Supernatural Botanicals

She makes healthy beauty products for a living, and for fun, she discusses “all things girly” on her blog. Read all about it and see how you can join in on the fun.

Two years ago, Robin Feltner launched both her blog and her all-natural bath and body company, Supernatural Botanicals. The blog was intended to be an extension of the business, but in many ways, her business is now an extension of the blog.

“I started the blog to keep women, primarily, informed and up to date on the latest trends and information in beauty [and] health,” Feltner says. “But soon thereafter, [it] took on a life of its own.”

Since its launch, the blog has opened doors to new customers, business opportunities and higher search engine rankings. More recently, it’s given Feltner the chance to meet several big stars like Diane Keaton, Valerie Bertinelli, Patricia Heaton, Ann Compton, Helen Hunt and Tony Bourdain.

The blog initially served as an open forum for people to share their insights on her products, ideas and the emerging eco-friendly industry. The blog helps Feltner gain candid insight from customers and readers that she didn’t have access to otherwise, she says. “Anonymous comments can be brutally harsh at times, but it’s exactly what I was looking for,” she says. “I wanted an open dialog where they could express and/or request anything they wanted.”

The blog’s tag-line is “Discussions on All Things Girly,” which offers Feltner — and her readers — a wondrously wide range of topics from which to choose. Typically, you’ll find blog posts with beauty, fitness and eco-living topics, but occasionally you’ll find something else that strikes Feltner’s fancy.

“I’m passionate about being ‘green,’ so that crosses over into my writing quite a bit,” she says. “Beauty and fitness is a given on a girly blog, but interior design and events in Cincinnati have certainly had their share of time in the spotlight on my blog as well.”

Some of her favorite blog posts include: 

• “Thoughts on Business Casual”
• “For the Love of Vintage”
• “Diane Keaton in Cincinnati”

These popular topics drew a crowd, and even attracted the attention of the Smart Talk series organizers. They contacted Feltner two seasons ago to represent Cincinnati as their ambassador for their Connected Conversations series. “It’s been amazing,” she says. “And I have met some of the most incredible people in the process” — Keaton, Bertinelli, Heaton, Compton and Hunt, just to name a few.

But the star power didn’t stop there. Another group found Feltner’s blog and asked her to represent Cincinnati bloggers at the recent Tony Bourdain speaking engagement.

But the big question: Has the blog beefed up her bottom line? The answer is yes, Feltner says. “The blog has helped me reach a greater customer base,” she says. “If you are doing a random search on eco bath and body in Cincinnati, you’ll most certainly find my blog amongst the top Google searches.” A successful, updated blog is a powerful PR tool and her blog is a big reason why Google goes ga-ga for her business, she says.

The blog also helps to add value to her current customers because it invites readers into her life. “I have found that readers enjoy the experience of stepping into my workshop or kitchen to see what I’m doing via pictures I post on my blog,” she says. “I find blogging a unique way to get personal with my customers and readers. It’s important for me to interact with the readers so I can be specific about giving them exactly what they want.”

She doesn’t just interact on her own blog, though. Feltner is a self-proclaimed advocate for reading others’ blogs, too. “Being ultra-connected to each other is an advantage that we’ve never had in the past, and is especially beneficial for business owners,” she says. “Although my personal interests span from green global issues to lipsticks, I do tend to visit particular blogs regularly.”

She says she adores SavortheSuccess.com, a Web site for women entrepreneurs that offers insight into what’s working (and not working) for other women in business. Another favorite of hers is Pink Magazine, which provides inspiration and tools for women in business. She also gives props to her friend Julia’s blog, Hooked On Houses, which covers her love of houses and interiors.

In addition, Feltner belongs to a local group called Cincinnati Women Bloggers. “We are a successful group of women bloggers in the Cincinnati area, and that Web site is an incredible resource to find blogs on all things local, as blog topics vary vastly,” she says.

