We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Michael Carbaugh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, appreciate you joining us today. We’ve all been there before where things are tight financially and we start asking ourselves in the small/simple joys like a cup of coffee is worth it. Have you had an experience like this and if so how did you think about this sort of spending?

Framing expenses in a healthy, productive way is always a challenge. The challenge is believing in the product that you make, and trusting the process. Investment in the future might feel scary, but it’s part of the process, and once we believe in our product, and our mission with great conviction, we can trust the process. Pivot, make the needed adjustments to keep going, if you truly believe in what you’re doing.

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 a background in fashion, and unbeknownst to my future and present self, I was making a room spray for personal use and gifting about 12 years ago, that would turn into a collection of natural, hand made fragrances that sprouted into a fully functioning business. Sometimes things are right in front of us, and we don’t even realize it!

I first discovered the brilliance of working with essential oils when I had a full time job in fashion education. I discovered bulk essential oils at a cooperative market in San Francisco called Rainbow Grocery Cooperative. After living in New York, I was open to all the natural things! I created a spray blend with essential oils that I sourced in bulk from Rainbow Market. I continued to have a career in fashion for another 5 years.

After realizing I needed change in my life, I picked up and moved to Los Angeles. There I realized I wanted to work for myself, and create something that was a healthier alternative to synthetic fragrance. I also wanted to introduce people to the awesome powers of essential oils, bringing nature into the home. These products that I hand make, aren’t like any others. They’re hand made, they last, and they offer people a fragrance experience that’s more connected to the human process of creation, and the natural process of connecting with the earth.

I worked diligently for 6 months, studying the process, experimenting with blends. I signed up for a craft show, where I planned to experiment with a 1 on 1 In person audience, without any marketing. After that show, in 2 days, 10 years ago, I sold $2k worth of product, connected with a shop in Abbot Kinney, and the business snow balled from there.

I’ve experienced rapid growth, down turns, and challenges. I always remind myself that I really do believe in what I make, and most of all I love how much it turns people on! Bringing joy to people is the best ting about this.

As the world changes, so does sourcing, and maintaining quality. I’ve had to pivot, streamline, downsize and adjust. What I’m constantly reminded of though, is that when I remind myself of the good vibes that these products spread, I remember the real reason I do it all!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

At the beginning I self funded everything, with a little help from family. I was lucky, and the timing was right for this type of business, I was an early adopter of natural products.

I worked with a store on Abbot Kinney, when LA was becoming more of an international hot spot. this key retail placement, allowed the business to grow, and facilitated the exposure to an international audience that was like minded. Through this retail partnership Sandoval was discovered by retail buyers from everywhere.

After 1 year, Sandoval was sold in 50 stores. It was luck, placement, and timing. The additional cash flow necessary to keep up with production came from short term micro loans and I also worked a part time job to make ends meet.

The next big break, was partnering with Goop. At that time, Goop was an editorial lifestyle site, that had only begun to offer an assortment of merchandise. I was blessed to have this partnership for several years. As with all good things, that came to an end. I was initially freaked out honestly! lol However, this offered me the chance to rethink how I was presenting the brand. All moments of challenge are opportunities for growth and bring us the wisdom and resilience that running a small business requires.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Pivoting is key, and is constant, in today’s world. As the cost of my supplies has grown over the years, I’ve had to widdle down the offering to the key focuses.

I made these incredible candles, that required plenty of essential oils. The costs of oils has doubled, tripled and then some over the years. I couldn’t manage that production any longer, and had to drop the candles from the collection. It was a reality check on how things were shifting.

Climate change, post pandemic inflation, and a saturated market changed the way I need to do business. Sometimes we have to look at the bigger picture-Something I didn’t learn until the last couple of years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studiosandoval.com
• Instagram: @studiosandoval
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcarbaughdesign/

Image Credits

Michael Carbaugh portrait credit : Photo Peter Stanglmayr