We were lucky to catch up with Angela Shore recently and have shared our conversation below.
Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Growth is exciting, but from what we’ve seen across thousands of conversations with entrepreneurs it’s also dangerous if costs aren’t watched closely – sometimes costs can grow out of control outpacing revenue growth and putting the viability of the entire business at risk. How have you managed to keep costs under control?
Costs is an area that definitely adds up with growth but just in general, it weighs heavy for most businesses, especially (small businesses). A budget forecast while ordering materials is necessary. The company recently went through a relaunch in October 2023…it was on pause for six months, while I ventured into another opportunity, I was on the brink of completely walking away with letting go after ten years of being in operations!
I deeply missed my company, and wanted to return but knew I had to do things differently, so I scaled the style items back, focusing on a top seller curation only. My intention went into purchasing new packaging supplies that I felt would be more secure maintaining production from less glass-to-less bubble wrap-to-less parcel weight. Shipping and handling costs have increased, especially in rural areas.
Again here, relaunching is on a level like start up costs which is high. I was able to commit making the skincare line at a lower cost, giving my customers their favorite body oils with a lower retail price under $100. Prior to the relaunch, most blends & items were over a $100 retail price. The product within the bottle is exactly the same, holding quality with our beautiful premium EOs & organic Ayurvedic oils.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started Jiva-Apoha which means (Soul-Healing) in Sanskrit. A Wellness ritual in ‘Oiling’ the body. The vision came after countless of hours in a variety of Indigenous studies and travels in India, that lead me to getting certified in Ayurveda and bodywork to aromatherapy, creating a brand out of Brooklyn. I was able to work on my self-healing at the time, before going live with Jiva-Apoha oils back in 2012. I knew then, that this would be an amazing tool for others to embrace a daily self-care routine.
With anticipation of bringing a unique concept from East to West to an online product service, tailoring Personalized Oils to match one’s dosha and body constitution, to making a variety of blends (styles) available for an immediate purchase. Each blend carries a feeling and liking for both men and women (gender neutral) in self-healing benefits through a skincare ritual.
Practices behind the brand goes deep within Ayurveda and Shamanism. My personal go-to practices have helped me along the way, to rewire and create a daily lifestyle balance in general. It’s a personal touch that infuses the energy behind Jiva-Apoha oils. A natural philosophy of holistic wellness and ecological focus that plays into every aspect of the brand; from the organic, pure ingredients to the humane ethics employed every step of the way.
The market is saturated in Beauty and Wellness *Oil products, I’ve maintained the quality and purity with these powerful oils and essentials since creating the brand. A great passion of mine is working with like-minded Spa/Wellness owners who have body treatment services and retail that incorporate an Ayurveda experience or simply an add-on with the blends. The body oils have multiple calming, healing aromatic properties that make an experience come to life for the customer. And one that can be easily purchased in 8 oz bottle from Spa to home.
I’m so proud that I’ve kept the integrity of the brand true to this day.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
All Jiva-Apoha oils are sold at JivaApoha.com
The skincare line is accessible and available in the U.S. territory market only as a direct to customer shopping online experience.
11 blends in total:
1 Face oil: Sundara (Beauty) (1 oz)
7 Body oils: ( 8 oz w/ Spa Pump):
1967, Atman (Spirit), 1975 OM, Mukti (Freedom), Vitality No. 7, Amma (Mother) and Sukhin (Happy)
3 Attar Roll-ons: (5 ml) Metal Ball: 1967, Atman & 1975 OM
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
For all Jiva-Apoha updates within marketing, there’s a suscribe / newsletter sign up ONLINE for all updates.
A direct email for what’s happening, press, collaborations & partnerships with all product announcements.
First time clients receive a 15% off all products. And a free shipping $150 over for every customer.
A curated new Instagram page has been created since the relaunch.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
All images owned by Jiva-Apoha.