Science and Herbology - Crocus Botanicals

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Pam Godin, Founder of Crocus Botanicals, located in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Crocus Botanicals is a small-batch skincare company located just outside of Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. We specialize in ethically made skincare that is not only toxic-free but focused on being sustainable and refillable. Our customers are designed for anyone who is concerned for. It affects not only their own health but the health of the environment as well.

Tell us about yourself

My passion for the environment and empathy towards others is what has motivated me in life. I was on a very different path for the past 12 years as a climate change scientist. I have studied the environment for about half my lifetime. I began to understand how much chemicals are all around us in our everyday products and vowed to change that for myself. I found it difficult to find products that were toxic-free but also used less plastic packaging. So I began to make my own skincare, and that is how Crocus Botanicals came to be. I really wanted to share what I had discovered about skincare with everyone around me and to show properly that they can have not only great skincare products but also reduce their plastic consumption. What motivates me every day is to continue to find ways to reduce my carbon footprint and plastic consumption for myself and my business. I have even opened up a bulk refillery business to take my ideas to the next level.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is the strength it took to make a huge change in my life by going from a scientist to a maker and store owner. All this while battling Long COVID. I have had a rough three years dealing with disabilities resulting from my exposure to COVID-19 back in February 2020. Before anyone knew what it was and there was no testing, I was essentially left in the dark. It has left me with physical and mental disabilities, but I have persevered. In fact, I feel like it has made me stronger as a person to deal with adversity and the unknown. I think these past three years have shown me what I am capable of, and even when sick, I can make things happen. I did not know that about myself.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest thing about being a business owner is not just about money. It is always a risk to leave a steady paying job to pursue your own business. There are risks to that. But I find the difficulty truly lies in learning how to run the business. Things like learning how to set your retail price. So many of us small businesses undercut ourselves and do not charge what we are worth. This is due to places like Walmart providing an inferior products at a much cheaper price. I also found it difficult to source ingredients and packaging that matched my ethical values. And don’t forget financials like taxes and business licensing, which can be hard to navigate.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

My top three tips for starting and growing your own business would be:

Identify your core business values and motivation. This is the key to a successful business, not just making what you think others will like.
Before starting up, look at how to organize your website, square/Shopify, and business licensing so you are ready to go!
Meet other people doing what you want to do and collaborate. This can be such a benefit to helping each other source things and grow together.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.crocusbotanicals.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crocusbotanicals
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crocusbotanicals/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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