamin E and protects from the damaging effects of free radicals.
Organic Sugar: Gentle and natural exfoliant. Contains glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid which helps cleanse and balance skin oils and is important for maintaining healthy skin. The natural glycolic acid in sugar not only helps condition and moisturize skin, but protect it from toxins.  Safe for all skin types.
Peppermint Essential Oil: Cooling, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Tea Tree Oil: Anti-bacterial properties and helps treat acne.  The oil penetrates the blockage between your skin and sebaceous glands and it's also good at disinfecting the pores and drying out whiteheads and blackheads.
Vitamin E: Protects against free radicals. Antioxidant.
Grapefruit Extract: Considered to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.
*Key Ingredients are key components found throughout our collection. Ingredient combinations will vary based upon the recipe and product and may include ingredients not listed above.*

Allergens: Even natural ingredients can cause allergic reactions in some people. If a rash or skin irritation develops, discontinue use immediately. For external use only. Keep out of the reach of children.

Note: Packaged by weight, not by volume. Contents may settle.