We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erin Lea. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erin below.
Erin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
In the early 2000s I was battling eczema on my hands, which I had attributed to stress. My sister gave me some handmade olive oil soaps as a gift, and as I used them, my hands began to heal. I was thrilled to finally get relief from the eczema, and I began to suspect that stress was not the cause. As an environmental scientist and avid researcher, I began poring over medical publications to learn more about the chemicals in commercial soaps that had seemingly caused my contact dermatitis. I learned that the sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, and other chemicals commonly found in mass-produced bath and body products were the likely culprits. In 2011 I happily tossed out all my commercially manufactured skincare products. I left my corporate job, utilized my chemistry background, and began formulating and creating plant-based soaps, shampoos, deodorants, and moisturizers. I knew this career change was worthwhile because so many people in my life suffered with similar skin conditions. I wanted to offer a clean, affordable, plant-based alternative to mass-produced skincare products. As the daughter of entrepreneurial parents, I witnessed firsthand the freedom that comes with owning a small business. I felt excited about a career in which product development possibilities are limitless in a field that combines my passion for science with my desire to help others. Founding Olive Tree Body Care provided that opportunity!
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 have always loved all things science! As a child, I was frequently outdoors collecting rocks, insects, and wildflowers, or I was perusing books about earth science and biology. My love of science and nature led me to pursue a degree in geology and geophysics, after which I began a career as an environmental scientist. At one environmental company, I dealt with hazardous chemicals and was even on a hazmat team, conducting emergency spill response all over Texas. I also helped clients in a variety of industries to stay in compliance with environmental regulations. In 2011 I transitioned to a cosmetic science career and founded Olive Tree Body Care. I began formulating products using natural, organic, and cruelty-free ingredients. I sold my skincare products at local pop-up markets, and I created a website to reach a broader audience. By 2016 I was selling my products in local brick-and-mortar shops, and Olive Tree is now carried by retailers in several states. I value new product ideas and requests made by my clientele, and their suggestions have contributed to my ever-growing product line. Olive Tree offers products in a variety of categories, such as men’s grooming, bath and body, baby care, pet care, essential oils, and more. I strive to keep overhead low so I can pass the savings on to my customers. I want to deliver high-quality, toxin-free products at the lowest possible price.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I lost a significant revenue stream when all local pop-up markets and craft festivals were cancelled due to Covid. Like many small businesses, I had to adapt in creative ways to the financial devastation that resulted from the pandemic. The sudden demand for and scarcity of hand sanitizer and masks presented an opportunity for me to help the community while compensating for the lost revenue. I had an enormous stash of fabric and notions from a custom sewing side gig I had run in the early 2000s, so I pulled it out of storage. I dusted off my sewing machine and began making masks to meet the demand in my community. I produced, sold, and donated these, along with many bottles of hand sanitizer, during the shortage. This new revenue stream helped sustain Olive Tree until consumer trends returned to some sense of normalcy.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
I knew nothing about manufacturing soap or cosmetics prior to 2011, but I had a solid background in chemistry from my education at Texas Tech and my prior work as an environmental scientist. As an avid researcher, I spent hours perusing scholarly articles to better understand the chemistry of plant-based skincare. I learned that many chemicals allowed in American cosmetics are banned in Europe. The U.S. skincare industry lacks clean, natural product lines that are domestically made, handcrafted, and affordably priced. The average consumer can scarcely afford the natural cosmetic brands sold in department stores and by multi-level marketing companies. And oftentimes, more affordable national brands contain few high-quality ingredients and often contain potentially harmful chemicals, while touting their products as safe and natural. My goal in creating the Olive Tree Body Care line was to address these issues. I studied and committed to follow European Ecocert standards, which state that ingredients must be from natural origin except a restrictive approved ingredient list authorized in small quantity. Ingredients I committed to avoid include parabens, sulfates, silicones, aluminum, formaldehyde, PEGs (polyethylene glycols), and phthalates. I first formulated a bar soap made with plant oils and butters, clay minerals, and essential oils; and I began making small batches in my kitchen. I sold the soap at local markets and by word of mouth. Customers began requesting other natural products, like eczema cream, lip balm, and sulfate-free shampoo, so I grew my product line in response to these requests. I used my 10’ x 10’ home office for ingredient storage and order processing, but I quickly outgrew this space and wanted to reclaim my kitchen for meals instead of cosmetic manufacturing. To accommodate this growth, we moved to a home with a converted 2.5 car garage, which became my workshop. This has allowed me to manage all aspects of my business in one dedicated space. As an entrepreneur, I wear many hats. I divide my time among product research, formula development, manufacturing, web design, and graphic design for labels and advertising. I enlist the help of seasonal interns to help during busy holiday rushes. By keeping all aspects of my business inhouse, I can keep overhead low and pass on the savings to my customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: olivetreebodycare.com
- Instagram: @olivetreebodycare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olivetreebodycare
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-lea-b46b739/
Image Credits
Jessica Collins, Erin Lea