Last but not least (at least we don’t think so), Feltner shows some chic love. “When I want to know what’s going on in the city, Cincy Chic is positively my first stop,” she says. “I have always found that if it’s worth being known, Cincy Chic knows about it and I’ve attended many local events after learning about them on Cincy Chic.”

Visit Cincy Chic for the article.

PHOTO CREDITS
Photographer: Neysa Ruhl
Model: Robin Feltner
Location: Lofts@4120

   Supernatural Botanicals turns 1 today!  It’s been an amazing year for us!  What a year it has been.  Thank you so much for your generous support and your emails.  A special thank you goes out to Smart Talk Women, Cincy Chic, and WE Magazine for their support!  And an extra special thank you goes out to all of our customers and wholesale vendors….without you, there would be no Supernatural Botanicals.  Thank you! 

Take a look at our year of highlights: 

   Smart Talk Women extended the wonderful opportunity to meet the legendary Diane Keaton!  An absolutely surreal experience.  Diane was amazing…just like I knew she would be.  Read about this night here. 

Supernatural Botanicals was featured in Cincy Chic’s Green Issue.  Amy Storer-Scalia, owner of Cincy Chic, extended us the wonderful opportunity for this great rooftop photoshoot at the gorgeous McAlpin Condos in downtown Cincinnati.  Read about our Cincy Chic article here. 

   WE Magazine for women names Robin Feltner as one of the 101 Women Bloggers to Watch in 2009.  What an honor to be amongst so many creative successful women.  Thank you WE Magazine.  Read about this article here. 

   A huge thank you goes out to our customers who have raved about us online.  Pinkie Charm did an amazing 15 minute You Tube review. 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flEHMI_44Vg 

We can’t thank Pinkie Charm enough and all of those who have sang the praises of Supernatural Botanicals bath and body.  It’s been an incredible first year.  We can’t wait to show you what Supernatural Botanicals has in store for you in year two. 

Robin Feltner, Founder/CEO, Supernatural Botanicals

Robin Feltner and Diane Keaton.

Smart Talk Connected Conversations brought the fabulous Diane Keaton to the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati last night.  What a night!  To my surprise, she didn’t wear her signature hat or gloves.  In fact, she said she’s over the gloves at this point.  She still likes them, but is outgrowing that look.

Physically, Diane Keaton is very tall and willowy.  In the picture above, I’m at least 5′ 9.5″ in peep toe pumps….and she’s taller than me.  She was wearing a black jacket with pearl necklace, a fabulous Prada floral skirt with leggings under the skirt.   Diane walks in the room, and the dynamics change.  There’s something about her that’s electric, it’s palpable.  Her very presence commands your attention.  She certainly possesses movie star quality.

Diane on her first love: You guessed it….Woody Allen.

Diane on her celeb crushes… “Al Pacino, although he didn’t feel the same way.”

Diane on being a cougar, and which is better to kiss, a younger or older man? Diane likes kissing them all!  She says she feels blessed to have kissed so many leading men in her career.   She thinks they are all great (and who can blame her?)  She admits she had a particular fondness for a very young Mel Gibson.

Diane on the toughest director she’s ever worked with: Without hesitation, Diane says “Warren Beatty!”  She dated Warren and felt it difficult to transition from boss to girlfriend with him.  She said he’s very demanding, and required multiple shots for every scene.

Diane on her favorite movie: Diane is not big on watching herself on the big screen.  She claims she doesn’t have a favorite movie, but appreciates what each one brings.  For instance, Something’s Gotta Give, with Jack Nicholson, is a rebel cry for older women and sexuality.  She loves that!

Diane on quotes on aging from her friends: Diane said Meryl Streep once said to her, “I’ve got to tell you something, honey, we both look like shit” in reference to aging.

Diane on her biggest failure:  “Hanging Up”, in which she directed.  (editorial note…I just couldn’t disagree more.  I loved this movie, and adored her style in this movie!)

Diane on her fashion style: Diane says her iconic fashion style is attributed to her sense of “never wanting to be ordinary.”

Diane on her hobbies: Diane is a preservationist and loves to rehab homes.  In fact, she has written a book on Spanish Colonial and Mission Style houses, called California Romantica.

Diane on her earliest influences: Doris Day.  Diane says Doris Day was her inspiration to be famous.  Diane broke into song when she learned that Doris Day actually grew up right here in Cincinnati.

Diane on colleagues she admires: The woman at the top of Diane’s list is Meryl Streep.  She say’s “Meryl has something magical going on, she’s amazing, just amazing.”

Diane on dressing for your age: Diane says, “When you are a certain age, cover up, cover it all up” joking about her love of turtle necks and long skirts.

My thanks to Diane Keaton and Smart Talk Connected Conversations for such a fantastic night!

BUY TICKETS HERE

On May 19, 2009, I’ve been extended the wonderful opportunity by Smart Talk Women’s series to meet the fabulous Diane Keaton in Cincinnati.  I’ll be asking Diane some questions….make sure and send me what you want to know, straight from DK herself!

To hear what people are saying about the Smart Talk Connected Conversations and to purchase tickets for the event, click here.

Diane is such an icon!  I relate to so many of her characters…especially JC in Baby Boom.  The Tiger Lady.  Who didn’t want to be her?  Every ambitious career girl can relate to JC.  Business world takes the Tiger Lady down.  Tiger Lady channels her own brilliance, and ends up turning the business world down in the end.

It was this movie where I developed my love for all things East Coast.  Ever since, I’ve wanted to uproot and move to my own 62 acre Vermont estate.  I still haven’t ruled that out, as a matter of fact.  Moving to Vermont and making organic baby food from the apples I grow would not be that far out of the realm of normal for me, after all.

In the end, JC wanted it all, and she got it all!  That’s why it’s always good to want it all. Break the glass ceiling.  I think that if you stay true to whatever it is you desire, if you want it all. you just might get it.  That’s why it’s good to keep wanting….wanting it all.

Watch JC in action.  She’s my hero!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfcNUkQI7yI

   Every woman should attend a Smart Talk women’s lecture series.  Being amongst other empowering women and learning from them is what breeds creativity in one’s mind.

Visit Smart Talk Women to see all of the amazing, inspirational, and successful women in the entire lecture series.

I’m thrilled to be attending the Smart Talk series with Diane Keaton on May 19, 2009 in Cincinnati.  Single event (as opposed to the entire series) seats are still available here.  

Grab your girlfriends and coworkers and meet me there!  I’ll be the one in awe of Diane Keaton!

I’ll keep you posted…more to follow.

   SMART TALK Connected Conversations has presented captivating stories from such remarkable women as Julie Andrews, Barbara Walters, Mary Tyler Moore, Gloria Steinem, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Maya Angleou, Jehan Sadat, Whoopi Goldberg, Erin Brockovich, Lauren Bacall, Susan Sarandon, The Honorable Ann Richards, Goldie Hawn, Priscilla Presley, Anna Quindlan, Debbie Reynolds and Marianne Pearl to name just a few. 

Luckily, Cincinnati will be welcoming the incredible Diane Keaton on May 19, 2009 at the Aronoff Center as a part of the SMART TALK series. 

Having appeared in over 50 films, including The Godfather, Annie Hall (for which she won an Oscar), Something’s Gotta Give and Mad Money, Diane Keaton is that rare talent whose appeal spans generations – from teens to seniors. In addition to acting, she has transformed her hobby of restoring homes into a serious and thriving business. From mothering advice to tales from an actor and entrepreneur, don’t miss this rare evening with a true Hollywood legend. 

Tickets are still available for Cincinnati’s event.  Don’t miss this opportunity for a night with Diane Keaton.  Click here for ticket information. 

Click here for more information on SMART TALK Connected Conversations.