Inspiring Lives with "Zhi Bath and Body" CEO For Fashion Gxd Magazine
Written By: Samantha Cee
Social media accounts www.instagram.com/zhibathandbody, www.twitter.com/zhibathandbody, www.pinterest.com/zibathandbody, fb.me/zhibandb
Website www.zhibathandbody.com
Tell us about your business?
Zhi is a veteran-owned, woman-owned small business located in Charlotte, NC. For 13 years, we've been dedicated to formulating and crafting goat milk skincare products and soy candles. Having lived with psoriasis for the last 22 years, I know first hand how challenging it can be to find skincare products that are gentle on inflamed, aggravated skin AND will leave skin soft, hydrated, and smelling amazing. Zhi was started out of a need for a solution -- skin sensitivities, skin conditions, and even cancer patients can use our products without worry of adverse effects. Our products are paraben free, SLS free, gluten free, and cruelty free. If you're not sure about what to choose, reach out to us! We'll get you squared away!
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How did the idea for your business come about?
Answer: I get this question a lot and I LOVE answering it! Zhi was born out of a personal need for products that did not aggravate my psoriatic skin. By the time I got out of the Navy, I was dealing with very mild skin issues and a lot of skincare products in stores caused me noticeable irritation--itching, redness, things like that. A good 5yrs after I got out my dermatitis has morphed into psoriasis and was constantly irritated...the biggest issue was that "natural" or non-toxic products were not as accessible as they are now.
After military service, I followed my original passion and became a cosmetologist. My creativity flourished but my skin revolted, so I came from behind the chair. Thankfully, in my 17 years as a stylist, I had been exposed to the one person who has no clue she truly inspires me...Lisa Price. Not to be cocky, but my thought process was "If she can do it, so can I!" My first go at it was awful, but I found myself amazed at how beneficial natural oils, butters, and waxes are. I'm 24 years into my journey with psoriasis and almost 13 years into formulating and crafting products that my skin (and my customers) LOVES. I've turned my love of essential oil, goat milk, mango butter, and all kinds of natural ingredients into products that don't irritate, softens skin, and smells ridiculously wonderful.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
Answer: I've never had to find people to bring into Zhi. My prayer from the beginning was that I am exposed to and come in contact with people who are good for me and my business. I prayed (and still pray) that God directs my path in such a way that those that may -- knowingly or unknowingly -- be harmful to me and my business be drawn away from me. The one dear friend that helps me is the yin to my yang. She's a total extrovert that loves to sell and prefers to not craft; I'm the semi-introvert that would rather not sell and craft all day. I'm so fortunate to partner with Zuhuri Beauty and the amazing skincare formulators as well. Outside of that, I follow my gut...it's led me to some AMAZING people and companies. The instinct to know when someone is good for me and my business is extremely important--I've learned to not ignore it.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What three pieces of advice would you give to other children who want to become entrepreneurs?
Answer: I tell my boys all the time to NEVER think you are too young to start a business...you've got to always believe you can do anything! I remind them daily, almost hourly to at least try. They may not be able to change the world, but at least try to make a difference in their corner of the world. Then, once you get your gig up and running, find ways to help someone else -- always do good with what you've been given. The short version:
1. Believe
2. Try
3. Give
Fashion Gxd Magazine :If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Answer: Honestly, I don't think I'd change anything about how I got started because I've done what I've dreamed of doing. I served my country, I became a stylist, and now I'm building a legacy for my kiddos. Everything I've set my mind to doing thus far, I've done. Even with the TONS of mistakes, missteps, and blunders along the way, I don't think I'd change it or do things differently. Being able to do it over again would not afford me the chance to learn and be able to share what I know works and doesn't work. It's a process...if no one goes through the process, lessons are not learned, connections may not be made, and I'd be no wiser. Wisdom is a thing of beauty that I hope to keep growing in.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur ?
