Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anthe Angelides, Founder of Oneiro, located in Garwood, NJ, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Oneiro takes its name from the Greek word that means 'to dream' and describes a fantasy state of mind experienced as a phenomenon of images and sensations. As we travel through life and explore new horizons, our dreams become more vivid with each new adventure.
Oneiro is the first all-in-one luxury travel kit in maximum TSA-approved size products. Our thoughtfully-created hair and skin care products are formulated from clean, natural, and efficacious botanical ingredients with scents inspired by the Mediterranean. Our dream is for every traveler and adventure seeker to look and feel incredible at any destination.
Our Sunchaser's shampoo, conditioner, body wash, body milk, and multi-mist spray are made especially for hot, humid climates and formulated with clean and natural ingredients. Oneiro brings you to a dreamy state with layered scents, including top notes of citrus, heart notes of lemongrass, and bottom notes of coconut.
All bottles and tubes are 100% recyclable, made with 30% post-consumer recycled plastic, most coming from plastic waste in the ocean, and are made in the USA.
Tell us about yourself
My love story begins on the idyllic Greek island of Rhodes, a setting renowned since ancient times as a wellness destination that continues to draw visitors from around the world. Growing up in a dynamic family of innovators, organic farmers, beauty alchemists, and luxury travel hosts, I developed my passion for nature, beauty, and travel. My family, living on this island paradise, instilled a sense of responsibility to the sea, the earth, and others. From a young age, I learned firsthand what it means to deliver exceptional, five-star luxury service.
Over the years, I fell in love with designing memorable vacations for our guests and sharing with them the sounds, smells, and serenity of the enchanting Mediterranean lifestyle. Fast forward to 2008, I became an Airbnb pioneer; my mission was to be the quintessential host! Knowing that some people travel many times a year and others once in a lifetime, each vacation had to be tailored perfectly and made unforgettable. Today, I am an avid traveler and a super host of successful vacation rentals.
I am motivated each day to create a more beautiful and responsible world. We proudly partner with Autism Speaks and employ neurodiverse youth to package our kits, providing on-the-job training and life skills. Everything we do at Oneiro is to serve our customers, our community, and our earth.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am so proud of the team I have surrounding Oneiro. We created a great product from absolutely nothing and have the processes and plans to be able to handle any obstacle. This is especially important for a start-up. Starting a business and having a successful business takes hard work and planning, and even if you have the best product, it won't work without a dedicated team behind it.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is getting our message of "Oneiro as a lifestyle" and not just "Oneiro as a product" to the world. We, as a society, are all so inundated with messaging, products, news, and more that it's hard for new products and companies to cut through the clutter. At Oneiro, we want people to connect to our story and our values. It's not just fabulous products; Oneiro is a company that gives back to our communities and to the earth. It's difficult to educate people on that.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- To start a business, you need to create a quality product with purpose and one that has a lasting impact.
- You have to stay on top of automation and trends to get your message out there continuously. You must stay educated and constantly evolve.
- Your plan will never go as planned. Everything always takes more time and money than you think it will. Constantly network and always be ready to pivot.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://theoneiro.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOneiro/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoneiro_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theoneiro/
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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