Her mom calls her a regular teenager.

But Jasmine Lawrence, 16, of Williamstown is the founder and owner of her own natural beauty products business.

Lawrence was 13 when she launched EDEN Body Works. Since then, the company has amassed nearly $1 million in sales of its own brand of shampoo and hair conditioner.

But that’s not all. Beginning next month, EDEN Body Works’ Peppermint and Tea Tree hair care collection will begin appearing on 280 Wal-Mart shelves nationwide.

A junior at Williamstown High School, Lawrence excels in math and science in the school’s engineering academy.

In 2004, she won a contest making it possible for her to attend a two-week summer business camp sponsored by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, an educational nonprofit group.

“I just thought it was something cool to do over the summer,” said Lawrence.

The experience changed her life.

“We teach kids how to run a small business,” said Steve Mariotti, 54, founder and president of NFTE, an organization that has helped 200,000 teenagers and young adults in the U.S. and in 13 countries become entrepreneurs.

But Lawrence is a cut above, according to Mariotti.

“The sky’s the limit for Jasmine,” he said. “I’ve waited 27 years to see a kid under 18 own a business that actually gets more than $25,000 in sales. What an inspiration for other kids to see that this is possible.”

Mariotti said Lawrence’s special success is due to several factors: an ability to get things done, national media exposure and a compelling story connected with her hair care products.

An accident with a chemical hair application left Lawrence nearly bald at the age of 11.

“I tried to put a ponytail in her hair, but the whole ponytail fell off,” remembers April Lawrence, the teen’s mom.

“Of course I cried,” said Lawrence, when asked to recall the incident which happened in a salon. “I was so scared and so shocked, it changed my personality completely. I became nervous and shy. I kept to myself and didn’t want people taking pictures of me.”

But Lawrence’s bad hair experience made her stronger, wiser — and now successful.

She began to read labels on hair care products.

“Some ingredients would have normal names like tea tree. And other ingredients had 20 letters,” said Lawrence.

Lawrence researched the properties of natural products such as jojoba, lavender, tea tree and rosemary. Steering clear of chemicals, she bought essential oils from natural products and made her own gentle shampoo and conditioner.

“It worked for her and it smelled good,” her mother said.

When Lawrence turned 13, her bald head was history.

That summer, she won the contest to attend NFTE’s summer business camp in New York City. Camp was fast-paced and business concepts were made easy for teenagers to understand.

Hooked on business, Lawrence decided to start her own company.

“I was so inspired and so compelled to really go for it,” she said.

But the sweet-smelling oils that she mixed in her kitchen didn’t click in her mind as a marketable product.

“Her first product was a headband with rhinestones on it. She called it “Sweat in Style,’ ” April Lawrence said with a laugh. “But then she thought about selling her hair care products. That was the aha moment for her.”

Click here to read more or here to visit EDEN Body Works, Jasmine’s store.

Starting your own small business is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and challenging endeavors you’ll undertake. And, it’s going to take some real foresight, research and dedication to keep the doors of your first business open. In fact, more than 50 percent of small businesses fail with in the first year of business, and 95 percent fail within the first five years, reports the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Several reasons contribute to the failure of a small business: lack of experience, mismanaging funds, poor location, or growing competition. But one of the biggest killers is starting a small business in a large industry without identifying if you have a necessary or essential product. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t open a small business, but you should be well aware of the risks if you do.

Conversely, there are some small businesses that are on the verge of booming due to an increase in demand: child care services; computer-related/Internet services; and home health care services.

Before you run off to start your own Internet-child-care hospice, take a look at four of the hardest small businesses to run (according to Forbes) as well as four of the most successful to date (according to Inc.com):

Four the Hard Way:

Transportation — This big category includes taxis, limos, ambulances, hearses and other vehicles for hire. All operators pay high insurance premiums, suffer during oil spikes and have tons of competition, but each mode has its own risks, too. Take taxis: In New York City, where the number of taxis has been fixed since 1937, the price of a taxi license is upwards of $400,000 — a stiff entry price to do battle, even in a $1.8 billion market. Then you have to find trustworthy drivers to pull in revenue — unless you enjoy grueling 10-plus-hour shifts.

