December 2nd, 2010
To all our US customers:
As a small company, but still thriving 
, we’ve had our share of challenges and opportunities during the last 4 years of our online business. One of these is being able to have a consistent and reliable relationship with a US warehouse. I am pleased to announce that our new shipping partner is Shipwire and our next shipment will arrive in the US on Dec 6 when we will start processing US orders again.
I apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced at this time. Posted comments on this blog will receive a 10% discount coupon!
Have a great Holiday Season!
Indra
December 2nd, 2010
Lifespices has been serving customers online for almost 4 years now and during that time gained much experience about what our customers like about our services and product. One of the things we’ve learned is that our clients like a fuss free, easy buying experience. We hope to achieve this on our redesigned site coming soon.
As some of you may have noticed, we refer you to www.stefaniaqua.com for all Stefani Water Filter related product questions and information. So it only made sense that we make www.stefaniaqua.com the one-stop shop experience for both product and information!
In the early days, I took a major risk in being a little different than most online stores. I designed the site more like a services site with a name and face behind the business rather than some anonymous product selling site with an impersonal contact form. Neither did I put the marketplace as the home page. This was by design as I wanted my customers to feel comfortable before going through with a purchase. This was a feature that many of you actually loved about our site.
The new site will strike a balance between the loved features and ease of shopping. Please do stop by and feel free to comment about the service or product. All positive feedback will be used as testimonials on the redesigned site. Negative feedback will be used for reflection and improving future services.
Wishing you all a fun-filled, stress free holiday season!
May 15th, 2009
I just found out, my ex-boss and mentor at Xerox Global Services Canada, Mel Thompson, is riding across Canada to raise awareness and support for Mental Illness.
We are so inspired by this that I have committed to donate $5.00 for every Stefani Water Filter sold between now and end of August on behalf of LifeSpices.
Check out Mel’s project site here. Cycling enthusiasts don’t forget to check his progress on his blog.
To support his cause directly please go the donate link on his project website.
Our best wishes to, Mel!
April 21st, 2009
Our customers will agree that Stefani Water Filters indeed are good for the environment. Cool water gravity filtration without power, clay water holding chambers handmade by potters in Brazil. Long lasting ceramic filters avoiding the need for replacement for up to 6 months.
To celebrate Earth Day we are extending a 25% discount on Stefani Water Filters for the remainder of April 2009!
April 18th, 2009
My business and professional experience spans management and consulting in the services industry and LifeSpices has exposed me to managing a “product†business for which in some ways I was not really prepared. I ran into all the nightmares of being in the “first year’ of business. These included high breakages, incurring shipping costs for replacements and more unexpected costs for securing the product during shipping! However, by applying some of my experience from the services industry I was able to overcome most of the challenges by maintaining a sharp focus on service delivery and imparting product information.
My marketing strategy for the first 2 years was to go the traditional route of tradeshows, advertising and newsletters. This was important to expose the product and educate the Canadian consumer on the use and benefits. Now that I move into the third year I may use newsletters and other approaches but I am leaving behind the traditional marketing tactics and totally focusing on customer service, “word of mouth†referrals and promote by making charitable donations for fund raising purposes in the not-for-profit organizations…I am always looking for other cost effective ways and would be interested to hear from you.
April 8th, 2009
It’s hard to believe that two years ago on April 9th, I was anxiously standing in a warehouse receiving my first shipment of Stefani Products. It was also a very special day as my daughter, Priya turned sweet sixteen. Today is her eighteenth birthday and being able to involve her in various capacities over the last two years has been simply wonderful. Priya had many unofficially assigned “roles†in which she simply excelled, this included setting up and dismantling the tradeshow booth, communicating product information to potential customers and as well being an excellent sales person.
As a parent, this is perhaps the biggest unexpected reward and gift I take away from being in business with LifeSpices. Those that know me are aware of my absolute disappointment with the Canadian Public School system. If all I had was report cards and comments from her past teachers to indicate her capabilities I am not sure I would have the same view about her future that I now hold… endless possibilities for her future as longs as she applies the same focus, discipline and passion that she has shown with LifeSpices!
Happy Birthday Priya! Your optimistic spirit, compassion and a great sense of humour always helps me through the toughest times with great memories.
To celebrate our 2 year anniversary and Priya’s 18th birthday, we are extending a 25% discount on Stefani Water Filters today. If you see this blog after the between April 9th and 30th, send me an email and I will honour the discount for the month of April 2009.
October 20th, 2008
We finally have the last and final winners of the 2008 Water Consumption Survey that ran for about a year!
The August winner is Samantha Turnbull of Ottawa, Ontario who commented:
“We spend alot of money on bottled water so it would help a lot.”
Stefani Water Purifiers use highly effective ceramic filters that last 4-6 months or 700L which ever comes first. I am sure this system will help reduce the costs!
And our September winner Monica McNeill of Oakville, Ontario told us:
“I have been looking for a water purifier for many years but have never found one that I like. I love the Stefani purifier as I saw it on a TV show recently.”
I think you will agree the hand-made styles are very attractive and highly functional!
Don’t forget to visit our product information site www.stefaniaqua.com for more information.
Congratulations!
August 12th, 2008
I love Orchids! However, little did I know about Orchids and how to maintain them. I’ve killed all my previous Orchids..not intentionally, of course. I just didn’t know! I was in a garden store recently and I asked one of the gardeners how I should pick an Orchid and keep it alive. The gentleman originally from Malaysia eagerly shared with me everything he knows about Orchids and he has been tending Orchids for over 20 years!
So the scoop in 7 magical steps:
(1) Understand the natural habitat of Orchids. Grown in Asia in countries like Malaysia it loves hot, humid climate and grows in the bark of mature trees — not soil! I did not know that!
(2) Pick a healthy orchid (white orchids are the easiest to maintain). Look out for droopy yellowing leaves – not a good sign. Are the blooms healthy? Pick 4 plants that shows sign of health like fleshy, green leaves and healthy blooms…pick the best one!
(3) Buy a terra cotta Orchid pot – yes, it is a special pot with slats around the side to allow aeration.
(4) Buy an Orchid fertilizer. Used twice a week through the summer. Detailed instructions are on the product.
(5) Maintenance: Water the Orchid every 2 weeks. Now here is the golden trick: Never ever let the pot stand with water in the tray – the dampness will kill the roots! Water and allow the water to drain out before placing it back on the water tray.
(6) Ideal Environment: Bathrooms or Kitchens where there is higher humidity with running water.
(7) Pruning Orchids: Remove aged yellowing leaves. Once the blooms are gone on the stem, cut the stem just above the fourth node from the bottom.
Good news: My Orchid is still alive and a new leaf is sprouting! No blooms yet!
August 10th, 2008
We have a ONLY 3 models of 10L Stefani Traditional left in our US warehouse for our US customers. First come, first serve basis 
. This model is ideal for large families or an office serving a large team.
Stefani Water Purifiers, hand made in clay, use biodegradable ceramic filers based on the Doulton design. These long lasting filters are replaceable after 700L of use or every 4-6 months. Great Value and great for the environment!
We are all SOLD OUT in Canada.
Order now in our marketplace!
August 9th, 2008
September 2008 issue of Canadian Style at Home magazine picks Stefani Water Purifier for their feature on the latest eco-friendly products for kitchens. Available on newstands now!
We like that
