Starting A Skincare Business – Interview With Little TapRoot

It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Emily, owner of the Etsy shop the Little Taproot Apothecary who is going to tell us all about starting a skincare business! Emily hand-crafts all her products with natural ingredients (mostly organic) and do not use any chemicals or preservatives. I love the artisan feel and small batch approach of her skincare business!

Her passion really shows from the quality ingredients she uses to the handmade labels she designs herself. I hope you will enjoy her insights as much as I did!

What inspired you to start your skincare business?

I have always been a creative person, even as a child I loved to smash together colours and brew up whimsical “potions”. I was a free thinker and often butted heads with convention. When I became a mother in 2009 being creative and stepping out of the box took on a whole new meaning.

I began experimenting with healthier child and household products which opened the floodgates to a world of natural living (can you say henna hair dye and homemade laundry detergent?! Woot woot!). Now I’m hooked on maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. I get the utmost pleasure in sharing all that I have discovered with others.

Tell us about your business, your story!

My business is a sweet little piece of my soul, a corner of my heart.

Little Taproot Apothecary offers artisan bath and beauty products formulated with natural ingredients that are plant derived, environmentally friendly and nontoxic.

These products are mild yet effective and safe for all skin types. They are free of parabens, sulphites, phthalates, artificial dyes, petroleum based ingredients, and synthetic fragrances. Little Taproot products are formulated with truly natural and predominantly organic ingredients.

All Little Taproot Apothecary products are handmade, often made-to-order, and made with love in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. These products are made without the assistance of preservatives and in small quantities to ensure you receive the freshest product possible.

If you had one piece of advice, what would it be?

Plan, plan, and plan some more! Start small, work slowly, identify what craziness fabulousness you want to share with the world and commit to that vision. I wasted so much time and money in the beginning toying with label designs, various packaging (so many different lids to choose from!), and an endless list of concoctions that never came to life.

What is your biggest challenge?

Patience! Starting a skincare business takes time and can grow slowly, mine is no exception, I need to be patient. Sometimes I become discouraged, I want to be a busy bee, I want my skincare business to flourish. Growth just doesn’t happen overnight. I must be patient, plant the seeds of success, and experience gratitude for what I have and where I am – here and now. I also must have faith that the future is bright and shining!

What were the first steps when starting your skincare business?

Homework! I spent hours upon hours searching the web for not only the best supply sources (crucial to a successful business) but also beautiful inspiration and role models to emulate!

What is the most effective ways of getting customers in your opinion?

Be unique! Offer a quality product that draws the eye and excited the customer! Avoid being “cookie cutter” and never copy someone else’s work…. Like a pop star, you’ll only end up blending into a sea of similar creators.

Did you create your own logo or had a freelance designer do it for you?

My logo and labelling are what make my products recognizable. I design each product label myself, playful little scribbles decorate each and every item I offer to my customers.

How do you establish trust with your clients?

Be transparent, be honest, be consistent, admit when you’ve made a mistake. Remember the old adage “the customer is always right”. I believe in that, genuinely, and I think that anyone seeking to succeed in their own personal business ventures should too.

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What are you thoughts on starting a skincare business? Do you have any questions Emily or I can answer?

I’d like to thank Emily for taking the time to answer those questions and for providing insights to help starting a skincare business!

Cheers,

Eve