We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jillian Gundy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jillian below.
Hi Jillian , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I come from a strong family who rolled up their sleeves, worked with their hands, and knew how to hustle. We were all taught at a young age to work hard for what we want. I started working when I was 14. My journey began with jobs that didn’t feel like jobs. I was fortunate enough to be working at businesses where I was passionate about learning each of the trades. I began working in Queens, NY at a horse stable mucking stalls and getting horses ready for trail rides. This may have seemed like a dirty job, which it was, but I was able to learn and love horses which I always wanted to do. Little did I know, this would set me up with the knowledge to work at a stable again years later leading trail rides, which was exhilarating.
My next two main jobs through high school and college were working at a vet and a grooming salon. Each trade was exciting to me since I was able to learn how to properly care for animals in their health and grooming needs. This set me up for a natural lifestyle with my pets. I was able to learn how to keep animals healthy both inside and out. Over the years, I was fortunate to be able to rescue and rehabilitate many pets and wildlife along the way.
Working in the grooming shop taught me the hardest work ethic out of any of my jobs. I began at a small but bustling shop in the city that took in over 40 clients a day. I started as a bather learning how to clean each dog breed while accommodating each unique temperament. I then moved to a receptionist position juggling many tasks at once in our long 10-hour work days. Not long after, I was managing the shop. This included the intake of each client, organizing appointments, managing finances, keeping bathers and groomers on task, training employees, and so much more. One major skill that became part of me was working well under pressure in a very active and noisy environment. Fast-forward a few years, I run my skincare business with two rambunctious toddlers.
The jobs that I had through high school and college allowed me to acquire my master’s degree in business, pay off loans, and work two other corporate jobs. My mentality became if someone else can do it, so can you. I strive to always learn more, continue to be well-rounded, and always continue education either through books or courses. I teach my kids the same and to never fear trying, even if you do not succeed right away. Even when things do not work out like you planned, you will learn a lesson. Our family has tied this into our business of nurturing a healthy lifestyle through our skincare and home care products.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Our growing line of products began with ultra-nourishing goat milk soaps. This led us to our formulations of lotions, scrubs, salves, detox baths, soy wax candles, and even laundry powder. One part of our process is sourcing clean ingredients for our products. We use a variety of skin-loving ingredients specifically selected for skin needs. Each product, such as the facial lotion, made to focus on rejuvenating youth, has specifically chosen butters and oils for that exact purpose.
Our goal is to continue to grow our line of clean skincare and home products and to be affordable for all. Living a clean lifestyle shouldn’t be a compromise, everyone should be able to partake in these benefits. As we grow, we’ll be able to source our clean ingredients more effectively. This helps us in our goal of reaching wider markets, and more widely available to all.
It brings us joy to share our line of nourishing, luxurious, eco-friendly products, and experiences. At Tiki Hut Life, we believe quality should never be a compromise. We are committed to being able to fulfill all of your skin needs.
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?
Having an all-natural skincare and home care company requires learning about each ingredient for optimal health, sourcing quality ingredients, and any business requires going with the flow in our ever-changing world.
Luckily, I love to read and listen to podcasts. There is so much information available from paid courses to free information by doctors, health advocates, and professionals who love to share their knowledge. Since it is available on so many platforms, learning is widely available to read or even listen to on the go so you can always learn. This is especially great as a parent always on the go.
Learning ingredients for formulation is a major part of this company. Each oil, butter, clay, and additive has different benefits for things like the face, hands, aging skin, and acne that are crucial when formulating.
After learning about ingredients, sourcing is almost as equally important. At Tiki Hut Life, we ethically and sustainably source each ingredient. We try to source as many products as locally as possible, stay away from as many plastic containers as possible, look for certifications in the companies we order from, and keep our options open since sourcing or availability has changed over the last few years.
Going with the flow- In business, there is a constant need to adapt to change. Even with the smallest things like changing up labels, packaging available, and timelines. When starting a company, you are juggling life and business which seem to merge into one. A work-life balance becomes something you learn how to do. You work around quality time with your kids, family time, and even nap times, which are the best times to get things done. It is a great feeling to be fortunate to have family and provide customers with quality products we are proud of.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Since our launch in 2022, we are now wholesaling within a few major platforms that offer product discovery, sourcing, and purchasing into major retailers. We are connecting to both small businesses and large chains across the United States to bring our products to retailers. We have been in talks with businesses that share the same mindset as us, offering customers a clean lifestyle with wholesome ingredients, and chemical-free. We also offer seasonal products, private label, and specialty designs for private events. Our laundry powder is now offered on a major e-commerce platform.
As we grow in 2024, we have plans to introduce an all-new essential oil skincare line including sunscreens, sunburn care, migraine relief lotions, and even an anti-bug selection. Our goal is to nurture the natural living lifestyle in every way we can.
Visit MyTikiHutLife.com today or email us at [email protected] to collaborate for your skin-loving and homecare products.
Contact Info:
- Website: MyTikiHutLife.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/mytikihutlife
- Facebook: Facebook.com/MyTikiHutLife
