Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jessica Mann, Owner of Ari Rose, located in Overland Park, KS, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ari Rose is a family-owned and operated body care company. Our focus is on producing high-quality products that support our customers with various skin concerns, from dry, sensitive skin to eczema and dermatitis. We formulate our line free of water, plastic, fragrances, parabens, or animal testing.
Tell us about yourself
I began my personal health and wellness journey nearly 17 years ago after having my first daughter. Naturally, I wanted only the best for her. At six years old, she was diagnosed with ADHD, which led me to make numerous lifestyle and diet changes in order to avoid medications. When I became pregnant with my second daughter, I began to dig even deeper and came across a startling quote from the Environmental Working Group stating, "over 280 toxins are found in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies."
This unfortunate statistic led me to evaluate the products I was putting on my skin and how they could be adversely affecting me, my family, and my unborn baby. I was shocked to discover that even so-called "natural" products had ingredients that were potentially harmful.
I concluded that if I'm going to have safe products for my family to use, I'll have to be the one to make them. When my network found out about my hobby, they wanted to purchase products from me. It was this small group of initial supporters that let me know how helpful the products were for their various skin conditions. Four years later, I finally made the decision to move forward and officially launch Ari Rose.
Despite all the peaks and valleys of starting, growing, and owning a business, my children have been my motivating force from day one. Ari Rose serves as a vehicle for them to learn and discover what it means to own and run their own business. Ideally, providing them the opportunity to forge their own life path rather than succumbing to society's standards of what it means to work a "real job."
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My greatest accomplishment is making my daughters proud. My oldest is 17 years old and learning more about the company every day. She's developed a newfound appreciation for what it takes to keep operations running. She is proud of what her mother has accomplished and respects me for it. This means the absolute world to me.
Additionally, the feedback, reviews, and messages received from customers who are so happy to see their skin transform with the product. It is the greatest feeling in the world, knowing you're making an impact in people's lives doing something you love.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is the unknown. We cannot predict if we are going to be successful or not, especially when we're creating something from the ground up. Also, coming from a background where I was encouraged to get a "real job," I never learned anything about how to start, run, grow, or scale a business. So much of what I've accomplished is from being self-taught and making a number of mistakes. With all of the above challenges, I have burned out several times, which takes its toll mentally, emotionally, and physically.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be prepared to make sacrifices in the areas of finance, time, and relationships.
- Play the long game.
- Be careful not to become an employee of your business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://arirosebodycare.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AriRoseBodyCare/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arirosebodycare/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesswinns/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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