While the results are temporary, I have a feeling BOTOX® is here to stay.

Did you know BOTOX is the most popular non-surgical beauty treatment in the world? It is also one of the world’s most versatile and most widely researched medicines in the world.

Botulinum toxin, a purified protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum has been researched for over 100 years.  Since it was identified in 1895, researchers have been intrigued by its potential therapeutic uses. 

In 1987, Jean Carruthers discovered that injections of botulinum type A could erase lines and wrinkles.  Botox was first approved on March 14^th, 1990 for the treatment of misaligned eyes, uncontrollable blinking and nerve disorder.  Soon to follow would be approvals to reduce the symptoms of muscle contractions in the neck and foot deformity.  Most recently, in July 2004, BOTOX was granted approval in the United States to treat the symptoms of severe underarm sweating.  A similar product is BOTOX Cosmetic®, which is approved for the treatment of frown lines between the eyebrows, forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet. 

Today, BOTOX is one of the most popular physician-administered aesthetic prescription procedures and researchers are exploring many medical uses for BOTOX.  It is currently seeking approval from the FDA for migraine headaches.

Why is the product so popular?  Many believe this is because of its ability to achieve predictable and measurable results through a relatively simple treatment that requires no surgery. 

Happy Birthday, BOTOX!  Make a wish!

Contributed by:  Ashley Popham

Apple is an amazing brand. And in its fanatics’ mind, nothing is more on-brand than Steve Jobs. He is mysterious, smart, passionate, innovative and wears a mean black turtleneck. And, unlike other great brands’ CEOs, he is so interesting that a TV show mirroring his life is in the works. Yep, a TV show.

You may have seen the show Undercover Boss which takes strides to show the human side of CEOs of companies like White Castle, Waste Management and 7-Eleven. And other CEOs like Tony Hseih of Zappos.com have taken to Twitter to engage fans. In fact, as of today, Tony has more than 1.6 million followers. But a sitcom, now that’s a whole new level of love for (or fascination of) a CEO.

I wonder if it’s a show Jobs would watch (on his iPhone or iPad of course). Would you check it out?

Have you heard about the 3/50 project? As of March 10, 2010, this project reached 50,000 Facebook fans and over one million page views. So what is it?

Project 3/50 was founded by Cinda Baxter and built on the simple premise that to build a stronger economy, we need to inspire and thank consumers for their support of independent, locally owned businesses.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.

3: Think of three businesses you’d miss if they disappeared, then stop in. Say hello. Pick up a little something. That’s what keeps those businesses around.

50: If just half the employed U.S. population committed $50 of their current monthly spending to locally owned, independent brick and mortar businesses, those transactions would generate more than $42.6 billion annually. Imagine what would happen if 3/4 of the poplulation did that.

It’s interesting to note that for for every $100 spent with local brick and mortars, more than $68 returns to the local economy; when spent with a chain or big box, $43 returns. If spent online, unless you live in the same community as the e-tailer, nothing comes home. In an era where we’re glued to our computers and technology, and large superstores make it so easy and convenient to have our goods delivered to our doorstep, this figure hit home for me. Over half of the money stays in the community when you purchase locally. That’s pretty impressive … and is just one little way you can make a difference.

The organization is currently launching the “Eat Down the Street” Campaign, challenging individuals to eat at one locally owned, independent restaurant per week—no chains or national brands. Some of my favorite places are independently owned so this is a no-brainer for me.

For more information, check out The350Project.net.

What are specific things that you are doing to support your local economy and community?

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Like any good American, I was doing my taxes recently. I’m a TurboTax gal. I’ve used it for the past 6 years and it’s pretty easy. As I got closer to the end, fingers and toes crossed hoping for a refund (it didn’t work), I came to a screen with an ad for Mint.com. Well this is new, I thought. Those smart folks at Intuit – you know, the makers of TurboTax, Quicken, and QuickBooks – have a new product.

The name, Mint, might make you think refreshment like the plant or may make you think of making money. I like both so I checked it out. The site aggregates all of your bills, accounts and debts into one site so you can budget and easily keep an eye on your accounts. I like budgets (she says with a smirk).

But the reason I really like it? It is endorsed by Intuit. Intuit has established itself as a financial software resource and immediately I trusted my information would be secure and accurate on Mint.com as well. It turns out Intuit acquired Mint.com late last year. Before the acquisition, I wouldn’t have given the site a second look. Tying Mint.com to Intuit gives it immediate credibility and positive associations.

I tried Mint.com out and it was very easy to use. The problem is that I’m a little paranoid when it comes to giving my information out online despite Intuit’s stellar reputation for security. So, for the moment, the only mint in my life is in my green tea.

Contributed by: Beth Anne McPheeters