Retail stores — It only takes one slow season to leave you swimming in inventory. And differentiating your shop among giants, such as Nordstrom, Gap or Urban Outfitters is not easy.

Restaurants — Purchasing the furniture and equipment, a liquor license, and passing the health code can run in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Once you open your doors, get ready for your staff to walk out through them at a moment’s notice. Oh, yeah: Most food-service vendors like cash on delivery, so a slow week can make it hard to buy next week’s ingredients or alcohol.

Travel Agencies and Tour Operators — Travel is a do-it-yourself activity these days, with online travel search firms like Expedia and Priceline.com. To attract paying customers, agents and tour organizers now have to offer packages in more exotic locales, where Internet research is less effective. While it could be fun, that research takes a lot of time and money — as will all the marketing to convince customers that you’re a step up from their guidebooks, or that you can offer them better deals than they can find on their own.

Fantastic Four:

Internet Services — Starting your own web-related service may yield many results. Technology has become so essential in our daily lives that every home has at least one household computer and businesses are reliant on the Internet. Additionally, in the next three years the number of people who use the Internet is projected to grow to more than 2 billion, that is about one third of the world’s population, reports Inc.com.

Computer related services — As more people, world wide, begin to buy computers at a low cost, the need for computer-related services will grow too. If you have a background in information technology and can help people eliminate viruses, or fix a reoccurring computer problem, you could be the next “Geek on Call.”

Child Care Services — The child care/daycare industry has become one of the fastest growing businesses in the United States. What’s more, this industry makes $11 billion annually — and it’s projected to keep growing. This may be the ideal small business for stay-at-home moms who want to be entrepreneurs as well.

Home Health Care Services — A small home health care business can reach many people. Each year more than 7.6 million people need home health care service reports the National Association for Home Care. The aging American population and advancements in medical technologies have spurred the necessity for qualified home health care professionals. This is a great opportunity to build a business that can help people for years to come.

The small businesses world is a tough arena. But your dedication and hard work — coupled with the foresight to know what products people need — can keep you in business for a long time to come. For more information about small businesses or to search for a career, visit military.com’s Career center.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for you to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Hurricane season begins on June 1st and runs through the end of November. After a disaster, an estimated 40% of small businesses never re-open their doors. In deadly disasters, like Hurricane Katrina which hit the Gulf Coast in 2005, entire cities have been wiped out and small businesses are still in the process of recovery. As residents living on the coast, South Texas business owners need to be prepared to deal with hurricanes and learn how to protect your business beforehand.

The Small Business Development Center will present a seminar on preparing your business and your staff for hurricane season on Thursday, May 29th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. There is no cost to attend and lunch will be provided. Topics include how to develop an emergency action plan, how to form a planning team, and business continuity issues. Channel 6 Chief Meteorologist Dale Nelson will be giving a presentation as well as a victim of Hurricane Katrina who will share his experience.

After attending this seminar you will be able to create an emergency preparedness plan for your business. The goal is to give your business the tools needed to keep your business up and running in the event of a natural disaster. If you’re interested in attending the seminar please call (361) 698-1021 or (361) 698-2220.

Corpus Christi, TX - The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Corpus Christi Branch Office (CCBO) with the assistance of a nominating committee made up of local community partners has named Robert V. Skinner, Bishop RV Center, LLC (Corpus Christi) as the 2008 Small Business Person of the Year. Simon H. Castillo, CCBO Branch Manager, states SBA will also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of individuals who help entrepreneurs on their path to success. These individuals support their community by assisting small business owners with development and growth. The individuals below are this year’s Champion award winners in the following categories:

• Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year (SBA Branch, District & Region VI): Joe V. Elizondo, Greenwood Door Company (Corpus Christi)
• Minority Small Business Champion of the Year: Joe Cisneros, III, President/CEO, Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Home-Based Business Champion of the Year: Felix H. Ocanas, Jr., ECMS (Corpus Christi)
• Women in Business Champion of the Year: Barbara Baros, AFLAC Texas Central (Corpus Christi)

Three SBA participating lenders will also be recognized for their exceptional efforts in providing capital to small businesses in our area during FY 2007 via the SBA 7(a) & 504 loan programs. The lenders to be honored are Texas Certified Development Company (Austin, TX) - District 504 Lender of the Year, ValueBank Texas (Corpus Christi) - District 504 Third Party Lender of the Year, and 1st Community Bank (Corpus Christi) - Branch 7(a) Lender of the Year.

