Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Plotzker-kelly

Hi Jonathan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

Well, I think we covered my “origin story” in the last story we did together, but in a nutshell – I started out in a retail training program after graduating from state school in NY, and never left the industry.

After years of working for various big name-brand retailers in the Bay Area, I founded Heliotrope SF – an all-natural skincare company. I was seeking out fragrance-free shower gel – which at the time (2009) didn’t exist. For purely selfish reasons, I decided to start a company to create formulas for people who didn’t want (or couldn’t handle) scent on their skin.

From a little shop in SF, to a bigger shop in SF, and now a big warehouse/studio in Oakland, it’s been a fun 15 years. I get to do something I love everyday. And now that my (11yo) kids enjoy making reels with me, I get to include my family in my work :-) My husband gives Heliotrope gifts to everyone on his list – he’s my biggest supporter!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I was lucky enough to have connections in the industry who helped right at the beginning with 1. creating formulas; 2. designing all the branding/packaging, etc; and 3. placing product in local retailers. My dad always told me how important it was to build relationships with the people you work with – so when the idea for Heliotrope came to me, I was able to reach out to many folks I’d worked with along the way, who were all willing to help in one way or another. Most were happy to barter product for services, or to charge discounted rates.

The biggest struggle – and I’m sure this is pretty universal – has been funding. It’s one thing to run up your credit cards & take out business loans when you’re starting up, but all along the way, cash flow can be a problem. Especially as inventories grow, and staff increases, the basic cash needs every month are still hard to manage. It gets a little tricky – but there are organizations out there that can help – local non-profits that support small businesses, as well as SBA-related sources.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Heliotrope offers a wide variety of skincare, bath & body products, shaving & grooming, candles, soaps, and aromatherapy – all made in small batches in Northern California. We specialize in fragrance-free products – which are great for people like me, with sensitive skin – and can be customized with any essential oil, at no added cost. This way, you get a product that smells the way you want it to – and you get to be part of the process of creating an EO blend.

When you see ‘perfume’ or ‘fragrance’ in an ingredient list, it’s almost all the time a laboratory-made synthetic oil – which are always drying (!) and can be problematic for those of us with dermatitis. With pure, undiluted EO’s, there’s no risk – just the benefit of the oils you choose. Lavender smells great, and can also be healing & relaxing. Win-win!

We also offer our best-selling formulas in bulk, so you can save money – and the environment – by reducing packaging and doing your own refills at home. (If you live near us in the Bay Area, you can also bring your empties in to do refills at a discount).

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?

Exploring new places makes me happy. I love to land in a new city & check out the scene – sit in a café for a while and people watch; go to a new museum; rent a bike & check out the lay of the land. For me, it’s not just seeing new sights, but it’s the curiosity – asking questions, and learning local customs, and maybe practicing some new vocabulary.

That curiosity is important – we share in our family the importance of asking questions, and being open to learning new things. Being with my dog makes me happy, too – you know how curious dogs are – the whole world is full of smells to smell & people to greet. And look how happy they are when they’re out exploring on a walk!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HeliotropeSF.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/heliotropesf
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/heliotropesf
• Youtube: tiktok.com/@heliotropesanfrancisco
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@heliotropesf

Image Credits

photos by Michaela Joy