We were lucky to catch up with Dominique “Dom” Lipscomb recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dominique “Dom”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

As a Chef, I have always cooked with the best, quality ingredients because I know how it benefits the body. After a medical diagnosis of PCOS in 2016 and wanting to rid myself of taking pharmaceutical medicines for symptoms, I started looking at things from a holistic approach. I researched herbs and how they heal, how they function in comparison to traditional medicines and skincare products. By changing my lifestyle (the foods I consume, making my own skincare products, and using herbs as medicine) I have been able to maintain my symptoms without medication for the past 3 years. I believe that it is my calling to teach others on how they to can reverse ailments and illnesses by using food as medicine. This is the reason why I started my business, The SkinCare Chef and will continue to expand my brand to include herbal medicine and apothecary products.

Dominique “Dom”, 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’ve been a Chef in the food service industry for 18 years. Food and cooking are my passions and I think that’s why it was so easy for me to start a holistic skincare business. I am able to use rosemary in a poultry dish, but also know how rosemary encourages hair growth. I started my business at the beginning of COVID when my current employment was questionable due to the changes in the food service industry. I started with just making all natural body butters and soaps then expanding to other products when I had more knowledge on how to make an all natural version of what being sold in stores. Every year I expanded my product line to add in more offerings based on customer reviews and suggestions, as well as trends in the skincare industry. Currently I have started offering more apothecary products-herbal tinctures, herbal loose teas, Seamoss gels, and salves. I am very proud of what I have created in a 5 year span. I am a one woman show that handles all the production of my products, marketing, social media posting on multiple platforms, funding, set up and breakdown of vendor markets when I do them, all while also having a full time 9-5 career as a Chef. Some months I don’t even make a lot, but as long as I am reaching an audience that wants to learn about holistic skincare and wellness, that’s all that matters.

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

For my business, I rely on hustling through social media, word of mouth, and working various vendor markets in my community. I’m also the product of my product. I use every product on myself first and people will look at my skin and will say, “wow what is your skincare routine” or “where do you purchase skincare products”. When I tell them I make my own products, the dialogue starts. I usually gain the most of my customers by just chatting it up!

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

I fund my business. I started with just $200 and using products in my small home kitchen. I allot a certain budget for supplies, marketing, etc. I manage employee cafes for a living, so I know how to track sales and revenue, cost of goods, labor (which is me), and supplies. I’ve managed to not over spend and still have capital at the end of the year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://The-skincare-chef-LLC.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theskincarechefllc_rva
• Facebook: HTTPS://facebook.com/TheSkinCareChefLLC
• Other: Holistic Wellness Blog

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Image Credits

Dominique Lipscomb