We recently connected with Chantal Mirza and have shared our conversation below.
Chantal, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
I developed my ability to take risks by continually taking risks, and having unrealistic optimism whereby you just KNOW it will workout. Also developing the ability to trust in yourself and your ideas. Not every risk will workout, but through the process you still learn. Either you learn from your mistakes and refine your process or you realize the risk was not worth it, either way, its a growing process. Without risk there is no growth just stagnancy. Overall, all the risks i’ve taken have been worth it and progressed my life and business in amazing ways.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I started Lavendula Skincare because I had a passion for self care for as long as I can remember. When I was pregnant I was using many different Belly Oils but I noticed a lot of the products out there were lacking quality and left the skin very greasy. So I set out to create a Belly oil with organic ingredients, no mineral or soy oil and organic essential oils that would feel weightless on the skin.
After my son was born I put my vision intro reality and started developing the products. I also was studying to become a doula during that time as I had a passion for helping women making the transition into motherhood. Currently we just redeveloped our belly oil using a new bottle design and we’ve switched to sustainable packaging.
I am currently developing and bottling the oils myself and I love the new formula! It has a light lavender rose scent (from essential oils) and is very mild for women who are pregnant or postpartum.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the biggest quality was just taking the risk and making the first step. I had dreamt of starting a skincare business since I was in high school, I actually opened an Etsy Shop called Chantal’s body butter, the idea never came to fruition because all those years I lacked the ability to take the risk of the first step of investing in the business by purchasing the ingredients. Once I was confident enough to take the risk everything came into place quite quickly.
I also believe getting a good knowledge of e-commerce from my previous job at a consulting company really helped me in creating the online store and setting everything up properly.
Thirdly just having the desire to invest in myself and my dreams and to bring something into reality using my creative vision. A lot of people discouraged me as they said there are already so many “skincare” brands out there and you’ll never be able to compete with the larger brands, but I am a firm believer that there is room in the market for everyone and ultimately you’ll find your niche client base and they will find you. There are people who prefer the larger brands but there are plenty of customers who want to purchase from smaller brands who focus on sustainability and high quality ingredients,
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed I usually take a pause, try and do a slow meditation and try not to make decisions from that overwhelmed place. Being a mom that can come down to literally not talking till i’ve calmed down, as many moms know when you’re feeling overwhelmed and your kids are overwhelmed its a recipe for disaster. Its up to me to stay calm in those situations. I’ve recently downloaded NuCalm which has short meditations to help you stay calm. Overall, my goal this year is to avoid getting to the place of overwhelm all together so Ive been outsourcing things more often (childcare, social media etc..) and asking for help when needed. I also have a planner so stay organized as when i’m not organized it can lead me to becoming overwhelmed much easier.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lavendulaskincare.com
- Instagram: @lavendulaskincare
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/lavendulaskincare
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lavendula-skincare/
Image Credits
Melissa Hurtado
