We were lucky to catch up with Lissette Monzon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lissette thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

I’ve noticed a shift in the wellness industry in the last three years. It used to be that health was simply based on our diet and exercise.

Then, in the last 10 years, the clean beauty and clean eating movement started to grow. People started to recognize that the products and food we regularly consume actually have questionable ingredients in them; Ingredients that could potentially harm our health. I think this happened because there was an overabundance of illness in the world, and as a whole, we started to become more cognizant of what we put on and in our bodies. We started turning around labels, analyzing what was in our products, and becoming a more educated consumer.

Today, I’m noticing another shift in the wellness space. There is a growing need amongst so many to connect more with nature, to start growing our own food, to go walking barefoot on the ground, and get more sunlight in our eyes. We’re realizing that health comes not just from our diet and exercise, or in eliminating potentially harmful ingredients, but also from how we connect with the earth, how we speak to ourselves, and how we care for each other. Holistic care is the trend of the 2020’s wellness industry and I’m here for it. It’s so powerful to break free from the modern noise and return to ourselves and nature.

Lissette, 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’m Lissette, founder of the organic skincare and aromatherapy line, Lilly Be. I am a Certified Clinical Master Aromatherapist and hold an Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science. I’ve always loved the idea of mixing ingredients to create something new. And I’ve always admired nature for its healing benefits. I started crafting my own plant based skincare and wellness products as a teenager. I would make blends for family and friends for everything from anti-aging creams to cough and cold remedies. I dreamt of having a skincare and aromatherapy business where I could help people feel beautiful and be in good health with natural products. But it wasn’t until 2015 that I took 4 body balms out to a farmer’s market. It was then that I realized so many people were looking for organic products with clean ingredients. I started growing my business locally at markets and events. It was incredible to be part of our amazing, wellness focused people here in South Florida. Currently, I offer a full line of facial care and aromatherapy products that provide holistic care. I formulate with synergy in mind to target mind and body wellness. This is reflected throughout our product range as each product is named as a state of being, which expresses not only the benefits to the skin, but your mind as well.
This year I am expanding my work to services, not just product. Helping others connect back to nature and to themselves through wellness practices and clean beauty is my mission. I love my work and hope to bring a bit of joy, peace, youthfulness, and connection to earth to those who discover Lilly Be.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I formulate and manufacture all of my products. At 15 years old, my mother bought me my first aromatherapy book and 5 oils. I studied the book more than my regular schoolbooks. I learned how to make compresses for headaches and other ailments. I made oils for massage or healing. I knew I wanted to be an Aromatherapist. In college, there was no field of study offered for this, so I actually went into education; however, along the way I discovered an accredited school through the National Aromatherapy Association, and I became a Certified Clinical Master Aromatherapist. Through this certification I learned how to formally blend essential oils, create emulsions, balms, and mists. Recently, I’ve completed an Advanced Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation and Organic Anti-Aging Cosmetics. I continued my studies because I wanted to work with some more advanced natural actives and formulations. Along this journey I have learned about Good Manufacturing Practices, Ph dependency of a product, contraindications of ingredients, skin barrier challenges for product penetration, dermal limits for essential oils, various emulsions, gels, and ingredient compatibility. Formulating and manufacturing is the base of my business. I love creating products for people that I developed from start to finish.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I had to choose a subject to major in at college. I spoke with my school counselor about being an aromatherapist. She explained that there was no such offering at the University and that it was not a real profession. When I asked my parents about being an aromatherapist, they too were struggling to understand what that actually was. I went on to become a high school English teacher and curriculum support for the next 12 years. A profession that is very rewarding in its own way too. But I couldn’t dismiss the need to become certified in what I loved the most. In between those years I discovered the National Aromatherapy Holistic Association and found the most incredible institution to study from, the International Certified Aromatherapy Institute in Canada. I worked remotely with the principal who taught me about over 30 plant oils, their chemical constituents, contraindications, aroma profiles, and most importantly, how to formulate with synergy. This idea of formulating with synergy to target individuals’ holistic care is the foundation of my formulas today. The dream of having my own aromatherapy business was planted young and before its time, but by remaining loyal to my passion I found a way to navigate through the doubts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lillybe.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillybeorganic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LillyBeOrganic/

Image Credits
Lynn Parks