Natures Garden Fragrance Oils & Supplies

1. What’s your name & Your Company Name:  My name is Amelia Ruth Thompson, owner & founder of Radical Works.

2. Why did you decide to go into business? What was your motivation? How long have you been in business?  I’ve been creating things literally my entire life. Over time, the things I would create would take up space; more space than I actually had. When in Spring 2009, a friend suggested, “Why don’t you sell things on Etsy?” So my original idea was simply to clear out space. I opened a shop, but nothing sold. In 2010, the same friend invited me to share a table with her at Louisianime II. There, I sold many of my crafts, with a lady suggesting I open a business to sell items all the time. So the following week, I opened a new shop, Radical Works. From there, I’ve added many difference types of products; as Radical Works is not limited to a single category. Having a shop has not only helped me maintain my crafts and organization, but it has also opened up my mind to many different types of crafts. I always try to include different types within other items.

3. What products do you make and sell?  Starting off, I had Radical Bears (teddy bears), magnets, and some leather-working items. In the more recent inventory, I have Radical Bears, hats, scarves, gloves, along with various bath products. This includes soap, bath salts, and perfumes. I’ve also made and sold bath bombs & lotions at a craft show.

4. What are your business goals?  I try to set short term goals for myself, as the long term goals can quickly change. But the main goal for my business is freedom through expression. Too many times I’ve been the “odd ball out” in most cases. With my business, it gives me the avenue and method to express myself to others, as well as have others find themselves within my products. It has always been a message in my business: “I never make anything I would like myself”.

5. What are some products you use from Natures Garden; what are your favorite products from Natures Garden?  The main products I purchase from the awesome Natures Garden are their bases as well as their fragrances. The fragrances are what keep me coming back, and I love having the fragranced item with the purchases as well. I have a vase for the fragranced roses I’ve received over time.

Your Website:  www.radicalworks.etsy.com

Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Radical-Works/145705615491497

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BubonicZombie

Blog:  http://radicalworks.tumblr.com/

What’s your name & Your Company Name:  Layla Colegrove & Kathy Colegrove / Flowering Tree Botanicals

Why did you decide to go into business?  What was your motivation?  How long have you been in business?  My mother (Kathy) and I started our business in 2008 and originally only sold botanical supplies. We experimented with using those botanicals in bath products and the rest is history. This month marks our 5^th year in business and going strong!

What products do you make and sell?  We still sell a wide variety of botanicals along with bar soap, whipped soap, our signature Bubble Crumbles™ bubble bath, bath crystals, body mist, sugar scrub, whipped soap, lip “quenchies”, tub truffles, bath bombs and more! We’re always adding new products to our lineup to keep things interesting.

What are your business goals?  Primarily, we’ll be focusing on expanding our presence in retail stores. We’ve got a few other things in the works but we have to keep those secret – for now!

What are some products you use from Natures Garden; what are your favorite products from Natures Garden?  The fragrance oils are fantastic and we especially love the lip balm base!

Your Website:  http://layla.etsy.com and www.floweringtreebotanicals.com

Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/floweringtreebotanicalsfans

Twitter:  @floweringtree

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/FloweringTree

What’s your name & Your Company Name?  My name is Ms. M. Antwane Sheppard and I own Raw Essence – All Natural Bath & Spa Products

Why did you decide to go into business?  What was your motivation?  How long have you been in business?  I’ve been in business for all of six months and the way I got into this business is a sad but true story.  I went to a beautician who had styled my hair in a way that caused significant hair lost. I began to research different oils and their benefits, in effort to develop a concoction that would promote hair growth.   Here’s what I initially came up with – Emu Oil, Castor Oil, Sulfur Sublimed and Eucalyptus – and my hair grew back, longer than it was before going to the beautician, and within four months. With the knowledge I had gained on the wonderful benefits of oils, I started making soaps, sugar scrubs and bath salts. I gave them as gifts to co-workers and family.  Soon after, Raw Essence was born.  What motivates me is the idea of being able to help others and sharing the knowledge of living a more healthy and natural life.

What products do you make and sell?  I make and sell: two types of hair growth serums, handmade soaps, deodorant, flavored lip balms, scented sugar scrubs, bath salts, several types of lotions, whipped body butters, body splashes and solid perfumes, kissable massage oils, scented candles, aroma melts, reed diffusers, and room & linen sprays.

What are your business goals?  I would like to grow Raw Essence to a point where I could maybe give up my day job.  ….Maybe?

What are some products you use from Natures Garden; what are your favorite products from Natures Garden?  I use fragrance oils from Natures Garden; my favorite and best-selling is Cucumber Melon. My husband’s favorite and second best-selling is Linen Breeze. I also use NG’s additives, like Rose Buds, Lemon Peels, and Poppy Seeds as well as their packaging containers, like lip balm pots. The best thing about Natures Garden “in my opinion” is their SUPER FAST SHIPPING!!! I never have had to wait days for my orders to arrive and that is so very important to me and the success of Raw Essence.

Your Website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/RawEssences

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RawEssences

1.  What’s your name & Your Company: Lanita Stallings   Five Sisters Soap Co.

2.  Why did you decide to go into business?  What was your motivation?  How long have you been in business?  I was buying handmade soaps and decided to try making them myself.  One of my daughters actually had eczema and I wanted to make soaps for her.  I have been making soaps for 13 years and I am addicted!

3.  What products do you make and sell?  I make CP soaps and whipped soaps.

4.  What are your business goals?  I want to have a successful internet business.  I have been working on that diligently for  the past year.  Before that I was mainly doing craft shows and selling in a few shops on consignment.

