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Karen's Botanicals
Owner:
Karen Palcho
Founded:
2004
Location:
Berks County, PA
Employees:
None
Annual Sales
(if you’re willing): Under $10,000
Q: How did
you start (or become owner) of the business?
I had been making lotions and potions since I was a little girl.
I used to make "Huck Finn Water" for my dolls (it was made from
berry flavored life savers and water) and I fed them honey
suckle dew. I began making infused oils in 1980, when I lived in
a tipi set up underneath a cottonwood tree in Alaska; the smell
of the spring sap was incredible so after a quick trip to the
library, I learned how to make Balm of Gilead Oil. As a ceramic
artist, teacher, and serious gardener, I have always been
formulating and creating products and studying raw materials.
While teaching in Europe in 1993, I traveled to eastern
Slovakia. I was hoping to find gravestones of my father's
family. Instead, I found a living family of artists, teachers
and herbalists. The herbalists had been famous throughout the
region. By 2004 when I was ready to leave my life as a full time
high school art teacher, the roots of herbalism in my family
gave me the inspiration and courage I needed to formally begin
my business.
Q: What
made you choose this type of business?
It chose me.
Q: What is
your background?
Relevant to the business is 30 years as a working ceramicist
which gave me a useful background in chemistry, and the
understanding of heat, emulsion, and knowledge of raw materials.
I am a self-taught herbalist; I made my first herbarium at the
age of 10 and have been a backcountry forager since my teens. I
learned to grow and preserve food in collage, and never stopped.
Since starting the business, I have taken courses with David
Winston and Zach Woods Herb Farm.
Q: What are
your biggest challenges as an herb business?
1. Keeping up with changing definitions/perceptions of 'natural
and organic' and raw material safety information
2. Educating people who have 'a little bit of knowledge'
3. Distinguishing my product line from thousands of others
making similar products
Q: What are
the biggest rewards of being an herb business?
The ongoing connection to plants, creating new formulas, and
helping my customers with their skin and body care issues. Being
able to work at home is fantastic.
Q: What is
your philosophy of customer service?
Personal Service: All orders contain a hand-written note of
thanks and often, a free sample. I follow up all first time
sales with a personal call or email. I work with many customers
to customize formulas. I do free local delivery.
Q: What
makes you stand out from your competitors?
1. The beauty, quality, and plant- focused graphic design of
labels, website, and brochures.
2. Unusual and effective formulas that generate repeat orders
and customer loyalty.
3. A price point that is aimed between the cracks of companies
like Burt's Bees and Natures Garden (at the low end) and Dr.
Hauscchka and Origins (at the low end).
Q: What
plans do you have for your business?
I am after a long term, sustainable business that fits my
life. I decided early on that I did not want to attract large
wholesale orders that would require contract manufacturing; I
want to make artisanal products that remains largely handmade
and under my control. As I grow, I am looking into
semi-automated equipment such as mixers and filling machines. I
am thinking of a new high end line of skin care products that
would come packaged in handmade ceramic and glass vials. I
continue to teach about half time these days; I love it and it
provides me with income, which gives me the freedom to be
flexible with the business. I'm not sure if I want to be a full
time businessperson. I like the diversity and range of contacts
I have now. Being out in the community teaching also generates
lots of local sales.
Q: Is your
family supportive of your business?
Completely. My husband has been my math tutor and I am
thrilled to have become reasonably competent with numbers, math,
spreadsheets, and sales projections. My father owned his own
printing business and we all find it ironic that after so many
years in education, I have finally followed in his footsteps.
Q: What do
you wish you’d done differently with the business?
So far, I would not change anything.
Q: What do
you think people starting out should know about getting into
your type of business?
The market is saturated already. There are literally
thousands of companies making natural personal care products,
all with similar lines and products. I advise people to do
serious research to find a very specific niche and then work to
fill it.
Q: How has
the Internet helped/hurt your business?
It's been an incredible benefit.
Q: How long
has it taken for your website to pay off?
It took 6 months.
Q: What
things have you done to promote your website?
I learned to operate the software so I can make changes
regularly. I study online and try to implement recommendations
such as selecting the perfect keywords, linking as much as
possible, and joining promotional groups such as the Campaign
for Safe Cosmetics.
Q: Is there
anything else you’d like to tell people about your business,
growth, or plans? I think I covered it!
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