Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tina Benbow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My Self-Care Wellness Project is the most meaningful work I’ve done because it reflects both my personal values and my passion for uplifting others. It’s more than just a project—it’s a movement centered on self-love, empowerment, and well-being through intentional self-care.

The Inspiration Behind It

My journey as an entrepreneur with The Kiss Factory has always been about more than just selling lip & skincare products. I’ve consistently found ways to infuse beauty with purpose, helping people feel confident, pampered, and appreciated. Through this, I’ve recognized that self-care isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Whether it was through my products, thoughtful packaging, or the experiences I created at events, I saw firsthand how small moments of self-care could make people feel special. This inspired me to take it further-to create something that encouraged people to prioritize themselves, embrace wellness, and find joy in everyday moments.

Why It’s Meaningful

This project is meaningful because it speaks to my heart for others, helping people see the importance of self-care not just as an occasional indulgence, but as a lifestyle. It’s about encouraging others to pour back into themselves, whether through skincare, journaling, mindfulness, or simply taking time to rest.

It’s also deeply personal. As someone who has dedicated time and energy into growing a business, engaging with the community, and creating special experiences for others, I understand the importance of balance. My self-care wellness project is a reminder that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of others.

Tina, 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?

The Kiss Factory is a brand I launched in March 2019 with a mission to bring beauty, self-care, and empowerment into people’s lives. My business is more than just selling products-it’s about creating experiences that make people feel special, confident, and valued.

How I Got Started

My journey into this industry started with my love for creativity and self-expression. I’ve always been passionate about beauty, artistry, and making people feel good about themselves. What began as a simple idea quickly grew into The Kiss Factory, where I create handcrafted lip glosses, sparkle charms, and self-care products that encourage confidence and wellness.

A huge part of my inspiration also came from my mother, who suffered from psoriasis over 80% of her body. Seeing her struggle with painful, irritated skin pushed me to explore products that could bring comfort and relief to people with skin sensitivities and ailments. I wanted to create beauty and self-care products that not only made people feel good but also supported their well-being.

Over the years, I’ve expanded my work beyond products, I connect with my communities via pop-up events, wellness initiatives, and community engagement projects to inspire and uplift others.

What I Offer & What Makes My Brand Unique

At The Kiss Factory, I offer:
   •   Handmade Lip Glosses – Beautiful, nourishing glosses with creative themes and packaging.
   •   Sparkle Charms & Accessories – Unique, handcrafted charms that add a personal touch to my products.
   •   Self-Care & Wellness Products – Thoughtfully curated items designed to encourage relaxation, confidence, and comfort—especially for those with sensitive skin.
   •   Creative & Community Events – From pop-up shops to rewards programs for the youths and wellness projects, I love creating experiences that bring people together.

What sets my brand apart is my attention to detail, passion for creativity, and the meaning behind everything I do. My overall goal is to make people feel seen, valued, and inspired.

The Problems I Solve

I help people who are looking for:
   •   Unique, high-quality beauty and self-care products that feel personal and special.
   •   Handcrafted items with a touch of creativity and charm.
   •   A reminder to prioritize self-care and self-expression.
   •   Products that provide comfort and relief for those with skin sensitivities.
   •   A supportive, empowering community that celebrates individuality.

What I’m Most Proud Of

One of my proudest accomplishments is my self-care wellness project. Through this initiative, I’ve helped people see self-care as a necessity. It’s been so rewarding to encourage others to take time for themselves, embrace self-love, and find joy in everyday moments.

I’m also incredibly proud of how The Kiss Factory has evolved-not just as a business but as a platform for creativity, empowerment, and community building.

What I Want You to Know About Me & My Brand

I want people to know that everything I create comes from the heart. My brand is about more than just beauty…it’s about confidence, self-care, and celebrating who you are. Whether it’s a lip gloss, a sparkle charm, or a self-care experience, I hope To bring a little more joy, creativity, and inspiration into your life.

I’d love for you to be part of my journey. Whether by supporting my business, attending an event, or simply embracing the message of self-care and self-love. Let’s celebrate beauty, creativity, and confidence together!

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I started The Kiss Factory in March 2019, I was filled with passion and excitement, but like any entrepreneur, I quickly realized that building a business isn’t easy. There were moments when I questioned whether I was on the right path—times when sales were slow, when I struggled to get my products in front of the right audience, and when self-doubt crept in.

