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

Cassandra, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents taught me the importance of faith, resilience, and creativity, values that have shaped every aspect of my life and career. Growing up, they instilled in me a deep belief that God had a purpose for my life and that I was created with unique talents meant to make an impact.

My mom is incredibly hardworking yet always makes time to have fun and enjoy the life we have been given.
She always emphasized loving God, working hard, and living with integrity. At the same time, she showed me how to enjoy life—whether it was spending time outdoors, prioritizing family, or living a healthy lifestyle. She taught me that success comes not just from effort but also from balance and joy.

My dad, on the other hand, is the kindest, most patient, and easygoing person I know. His love for me has always been unwavering and unconditional. This deep sense of security gave me the confidence to dream big, knowing I had a safety net of love and support. Most importantly, his unwavering support taught me the value of relationships and community. Whether it’s fostering trust with my customers or lifting up others I carry those lessons forward in my business and my life every day.

This combination of traits—my mom’s determination and focus paired with my dad’s kindness and unwavering belief in me—has shaped my approach to life and my business. My parent’s values inspire me to create a skincare brand rooted in that integrity, quality, and authenticity, while my dad’s encouragement reminds me to dream big and have the courage to make those dreams happen. Together, their influence gave me the foundation I needed to build VM Skincare with heart and purpose.

Cassandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the founder and creator of VM Skincare, a luxury skincare brand inspired by nature, ancient beauty rituals, and the desire to provide high-performing, non-toxic products. My journey into the skincare industry began with my own frustration. I had difficulty finding natural skincare products that were truly effective. Many brands claimed to be “natural,” but their diluted formulas lacked the potency needed to transform the skin. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands, diving deep into research to create skincare that combines ancient wisdom with modern innovation.

VM Skincare offers a range of luxury products made with 100% cold-pressed organic oils, featuring ethically sourced ingredients like blue tansy, prickly pear, helichrysum, and frankincense. These ingredients aren’t just trendy buzzwords—they’re carefully chosen for their ability to hydrate, promote collagen production, soothe inflammation, and repair the skin barrier. Every product we create is free of harmful chemicals like parabens and sulfates, which are known to accelerate aging. We prioritize clean, non-toxic beauty because I believe skincare should be safe, effective, and transformative.

What sets VM Skincare apart is the story and intention behind the brand. Inspired by ancient queens like Cleopatra and Queen Esther, VM Skincare is “skincare fit for royalty.” The VM in our name stands for “Vashi’s Magic,” a nod to Vashti, one of the first queens in the Bible known for her strength and beauty. This idea of empowering women to feel confident and radiant is at the heart of everything we do.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the trust we’ve built with our customers. They know that every product we create is held to the highest standard, formulated with love, care, and integrity. We’re not just selling skincare—we’re offering an experience that blends luxury, efficacy, and a deep respect for nature.

For potential clients and followers, I want them to know that VM Skincare is more than a brand; it’s a mission. We’re here to provide solutions for those who are tired of ineffective products and want something that delivers real results while staying true to their values. Whether it’s addressing anti-aging concerns, repairing the skin barrier, or simply elevating your skincare ritual, VM Skincare is designed to make you feel like the best version of yourself.

Above all, I want people to know that this journey has been about creating something authentic. It’s about passion, dedication, and a belief that everyone deserves to feel beautiful and confident in their skin.

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

Funding VM Skincare was a journey that truly sets my business apart. Instead of seeking outside investors or loans, I took the road less traveled and bootstrapped the entire venture. This method, while more challenging, was also one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It required a great deal of perseverance, and discipline but it allowed me to build my business on a foundation of complete ownership and authenticity.

I started with my own savings to purchase a very small inventory. I put everything I had—not just financially, but emotionally and creatively—into VM Skincare. I used my time and energy to design everything myself, from creating the website to branding, packaging, and product formulations. It was truly a hands-on process from top to bottom.

As the business grew, I reinvested the profits back into the business, allowing it to expand sustainably. I began with two MVPs (Most Valuable Products), focusing on a simple but effective range that reflected my brand’s commitment to luxury and efficacy. I applied a build-measure-learn-repeat framework to everything I did, carefully analyzing what worked, improving on it, and repeating the process. This iterative approach required patience and dedication, but it ensured that every step forward was purposeful and aligned with my vision.

Looking back, I can say that bootstrapping my business has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a testament to what can be achieved with hard work, discipline, and a belief in your mission. Knowing that VM Skincare was truly built from the ground up—with no shortcuts—makes every milestone that much more meaningful. It’s not just a business; it’s a labor of love, built on the values of integrity, perseverance, and creativity.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

VM Skincare started as a side hustle, born out of a passion for creating something truly unique. My mindset was simple: “Just get out there and see what happens. You’ve created something amazing, and there’s nothing like it on the market.” Even if it remained a side business, I knew it would still be rewarding to pursue my passion, tap into my creativity, and do what I love.

At the time, I was working in the insurance industry—a steady career that I appreciated but didn’t ignite the same excitement I felt for skincare and entrepreneurship. Launching VM Skincare allowed me to dream big and see where my creativity could take me. About a year after launching, it became evident that VM Skincare was growing into more than a side hustle. It was becoming difficult to balance both, and I knew I needed to fully commit to give my business the attention it deserved.

Thankfully, I had incredible bosses who understood what it was like to start and run their own businesses. They wholeheartedly cheered me on, offering their encouragement as I slowly transitioned out of the insurance world and into running VM Skincare full-time.

Key milestones along the way included expanding beyond my initial product offerings, seeing my first repeat customers, and receiving heartfelt testimonials about how my products had transformed someone’s skin. These moments confirmed that my vision was resonating with others and inspired me to keep pushing forward.

Taking VM Skincare from a side hustle to a full-time business has been a journey filled with risk, hard work, and immense reward. It’s a reminder that sometimes the boldest step—betting on yourself—is the most important one you can take.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopvmskincare.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop_vmskincare
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopvmskincare