Exploring Life & Business with Essence Turner of Botanical Essence Natural Skincare

Today we’d like to introduce you to Essence Turner. 

Hi Essence, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Botanical Essence began as a remedy to a personal problem. In 2016, after having my oldest, I suffered from postpartum acne. Through my desperation, I purchased endlessly the best of the best, from facial cleansers, moisturizers, scrubs, skincare tools. Unfortunately, these products either did little, did nothing or worsened my condition. With already feeling outside of myself as a new mother while still a student in college, my confidence began to take a hit. Determined to find an answer to my problem, I figured I would try my hand at creating my own products and began my research on homemade natural remedies. Soon, I began collecting equipment and supplies and made my first face bar. Amazed by results, I gave out samples to close friends and family. Once realizing that many like me were fighting through the same issues with acne and not really sold on broken promises from top-brand products, I decided to make my products available to anyone in need. Thus, on May 20, 2020, I launched my skincare business and website. 

Today, Botanical Essence Natural Skincare ships nationwide to its consumers. I have built my business through the use of personal finances and revenue. I currently offer a host of all-natural products from facial and body bar soaps, body washes, body butters and scrubs, lip balms, and more, with plans to soon tap into the haircare market. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road as an entrepreneur has been anything but smooth. On top of being a mother, wife, and student, I take care of every aspect of Botanical Essence Natural Skincare. From shopping for supplies and ingredients to production, content creation and marketing, packaging and shipping, I do it all. And while I enjoy every part of it, I am sometimes left feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. Somedays, I wake up and have to jump right into work until late in the evening, leaving me little time to take time for myself or connect with my kids or husband. However, with having such a supportive and understanding husband, he helps to make sure I have the time and opportunity to handle the many tasks of running my business. 

While bearing the weight of being the sole operator for Botanical Essence Natural Skincare, I also find myself struggling to bring about more traffic and sales, as well as acquiring capital and funding to drive the growth of my business. While I’m confident that I have great products, finding the right avenue to market and promote my brand, especially competing with long-standing brands, has proven to be a bit difficult. I have acquired a few loyal and returning consumers, however, I understand that people are more inclined to purchase products that they have built familiarity with, in turn making it a bit difficult to get people to try my products. Alas, being determined, confident, and ambitious, I know Botanical Essence Natural Skincare will soon become the household name it is meant to be! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Botanical Essence Natural Skincare is dedicated to using all-natural ingredients to curate and create all-natural skincare products, celebrating the gifts from the earth and the skin. Each ingredient is carefully picked and combined with others to produce simple, yet effective quality products that help to enhance your skincare routine and promote healthier skin. I don’t use any synthetic dyes, fragrances, or other additives in any product I make. I currently work from home, looking to soon acquiring a local brick-and-mortar location, creating products such as bar and liquid soaps, body butters and scrubs, lip balms, and much more. 

What sets me apart from other skincare brands is my birth as an all-natural skincare brand. While many of the top brands have recently shifted to using “greener” ingredients in their products, my goal has always been to highlight natural botanicals, oils, butters, clays, and more. From cleansers to moisturizers, my consumers can rest assured that each product is made simple and clean. 

The thing that I am most proud of is having the courage to actually starting my business. For years, I have seen many people who had great ideas, and big dreams allow those same aspirations to fade into the background. Since the thought of creating Botanical Essence Natural Skincare, I have worked tirelessly to make sure that my vision comes to fruition. 

In 2023, after acquiring my brick-and-mortar location, I will be looking to host classes for kids and adults, providing step-by-step instructions to create soaps, body butter, and lip balms, both for in-person and virtual participation. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am a bit of a risk-taker. With starting my business, I had to take the risk of quitting my 9-5 (more like 4 am-4 pm). I’ve risked creating a business around skincare, more specifically all-natural skincare. And going forward with my business, I continue taking risks. I don’t believe all risks are necessary or beneficial, just like I don’t believe all risks are bad or problematic. I think that if an individual is planning to take a risk on something, there should be a thought of purpose behind the risk, especially if that risk involves more than the individual (family, friends, etc.). I’m all for people doing what is necessary for them to reach goals, as long as it’s done responsibly. 

Pricing:

• Lip Balms-$2.50
• Body Butters-$6.00-$12.50
• Intimate Bar-$8.00-$9.50
• Scar Butter-$10-$15
• You Glow Facial Bar-$8.00

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebotanicalessence.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/botanical.essence
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/BotanEss20
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTvUODLy-BVMS-XDLzH_ZUw