Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Roxanne Cox. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Roxanne , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Thank you. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences and insights as a small business owner. My business journey began during the pandemic, when my favorite scrub was discontinued and I could not find anything similar. Through some research, I learned how to make the scrub myself. And started experimenting with different scents. Then one day as I was drinking my morning cup of peppermint tea, I came up with the idea of adding tea to the scrubs. And knowing the many health benefits of tea on the body, I thought the combination would be amazing. I started making gift boxes with the scrubs and giving them to family and friends. They loved them and really encouraged me to start my own business.
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.
Pasion de la Piel was started in 2021. With my 20 years of research experience, I investigated natural ingredients and experimented with various recipes to develop the right mix. Then as an avid tea drinker and enthusiast, it was only natural for me to combine my passion for tea and skincare. Hence, Pasion de la Piel is inspired by the many benefits of tea on the skin. The name is Spanish for “Skin Passion”, highlighting my love for healthy skin. This business sells all-natural and organic skin care products that does not contain harmful chemicals and additives. We offer a wide range of products, including body oil candles, gift sets, bath tea, and a variety of scrubs and oils, such as lavender oil, rose and hibiscus oil, honey chamomile vanilla tea scrub and peppermint tea scrub, just to name a few.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
I sell on both my own website and Etsy. I originally started with Etsy because it provided a platform with a large customer base interested in unique and handmade items. Since I was new to e-commerce, it gave me the opportunity to showcase my products with a simple, instructional page setup and easily manage my online business. Etsy provides a lot of business seminars and relative articles as well as the stage to connect with other small business owners. Plus, Etsy’s user-friendly interface and built-in tools can helped me reach a global audience that helped me grow my brand. One potential drawback are the fees. Etsy charges fees for listing, transaction, and payment processing, which has and impact on the overall profit margins. For that reason I decided to create my own website, which lowered my long term costs. I now have full control over my brand, design, and customer experience, allowing me to create a unique online presence that aligns with my vision. It also allows me to implement my own marketing strategies through social media.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
I generate clients from various sources but my best sources are through collaborations with the community and other small business owners. I have participated in numerous vending events, which allowed me to interact directly with the customers and receive immediate feedback, creating a personal connection, fostering trust and loyalty. This had lead to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals. In addition, as a member of the 3rd, a network of Women of Color entrepreneurs, I have collaborated with others members on various projects to expand our reach and a synergistic exchange of audiences, allowing both parties to tap into new customer bases and mutually enhance brand recognition. For example, I am currently selling my products in a retail space at Busboys & Poets through a program with the 3rd as well as the Face Place Spa and the Spot Wellness Lounge, owned by a fellow 3rd member.
Contact Info:
- Website: Pasiondelapiel.com
- Instagram: Pasiondelapiel
- Facebook: Pasiondelapiel