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

Daphne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

A former coworker’s son had severe skin pigmentation that led to a diagnosis of eczema. The prescription caused an adverse reaction worsening his condition. After the negative response, my coworker asked me for an organic product. I offered her a jar of my SmithButter’s Sea Moss Body Butter. Because of its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral properties, sea moss is an alternative to corticosteroids or cortisone cream for treating eczema. The polyphenols in sea moss decrease inflammation. The results amazed my coworker and her son in a few days. Her son called my product his “miracle butter.” His positive feedback encouraged and excited me to pursue my business further.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In response to your questions, as a wife, mother, and grandmother who has always had to deal with my sensitive skin. I was always breaking out or swelling due to an allergic reaction to something. SmithButter started when my sister and I were making body butters using ingredients we had in our kitchen. I loved the body butter on my skin. I grew a passion for making more products. I was making products for family and friends. Then, one day, my daughter said, “Ma, you need to make this a business. Everybody loves your products. They are amazing.” Then she suggested the name “SmithButter.”
I still make all of my products in my kitchen, as well as my packaging and labeling.
Now, I am in the process of re-branding SmithButter’s Skincare Products line.
These are the main things I would want my potential clients/followers/fans to know about my brand, is that I use quality essential oils and herbs in making all of SmithButter’s products. My goal is to stay away from using chemicals in any SmithButter’s products. I always pray for my products to promote healthy, healing, moisturizing and rejuvenating skin. SmithButter was designed to for those with sensitive, dry, and dull skin.
When I started SmithButter, during the pandemic, there were multiple challenges.
There were financial challenges getting my business to thrive and having customers to support my products and vision. There were physical challenges in making all of my products to ensure the quality that customers would expect. At the same time, being challenged learning time management in incorporating personal and spiritual lifestyles, as well as work and business.
Through every challenge, I have learned to never give up on my dreams or visions. I always trust God when taking chances, using wisdom and understanding in every aspect of my business.

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

One lesson I learned is not to trust anyone’s promises to support my business in any way. Often people’s promises sound appealing at the time but usually amount to nothing. I have also learned that trusting in God will always cause my business to be successful. He always sends the right people to support my business every time.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I started SmithButter in July 2019, it was inspiring and challenging. There are so many organic skincare products to compete with, it was very hard to get repeat customers. Then, the pandemic happened. I had to pushed my brand, SmithButter, even more, and people were willing to support it because there were limited products in stores during the time. My products included disinfecting sprays, wipes, and hand sanitizers. Having these products was huge for my business. Believe it or not, the pandemic hurt some while benefitting others.

In 2021, the economy and my business went through financial challenges and changes. My father also passed away in October that year, causing me to have difficulty focusing as I wanted to give it all up and do nothing else. However, orders continued to come in from various customers. The continued demands caused me to refocus my mind and intentions on my business. I continued to complete orders, which was an avenue to get through the hurt and pain of losing my father. My father was always an example of a great provider who would do whatever necessary to care for our family. My pandemic products were disinfecting sprays, wipes, and hand sanitizers. Today, SmithButter is a thriving online company, we were approved to sell our products on Amazon. God is Awesome!

Contact Info:

• Website: SmithButter4me.net
• Instagram: SmithButter4me
• Facebook: Smith Butter
• Youtube: SmithButter4me
• Other: Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Hair- Ericka Murray Makeup- Self Attire- PrettyTina Assistants- Willie L Smith LaTasia S Smith Alesia T Myers