Feel Great About What Goes on Your Skin & Body - naked.
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sierra Ainsley, founder of naked., located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
naked is all-natural, organic, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, fairly traded, and zero waste - hair, body, and home care products. Most of our herbs ( that we use to make our essential oils ) are grown here in Ontario. We love being part of the whole process (seed to shampoo bar) so that we can guarantee the quality of our products. Our customers are generally of all ages - people looking for healthy alternatives to their body care products, people who are concerned about the effects of microplastics on their bodies, and people who are aware of the effects of plastics and chemicals on our environment/ planet.
Tell us about yourself
Years ago, we came out with the 3 R ( reduce, reuse, recycle), but we now know that over 91% of the world's plastics are not being recycled. No longer can we complain about reducing or reusing, or even recycling. We need to "full stop" using.
Our skin is the largest organ in our body. What we put on our skin directly impacts our physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being. We aim to create healthy living, zero waste, affordable alternatives, so people do not have to choose savings over their health.
With every course I take or plants benefits I research, I learn more about how to better my health, my friends, clients, families, and the planet. The UN released a statement in March saying, "our window to save the planet is quickly closing" I am motivated to find healthy alternatives and sustainable products so that window doesn't close completely.
(https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10560019/UN-climate-report-Atlas-human-suffering-worse-bigger.html)
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Growing and learning about my passion (healthy, sustainable alternatives) and helping others to maintain/ or start living a healthier lifestyle.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Not everyone shares the same passions. Standing back and allowing people close to you to choose something you know is harmful to them is difficult but can not be taken personally. As an example, choosing personal body care products can be so important to your overall health. They are worth doing the research and learning what to avoid. I remember when I first started making/ using all-natural deodorant; I couldn't believe how much I stank! I carried deodorant with me all the time and reapplied because I was worried about body odor. When I had almost given up, I started to read that the reason I smelt bad was my body was detoxing itself. I was literacy shedding all the toxins, parabens, sulfates, and aluminum that I had stored for years.
For me, this two-week process was well worth the impact it made. I have more energy, feel less sluggish, and am healthier for it, but not everyone feels the same way. We didn't get this way overnight, and it takes time for our bodies to repair the damage we have done. Just like it will take time to repair the damage we have done to our planet, but what better reason is there to start now!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be patient; nothing happens overnight.
- Be understanding, I have wonderfully supportive friends and family but must understand that not all of them believe in the same things ( as I do) or have the same passions. You can not take everything personally.
- Have fun - get out of your comfort zone, make new connections, learn new things, and spread your passion to others.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.naked0waste.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Naked-102716755547853/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naked0waste/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.