Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Tsai.
Jessica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started at the end of 2016 when I was planning a friend’s baby shower. I was researching shower favors and through the depths of Pinterest, I discovered recipes for hard lotion bars. The bars were a success, and through more hours of scouring the Internet, I soon realized that many of the products I use daily, like lip balm, body lotion, body scrub, face wash, and more, can be made using a combination of similar, natural ingredients. It also made me more aware of all the chemicals that are in the skincare products I was using. Through my research and experimentation, I started creating recipes to replace the products I was using daily and then started gifting them to others. A friend of mine encouraged me to start an Etsy shop, which I launched in June 2017.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finding the time to invest in and grow my business while working a full-time job has been the biggest struggle for me. Given that everything is handmade in small batches, fulfilling orders and preparing for markets take up most of my time. This leaves little time to be more strategic about the stores I want to target, attracting new customers, growing my Instagram following, applying for more markets, creating new recipes, marketing my products, etc. I’m currently focusing on scaling my existing production for larger orders and continuing to build my brand and relationships.
My advice for young women starting their self-made journey is to just take action before your doubts get in your way. If you have an idea, do one thing to get you closer to it — design your logo, create a label, buy supplies, register for a market… you will slowly see your ideas come to life, which will create a cycle of possibility and actuality that will encourage you to keep going. Eventually, all your little actions will grow into something wonderful.
My other advice is to have a strong support system around you. I’m lucky to have met many amazing, talented women through work who have been my biggest fans along the way. My fiancé comes to every market and helps me load and unload the car and setup my tent. My sister and brother-in-law let me take over their kitchen for hours and store my equipment there. The “CO” in JESSI + CO is real! I’ve also met some amazing women through the markets I’ve done, and those relationships and their support have led me to other opportunities as well.
Please tell us about JESSI + CO.
My entire product line was created to be easy and accessible to real people like me. I want to take care of my skin and body but don’t want to spend a lot of money to do so. I get anxious about packing my toiletries to be travel-friendly. I like to reuse empty containers but have to balance upcycling with hoarding. I don’t want to use multiple products if I don’t have to. I want to do the least amount of work to get the best results.
Combine these desires with my dry skin and sensitive sense of smell, and you get JESSI + CO – natural skincare products with minimal ingredients, each chosen with absolute intention, that nourish your skin and calm your anxieties.
Almost all products have less than five ingredients that are pronounceable, recognizable and labeled clearly on the packaging, so you know exactly what you are putting on your body. Most are packaged in glass containers, making them easy to clean and reuse or recycle. You also don’t have to worry about transferring liquids into unlabeled plastic bottles with tiny funnels while losing most of it on your counter. Almost all are less than 3.4 oz and ready to throw in your bag.
JESSI + CO products are simple and effective. They are made for real people with busy lives, limited funds, and who want to take care of themselves.
Since I launched in June 2017, I’ve released 20+ different products, which I sell through my Etsy shop, local markets, and wholesale to stores in New England.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve benefited from using?
For work apps, I rely on Evernote for note taking, Wunderlist for tracking to-dos, and Pinterest for inspiration.
For my health, I use the Sweat app and Alexia-Clark.com for circuit workouts, and the Studio app for treadmill running classes. I also listen to the Bulletproof Radio, mindbodygreen and Critical Conversations podcasts.
For life, I use my Kindle to distract and unwind. I don’t go on a vacation without it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jessiandco.com
- Email: jessiandcohomemade@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiandco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessiandco
Image Credit:
Verne Ho, Mary Swenson
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