We recently connected with Crystal Atkins and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Crystal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

In 2020 despite the world coming to a stop and reinventing the way we as a society operate, Cucumber and Mint (our med spa) was able to move forward with the support of our amazing clients. But like a true entrepreneur during that down time I started thinking about a new venture within the industry. You see, I’ve always loved the idea of creating my own skincare line, but I also thought I can’t compete with the “big guys”… but then one day at home during the worldwide quarantine I asked myself why not? And then my mind literally shifted from idea to game on, and DOLCE DEW started.

So I met with google on a daily basis, researching labs. I scheduled zoom meetings after zoom meetings, finally I put a deposit down with a lab. Filled out so much paper work describing exactly how I wanted the formulas, from the ingredients to the way it felt, smelt, and lingered on the skin. When I got my first sample in, I was so excited to open it but when I looked at the ingredients the main ingredient I wanted wasn’t included… to say I was disappointed was an understatement. Not only were the ingredients not included they were also two months behind schedule with poor communication. Luckily I got my deposit back and started my search for a new lab, we are now well into 8 months of working on this project (this seemed like such a major set back ) and my patience was wearing thin.

What was crazy was the next lab I interviewed I found on instagram (obviously I was targeted, ha, see some good can come out of my social media knowing me better ). This company was just bought out by two people my age who worked in the industry but knew how to hire a team who were experts in their specific fields. I hit it off immediately with this team, and everything started to click. The formulators and chemists I was able to speak with on a regular basis, and when I received my first sample from them, I cried because I felt heard. We still had to make adjustments but it is my favorite product to date, the daily dose vitamin c serum.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I started in the beauty industry by doing makeup for weddings. I decided to go to school for esthetics to get my license, I ended up following in love with skincare and the knowledge behind the ingredients. When Jen and I decided to partner to open Cucumber and Mint we knew we wanted to create an environment to teach our clients about their skin and build their confidence. Transforming my clients skin became a passion, a visible difference in the way they held themselves once we had treated their concerns. Whether it was acne, hyper-pigmentation, dullness, and or overall rejuvenation, that boost in confidence I saw in them was amazing.
My love for skincare continued to grow and the skincare junkie in me knew I needed to start a skincare line that would be easy to follow and not completely strip the barrier of the skin. DOLCE DEW was created. A line my clients would love to use and use daily. I made this line for my clients, my mom, my best friend, for you.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

“Be a regular somewhere.” Whether its a coffee shop or a gym, being somewhere on a regular basis gives you the opportunity to build a clientele outside of your friends and family. This was something one of my instructors said that has stayed with me. When I first started out I taught fitness classes regularly at Oxygen fitness studio, this got me in front of a lot of people who I was able to naturally talk about what I did outside of the studio. I still credit this to my main clientele base and this was 8 years ago.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I do my best to post on socials because it keeps me in front of my clients and Im able to give tips and tricks; when my clients come in for a facial, I’m their to serve them. It is about them and not me, I educate them on whats best for THEIR skin, what would make most difference for THEM. We have built a relationship overtime built on trust. I also always give recommendations but always make it clear that their is no pressure, and make sure we have. a follow up appointment scheduled.

Contact Info:

• Website: dolcedew.com cucumberandmint.com
• Instagram: @dolcedew @cucumberandmint @crystalatskin
• Facebook: @dolcedew @cucumberandmint
• Youtube: dolcedew
• Other: tiktok – @dolcedew

Image Credits
@rwiphotography