We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Judy Estiverne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Judy below.

Alright, Judy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I came up with the idea of starting my skincare line after I became curious of how to make my own soap after making a soap purchase in 2019. I started researching the soap making process and different techniques on how to make products with the cleanest ingredients. I also struggle with PCOS and part of that comes with hormonal acne and that left behind hyperpigmentation. Throughout this time of my life I was going through tremendous grief due to the passing of my mother and the stress/depression also added to the breakouts and hormonal imbalance my skin and body were experiencing as well.
I created my first skin bar, tried it and was more excited and confident than ever that I was going to start this business.

Judy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a Miami native with a Haitian background and I am teacher and have been going on 7 years now.
I got the idea for starting my business through a purchase I made and became curious of how I can cater to my skin needs. In the process of creating my first skin bar which was the Lavender Oatmeal Bar, I found comfort in the soap making process because I was dealing with the grief of the recent passing of my mom in 2018. L’amour Maternel Skincare is dedicated to my mom and is french for maternal love. I thought of using mother nature as ingredients for the products to heal the skin the same way mothers would find ways to nurture and heal their children. Our motto is: Perfect skin is a lie. Better is here.

I am immensely proud of the integrity and innovation that define my skincare brand. From the outset, our mission has been to create products that are not only effective but also safe and environmentally responsible.

One of the main things I want potential clients and followers to know is that our brand is deeply rooted in transparency and education. We believe that an informed customer is an empowered customer, so we make it a point to clearly explain the benefits and origins of each ingredient used in our products. Additionally, we are continually investing in research and development to innovate and improve our offerings, ensuring that our customers receive cutting-edge skincare solutions backed by scientific research.

Lastly, our brand is built on community and inclusivity. We strive to cater to a diverse range of skin types and concerns, recognizing that beauty is not one-size-fits-all.

The products that I currently produced are soaps for hyperpigmentation, feminine care, male scented soaps, skin moisturizing body oils, facial cleansers, toners, face mask and serum.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

My biggest thing was to pace myself because I was coming up with all ideas and tried to tackle them. That really hurt me for a while because I was spending money buying inventory and making the products and I wasn’t giving my customers time to get acquainted with what I already had, money was lost and that definitely had me in my feelings. Granted I had great ideas but I just needed to pace myself and give myself time to think things through.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Selling skincare products on a website can be a highly lucrative venture, thanks to the growing global interest in beauty and self-care. The choice to sell my skincare products online was driven by the potential for high profit margins, a broad customer base, and the ability to tap into a market that continuously seeks innovation and improvement. In addition, the digital landscape allows for a more extensive reach, enabling me to connect with customers from various regions and demographics.

One of the primary advantages of selling skincare products online is the scalability of the business. With an online platform, I have the potential to reach a global audience without the geographical limitations of a physical store. This allows for greater flexibility in marketing strategies, such as leveraging social media influencers, search engine optimization (SEO), and targeted online advertisements to drive traffic to my website. Additionally, the platform provides valuable analytics and customer insights, enabling me to tailor my offerings and marketing campaigns to better meet consumer demands.

However, there are also some challenges I had to consider. The skincare market is highly competitive, with numerous established brands and upcoming brands competing for consumer’s attention. This means that significant effort and thinking is constantly taking place to differentiate my products, whether through unique formulations, eco-friendly packaging, or exceptional customer service. Furthermore, the online nature of the business necessitates a strong focus on digital marketing and maintaining an engaging, user-friendly website. Potential customers need to be convinced of the efficacy and safety of your products without the benefit of physical samples, which can pose a challenge in gaining their trust.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lmaternel.us/
• Instagram: lamourmaternel
• Other: tiktok: lamourmaternelskincare

Image Credits

Pictures done by Vanessa of Just A Daydream Studios