Ooh! A Black Friday's Featured! I was invited to visit Nenna at her Virtues of Nature storefront in Norcross, GA in the Atlanta area last month, but unfortunately was not able to get there. Nenna and I met on a soapmaking forum. I'm still bummed out. Her shop photos look exactly like a place I would enjoy shopping. But, I promised I would pop in the next time I'm in the area. In the meantime, she has allowed me to feature her store and website right here.
Virtues of Nature is a lovely downtown shop with clean lines and simplistic packaging selling both bath and body products and soy candles. Nenna and her husband's products are clean and streamlined, perfect for her next big adventure of developing a line of upscale spa products. I'm already eyeing a fabulous dead sea mud mask, which looks more like a decadent chocolate frosting. Wonder how it tastes? Her products and her store look peaceful and serene.
Website: www.virtuesofnature.comBlog: www.virtuesofnature.com/blog Facebook: Click here
Twitter:twitter.com/virtuesofnature LinkedIn: Nenna Hall
Tell us about yourself. I'm 32, recently married to a fabulous man, no children (1 grandchild through marriage) and 4 fabulous dogs. Since I was a young child I've always liked making things. Cooking was my favorite task. My grandfather used to bring a bar chair over in front of the stove so we could make breakfast together and I could learn to flip eggs. I think that's one of my fondest memories. I've always been curious as to how things become what they are. I like to create things, from art to appetizers, and soaps to candles. It really should be no surprise to those who know me (though it is!) that I decided to make my business creating things. Not much makes me feel as satisfied as when I come up with something new that someone is going to take home and use to release the stress and pressure of the day. I'm a research demon and rarely afraid to try new things, so my lab is always a barrel of fun.
What types of products do you sell? We sell hand-poured soy candles, as well as natural (or nearly) hand-crafted soaps, natural and nearly natural lotions, scrubs, bath products, facial cleansers and lotions, masks and shampoos, and anything else that myself or my assistant come up with on a good day in the lab.
How did you get into this business? I suffer from bad asthma and horrible allergies. My allergist suggested that I try soy candles if I was going to burn so many of them since they produce less soot and smoke which could be triggering my attacks. Well I checked out Yankee and was appalled at the $35 price tag for a soy candle and decided to see if I could find them less expensive online. One of the first things that popped up was a "make your own candle kit" for soy candles. I ordered it and I was hooked. That was a little over 4 years ago and I'm still hooked and have expanded to many other areas of hand-crafted bath and body and become addicted to them also.
Where do you get your inspiration for your work? I get a lot of inspiration just from my surrounding environment. My most recent line of soaps was inspired by the restaurants and shops located in the historic district our shop is in. I took a little of something for each shop- Red Wine soap for the Italian place(s), Mojito soap for the Cuban place, Beer soap for the tavern, English Tea soap for the British shop, and Artisans soap for the art and pottery shop. And sometimes I'll browse the shops on Etsy or Artfire and come across something I just have to try and off to the lab I go to figure it out.
Are you a member of any related organizations or do you have any special related certifications, etc.? We are members of the HSMG
What is your favorite product and why? (That you make, of course) My current favorite (it changes frequently) is Yuzu Calendula soap. It's a super creamy lathering coconut oil soap that has this awesome Yuzu scent and dried Calendula peppered through it.
What do you do outside of work? There's life outside of work?! Okay, hmm, I have a great husband (aww the newlyweds!) who supports me in every way. We try to do things together as much as possible, though business usually finds its way in, at least it's quality time. I love to cook, play with my dogs, read a good book, take Sunday drives to random areas around GA to remind us what's nearby that we often forget (Yargo State Park, Helen, Dahlonega, various forts and old towns)- last weekend we went to the Southeastern Railway Museum. It's a really cool place with trains from past to present.
What are your business dreams for the future? We opened our retail location in May of this year. We're considering relocating to an area with more foot traffic and disposable income. My current desire is to create a "spa" line of products that is geared towards higher end clientele and spas and to break into the wholesale market more. There's an opportunity to get a booth at AmericasMart for a wholesale show I'm working towards and really I just want to keep increasing our business and growing.
If you could give advice to other bath and body or candle businesses, what would it be?
If this is a business, take it seriously. Register as a business, get a license, insurance, and most importantly plan. Not having a plan is like setting out in a boat with no oars, sails, or engines and assuming that the current is just going to get you where you want to be. As a good friend (and former sales trainer) once told me- Intend to be, don't hope to be. If you intend something then you will make it happen. If you hope for something you wait for it to happen.
If you could have one bath and body or candle business question answered, what would you ask? What is the best and most efficient way to fill a bottle without looking amateur (plastic bag with a tip) or spending a fortune on a bottle filling machine?
Virtues of Nature is generously offering a 10% discount to any reader who shops their store. Simply enter the coupon code 10OFF or mention this feature on The Bonnie Bath Blog Pro in the store to receive 10% off. Whose up for some holiday shopping?
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