Answer: Passion...Courage...Connections
Being passionate about something is the first step to being good at it...whether it's speaking publicly, formulating products, acting in movies, ANYTHING. The courage to share your passion is a honed skill. I've not always felt courageous; it was a mindset. I truly believe the US Navy was a HUGE part of creating that shift in my mindset to believe I can do anything. In the military it's CRITICAL for the your safety and everyone you fight beside and it's an awesome skill to have as an entrepreneur. I know having connections is not a skill but it does require a level of skill to make connections. You have to be confident in what you make or sell and be able to project that confidence to make the right connection. Then you also have to believe -- you can't necessarily make anyone else a believer in you or your product or service if you are not.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Answer: Thinking I could build a successful business on my own was one of my biggest failures. It has never been a situation where I had closely guarded secrets or anything, but I did have trust issues that no one would believe in my passion as I do. After many, many, many sleepless nights and ridiculously long days trying to get things done, I succumbed. At the same time, I was introduced to several groups of women business owners who genuinely support and collaborate so that everyone grows. I still do a lot to run and grow Zhi, but I have a tribe when I get stuck.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How many hours do you work a day on average?
Answer: I'm working Zhi roughly 5 to 6 hours out of the day -- between being mommy, wife, dog walker, and school bus. I run Zhi from my home so it's convenient to work business, home, kids, husband, and sometimes school. It gets rough, for sure, but it's all worth it.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :Describe/outline your typical day?
Answer: Not too bad, but could use some work still, but I'm up by 0600 to get my morning fix (Peet's Major Dickenson Blend or Starbuck's Pike Place), kiddos are up by 0620, out the door by 0725 and back home by 0800....then the magic begins. After some light straightening from trying to get out the door, I typically review my order list -- checking to see what needs to go out, what needs to be finished, and start new orders. I'll typically work Zhi product until noon, then switch over to any computer work to be done (including household stuff). Grab the kiddos at 1445 (2:45pm), dinner prep and homework started and done by 1800 (6pm), then wrangling the kids for bed begins. Two hours after that, I'm sitting at my laptop printing labels, looking for shows, sending emails, going to sleep looking at the screen, etc. I'll settle down in bed around the time Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon come on -- love them and Anderson Cooper! Still working till roughly 1am and I'll shove everything to the middle of the bed and crash to a Calm bedtime story. Let it be said, I have YET to make it through an entire story! And that's my day!!! Start it over again at 0600!!!
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Answer: HUUUUGGE impact! I never knew it would be this way because I started before I had kids. We've been able to adjust for the most part though. It's a situation where if one person is an entreprenuer, the entire household is. There are major upsides and downsides, but we make it work. It's important for me to show my kiddos that they are not limited to working for someone else their whole life. Showing them, by example, that they can do ANYTHING is critical for me. Even if they don't follow what I do, I always encourage them to do SOMETHING in order to live the life they want and help somebody else along the way. The downside, of course, is the amount of time that goes into running and growing an empire. There may be days when there are no towels anywhere except the dryer or groceries are getting skimpy from not having time to get to the store. As long as there is a house-wide understanding that it will not always be like this, the greater good is achieved.
Fashion Gxd Magazine :What motivates you?
Answer: My biggest motivators are my boys. I want them to experience things that I did not growing up. I also want to teach them the value of hard work and how it will pay off in the long run. If I can teach them something that will better their lives, its worth it. People motivate me too...being able to help people in situations like mine, people what need a better way to care for their skin. The push for non-toxic products motivate me. With nearly 8 million Americans diagnosed with psoriasis, there HAVE to be products available to them that will not only cleanse the skin and keep it hydrated, but will not cause irritation from added chemicals at the same time. THAT motivates me.
Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you generate new ideas?
Answer: Everything I formulate is based on a need. My mom may need a cream to help with her arthritis, my kiddos need deodorant, my good friend's son has eczema, a choir member has a scar he wants faded. It just all depends on the need. The base of my products are for general skincare and troubled skin, but I LOVE formulating custom products for specific needs. Sometimes those custom products are a hit and become part of the regular lineup. It's an awesome cycle, really.
Fashion Gxd Magazine : What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer: The biggest sacrifice I've made is making time to me. I love triathlons, I love riding my bike, and traveling, but the drive to make Zhi work and become a success puts a good bit of that on the back burner. I try not to think about it and many days I want to give it up -- I can't. I have to try. If I fail, I can never say I gave up. I'll not have a motivator to share with my grandkids so they'll know they have it within themselves to do and be anything. So, the sacrifice is sometimes great. Oooohhh, but the reward is so much greater!
Fashion Gxd Magazine : Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
Answer: In 10 years, I see Zhi in 10 luxury stores and making private label products for small businesses at a cost they can afford. 20 years? Who knows....still amazing and making history for sure! I could totally see myself like Gert Boyle (rest easy, Ms. Boyle) looking amazing in Zhi commercials at 63 years young!
