Source: https://thehappyorganicgirl.com.au/2018/10/27/meet-the-makers-vanessa-from-v-e-e-p-bath-and-body/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 12:47:46+00:00

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Another week done and dusted and I am now in the final week before Hawaii! The countdown is well and truly happening – I am just so excited!
Today we are chatting with the fun and utterly fabulous Vanessa from v e e.p bath and body, a quirky Melbourne based brand with a focus on bright and colourful vegan skincare.
You may have seen my posts about the “Sunday Blues” Mask from v e e.p bath and body. I picked that up on my recent visit to Finders Keepers in Melbourne. It is pure heaven, made to uplift your spirits, which let’s be honest we all need on a Sunday night. It also has ingredients that have been formulated to brighten the skin and also help balance the skins oil production.
Not only has Vanessa created a range of skincare to help women feel confident in their skin, she also supports Soap Aid. This organisation supports communities who do not have access to basic hygiene items, such as soap. In March, Vanessa introduced the one for one soap initiative. For every product sold, Vanessa donate’s a soap bar to a child living in poverty around Australia and across the globe. Since March, she has donated 600+ soap bars! What a beautiful initiative.
R. Thanks for joining us Vanessa! I simply adore your Sunday Blues Mask, it’s such a treat to use on a Sunday evening as I mentally prepare for the week ahead!
Lets start with what led you yo starting v e e.p bath and body?
V. I’ve always wanted to run my own business and I knew it would be something creative, but I never pictured myself creating skincare. The business started by accident really. I wanted to learn something new so enrolled myself into a soap making class. I soon became addicted to soap making and it kind of went on from there!
R. Ha! That’s amazing. Well you can see the creative side in your products, the packaging is so colourful and fun!
Walk us through a day at v e e.p bath and body.
V. My days throughout the week a quite different to each other.. the day could be spent doing production, admin, photoshoots, designing, developing new products or studying! I do everything myself so no 2 days are ever the same really!
R. What have you found to be the biggest challenge while you’ve been in business?
R. It’s so easy to do isn’t it. Second guess yourself and even compare yourself to others. I can tell you now, you are doing amazing things girl!
Have you had to deal with any negativity?
V. I haven’t had to deal with much negativity from others. The main negativity I deal with is from myself. I am quite an optimistic person so it’s not often that struggle with negativity but when I do it’s usually because I’m stuck in a rut or I haven’t had enough ‘me’ time. So I usually schedule in a night by myself (TV, mask, long shower etc) or I watch inspiration youtube vids, listen to like-minded business podcasts.
R. I find if I’m stuck in a rut then it is super hard for me to pull myself out of it too.
What helpful advice would you give someone who is looking to start their own skincare business?
V. Take time developing products and testing them out before launching. I would get a few great products ready before launching. And have a brand story ready to launch with. I’ve redesigned packaging 3 times since being open for 4 years haha. In saying that though, don’t wait until everything is perfect or you’ll never start. Also, be aware of other brands out there but don’t be following them too closely or you’ll just end of comparing yourself and feeling down. Have a couple of brand role models but be ORIGINAL! There’s a lot of green beauty businesses with almost identical products – down to the labels and product names! That’s not cool.
R. I agree about not following anyone too closely, in any profession. Especially now with social media, what’s going on behind closed doors is often very different to what is happening publicly. I think it’s so important to keep in mind, just to always be yourself.
What’s next for v e e.p bath and body?
V. We recently released 3 new products! The Sunday Blues Brightening & Exfoliating Mask, Cop That! Brightening & Exfoliating toner, and the Anoint face oil.
I’m currently working on 2 face creams and have plans for a hand cream later on in the year!
R. Wooo a hand cream, alongside cleansers they are my second favourite beauty product! I can’t wait to see the packaging for that.
I also love hearing about people’s skincare routines, let’s chat about yours – what does it look like?
People always think that’s a lot of steps but it takes me about 10 minutes.
R. Once you get the routine down pat then its super easy. My morning routine is normally just a quick cleanse and moisturise but I spend a little longer in the evenings as I find it nice way to relax.
Now we touched on the skincare routine, what would you say is your go-to skincare or makeup product?
V. My one go-to skincare product is our Anoint Face Oil. I’m obsessed. I put it on morning and night and sometimes just randomly throughout the day.
R. I will have to pop that on the list of products to try next!
You mentioned above you always thought you would end up doing something creative and have ended up in skincare. How do you think your purposes evolved?
V. Purpose is something I think about a lot. I’m quite a ‘big dream’ sort of girl so when I picture my life and my business I aim to grow not just to have wealth or be known in the beauty industry. I want to grow so I can create jobs and a great work place. My vision is to employ people (mainly women) who struggle to find work – new mums, single mums, unemployed for long periods of time, previously homeless. And I want to grow in revenue so that I can give more back to the community through charities.
I think my purpose is something I’m always working on but currently I feel its to help other women (and men) feel they are beautiful, inside and out; that they are loved and they matter.
R. That’s so beautiful to hear, and what an opportunity to help those that need it. I have no doubt that this is something you can achieve!
Running a business can be chaotic, how do you practice self-care?
V. Self-care is not selfish! And it’s almost much more than a face mask or a bath with a glass of wine. It’ll be different for everyone. If you’re an introvert like me, it might be having the TV to yourself for a night. If you’re an extrovert it might be going out. Self care is knowing what you need and putting that before anything else. Schedule it if you need to.
R. I agree 100%, sometimes it’s even scrolling mindlessly for an hour on Pinterest putting together your dream home! It really does mean something different for everyone.
I’ve really enjoyed writing this interview with you Vanessa, wishing you the best of luck with all your dreams and goals!

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