We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diane Carter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Diane, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

For years I’ve always imagined myself as a master soap maker. I spent many years working in Manhattan at a popular natural food and wellness market, something that did not exist in the ghettos of Brooklyn, NY where I was raised at the time. I owe a lot to that place, it definitely changed my mindset. It made me care about what I was putting on my body and in my body. So much so that I often felt overwhelmed by the bombardment of artificial and chemical filled products dominating the beauty and food markets in my neighborhood. I was on a personal journey, to spread all this newfound information I was learning. This is where I could say the passion was born.
Amongst my family I earned the name Ms. Organic. At some point in 2012 I started experimenting with natural carrier and essential oils and created a hair oil that I would use for myself. Some coworkers took notice of how my hair was flourishing and started asking what I use. From that point on it was transforming into something much bigger. No, it wasn’t soaps, but it was a start. In February 2013 I started selling hair oils to my coworkers, family and friends. I felt a sense of pride, that I was making a difference. Since then, I poured my heart into crafting formulations that were gentle, effective, and, most importantly, made from nature’s finest ingredients.
It was that feedback that really ignited the spark. One product turned into another and then another, whipped shea butters, lip balms, etc, I now have over 30 different products for the hair and skin. I believed in my products so much that around 2016 after doing several pop up shops, I started setting up a table on the streets of downtown Brooklyn, and began selling my products that way. And that is what probably put my business on the “maps”. No one was exclusively selling their own beauty products on the streets at the time. I got a lot of exposure and met so many amazing people, some who are still customers till this day.

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.

My name is Diane Carter, the founder of Made With Love Oils. Currently I primarily sell on my website and at a Hair & Stuff 216 a black owned beauty supply store located in the greater Cleveland area in Ohio. I also had my products sold at several other locations that have closed after the pandemic. Some of my greatest accomplishments were getting contracts with stores that were interested in selling my products. It validated everything for me. I knew I was doing something right. Another proud moment is/was hearing testimonials from customers who tell me they talk about my products to everyone they know, or when they proclaim that they will be a customer for life. For example, one afternoon I was stocking the shelves at one of my suppliers store called Jeffrey Beauty Supply in Brooklyn (now closed), and a customer came in and told the owner that she was thankful for the hair growth serum the owner gifted to her a while back. She had recently undergone chemo and said it was the only product that worked on her hair. Now at this time the store was not selling my hair growth serum, but I did give a sample to the owner a while back. So the owner tells the customer “ the girl that made it is actually here now, you can tell her”. I felt so overwhelmed by her story and the joy in her eyes while she was telling me that MY PRODUCT, MY HAIR GROWTH SERUM, changed her life. I don’t remember her name, but I hope she sees this interview. I would love to know how she is doing.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my brand is more than a business it’s a passion with a purpose. It also allows me to live in my purpose, provide for my family and continue to homeschool my children. I like to believe that my early contribution with making natural products helped in the way the industry has changed since 2013. All the major companies are on the “wave” of advertising some natural ingredients in their still toxic formulations. I focus on creating effective products with ingredients you CAN pronounce.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Yes my side hustle turned into my main/full-time business and career. It’s been a beautiful journey that I’m excited to share.

My side hustle began in 2012, when I started experimenting with natural carrier and essential oils. I created a hair oil for myself, and my coworkers and friends took notice of the amazing results. They started asking what I was using, and that sparked the idea of sharing my creations with others. In February 2013 I sold my first product, the hair growth serum. In 2015 I stopped working at the natural market and turned my passion into my fulltime gig. I had a website, sold at pop ups and on the streets of Brooklyn. At one point had my products sold at 5 different suppliers across the US including Georgia, Tennessee, Ohio and Brooklyn, NY. Today I still occasionally participate in pop up shops but my focus is working larger conventions and events. I currently offer 30+ products and hope to get my products into major retailers.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I’d definitely would say doing markets and conventions. Anytime I am able to personally connect with people and share my story, passion and products. I realized that people naturally gravitate towards me. I ‘ve been told I have an aura and personality that is pure and magnetic.

If I had to choose a second answer I would definite say word of mouth advertisement has been so helpful. I like to think that all of my customers are connected one way or another. I have sold my products in 37 states, Canada, some Caribbean islands, states I’ve never been to and don’t know a single soul. That was always fascinating to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.MadeWithLoveOils.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/made_with_love_oils
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/MadeWithLoveOils
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-carter-622753165?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile_utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: Made With Love Oils

Image Credits

Tyquan Carter
J Legacy Studios
EnjoiLux