Today we’d like to introduce you to Alice DeShield.
Hi Alice, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My journey began as I searched for a natural skin care product for my sensitive skin. I have what is called combination skin. (This is when your skin is dry in some areas and oily in others) My forehead, nose, and chin were dry, but the rest of my face was oily. I tried almost every skin care product on the shelves, but nothing worked out for me. After years of experiments with various oils, butter, and herbs, I decided to commence the search to solve my continuing skin problems. This led to my discovery of cold process soap making or soap making from scratch.
My goal was to maintain an all-natural and cruelty-free approach to preserve the integrity of my skin. I decided to explore the possibility of creating products to solve my problems. At first, I experimented in my kitchen by mixing different oils. I added essential oils, dried flowers, and herbs using my creativity. I soon discovered that not only was there a healthier way to make skin care products, but I could make my own, and I was having fun doing so.
In 2013, I made my first batch of soap. Months later, I had made enough soaps to give to friends and family as gifts. By this time, I was busy making soaps and body butter for everyone who asked. My mission is to make skincare products just like nature intended. All of my products are handcrafted in North Carolina using all-natural ingredients. My products are scented with essential oils and natural fragrances. The dried flowers, tea leaves, and herbs are carefully selected for me. I like to make beautiful and clean skincare products.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I have a lot of respect for small business owners. I did not know much about running a business when I started this journey. One of my major challenges was trying to obtain bank financing. It is challenging to obtain financing because most banks are not willing to give you a loan unless you can show a successful track record. It can also be challenging to obtain a grant as most grants come with strings attached and have their own set of criteria that may disqualify some small businesses. Competition is also a challenge, especially since skincare products are so popular, making it difficult to have a strong presence in the market. One more challenge is maintaining a natural skincare store. For one, it can be very expensive, not only to set up, but to maintain fresh natural products all year round.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Boby & Soap Skincare LLC?
My business provides all-natural and organic skincare products. We provide handmade soaps, bath bombs, body butter, and facial products. I started my business a few years ago in northern Virginia at the beginning of the Covid -19 pandemic; shortly after that, my husband and I moved to Raleigh, NC. I decided to continue the business on a full-time basis in 2021. I have opened my first location in Cary at the Painted Tree boutiques for small business owners. I am scheduled to open my 2nd location in Raleigh this summer. I also maintain my online presence at www.bodynsoap.com. What sets my brand apart is that our products are made using natural ingredients; unlike many brands that claim to provide natural products but only use very few natural ingredients, our products are 100% natural, with no fillers. We can do this by selecting suppliers who provide quality ingredients. I pride myself on providing real products by keeping the ingredients whole. I do not add any fillers or dilute my products. I believe in serving my customers with integrity by providing high-quality products that are sustainable over time. I am proud to be a female business owner determined to overcome the struggles and challenges of an entrepreneur. I started my business without any financing from banks, and although it has been one challenge after another, I am still pressing on and growing my customer base.
We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as when a person can accomplish a set goal. It doesn’t matter how long it may take to achieve the goal; for some, it may happen overnight, and for others, it may take longer. The key is to persevere with hard work, and progress will follow; just be patient.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bodynsoap.com
- Instagram: bodynsoap
- Facebook: soapandbody
