So far, the “girls” have tested and reviewed dozens of products for the skin, face, eyes, hair, lips, and nails, covering a wide range of price points, from Almay and Maybelline to Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so, the price of a product appears to have no correlation to its effectiveness. “We had tested a moisturizer that cost $195,” Neville said. “I loved it at first, then my skin started drying out. So I’m sticking with my tried and true six dollar product that I get at the grocery store.” “That’s why I get so excited about it,” Tennyson added. “It’s ridiculous to spend two to three times as much on something.”
Working together for a common goal They may not always like the same products, but each b spot girl readily points to their shared history at Culver as a significant contributing factor to their growth and success. “The main thing I learned at Culver was respect,” Moncrief said, “and I think that plays a big role in this business. It’s not unusual for us to have completely different opinions about the products, but we respect each other’s perspectives.” “Team building and leadership,” Rudnicki added without hesitancy. “We all learned about team building and leadership from a young age at Culver. We know how to work together as a team and how to communicate. We stick to our agendas and schedules, and we are organized. The biggest thing for me is that we are working together to reach a common goal.” Tennyson said, “Culver teaches perseverance and resilience. I remember in summer camp one year, I wanted to earn my C every week, but in the fourth week I didn’t get it. … But what are you going to do? Quit? You say, ‘OK, I didn’t get it this week but I will try for next week.’ That’s a great life lesson.” Some people might advise against close friends going into business together and, in fact, Neville was cautioned on that very fact. “People told me that being in business with friends can get dicey at times. But it’s easy to be in business with Michelle and Sarah and Shannon because, number one, I trust them. We have that collective sense of trust and we truly enjoy each other’s company, and that’s huge,” she said. “And this is an outlet for each of us. We are at the same stage in life, with young children. Our minds are usually focused on our family. But this is something we can do for each other and for other women and even girls.” “I don’t know that I could do this with another group of people,” Rudnicki added. “It’s more than just the website. We share each other’s triumphs and challenges.” Because the four women live in four states, they meet on Google Hangout. They select products to review and discuss the pros and cons of recently tested items.
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But, “It’s way bigger than just the four of us,” Rudnicki said. “We have had great support from many other Culver grads.” Culver, in fact, is a recurring theme in their conversations. “After one of our hangouts, we have all shared an inside joke or a memory,” Moncrief said. “We get the job done, but we never forget our roots. There’s never a meeting that goes by that there’s not some sort of Culver comment.” “We have been friends for so long,” Tennyson added. “I’ve known Shannon and Michelle since I was eleven, and I met Susannah when I was fifteen. For all of us to have stayed so close for so long is amazing. There have been blips along the way, but we have powered through.” Rucknicki said, “I have always loved the way Culver made me feel a part of something. And that feeling gave me more selfconfidence to take risks. Had I not gone to Culver, I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to do something like this.” Currently, the b spot girls are thrilled at the attention they are starting to garner. Beauty companies are inundating their post office box with products – although, as Neville stresses, their reviews are always impartial and independent, and they do not get paid for them. The women also are working on getting website affiliates so that, eventually, a reader will be able to click on a product and be directed to a separate site to purchase. b spot girls would then receive a small percentage of that purchase from the manufacturer. It’s been an exciting first year, and one that has confirmed Neville’s initial feeling about her partners. “I knew I had the right group right away. They are responsible, reliable and smart. And there’s a lot of humor in this. It’s a blessing to have such good friends and to be able to do this with them.” And if she’s having any sleepless nights these days, it’s not because of b spot girls. “I never have to worry about the others meeting their deadlines,” Neville said. “And they’re honest in their reviews. I trust that they have tested the products. I don’t get bogged down in the minutia of management. The things I worry about are the big picture things, like where are we going next?” Pretty far, it seems.
Editor’s note: The parent of a former Woodcrafter, Kathe Brunton is a freelance writer living in Edwardsburg, Michigan. She is a frequent contributor to Culver Alumni Magazine, most recently writing about “The Magic that is Woodcraft” during the centennial celebration.