Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Natasha Walker, Owner of Optasia Therapeia Soap and Skincare, located in Houston, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Optasia Therapeia Soap and Skincare is a handmade soap and skincare products business. The products we make are natural, herb-based, and love your skin. Most of our customers have sensitive skin and cannot tolerate many of the harsh ingredients found in your popular name-brand products. And as you may have noticed with many commercial skincare manufacturers today, there has been a shift in consumer interest towards "the natural," "the organic," and the all-around better-for-you products. At Optasia Therapeia, each product is made by hand. Each ingredient has been grown and/or extracted from nature. Each product is intended to aid your humanistic inclination to seek naturalness in your everyday life.
Tell us about yourself
I have very sensitive skin, just like many of my family members. It has always been a gamble to try new products from the store or even trust prescribed creams to improve and/or heal certain skin issues I suffered from. I discovered from personal experience the harmful effects of using commercially produced body care products. Through further study, many of the natural components one might desire from a bar of soap can be yielded by thoughtfully creating a recipe based on your skin needs.
With this mindset, I wanted to develop a natural solution that anyone could use for their skin without the worry of harmful additives. I started making handmade soap, then later ventured into skincare products as well. This became our mission to care for the skin in a natural way.
Our name Optasia Therapeia (pronounced “op-tah-see-a” “therra-pee-yay”) means to see (as in our vision of) healing in what we do—when making skincare products. Ultimately, to see for yourself that natural skin care can no less provide us, humans, with all the self-care we need in place of any commercially manufactured alternative.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building a business based on my personal passion.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Being the owner and staff at the same time. I think that for any new business, you as the owner will be the customer service representative, the salesperson, the order filler, the marketing manager, and everyone else. It was just necessary for me to start the groundwork for my business to operate in the way that would best benefit my customers. And you know when you've entered or purchased from a business that has not processes in place because it shows.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If it comes naturally, then pursue it.
- You will not always get it right.
- Lean on others and do not be afraid to ask for help.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.optasiasoaps.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optasiatherapeia/
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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