Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonnie Giangrande.
Bonnie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The more I read about the dangers of chemicals that go into our personal and beauty care products, the more I knew something had to be done. I was simply horrified to learn that some of the most common chemicals found in our shampoos and skincare products today, such as Cocomide DEA, Lauamide DEA, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES) and Parabens, which create that rich foamy lather, are absorbed through the skin where they have been found to form cancer-causing nitrates and impair the normal function of the brain and nervous system.
Researchers found evidence these chemicals can interfere with the body’s hormones. In a study of the effects of the three compounds on 1,151 pre-pubescent girls in the U.S., researchers found that the chemicals caused a variety of problems in puberty, and triggered early onset. Studies have shown that “early pubertal development in girls can have adverse social and medical effects, including the development of cancer and diabetes later in life.” This study was published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
I strongly felt that this is not acceptable! And we can do better for ourselves and our families! We all need to be more concerned and aware of what we put into our bodies. But these studies hit home personally for me because I have young children who are living in an age where they are exposed to many more environmental toxins than we ever were growing up. I realized that if I want change, then I have to be a part of it; and that positive change will not only be good for ourselves, but good for our planet and our families. And this is how The Laughing Tree Organics came to be.
Over the past 5 years, myself and my Team have been working hard to assemble a line of skincare products that use only organic and all-natural oils, herbs and extracts. We adhere to all aspects of a full-cycle, sustainable eco-model that speaks to the integrity of the very genuine potential of humanity and the principles of the highest possible ideals for a sustainable future in generations to come. It has been my promise to carefully evaluate each and every product and every procedure we adopt in the process of developing this brand.
We have a strong commitment to sustainable purchasing, efficiency, reduced waste and recycling. Many of the products at the Laughing Tree Organics are Vegan-Friendly and all are Cruelty Free! Most of our products fall in the range of 70-100% organic ingredients if you include; natural, plant-based, vegan, fairly traded, permaculture and biodynamic, we are 100%. We use biodegradable and recycled products for packaging whenever possible. We value every ounce of energy expended, whether human or natural, so it is our responsibility to do what we can to preserve resources. Because of this commitment, we educate and ask our team and our customers to play their part in this collective program.
Founding The Laughing Tree Organics has allowed me to formulate a family of face, skin and body care products that I could use for myself and my family, and recommend without reservation, to others. The Laughing Tree Organics line contain only simple, clean, pure natural ingredients infusing the significant healing properties of fresh, hand-picked, organic and/or wild crafted herbs from British Columbia. These products are non-GMO and are cruelty-free. Our uncompromising quest for quality means that all creams are handmade and blended in small batches.
The Laughing Tree Organics wants to be a catalyst for positive change in this world, one botanical product at a time. There is only one earth, and we are all on it together.
Has it been a smooth road?
Let’s just say if it comes easy, you probably aren’t doing it right. LOL. I can honestly say that I wasn’t prepared for some of the pitfalls that I have run into. I can recall when I first got my natural shampoo’s into a few local stores, I was like “Wow, I finally made it!”
Haha, I soon quickly realized that I had to personally stock 6 stores throughout New England which was a challenge considering I was a busy mother still holding down a day job! And then when I finally had the opportunity to pitch my shampoo line to Whole Foods, they expressed interest in carrying a natural skincare line instead. I was like “Sure! I can do that!” And then what followed was the hustle to learn all I could about creating safe, all-natural skincare which took a good year to formulate and bring to market.
Luckily, Wholefoods was very patient with me! When the line was picked up by 2 Distributors, I was like “Oh my, how am I going to handle all of these orders?” But the truth is stores will only carry a minimum number of your products to begin with, and do test runs to see how well they perform on the shelves. So the old saying “Build it. He will come” from the movie Field of Dreams isn’t necessarily true in this market.
Once your products are on the shelves the real works begins. You have to do everything in your power to let people know about them, and why they need to buy them! There is a real educational piece to getting people to understand the benefits of using natural products over synthetic. The latest trends in Social Media and having the ability to connect with your followers has really helped us communicate these beliefs, which in turn has helped us grow over the past couple of years. People want to hear from you today and they want to build a relationship with the brands they use.
I also was not prepared for the lack of FDA oversight in Personal Care Products. You can pretty much put just about anything in a product and claim “Natural” if you use only 1 or 2 natural ingredients, and fill the rest with synthetics. This was a real eye-opener for me, I wasn’t prepared to see so many Companies making false claims about their products. The FDA leaves it up to consumers to educate themselves, read the labels and understand the ingredients that go into the products and know whether they are safe for your family or not.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Over the past 5 years, myself and my Team have been working hard to assemble a line of healthy skin and body care products that use only organic and all-natural oils, herbs and extracts. Founding The Laughing Tree Organics has allowed me to formulate a family of face, skin and body care products that I use on myself and my family, and recommend without reservation to others. We believe that you should never have to sacrifice Health for Beauty. We have plans this year to expand our line and to bring to market beautiful sustainable shampoo bars and healing hemp lotions.
Mission:
“We formulate products to work with your body’s chemistry, the way nature intended”
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love the fact that we are sort of a “hidden local gem” creating products off the beaten path. This allows us to not get too caught up in what the current “trend” is, but rather “what are we creating that can help heal people, and benefit our planet in the process.” I feel that I am also surrounded by amazing artists in the area that always inspires me!
There are a few obstacles one has to overcome when having a product line further North of Boston, as it may mean getting your products into some of the major stores can be a little more daunting. But the payoff to me is worth it, Nature has always inspired me and being from the North Shore we are surrounded by beautiful reservations, beaches and sanctuaries.
Because I am so connected with nature and that is what The Laughing Tree Organics is founded on, I prefer to be immersed in its beauty every day.
Pricing:
- If you sign up for our online Newsletter, you will receive 15% off your first order, and be the first to hear about new products and receive monthly promotions
Contact Info:
- Website
- Phone: 978-518-1931
- Email: info@thelaughingtreeorganics.com
Image Credit:
YIP’s Pics, Joan Wilking
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