We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shaundrel Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shaundrel below.

Shaundrel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

During the end of 2020, for fun my sister and I started formulating our own skincare products. Making simple versions of body butters, scrubs, and lip balms. During this process I realized that I had developed a true passion for skincare and the formulation of healthy skincare products with pure ingredients. Recognizing this passion of mine, I was left with one decision. To either take a risk, a leap of faith and start my own business or to let my fears get in the way. I think all business owners go through this mind battle, the initial fear of starting a business. Questioning if you should start the business or should you not? If it will fail or will it be successful? All the questions, fear, and doubt that come before all good things and decisions. With the growing interest of family and friends, and the good reviews received. I decided to take the risk and to turn my new found hobby into a business. I knew this was the right decision when I figured out I had more passion for this hobby than my past career. The feeling I had when formulating products was more than a hobby, it was passion.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Hello! I am Shaundrel Smith, business owner of Balm Skin Vibes. A natural skincare brand that provides skincare products made with love and natural ingredients. I started this business during the end of 2020 after formulating skincare products for myself. After developing my skill, increased interest from family and friends, and good reviews received. I decided to turn my hobby into a business, where I provide natural products with quality ingredients. It is my mission to supply healthier quality skincare products and to inform the public of better options for their skin and lifestyle.

We offer natural lip balms, body scrubs, creams, body butters, facial cleansers, and face creams. Our chosen ingredients are plant based, un-refined, and raw; true in form to benefit the skin. Using natural ingredients to make a whole product with a plant based ECOCERT approved preservative to protect its shelf life. Compared to store bought products, our products are paraben free, formaldehyde free, petroleum free, animal cruelty free and dye free. Providing consumers who live healthier lifestyles, those with sensitive skin, or those seeking cleaner skincare products a better option.

I am most proud of my formulations and the improvement of them. I have re-formulated my simpler products into better advanced products. I have taken the time to research product ingredients, their benefits, sustainability, and quality. Through this, the advancement of my business and its products get better by the day and I get the chance to be a part of the new skincare movement occurring today.

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

A lesson I had to learn early into starting my business is that perfectionism can be a hindrance to growth. Perfectionism is a personality trait of mine, where I will tediously work on a project well after it is finished. Whether it is videos for TikTok or reels/posts for Instagram. I would find myself tweaking it unto I deem it finished, when in reality it was perfectly fine several edits ago. This ultimately steals valuable time from other projects or ideas. Taking the time to make sure what you put out is of quality work is important, but overly obsessing over little details is not worth the time. This slowed down the growth of my business, waiting until the right time or when I thought it ready. When in reality I should have just put out whatever I was working on because often times you are wasting valuable time and will miss your window. When you just put things out there on faith and not worrying about the little things, you will find that it will be more successful than you thought.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of obtaining new clients for my business is going to the consumer. Often times consumers can be weary of trying and taking a chance on new products that are not their norm, especially for skincare. You really have to win them over to get them try something new. One way I do this is by attending events as a vendor, such as popup shops, expos, and conventions. Here I get to sell my product personally, answer any questions the consumer may have, demo the product, and give out samples and coupons. This brings new customers to my business, broadens my brand awareness, and helps educate the public.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: balmskinvibes
• Website: www.balmskinvibes.com
• Facebook: BSV Skincare
• Other: TikTok: balmskinvibes