It all started in my kitchen. In 2005, I plunged my hands into a bowl filled with sugar and maple syrup, added a fragrance oil and mixed it all together. I stood there tasting, smelling and rubbing the mixture all over my hands. I rinsed my hands to AMAZING, squeaky clean results. Even now I cannot explain how I developed the perfect formula; it just happened. Today, every sugar scrub at DIANA B. is made the same way. We have five fragrances to choose from, with two more on the way.

I adore the scrubs and love what I do. I have the joy and honor of working with someone and watching their skin improve right in front of my eyes. This trust and human bond are paramount to DIANA B. and have helped grow my business into a successful one in five short years. We have achieved double digit revenue growth each year and are currently poised to have our best year in 2010.

I feel blessed to be a part of this journey (equal parts hope, faith, action, inspiration and joy) and am honored to share my most powerful tips:

1. Exhibit total passion, commitment and trust. Building a brand takes a kind of total passion and commitment to detail that has amazing rewards both for you and others. Stick to your inner voice and never give up on your vision. Trust that. Don't think, What would so and so do? You know what to do; follow that voice. It will take you across the finish line.

2. Cultivate a niche. Focus on real points of difference in the products you create. Define their differences and go deep rather than wide in your line. This focus will give your customers an opportunity to choose options in the same vein as their favorite style, scent or object. Define a core niche for brand identity and run with it!

3. Do not let negativity invade your space. Find your own particular rhythms to stay positive and honor that sense of peace within yourself. Daily performance requires huge energy, and you will need time to recharge. I have found watering in the garden, or just listening to a beautiful piece of music can reset a better peaceful state of mind.

4. Respect others who know more than you do! I had to learn to listen. This lesson was tough because I think creative people tend to have a strong sense of self; however, a teacher can change your life forever. Look for people in your desired field that love and support what you do. Your sense of wanting to make them proud will be a driving force in your success.

5. Give back. Give a serious percentage of your first paycheck and profits back to a charity, a friend in need or a stranger who loves your product but cannot afford them at that given moment. This heart expanding lesson will open the door for growth. Give more than what is expected, you will never regret it.

Diana Barton is tireless in her campaign to make all women everywhere feel beautiful. She is thrilled to be participating in her first Women’s Conference this year. She continually looks for ways to give back, and donates a portion of sales to Cancer and Careers, a resource for working women with cancer. She also supports the WE Programs as part of this year’s Women’s Conference.