5.  What are some products you use from Natures Garden; what are your favorite products from Natures Garden?  I LOVE the fragrance oils.  I ordered my first ones right before Christmas last year.  I see why everybody raves about them now.

Your Website: http://www.fivesisterssoapco.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/www.fivesisterssoapco

YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/floridagirl7000?feature=mhee

1. What’s your name & Your Company Name:  Dorothy Arrington, Purple Cupcake Soaps

2. Why did you decide to go into business? What was your motivation? How long have you been in business? The business name was changed to Purple Cupcake Soaps last year, after two years as a soap making company. Under the old name of The Purple Cupcake, I ran a cake decorating company since 2005. I decided to officially leave cake decorating after becoming a single mom and the passing of the law HB32. HB32 allowed anyone to run a bakery from without regulation, and the next thing I knew everyone was doing it. However, I didn’t want to loose my decorating skills. Another cause that was close to my heart was using natural medicine and products, from this I decided to create more natural soaps and lotions. All of my products have a sweet tooth personality, whether they look like a dessert or smell like one.

3. What products do you make and sell?  Currently, I make dessert shaped soaps, sweet scented lotions, and natural lip balms.

4. What are your business goals?  Eventually, I would like to have a small shop set-up like a ice cream shoppe. I would also like to create more natural products.

5. What are some products you use from Natures Garden; What are your favorite products from Natures Garden?  All of my fragrances, mp soap, and dyes come from Natures Garden. I love the SLS free products and that NG tries to keep their products as natural as possible. I am over the moon that NG has started selling herbs and citric acid! My all time favorite products are Sinus Relief Fragrance and Kiss of death Flavor Oil.

Your Website: www.thepurplecupcake.com

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/purplecupcakeboutique

What’s your name & Your Company Name:  Creatively Handcrafted

Why did you decide to go into business?  What was your motivation?  How long have you been in business?  I started candle making over 12 years ago as just a hobby.  I love candles and wanted to give it a try.  I enjoyed making candles, however, life got in the way & I ending up taking a hiatus for about 5 years.  Only making candles for certain people.  I recently restarted with a whole new look, new name and all new candles.

What products do you make and sell?  I make all types of candles as well as wax dipped critters.  Recently I have tried my hand at some soap making & bath melts.  Thanks to Natures Garden for the recipes and ideas to try.

What are your business goals?  My new goals are to build my business with regular repeat customers.  I want to provide a quality product that people can enjoy just as much as I did when I created it.  I am currently working full time trying to get my business restarted.

What are some products you use from Natures Garden; what are your favorite products from Natures Garden?  I always get my fragrances from Natures Garden.  I find that they are reasonably priced and always excellent quality.  I recently purchased items for bath melts.  I would have never even thought of trying to make anything else but with the recipes it seemed too easy not to try.  I can’t say that I have a favorite because I have not received anything I didn’t like.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CreativelyHandcrafted?ref=hl

1.  What’s your name & Your Company Name:  Ashley Thompson  Thompson Traditions

2.  Why did you decide to go into business?  What was your motivation?  How long have you been in business?  I decided to go into business after years of teaching preschool.  I came across candle and soap making while finding crafting projects for the children and I got hooked.  I have been in business for 7 years and did nothing but research and test for 2 years prior.

3.  What products do you make and sell?  I make and sell a range of bath and body items, air and carpet fresheners, and a variety of wax melts and candles.

4.  What are your business goals?  I strive to have not just great products that people can truly enjoy but great customer service as well.

5.  What are some products you use from Natures Garden; what are your favorite products from Natures Garden?  Some of the products I use from Nature’s Garden are their waxes and fragrance oils; both of which are constant must haves for me. Nature’s Garden is my “go to” supplier and always will be! I love Natures Garden fragrance oils; they are awesome quality fragrance oils and they carry a large variety.  My current favorite is Frozen Margarita (in fragrance and flavor oil)!

Your Website:  www.thompsontraditions.com

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thompson-Traditions/110063969987?ref=hl

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ThompTraditions

1. What is your name and Your Company Name: Marlene Nicosia/Spa Girl

2. Why did you decide to go into business? What was your motivation? How long have you been in business? Meeting at a crossroad several years ago with decreasing demand for what I had been doing for the previous 35+ years (medical transcription), and also going to be relocating to the Chicago area as my daughter was having a baby and I would be full-time babysitter, I met with a couple of ladies who had successful soap companies and was awestruck by the concept of making handmade soaps from oils and lye. I had always been in love with essential oils and natural products and this was a perfect fit. I began my journey in 2009 into handmade. Although I have seemed to find my niche with bath bombs, my goal is to continue to add a KidSpa and SpaPure line that is fragrance-free with natural colorants, essential oils and beneficial clays.

3. What products do you make and sell? Bath bombs, luxury soaps, Kids Spa line including sugar scrubs, cupcake soaps, bubble bombs, glycerin soaps.

4. What are your business goals? We are working on our website and hope to have it ready in the next few weeks. I would also like to establish wholesale accounts for handmade soaps including our SpaPure natural line of products.

5. What are some products you use from Natures Garden? What are your favorite products from Natures Garden? I love the products, pricing and service from Natures Garden. We carry over 50 fragrance oils from Natures Garden. I love to check out the Best Sellers section and know when I’m adding them to my line; they are guaranteed to be received well by my customers and will become my best sellers. I have purchased soap molds, soap making supplies, and always pick up a few new fragrances with every order.

Your Website: http://www.spagirlsoaps.etsy.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/spagirl.soaps

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpaGirlSoap