I created The Nature Maiden product line in 2007 in my kitchen.
One day while surfing the net, I came across homemade lip balms that others were selling. I loved the idea, and figured, I can do that too! For years I was addicted to the original Chapstick brand. I was convinced I could make my own lip balm, so I ordered supplies and tried it. I started with a pre-made base. It came out ok, I liked it. It would of been easy to get any recipe off the internet, but I wanted to create my own recipe, not use a pre-made or anyone else’s, so I researched ingredients and tried different combinations. Some recipes worked, and some flopped. It was frustrating at times for sure. It took 1 1/2 years to perfect my own special recipe, and now I think it’s perfect. Turns out I didn’t need half the ingredients I started with. It was not until early 2009, that I changed the lip balm recipe to what it is now, and I’m 100% happy with it.
Of course, the more research I did on ingredients and their uses and different combinations, I decided to add more products. I made bath salts, then solid perfumes & salves. Many products were created because of a need for them in my own family. After tiring of using doctor prescribed products for dry skin that did not work, I worked passionately on an all natural salve that would work for my family. When I saw the results, I was excited! I figured others may want to use them, so I offered them for sale. Frankly, with all the side effects on prescribed medications today, I was afraid to continue using them. Of course, that’s not to say that none of them work. I was aiming for a more natural approach for myself.
All of my products come with the ingredients listed, so you know what your getting.
I spent months thinking of a brand name for my product line. I am a Horticulturist, love nature, and working with wholesome ingredients in my products was the whole point of even doing it in the first place. I believe that much of what we need is found in Nature already. I wanted the word ‘Nature’ to be in the name; and since I feel as one with nature, Nature Maiden just seemed appropriate.
I then worked non-stop on a website to feature my products, constantly worked on labels, took pictures, and spent many hours, days & months on my computer. I needed to perfect everything, to come across as professional as possible. I was taking this serious. I was going to make this a business. I got all the necessary licensing as a business owner. I then trademarked the Nature Maiden name.
I am a mother & wife and I started this venture while working full time. Many co-workers have tried my products. I have many repeat customers who order from my website. I aim to ship same or next day. I always include free samples in each order. I’ve also get a lot of positive feedback.
Nature Maiden products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Nature Maiden products are never tested on animals. I do make All Natural dog products which are formulated for dogs, and are safe for their use. No testing is ever done on my dogs. I fully research and understand the ingredients before I create a product for them.
I do everything myself, from manufacturing, label design, shipping, website maintenance, advertising, taxes, spreadsheets, ordering, inventory…you name it, I do it. Sometimes my younger son will help, but for the most part I handle every aspect of this business alone. My husband helped me financially to get my business started. Advertising is very expensive, so I do what I can to get the Nature Maiden name out there. I attend fairs and events to showcase and sell my products. I always get a great response. People often don’t believe that I make everything myself.
To date, I’ve created over 30 varieties of soap, which includes unscented varieties, shaving soaps, dog shampoo bars, fun soap for kid’s, gardener’s soaps, mechanic’s soap & others. There are several varieties of salves, body sprays, room/linen sprays, salt scrubs, deodorants, bug repellents, solid lotion bars, hydrosols, foot care products, lip balms, massage oils, products for dogs, a soap-of-the-month club, & nasal aromatherapy inhalers. I also offer my soap for wholesale purchase.
SOY CANDLES coming Spring 2010
I look forward to where Nature Maiden will go in the future. I’d love to see my products in local shops and to be recognized on a national level. I am excited with this adventure, I never thought I’d be making bath & body products, but I’m loving it!
Connie McCaffery,
Owner
www.NatureMaiden.com
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