Meet Naina Jain

We were lucky to catch up with Naina Jain recently and have shared our conversation below.

Naina, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.

You know, when I first started MarigoldBub, I knew I’d face skepticism. Ayurveda isn’t mainstream in Western skincare. People questioned everything – from the efficacy of traditional ingredients to whether busy parents would really invest in “another skincare brand.”

But here’s what keeps me going: every message I get from a customer of how I have helped them or their babies or that they feel confident using products she can actually pronounce the ingredients of. These aren’t just customers – they’re families finding relief and peace of mind. I remember this moment so clearly; it was 2 years ago and I had done a beauty show; the show wasn’t as successful as I expected. A few days later I got an IG DM from a customer sharing her excitement about finding our skincare line and how our products were able to get her skin relief that she hasn’t found in years due to complicated PCOS condition; that is what makes it worth the effort!
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The naysayers often come from a place of unfamiliarity. When someone dismisses turmeric or neem as “just herbs,” I remember that these ingredients have been safely used for thousands of years. My grandmother treated skin issues with kitchen remedies that modern science is now validating. That generational wisdom isn’t something to apologize for – it’s our foundation. What really sustains me through criticism is staying connected to our “why.” We’re not just selling skincare; we’re offering parents gentler alternatives in a world full of harsh chemicals and confusing ingredient lists. When conventional products failed my own family, I had to create something better. That mission doesn’t change because someone questions it.

I’ve also learned to distinguish between constructive feedback and noise. Real concerns about formulation or safety? Those make us better. But dismissal based on bias against natural approaches or cultural practices? That says more about the critic than our products. The truth is, every successful business faces resistance. The key is surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision – whether that’s your team, advisors, or the community you’re serving. Their voices become louder than the doubters.

At the end of the day, I’m building something for the parents who want better options for their families. As long as they keep telling me we’re making a difference in their lives, I’ll keep showing up.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Marigoldbub is where 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic wisdom meets the real needs of modern families. We create gentle, effective skincare products specifically formulated for mothers and children using time-tested ingredients like turmeric, neem, ashwagandha, and other botanicals that have been safely nurturing skin for millennia.

What makes this work so special to me is the bridge we’re building. On one side, you have ancient formulations that my grandmother’s generation trusted completely. On the other, you have today’s parents desperately seeking clean alternatives to harsh chemical products that often irritate sensitive skin or cause long-term concerns. We are reclaiming generational knowledge that got lost in the rush toward synthetic everything.

The most exciting part? Watching families discover that effective doesn’t have to mean aggressive. Our diaper rash cream uses the same neem and mustard seed oil combination that’s soothed irritated for centuries, but we’ve refined the texture and consistency for modern convenience. Parents get the peace of mind that comes from ingredients they recognize, while kids get genuine relief from common issues like eczema, diaper rash, and dry skin. What I want people to understand about Marigoldbub is that we’re not anti-science – we’re pro-wisdom. Every ingredient we use has both traditional backing and modern research supporting its benefits. The goal isn’t just to sell products – it’s to help families feel confident about what they’re putting on their skin and to reconnect with natural approaches to health that have stood the test of time.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three things have been absolutely crucial to building Marigoldbub successfully.

First: Deep Product Knowledge Beyond Surface Level
You can’t just read a few articles about a subject and call yourself an expert. I spent years studying Ayurveda both through personal practice and through academia, connecting with traditional practitioners, and understanding not just what ingredients do, but why they work and how they interact. This depth became my credibility when customers had questions or when formulating new products.

For entrepreneurs starting out: become genuinely obsessed with your field. Don’t just learn your product – understand the science, history, and context behind it. Take courses, find mentors, and immerse yourself completely. Customers can sense authenticity from miles away, and that expertise will differentiate you when competitors try to copy your surface-level approach.

Second: Authentic Storytelling That Connects Emotionally
People don’t buy skincare – they buy the feeling of being a good parent, the relief of finding something that works, the confidence that comes with understanding their choices. I learned to share not just what our products do, but why they matter to real families dealing with real struggles. My own journey as a mother searching for gentle solutions became the heart of our brand story.

My advice: get comfortable being vulnerable about your “why.” Share the failures, the late-night worries, the moments of doubt. People connect with the human behind the business. And listen deeply to your customers – their stories often become your most powerful marketing content.

Third: Resilient Problem-Solving Under Resource Constraints
Starting a skincare business requires navigating regulations, finding reliable suppliers, managing inventory, understanding e-commerce – all while bootstrapping. I had to become resourceful fast, learning to solve problems creatively rather than throwing money at them. This scrappy approach actually became a competitive advantage because it forced innovation.

For new entrepreneurs: embrace the constraints. Limited budget forces you to focus on what truly matters and prioritize ruthlessly. Learn to research obsessively, ask for help without shame, and see every obstacle as a puzzle to solve rather than a reason to quit. Join entrepreneur groups, find people solving similar problems, and don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know.

The common thread through all three? Patience with the process. Building something meaningful takes time, and rushing any of these elements will show in your results.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

My biggest transformation this past year has been learning to leverage community wisdom instead of trying to figure everything out alone. For too long, I was operating in isolation – thinking I had to master every aspect of running a business by myself because I was the “expert” on Ayurveda and my products.

The turning point came when I joined a mastermind group of CPG entrepreneurs who’d already scaled their brands. Suddenly I was sitting in rooms with founders who’d survived supply chain disasters, and built seven-figure businesses. What I discovered was humbling: they’d all made the same mistakes I was about to make, and they were generous with sharing solutions that had taken them years to develop.

I also started working with industry-specific advisors – a former beauty executive who helped me understand retail partnerships, and a digital marketing expert who specialized in wellness brands. Instead of spending months testing ad campaigns that weren’t working, I learned strategies that had already been proven in my exact market.

The real growth wasn’t just accessing their knowledge – it was learning to ask better questions. Instead of “How do I increase sales?” I started asking “What were the three biggest mistakes you made in year two that I should avoid?”
This shift completely changed how I approach challenges. When we faced a major supplier issue last quarter, instead of panicking and trying to solve it alone, I reached out to my network. Within 48 hours, I had three alternative suppliers that minimized customer impact.

The lesson for other entrepreneurs: your network becomes your net worth, but only if you’re intentional about building relationships before you need them. Join industry groups, attend conferences, and don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know. The most successful founders I know are also the most willing to learn from others who’ve walked the path before them.
Community isn’t just about support – it’s about acceleration. Why reinvent the wheel when someone else has already perfected it and is willing to share the blueprint?

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