We are happy to introduce to our readership Robin Feltner of the eco-chic bath and body line, Supernatural Botanicals. This self proclaimed girly-girl knows the science behind formulating gentle and pure skin products while keeping the “grown sexy woman” in mind. An entrepreneur since she was little, Robin continues to expand her business all while making dinner for her family every night. Read below to find out Robin’s favorite motivational quote and just how she balances her family and business. Enjoy!
Hometown: Fort Thomas, Kentucky
Current Residence: Cincinnati, Ohio
Education: University of Cincinnati, Chemistry/Pre-Pharmacy
Professional Background: Writer and editor, writing on women’s health, fitness, fashion, beauty, and food.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: Fashion Designer..and a Rockette!
What you are: Founder/CEO of Supernatural Botanicals
Brief Summary of your Start Up: Supernatural Botanicals, Eco-Chic Bath & Body.
Company Website? www.SupernaturalBotanicals.com
Blog: www.SupernaturalBotanicals.com/blog
What inspired you? I was born with the inspiration. I believe I was born an entrepreneur (first job was selling homemade cards to housewives that I designed at the age of 4.) Also being born a true girly-girl, beauty and skincare was a natural gravitation for me. Wanting to enjoy what I do for a living combined with the God-given drive for entrepreneurship and to really enjoy my career were the main motivators that drove me to creating my bath & body company.
How long have you been in business? Since 2008.
How did you fund it? Personal funds.
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My mentor is advertising exec David Esrati (The Next Wave, Dayton, Ohio) who taught me how to build a strong foundation. He also taught me the importance of social networking at the inception of networking, i.e., using Twitter and Facebook, etc., as routes of PR. In actuality, he was tough as nails with me, and many times I left our meetings in tears. But it was exactly what I needed. I needed a “tough as nails” approach to endure the many twisted roads ahead of me. And it worked!
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I’m a member of Cincinnati Women Bloggers, a group of ultra-informed and fascinating women bloggers in the Cincinnati area. Social Media Cincinnati, an even larger group of Cincinnati social networkers. I’m a member of Live Green Cincinnati, as I’m deeply passionate about eco-issues. I’m also a member of Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association, a group of skincare formulators that are driven to create pure and natural products.
Current Business Challenge? Capital!
What are you doing about it? Constantly networking, continually looking for new routes in which to expand and spread my brand to the masses. Hard work pays off…Supernatural Botanicals is being featured in Everyday with Rachael Ray September issue!
Favorite motivational quote: “If you are not making mistakes, you are not putting yourself out there…you are not taking the sort of risks that are inherent in any degree of meaningful success. Mistakes are tuition.” -Sally Hogshead, advertising guru.
Family? Blessed with a super-supportive amazing husband, known as the Irishman on my blog, two gorgeous and multi-talented (truly!) sons, 21 and 12, and a Bichon Frise named Ginger.
If so, how do you balance family and business? I positively make time for my family, even if it means delaying what I perceive to be important business tasks. For instance, we all go to the library together once a week. I make dinner every night for my family and consider dinner time our “connect” time. We go to church together, go out for dinner together. Both family and business are extremely important to me, so I assure that I’m continually nurturing both of those aspects in my life. At the end of the day, family wins. Always.
Favorite book? I’m certainly a bookworm. One of the great joys in my life is the New Release section at the library. I have probably at least thumbed through every new non-fiction release for the past 25 years. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert does, however, hold a special place in my heart. It’s a book I can read (and quote from) over and over, and never tire of it.
What do you do to relax? Yoga, Pilates, listen to classical or ambient music, read, and at times, literally force myself to lay down on my yoga mat and be still. I have found that deep breathing is very soothing to the central nervous system and is an effective tool in calming the body and mind.
What do you want to change most about your world? I live in a rather blessed world, in my estimation. Certainly the growth of Supernatural Botanicals is my goal, but I have to say, I feel fortunate to have the world I have now. Additionally, expanding the square footage of our workshop at Supernatural Botanicals would be a welcome change.
What are you most proud of? My family. Not only my sons, but my family unit as a whole. I’ve worked hard and have dedicated years into making and building my family unit as a healthy, strong, whole, compassionate and empathetic family. We stand as a united front, and that makes me most proud.
Secondarily, building a business from scratch, creating and growing a brand, building a website, and taking my company from dream to fruition is one of the bravest and most spectacular things I have ever accomplished.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Go with your gut. Once you do your due diligence and research your product and service, write your business plan (don’t skip those two steps), then go with your gut. I have found that everyone under the sun has advice for me on how to operate my company…many of whom who have had no experience or credentials to extend such advice. Don’t let anyone, even your advertising agency, tell you the direction you should travel. Certainly consider good business advice, but ultimately make your own creative decisions. I have found over and over again that sticking with my true vision for my company has helped to shape my brand.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? As simplistic as it sounds, Linked In is a wonderful resource to network, creating wholesale customers, e-commerce customers, advertising opportunities, etc. I also love websites for women entrepreneurs, such as Pink Magazine, Savor the Success, Ladies Who Launch, etc. Being connected to like-minded people will always spur your creativity and multiply your knowledge.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Gorgeous, glistening green emeralds.
