We recently connected with Jasemine Knowles and have shared our conversation below.

Jasemine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

Recently, I launched my first body oil making workshop here in Houston. It’s innovative because it’s one of a kind and first of its kind in the city of Houston. The Body Oil Making Experience is the perfect self-care and intimate experience for women and their friends for pamper parties, self-care days, business events, and more. In this class, I teach the fundamentals of oil blending to create natural, ultra-hydrating, customized body oils that cater to individual skin needs to help their skin glow, leaving them feeling like a hydrated hottie.

Jasemine, 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?

My name is Jasemine Knowles and I’m a best-selling romance author turned CEO of a supportive bath & body care brand called the Hydrated Hottie.

Funny story, but I got into the business after using hair oil on my skin for several years and developing a curiosity, and doing research on the oils that were in the hair oil during the pandemic, is how the Hydrated Hottie was born.

I’ve always been a girly girl who loved wearing dresses and skirts, showing off skin. However, I suffered from a skin condition called “ichthyosis”, which is just a fancy word for fish-scaly skin. I’ve had this condition since I was a little girl. Big-named brands like Bath & Body Works and other brands had really great smelling products but none of their lotions kept my skin moisturized and hydrated, which is key in combatting the fish-scaly dry skin I suffered from.

And, after one day clumsily spilling my favorite hair oil on the floor in the bathroom and not wanting to waste the product, I unashamedly swiped it from the floor and slathered it onto my legs LOL.

My legs were super hydrated and remained that way after a night out on town, where I received multiple compliments about my legs shining. Since I had been using that hair oil. But, during the pandemic, I stumbled across many soap-making and body care product videos on YouTube… and voila. Here I am today, three years later, with a bath & body care brand that not only nourishes and hydrates your skin but leaves you smelling good!

I am most proud of developing products that not only assist women with skin conditions but also leave them smelling good too. Because, smelling good is our favorite thing to do as women and “you smell good” is such a top tier compliment! All of the Hydrated Hottie products are vegan, cruelty-free, and handmade in small batches for the most sufficient quality control!

Alright – let’s talk about marketing or sales – do you have any fun stories about a risk you’ve taken or something else exciting on the sales and marketing side?

A popular influencer on social media had tweeted a funny tweet about body care brands and how she felt like the industry was over-saturated and that she was tired of seeing the same body butter videos over and over on social media. While I agreed with her sentiments, I still quote-tweeted her and shared how my business differed and stood out amongst the many. I also provided pictures and a link to my website. Within 2 minutes, she loved my tweet, retweeted it, and shared how she was going to check out my business… then minutes later, she came back to tweet how she loved my store and purchased some items!!

This moment was monumental because it showed me that even though I am one of many in my industry, there is only ONE me and no one can do what I do but me. It taught me that if you work hard, be YOURSELF, express your personality and passion and pour it into your business, then people will have no choice but to see you and your gifts.

This woman went on to love the products so much, she shouted out my business and thus, my business gained so many new customers. It was a magical moment that taught me to not be afraid to speak up and be yourself.

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

One of the best sources for me to gain new customers is pop-ups! My products are meant to be EXPERIENCED. The moment ladies smell and use the samples I have for them in-person, they just have to have it! So, I say all of this to say, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and speak to people. I cannot express how much just being yourself will get you in business. Get out there, hit the streets, and show your personality!

Contact Info:

• Website: thehydratedhottie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehydratedhottie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlemissinnocent.co
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hydrated_Hottie
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hydrated-hottie-houston