We recently connected with Lora Holloway and have shared our conversation below.

Lora, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

Corporate America in the cosmetic and skincare industry is often focus on profit over people, leading to several key issues. One of the main problems is the use of harmful chemicals in products. Many popular brands use ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, which have been linked to various health issues, including cancer and hormone disruption. Despite these risks, these chemicals are still widely used due to their low cost and effectiveness in preserving products.

Another issue is the lack of transparency in labeling. Many products claim to be “natural” or “organic,” but upon closer inspection, they contain synthetic ingredients. This misleading labeling makes it difficult for consumers to make informed choices about the products they use on their skin. Not to mention many of the added chemicals are they to keep consumers returning instead of healing and maintaining healthy skin.

For example, a woman with sensitive skin may have struggled to find a skincare product that doesn’t cause irritation due to the prevalence of harsh chemicals. Another person may have purchased products, but then noticed that the products either failed to work long term, or at all because of the poor ingredients.

Overall, Corporate America’s approach to the cosmetic and skincare industry often prioritizes profit and marketability over the well-being of consumers. This lack of consideration for health, transparency, and inclusivity not only harms individuals but also erodes trust in the industry as a whole.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hedone is a boutique brand deeply rooted in our community, dedicated to crafting exceptional, all-natural goods. Our commitment to quality is unwavering—we use only pure essential oils, eschewing synthetic perfumes and artificial colors. Hedone products are meticulously formulated, free from perfumes, parabens, phthalates, and cruelty.

Hedone offers a delightful range of products, including luxurious bar soaps, nourishing lotions, invigorating bath products, exfoliating sugar scrubs, and premium men’s care items. Each product is crafted with care, using only the finest all-natural ingredients, making them safe for the whole family to enjoy.

Our products are not only indulgent but also beneficial for the skin. The bar soaps, for example, are renowned for their ability to improve skin conditions like eczema, thanks to their gentle, moisturizing formulas. Hedone products are designed to enhance your skin’s health and vitality, ensuring a truly luxurious self-care experience.

Inspired by the goddess Hedone, who championed the right to savor life’s joys, our brand is a celebration of inner happiness. We believe that genuine delight begins with self-care. At Hedone, we strive to ignite your passion and joy with our products, echoing the spirit of the goddess herself.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Business funding is very hard to find. I personally still haven’t found the funding I need to get my brand to that next level, but it doesn’t stop me. I am completely self funded. In the beginning I worked full time in a pretty decent position. I would take money from each paycheck to purchase the supplies I need to make products, and then sale them. Little by little I was able to develop enough product to start doing pop up events to get myself out to the public instead of just friends, family, and co workers.

From doing events and getting my brand out a little more, I’ve been able make and sale more products and instead of working full time for someone else, I’ve been able to cut back to working part time, and still earn funds to support my living expenses and I rely on my profits from business to keep it going and hopefully grow to one day I can just only have my business and not have to work an outside job.

I say all of this to show that if a person cannot get funding there is not need to give up on their dream. A person just needs to do whatever they can big or small to work towards their dream. It may take longer, but a little here and a little there is all you need.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For me most of my clients I meet them either in person or because someone referred them to me. I personally haven’t had much luck with social media, although I hope one day I will so that I can really grow my business. My clients come from me hitting the pavement and networking with people. One thing that has been working great lately is that I grow fruit and veggies and often give them away to help people. When giving away food I always talk of my brand and it has help me gain new clients. These people know the time and care I put in my fruits and vegetables, so they end up buying one of my products to test and then become longer term customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Hedonetemple.com
• Instagram: @hedonetemple
• Facebook: @hedonetemple
• Other: TikTok: @hedonetemple