SBA’s valuable resource partners that provide counseling and training to local small businesses will also honor their top counselors. Elizabeth Soliz, a Certified Business Advisor with Del Mar College Small Business Development Center (SBDC), will be honored as SBDC Counselor of the Year; and Ben McDonald, SCORE Counselor; SCORE Chapter 221 (Corpus Christi) is this year’s SCORE Counselor of the Year.

Del Mar College Small Business Development Center will host the annual awards luncheon to celebrate Small Business Week 2008 on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Corpus Christi Country Club, 6300 Everhart Road in Corpus Christi, TX. Seating is limited for the luncheon, so please contact Lisa Farr at 361-698-1021 or go to http://www.sbawards.com/ for reservations.

The local awards luncheon is a part of the National Small Business Week 2008. In celebration of America’s entrepreneurial spirit, the U.S. Small Business Administration will celebrate National Small Business Week 2008 on April 21st- 23rd in Washington, D.C., at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where more than 100 outstanding business owners from across the country will be recognized. In addition to the State Small Business Persons of the Year, men and women involved in disaster recovery, government procurement, small business champions as well as SBA partners in financial and entrepreneurial development will be honored.

The event is open to the public.

Show your support for Corpus Christi Small Business!
Tickets are available at $25 per person or $250 a table. Visit http://www.sbawards.com to reserve your seat.

What tools do you use to plan?  I use the calendar that is with my email software.  Del Mar uses Lotus Notes.  We used to use Microsoft Outlook.  I am not sure which one I like better. But we all need tools to help us plan. 

I like to use the feature that allows me to enter an event every year on the same day.  I have been happily married for twenty three years, and one of the reasons I can say “Happily Married” is I have never forgotten my anniversary, or my wife’s birthday.  We all have important dates that we need to remember; dates that are so important, that if we forget them we will be, well – up a creek, in the dog house, or even out to pasture!  These events are important to us.  We have every intention of remembering them and executing the prescribed duties associated with the date, but sometimes we forget!  Despite our best intentions.

As business owners, we have dates we need to remember – because there are important things we need to do on those dates!  Sales Tax checks are to be mailed by the 20^th of every month.  Withholding deposits made on or before the 15^th of every month.  Note payments, end of the fiscal year, W-2’s by the 31^st of January…and the list goes on and on.  As business owners who seek to sell goods and services to the government, there is another list of dates that are important.  Can you name them without reading ahead?

PTAC wants all government vendors to mark their calendar – electronic calendar on the computer, palm pilot or you desk pad calendar – all your relevant dates for contracting.  Here is a list to help you get started…the renewal date for your CCR Registration (Central Contractors Registration).  This must be renewed every year.  Your renewals for any certification you may have – State of Texas HUB, the Regional Transportation Authority MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), Federal SDB (Small Disadvantaged Business Certification).  Don’t forget your annual updates and reports if you are 8(a).  Put other relevant dates on your calendars such as pre bid meetings for opportunities you may want to consider bidding on; due dates for RFP’s or RFQ’s  (requests for proposals or quotes).  Enter the date when you learn from an agency the next time the contract you want to bid on will come up for bid.  This may be years from now – a very important date, and very easy to forget over time. Mark dates for conferences and training that can help you with your business as well.  You are starting to get it now, aren’t you?  You have probably thought of a couple since you started reading this, haven’t you?  Better mark’em down!

I would rather not have the feeling in the pit of my stomach when I realize I have forgotten something important.  That chill that comes over me.  Not good!  I must confess, I checked my Lotus calendar and saw that I had to write this blog article!  Thank you calendar!

Use your tools!  Your memory is too full of other important information to remember everything!  Put it in you calendar now, you’ll be glad you did!  And make sure you don’t forget you anniversary.

According to a recent survey issued by the Civil Society Institute last month, 71% of Americans believe gas will hit $4.00 a gallon by the summer. More than half of the respondents said that prices for gasoline and home heating oil were their number one economic concern for 2008, topping recession, foreclosure, and unemployment.

