Glimmer Goddess hand-batches the most amazing clean, green formulations with a focus on plant-based actives and we knew we’d struck gold when they agreed to collaborate with us on this month’s box! It was an absolute pleasure speaking with founder Shannon who gave us some wonderful insights into her brand, journey as well as the various challenges that come with running a beauty company :
What’s Glimmer Goddess all about and how did you get started?
We are a family owned and operated small business creating 100% pure skin, body and hair care products without chemicals, fragrances, or toxins.
“We started our handmade business in January of 2015 with just a few products and with the suggestions of our wonderful customers have created a full line of skin, body and hair care products that nourish our bodies for a natural glow.”
My whole life I suffered with extreme eczema and allergies. When I was young, my mom would make homemade concoctions that I thought were a waste of time until of course, my skin healed! I've been making my own skin care products since college. After many, many, did I say MANY years of creating products for myself, family and friends, I decided with my husband, best friend and business partner, Chris to take a chance and start Glimmer Goddess®.
We are proud to say that we hired our first employee, Jessica, in April of this year. Jessica is a godsend and is a very important part of our business. It is our goal to continue to expand our company with new products and when possible, bring additional talent to our team.
Did you have full-time jobs before you decided to head out on your own?
Prior to starting our business, my husband and I worked in senior sales and marketing roles with companies such as M&M/Mars, Cocoa-Cola and Mattel Toys. We loved working with talented individuals driving the selling process, launching new products and seeing our company’s products in every retailer across the country. Every day we reflect on our successes and failures working in corporate America and apply what we learned to our business.
What sets Glimmer Goddess apart from so many other organic skincare brands out there?
Our mission is to create pure, results-driven products that are organic, natural and cruelty free. Every ingredient is researched and sourced from reputable supplies to ensure our products will nourish the skin naturally for a healthy glow.
“All of our products are handmade with certified natural, organic, cruelty free and vegan ingredients and are selected specifically for their healing or antiaging properties.”
We believe our products are meant for anyone who is conscience about their skin and want only the purest botanicals, herbs and plant based ingredients to give them the glow they deserve.
How do you manage to keep customers so loyal to your brand?
We value each and every customer and try to make their experience as memorable as possible from the moment they open their order which comes with a hand-signed thank-you note and beautifully wrapped product.
“We keep a list of our repeat customers and send them small gifts of appreciation on their repeat orders.”
I’m sure it must have been extremely challenging starting Glimmer Goddess on your own. What challenges did you face during those first few weeks & months?
In the beginning, there were long days and nights on the computer reading blogs, reviews, educating myself on ingredients and their benefits.
“I would print out stacks of reports and articles and just as I was in high school and college, bring out the ever trusty highlighter! At times, I felt like Alice in Wonderland – each new discovery led me down a different path.”
After weeks of research and discussions about the kind of products we wanted to start making and how we wanted our brand to be perceived, I ordered our first ingredient samples. We were on a very limited budget so prioritizing which products to try to make first was important. I think I watched a million Youtube videos to learn the best method for mixing the ingredients. My kitchen became my laboratory. My husband became my tester!
“Those first few months were both scary and exhilarating at the same time. Some of my formulations came out perfectly while others were trial and error, and error and error. There were lots of tears then cheers when something went right.”
I developed our labels, took the pictures to post on our site, wrote the product descriptions, spoke to customers, made the products, shipped the orders then started all over in the morning. My husband would tease me saying my new name is “One who wears many hats”. My husband still had a full time job and helped with everything in between. I call him “the man with many ideas”!
Where did you finally launch & how?
We launched on Etsy when we felt that we had a few products that people would like. I searched what I needed to do to be a success on Etsy.
“I constantly updated the information, the images, the details. I found that it helped people to make better decisions when they were given all the information about the product, the ingredients and what to expect by using them."
For a few weeks, I used social media to draw people to my shop, not to mention recruiting my family members. Then CHA CHING!!! My phone chirped that beautiful sound! I can’t describe how I felt when the first batch of orders came in.
“I remember running into the living room into my husband’s arms, hugging him until he squealed. Then the phone was silent again for a week. It went on like that for about a month.”
With all that on-again, off-again momentum of orders from Etsy, how did you finally manage to sustain your growth there?
I decided that I needed to find someone to help guide me in the right direction.
“I found Etsy shops that were top sellers and I contacted the shop owners explaining who I was and asked if they had any pointers for someone new to Etsy. Out of 100, 2 people responded with some basic advice and one person became my mentor.”
He took the time to teach me the in’s & out’s of how to attract customers and how to keep them. We spoke once a week for a year. I am forever grateful for the time and the lessons. Today, when people ask me for advice, I think back to when I was just starting and make sure I am 100% supportive with my advice and direction.
“My best advice to anyone starting a new venture is to be patient, create a short and long-term plan, prioritize your time, be organized and try to systemize tasks and most important, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Never give up!”
We’ve got your Organic Vitamin C Serum 20% in our box this month (so exciting!). Let us know what sets it apart?
Our Vitamin C Serum is unlike most you will find in the market.
“Many companies use water as their main ingredient with very limited active ingredients. Our formula is 100% active - meaning each and every ingredient has a specific benefit for your skin.”
When creating our formula, we wanted to have a product that people fell in love with instantly from the silky texture to the very light lemony scent to the tingle your skin feels after each application. It quickly becomes your must-have go-to serum day and night!
We chose Kakadu Plum Extract as our main source of Vitamin C in this formula because of its extraordinary healing benefits for your skin.
“Kakadu plum is the richest source of Vitamin C of any food in the world bringing with it the important antioxidants that help diminish the signs of fine lines, wrinkles, darks spots and even skin tone.”
The fruit extract helps stimulate the collagen production naturally found in your skin to dramatically reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The gallic acid contained in Kakadu plum restores the skin’s natural barrier while also acting as an astringent, antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial agent, giving our Vitamin C Serum the power to return elasticity to your skin. The ellagic acid in Kakadu Plum encourages skin elasticity and suppleness.
“Kakadu plum is grown in remote areas of Australia and due to the harsh growing conditions, the fruit develops a highly efficient defense mechanism made up of antioxidants that are critical to fighting free radicals that cause your skin to age.”
The combination of ingredients in our Vitamin C Serum will brighten and tighten skin, even skin tone and gradually reduce age spots. It is also great for people with sensitive skin or who have breakouts!
What new products are you currently developing?
We’re introducing new products all the time. We are expanding our line of shimmer products to include a hair & body shimmer and a silky dry oil shimmer lotion in 5 new gorgeous shades.
Apart from Nourish Beauty Box, where else can readers find your products or make contact?
You can find our full range of products on GlimmerGoddess.com or our etsy shop.
Don’t forget that all Nourish customers can use the coupon code “NOURISH20” to save 20% off their order in our website.
