We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Booker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Hello beautiful people! My name is Nicole Booker. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas, and my business is in Round Rock, Texas.

My 25 years of experience in dentistry and my determination to help my niece with eczema were my true revelations in my skincare journey.

I can remember in 2015 I was laying in my bed recovering from my hernia and kept thinking about my ten-year old niece. About how her eczema was causing her insecurities for her skin showing in the summer.

While recovering I read books, watched YouTube, and studied as much as I can. Learning about Shea butter, oils, essential oils, and the history of old methods. Think like my country town deals with hard water which causes dry skin, dry lips, and itchy skin.

By the following month, I ordered my supplies. Once they arrived, I made my first small batch of soap. It was basic, but I accidentally added way too much olive oil. As any formulator knows, when the calculations are off, “Houston, we have a problem.”

After six weeks of curing, I was eager to test my soap. At first, it felt good on my skin, but then I realized it was too soft—it was washing off like butter instead of being a firm bar! I understood that the olive oil needed something stronger to create a better texture. After revamping my recipe, I finally achieved success!

I gave the finished product to my niece and other family members, and they enjoyed it! My niece and sister enjoyed the soap so much and needed more. Yet I still noticed that her skin did not improve the soap helped with moisture during bath or showers. But did not improve her defects that stood out like the scarlet letter “S” on her arms. So, I went back to the drawing board. I did not like all the doctors could do to was push steroids and chemically compound creams on her. She have been using it since age three with no changes to the issue.

I decided to make a whole-body butter, using it for sunscreen because in Texas the sun sits so close to us it is like a personal umbrella. I saw a YouTube video where this handsome young man would sea salt dive for sea salt farmer, his skin was black gold but shined. I was like what is protecting his beautiful skin, and it was Shea butter from Ghana. It was my “ah ha” moment and I made my recipe with no fragrance.

My niece started using that and it cleared her skin up and defined her beauty and confidence!

From there I felt complete until she said she needed lotion, and I told her to go put the lotion on from Bath and Body Works. She was like I cannot use that I was like oh why it made her break out too, so from there. I realized she needed more products for her needs, so I went mad scientist mode formulating.

I have created more than what I was planning, lip gloss, goat milk and honey, lip balm, natural soaps, no alcohol-based body mist, and so much more. That is how my name finally came. I wanted to make an endless supply of natural, organic, handmade products to repair and rejuvenate skin.

And N’Less body care is a play on words for endless care.

I retired three years ago but started my business three years ago after formulating my first batch of soap in 2015. I loved every part of my journey and met good customers along the way and how my body butter and products have helped them.

To love what brings you joy does not feel like a job but a continuous gift.

Nicole, 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?

Again, I started my business due to my niece’s eczema and hard water environments. I started selling my natural handmade body products at farmer’s markets and meeting new and returning customers. I try to create a nostalgic, whimsical, natural, and spa-like shower or bathing time. I have scents that have helped heal like my whole-body butter, which is for your hair, skin, and whole body. It has helped someone as young as six months with discoloration. I have witnessed some of the scents, I have chosen for them to smell, takes them to their ‘happy place’.

One time a young girl cried because of my bath salt scent. I asked what’s wrong, she said the scent exactly smelled like her grandmother’s restroom. As a kid her grandmother would give her baths, and the restroom would smell this way. And it made her happy and sad missing her “Nana”. She purchased the bath salts.

I am not an in-box type chick! I want to keep formulating scents that you would like to smell different or interested in trying.

I want customers to identify their favorite scents or body products that define who they are as they enter the room or cuddle up to someone special.

I want my customers to have scents designed around their body chemistry. Overpowering perfume does not define you, especially with so many harsh chemicals inside. Natural oils and non-synthetic fragrances work just as well. God was the first designer, in fragrance, we only recreate from the creator-provided through nature.

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

I am from the era of what we call “old school”. I had no clue how to start a website and was still getting acquainted with my iPhone. That was a love/hate relationship some days. I had to teach myself how to build a website from scratch and decided to go with Squarespace. It was aggravating, frustrating, and pulling my hair out situation trying to learn. I finally got it down and started learning more about how to maintain it as best as I can.

That was one of my biggest obstacles when beginning my business. I love engaging in markets and festivals and connecting with customers. Being new and realizing I had to prove my products to people. In-person selling helps connect to an individual’s needs and dislikes. You meet their families and connect help keep returning customers.

I love the children who come and grab soaps off my table because they enjoy the character molds I create. I cater my products to the whole family and all ages to enjoy natural products.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Life lessons and well-being shaped who I am as the oldest of eight siblings, with my parents having two sets of twins. My multitasking skills have been a blessing; I’ve learned that managing a large family involves feeding, crowd control, and entertainment. I apply these skills in my business, where I create all my products in the kitchen. I tell my customers, “I do not bake, but I create my products.” I write all the recipes for my soaps and other products. While some of the products may repeat, the soaps vary according to their unique names. Crafting these items is my meditation zone, as growing up in a big family meant I rarely had my own space. Now, creating gives me inner peace.

My mother was resilient in raising strong children. She was a teen mom when she had me, and I didn’t meet my father until I was two years old because he was a Marine stationed in Guam. Early on, I unlocked my determination and strength to help my mom raise my siblings due to my dad’s choices. I had to silence my creative voice to work and support my family. This experience fueled my ambition and determination; I didn’t want to let them down.

Life’s journey gradually shapes and molds you, revealing your strengths or regrets. At my age now, I get to choose myself and embrace my creativity. I had buried it, but my resilience has emerged as life’s responsibilities no longer block my light. I discovered an artisan spirit in me with a mission to support my niece, and the business began right after my mom passed away.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Nlessbodycare.com
• Instagram: @nlessbody

Image Credits

Thank you to my niece Jasmine, nephew Damarcus and sister Katrina for staging and photos first time around.
Warm thanks to Fotosbyflores by Mileena Flores; Instagram @fotosbyflores.