Circle of Life Botanicals – Mullumbimby
I am so excited to introduce to you a wonderful local business (local to me!) who I have just found out about! I am in love with Essential Oils and everything they do.. and the smell is heaven to me.
Please tell us a little bit about your business
My business is very new and very small. It is a beautiful range of 8 certified organic roll-on essential oil blends to enhance feelings of well-being and to offer an alternative to chemical-based fragrances. We have only been trading for 3 months but I spent the last 2 years doing all the set up and formulations in between caring for our 3 young children. We are putting the ancient and well-loved art of aromatherapy at peoples fingertips.The blends come in neat and practical 10ml roll-on bottles that are no mess and fit into bags, pockets, gloveboxes and under the pillow etc. We chose to go organic because we recognise the value of organics in both personal health and the health of the planet.
Where you nervous/reluctant to start?
No, I wasn’t reluctant or nervous to start. I think I was inspired. I had an idea and I thought there was a place for it. So I started. It seemed really natural even though I had always thought of myself as a person who would always be employed by someone else. I had an idea and the timing was right so I just started, not really thinking too much about the end result. I was really reluctant (and procrastinated for as long as my husband would let me!) and nervous about ordering all the essential oils I need to blend and pour my bottles. It was just soooooooo much money to spend. I suppose that was the part when I realised there’s no turning back now! And starting the blending – I was nervous about stuffing it up. I quickly realised my fears were my worst enemy and I consciously put them aside and went about the task with confidence and then it was all fine.
What gave you the confidience to do it?
Circumstances. I had postnatal depression at the time, and my husband had just been made redundant. I needed to do something for myself to stay sane, and my husband being home gave me some time. I don’t know that I was very focussed on getting to the point of having a product to sell. Each step along the way was so engaging it was easy to stay in the moment. During the times when I could see what I was trying to do I just felt overwhelmed, so I compartmentalising it worked really well for me. I tried to prioritise the enormous tasks at hand and work through them systematically whilst dealing with the bits and bobs along the way. Starting my own business has boosted my self esteem enormously – I have unearthed skills I’d forgotten I had and discovered lots that I never knew I had. It has been, and continues to be, a very healthy process for me.
If you work from home, how do you make it work? i.e. roster? work at night when kids are asleep?
Working from home is generally great! I can work around the needs of my children. They are still learning to share me with my new job. I do a lot in the evening but I’m passionate about it so it doesn’t feel like a chore. I like sitting in front of the fire doing my work. In school holidays and when the kids are sick I don’t get much done – thats a bit frustrating – I kind of feel jibbed because I value my work time a lot. Its a bit of a balancing act, but I’m pretty tuned in, and I can tell when my kids need a break from sharing me with my biz. Then we just have a day where I don’t even turn the computer on and I dedicate the day to them. Those days are generally fabulous! Its not like the world is going to end if I don’t check my emails until after their bed time. Most people I deal with are really nice and they know I’ve got 3 little kids. If I explain, they understand.
Have you found a great website that you use for reference/guidance/help with your business?
I use all sorts of websites. I love surfing the net. I am an avid reader and love reading and researching on-line. I love Flying Solo which supports the micro-business community. Love communityengine. Love FB. Love reading numerous aromatherapy websites and other peoples blogs – I’m actually pretty easily distracted because I just start reading stuff and it takes me here, there and everywhere all over the web. I’m getting into Pinterest too but have to discipline myself – its just such a beautiful visual collection.
What about a facebook page that you love to visit?
I check out new FB pages all the time. I’m a bit of an environmentalist and I can’t resist those sort of pages ‘Give a shit about nature’ is one of my absolute faves plus Tree Sisters – women seeding change, Green and Groovy Tees, We Love Independents, Club Unique, The Essential Oil Goddess, Pachamama Alliance….theres so many goodies….
If you could give someone who is about to start their own business any advice what would it be?
Ummmmm, probably just the usual stuff like if you really want to do it and your heart is in it, then go for it and just keep hold of what you believe in really tight. You have to get used to rejection and that might mean that you have to toughen up a bit. But if you have unshakeable faith in what you are doing you will ride the waves OK. If you don’t have unshakeable faith in what you are doing I think you are more likely to get dumped. The other thing is that there are lots of opportunities to promote yourself and your business, that just present themselves (invitations to make a blog contribution is a perfect example). Make the most of them. You just never know how many doors will open if you give them a chance.
If you would like to contact Suzanne from Circle of Life Botanicals you can find her information below..
Essential oils are a huge part of my life.. I cant recommend them enough..
Suzanne Flowerday
Circle of Life Botanicals
Location
Mullumbimby
Australia
Any other info?
Our best phone contact is 0428 731 921. We are actively looking for new stockists and working to secure a second distributor so would love to hear from anyone who likes the sound of what we are doing and is interested in creating a partnership. Our product range fits best into healthfood stores, high quality gift shops, wellness centres, spa’s and retreats.
Would you like to be featured on our blog?
If you would like to be featured just click here and fill in the form and we will add your answers to our blog. They will surely help someone else who is just starting out and give them the confidence to do the same.
kasha
February 17, 2013 at 5:44 pm //
I am kasha i lives in uk and i was in a serious relationship with my ex guy for three good years.. One day we were in a dinner party, we had a little misunderstanding which lead to a Quarrel and he stood up and left me at the dinner party. i try to call him but he was not picking my calls so after than i contacted my brother and told him about it,my brother so much love me that he had to see him on my behalf,he told my brother that it is over between us.. Then i contacted a friend of mine that had this similar experience and she directed me to one of the spiritual diviner (maduraitemple@yahoo.com).at first i thought it was not going to be possible and i contacted him i was ask to come up with a little requirement,so i did what i was ask to do, after 3 days i was in my office when my ex guy called me and was asking me to forgive him and come back to him. i was very surprise it was like a dream to me,so ever since we have been happily married with one kid my lovely baby(Ceslav)…i wish you the best of luck…