One of the toughest challenges I faced was navigating my mother’s battle with psoriasis, which covered over 80% of her body. Watching her suffer, trying different products with little relief, and seeing how much it affected her confidence broke my heart. I became determined to create products that would bring comfort and relief to people like my mother—products that weren’t just about beauty, but about healing and self-care.

There was a moment when I considered giving up. The weight of personal challenges, financial struggles, and the uncertainty of growing a brand felt overwhelming. But instead of quitting, I chose to pivot. I reminded myself why I started—because I believe that beauty and self-care are for everyone. I threw myself into learning more about ingredients that could help sensitive skin, refining my products, and expanding beyond just lip gloss into self-care and wellness.

I also found resilience in my community. Every time a customer told me that one of my products made them feel special, confident, or seen, it reminded me that my work mattered. Every pop-up event, every person who shared their love for my sparkle charms, every individual who thanked me for encouraging self-care—it all reinforced my purpose.

Through every setback, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never struggling—it’s about choosing to keep going. Today, The Kiss Factory stands as a symbol of that strength, creativity, and passion. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every challenge because it’s allowed me to build something meaningful, empowering, and deeply personal.

I hope that when people see my brand, they see more than just beauty products—they see a reminder to keep pushing forward, to take care of themselves, and to never give up on their dreams.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

From my perspective, society can best support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by valuing, investing in, and creating space for creativity in everyday life. Here are some key ways to make that happen:

1. Shift the Mindset: Value Creativity as Essential

Art and creativity are often seen as “extras” rather than essentials. But creatives bring beauty, innovation, and emotional depth to the world. Society needs to recognize that artists—whether they’re painters, designers, musicians, or beauty entrepreneurs—aren’t just making “nice things” but are enhancing culture, well-being, and even the economy.
•   Schools should prioritize arts education just as much as math and science.
•   Businesses should collaborate with local creatives to bring fresh perspectives into their brands.
•   Communities should celebrate artists as leaders and visionaries, not just hobbyists.

2. Invest in Artists – Financially & Structurally

Artists thrive when they have financial stability and access to resources. Many creatives struggle because society expects them to “do it for the love of it” rather than being paid fairly. To support a thriving creative ecosystem, we need to:
•   Fund grants, residencies, and scholarships for creatives, so they can focus on their craft without constant financial strain.
•   Pay artists fairly for their time, labor, and intellectual property. Exposure doesn’t pay bills!
•   Provide affordable spaces for artists to create, showcase, and sell their work, from community studios to pop-up markets.

3. Make Space for Creativity in Everyday Life

A thriving creative ecosystem exists when art is part of daily life—not just something we consume on special occasions. Society can:
•   Support independent artists and small creative businesses instead of only buying from big corporations.
•   Encourage public art projects, open mic nights, maker fairs, and community workshops where people can engage with artists directly.
•   Celebrate diverse forms of creativity, from traditional arts to handmade goods, digital art, and beauty entrepreneurship.

4. Build a Culture of Encouragement & Collaboration

Too often, artists are met with skepticism or asked, “But what’s your real job?” instead of being supported in their craft. A creative ecosystem flourishes when:
•   Society encourages people to pursue creativity without fear.
•   Businesses, schools, and local governments collaborate with artists to bring creativity into public spaces, education, and even health and wellness.
•   Artists support each other, rather than competing for limited resources—by networking, collaborating, and uplifting fellow creatives.

5. Show Up & Engage

One of the simplest ways to support artists is by showing up. That means:
•   Attending pop-up events, art shows, and performances.
•   Buying from local creatives and entrepreneurs.
•   Sharing their work, leaving positive reviews, and spreading the word.

A thriving creative ecosystem is possible when society sees artists not as extras, but as essential contributors to culture, well-being, and innovation. Creativity is what makes the world vibrant—and it’s worth investing in.

Contact Info:

• Website: thekissfactoryllc.etsy.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/thekissfactoryllc
• Facebook: Facebook.com/thekissfactoryllc
• Youtube: YouTube.com/thekissfactoryllc
• Other: TikTok TikTok.com/thekissfactoryllc

Image Credits
@thekissfactoryllc