Some of you might know my story. I've been making natural products for about 15 years. I had eczema, as did my son. The prescriptions and over the counter products we were using were creating kind of a dog chasing tail scenario. It would get better, then flare up. Another prescription. It would get better, then flare up again. Another over-the-counter remedy. All the while, we were putting ingredients on our skin that weren't the best and weren't really even solving the problem. When I started making the body butters in my kitchen, I was selling everywhere I could. I sold at farmers markets every weekend while balancing my weekday job as a television news anchor and of course a wife and mother. I'd bring the hubby and kids with me and they turned out to be excellent salespeople! These picture are from the lovely Pinecrest Farmer's Market in South Florida:
I sold at corporate events, business luncheons, speaking engagements and everywhere in between. Here are pics from some of those events. This is around 2011-2012:
I sold at people's homes:
I even had a kiosk in the mall:
I've sold nearly everywhere, except consistently in stores. I got my first in-store start at Gables Beauty Supply in South Florida. While the feedback has always been great on our products, what's that old saying about life getting in the way? It did. Babies, work and life caused me to pull back on Play Pretty Beauty over the years. It literally sat on a shelf. Then came 2020. The pandemic and a family health battle really made me re-think my life and what I'm passionate about and to do that! I'm proud to say Play Pretty Beauty is now carried in all 20 Chamberlins Natural Foods, Akins and Earth Origins Markets in Florida, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas! Here I am at our Grand Opening in Lake Mary, Florida a couple of months ago:
Take a peek at our website to see if there's a location near you! I'd love to see you in store and of course online at playprettybeauty.com. As I look back over the years and these pictures (and the amazing family and friends who support me!) I realize it doesn't matter how long it takes you to get wherever 'there' is for you. What matters is that you get there, no matter how long it takes. There is no hard, fast rule for success or one 'right' way to achieve it. Just don't quit. Too often, people quit just before their breakthrough:
I didn't want to be the person in this picture who gave up right before my breakthrough to success. What's your passion? What have you always wanted to do? Do you feel like it's not going to happen? That's usually when the breakthrough is about to happen! Don't give up! Keep going, trust yourself. All that hard work, the late nights, the early mornings, sacrifices, anxieties and discipline will pay off! Like the Drake song ' Started From The Bottom Now We're Here,'🎵 I can say I "Started From The Markets Now We're Here.' And there's so much further to go and I'm here for it. The road isn't easy, but it's so worth it!
❤Danielle