High fuel costs can drive certain business’s to consider purchasing hybrids, clean diesels and other highly fuel-efficient vehicles. A hybrid car can lower gas consumption and allow business’s to take advantage of certain tax benefits.

The new Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007 seeks to address some of these concerns. One of the highlights of the wide-ranging bill is an increase in the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles and light trucks. It requires auto manufacturers to raise fuel economy to a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Congress had not increased fuel economy standards for passenger cars since 1975.

Hybrids purchased or placed into service after December 31, 2005 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $3,400. Credit amounts begin to phase out for a given manufacturer once it has sold over 60,000 eligible vehicles.

Individuals who purchase any of the new gas-electric hybrid cars available in the U.S. between 2006 and 2007 are eligible for up to $3,400 in federal tax credits. The credits apply only to the first 60,000 hybrid cars sold by each automaker, however, limiting the savings to those who act early.

For consideration, see if some of the 2008 hybrid vehicles from this table will fit into your business planning.

The dream of running a small business is something that many people wish they could attain. The idea of being their own boss and having things done the way they want is a goal for many people. However, this dream is not something many people will ever achieve or attain. In addition, many of those who do try will ultimately fail according to statistics.

So if you are still set on the idea of running your own business just remember it is not a simple goal to achieve. You truly need to do your homework before ever attempting to start a small business.

Two important tips to know:
1. Talk with a small business attorney to make sure you do not get yourself into a lease for a building or equipment that puts your personal finances at risk. Many people rush into their business ventures without understanding the risk.

2. Just because you create an S-Corporation for your small business does not mean your personal finances will be protected if your business goes bad. Many times as a sole owner of a small business you will have to personally guarantee a lease for property or equipment. This is why it is important to get the proper legal advice before ever signing any kind of lease. Leases are completely negotiable so make sure you are not getting stuck with a bad lease.

So the bottom line is starting a small business may sound like fun, but it is also a huge financial risk. Remember most small business ventures fail within the first year.

1. Cost. A sole proprietorship or general partnership can be set up very inexpensively. A limited partnership and a limited liability company are more expensive to set up. Setting up a corporation can be a very expensive undertaking.

2. Ease. A sole proprietorship is easy to set up; sometimes all it takes is opening up a business checking account. Similarly, a general partnership is easy to set up, although a partnership agreement is something that the partners should create prior to beginning operations. A limited partnership, limited liability company, and corporation involve more work. Since all three entities must be recognized by the state, it is important to adhere strictly to the state requirements or run the risk of losing the advantages that the particular business entity provides.

3. Termination. Some business entities automatically terminate upon such events as death, the withdrawal of a partner, or even divorce. In addition, some businesses are allowed to exist only for a state-mandated period of time.

4. Public Information. How much information do you want the public to know about your business and finances? A corporation is required to provide much more information to the state, which is then available to the public, than a limited liability company or a limited partnership. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships offer the individuals involved a great deal of privacy.

5. Risk. If the business involves a great deal of risk a sole proprietorship or general partnership may be a bad idea because the owner and general partners are personally liable for the business debts and obligations.

6. Operation. The form of the business entity may dictate how it is operated. If you want total control, a sole proprietorship provides the businessperson the greatest degree of control (and the greatest degree of potential risk).

7. Capitalization. An undercapitalized business may result in a loss of protection provided by the business entity. In addition, some business forms make it easier to raise capital when it is needed.

8. Selling. A sole proprietorship is easy to sell; usually you sell the assets of the business, and your business ceases to exist. Selling a partnership interest or a member’s interest in a limited liability company can be tricky because it requires approval of the other partners or members.

9. State Taxes. Some states have begun to levy taxes on the business entity itself. This is becoming a big issue with limited liability companies. You should know whether your state will tax your business entity before setting it up.

10. Expansion. Every entrepreneur wants to be as successful as possible. Some business entities are limited to the number of shareholders they may have. A sole proprietorship ceases to exist the moment the sole proprietor takes on a partner. It is important to choose a business form that allows you the greatest room to grow if that is what you envision. Although the business form may be changed, this involves additional expense and energy.

For additional information on incorporation and legal structures, visit www.findlaw.com. FindLaw is the highest-trafficked legal Web site and offers a wealth of information on topics ranging all the way from starting a business to closing a business.