We recently connected with Mayumi Recker and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mayumi, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I actually had a regular job for a long time, from my 20s to my 30s, and I loved it. I held several positions, from big corporations to startups. I met so many great people who have become my lifetime friends, and I learned many skills that are now helping me run the business I currently operate—skills I could never have learned in school. I met inspiring bosses and clients, enjoyed healthcare benefits, and received a steady paycheck.

I started my business when I was 42 while raising my 2-year-old son. I basically lost every privilege I had while working for companies. I definitely miss all of them, but I must say I am still happier as a business owner.

There was a particular moment that really made me reflect on this. It was late at night, around 1 AM, and I was in my kitchen, having spent hours making bath packs for my customers. My son was already asleep, and my husband was in the living room watching TV. I had started this routine around 9 PM, right after putting my son to bed. Each night, I found myself making bath packs until the early hours, feeling utterly exhausted and overwhelmed.

I remembered my corporate life days vividly. I had stable paychecks that afforded me a wonderful nanny, never had to work late at night, and rarely worried about anything after work—once the job was done, I could relax. I enjoyed the security of a stable lifestyle, complete with insurance and benefits. Yet here I was, sitting alone in my kitchen, painstakingly making bath packs, unsure if they would even sell. The contrast was stark and, at times, disheartening.

But then I realized how much I had grown. The challenges forced me to develop resilience, creativity, and leadership skills. I was no longer just an employee; I was a problem-solver, a decision-maker, and a creator. I also have control over my schedule. Yes, I have to work late at night, but I can always be there for my son when he needs me. This flexibility is something I could never have had when I was working for a corporation.

Most importantly, I started this journey because I had a strong mission. My son had eczema, and finding effective, natural remedies became a personal mission. Creating MogiMogi Baby wasn’t just about business; it was about passion, purpose, and making a meaningful difference in someone’s life. The joy and satisfaction I feel when a parent thanks me for helping their child’s skin condition surpasses any of the hardships, reminding me that this is where I am meant to be.

In those late-night reflections, I concluded that while a regular job offered many comforts, being a business owner gave me something more profound. It gave me a sense of purpose and the opportunity to impact others’ lives positively. Yes, I miss the perks of a regular job, but the happiness and satisfaction I derive from running my own business far outweigh the difficulties.

So, despite the occasional longing for the stability of my past jobs, I am happier as a business owner. The journey is tough, but it’s also incredibly rewarding, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.

Mahyumi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those who may not have read about me before, I’m Mayumi Recker, the founder of MogiMogi Baby, a vegan, plant-based skincare line meticulously crafted for delicate baby skin. My journey into this industry was deeply personal and stemmed from a desperate need to find a natural solution for eczema, which both my son and I suffered from.

My son’s eczema began when he was around five months old. Like many parents, I turned to over-the-counter products and steroids, but I quickly realized I couldn’t apply these harsh treatments on my son’s sensitive skin every day. This led me to search for a natural remedy. I consulted numerous doctors, specialists, dermatologists, and natural herbalists both in the U.S. and my native country, Japan.

During this period, I had no intention of starting a business. I was just a mother desperately seeking a solution to soothe my son’s skin naturally, as he reacted poorly to almost every commercial product available. Some experts recommended oatmeal and Dead Sea salt, while in Japan, yomogi (mugwort) baths were suggested. I began experimenting with these ingredients, creating homemade bath packs.

One of the pivotal moments was a consultation with Dr. Erina, an allergy specialist from UCLA, who emphasized the importance of daily bathing for eczema treatment. Following her advice, I stopped using soap and started washing my son with my homemade bath packs. The results were immediate and remarkable. By the time my son turned one, his eczema was completely clear, and no one could believe he had ever suffered from it.

This personal success story laid the foundation for MogiMogi Baby. My bath packs have a strong history and are unique due to the inclusion of yomogi, a traditional Japanese herb known for its skin-healing properties. While yomogi is popular in Asian skincare, it is relatively unknown in Western culture, setting my product apart. The bath pack is simple yet effective, providing relief for many children suffering from eczema.

What sets us apart is our commitment to using traditional, time-tested ingredients like yomogi, combined with modern research and expertise. Our products are not only effective but also rooted in my personal journey and cultural heritage, making them truly unique.

I am most proud of the impact our products have had on families dealing with eczema. Hearing from parents who have found relief for their children through our bath packs is incredibly rewarding. It reinforces our belief in the power of natural remedies and fuels our passion to continue developing high-quality skincare solutions.

The main things I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about MogiMogi Baby are:

Our Origin: Our products were born out of a personal need and a mother’s love, driven by the desire to find a natural solution for eczema.
Our Ingredients: We use unique, plant-based ingredients like yomogi, which have been used for centuries in Asian cultures for their healing properties.
Our Mission: We are dedicated to providing gentle, effective skincare solutions that parents can trust, free from harsh chemicals and steroids.
Our Commitment: We strive to make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families, offering products that soothe and heal naturally.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I funded 100% of my business using my 401k. Initially, I had around $10,000 to start my business, and I thought it would be enough to get things going. In reality, the initial costs of setting up the business were indeed around $10,000, but living in Los Angeles, the monthly cost of living is incredibly high.

When I started MogiMogi Baby, I spent the first year not making any profit. During that time, I had no one paying me a salary, so I began dipping into my 401k to survive. Essentially, my living expenses and the need to support my family became the most significant costs.

Every month, I had to break into my retirement savings to cover the bills, rent, groceries, and other necessities. It was a challenging and stressful period, but I believed in my business and its potential to make a difference. Looking back, it was risky, but at the time, I didn’t think it was—I was pretty optimistic, or perhaps being naive. I strongly believed in the potential of my bath pack and was determined to see it succeed. The decision to use my 401k was not easy, but it was necessary to keep my dream alive and ensure my family was taken care of during the early, unprofitable months of the business.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One significant lesson I had to unlearn was the notion that negotiation is rude. Coming from Japan, where asking for discounts or negotiating terms is often seen as impolite, I was initially hesitant to negotiate in my business dealings. In Japanese culture, there is a strong emphasis on harmony and respect, and negotiating can sometimes be perceived as disrupting that balance.

However, when I started MogiMogi Baby, I quickly realized that negotiation is a crucial part of running a business, especially in the United States. Everything is negotiable—from supplier contracts to marketing services and even retail partnerships. If you don’t negotiate, you simply lose out on potential profit and opportunities.

My first significant experience with this came when I was sourcing packaging for my bath packs. I accepted the initial prices quoted by suppliers, believing it was the respectful thing to do. However, I soon learned that my competitors were getting better deals by negotiating. This realization was a turning point for me. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and start negotiating terms and prices with suppliers and partners.

At first, it felt uncomfortable, but over time, I saw the positive impact on my business’s bottom line. Negotiating allowed me to reduce costs, improve margins, and reinvest savings into growing MogiMogi Baby. I learned that negotiation is not about being rude or disrespectful; it’s about advocating for your business and finding mutually beneficial agreements.

Unlearning this cultural hesitation and embracing negotiation has been vital to my business’s success. It taught me that cultural norms can sometimes hold us back and that adapting to different business practices is essential for growth and success in a global market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mogimogibaby.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mogimogibaby/