It is often in searching for answers for ourselves that we are able to create develop and discover ways and systems that others may find benefit from. Especially if one is willing and able to see beyond the confines of what’s expected and embrace possibility.
The key (or one of them at least) is staying true to oneself and listening to that voice inside oneself that we all too often silence due to guilt and/or shame. You know the one? The little voice of self-doubt?
I sat with Aarti Telore founder of Aarti’s Organic Skincare as we talked about her business journey and embracing creative possibilities.
Q: What inspired you to start your business venture
A: I didn’t really think this would be a business venture at first. It started out more as a quest to figure out my own skin needs. I got some guidance working through weight loss and that experience taught me to start paying attention to food and product labels.
I was going to Sephora because I had dry and patchy skin that I wanted to address and then my mother pointed out that instead of spending so much time buying products, I should go back to our roots for a solution.
Ayurvedic skincare uses a lot of natural, unpressed ingredients and components that we can find in our own homes that are proven to work for the skin and for our overall health.
So, I created the first batch! I wanted something to brighten my skin, I wanted my skin to be radiant. I created my own formula for a serum that would give me the results that I wanted. After I started using it, my skin had bounce, it was more radiant, and the skin issues I was trying to address all cleared up.
When I started seeing results, everyone would ask me what I was doing differently, they wanted to know the secret. At first, I wasn’t sure if what worked for me would work for everyone else, but I eventually started trying the formula with other people who asked me, and then they were seeing the same results that I was. So in 2018, I launched Aarti’s Organic Skincare.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
A: My uncle, a musician, is my role model. He doesn’t have any formal education, just a talent for repairing accordions and pianos. He didn’t even have a business plan or any connections. With all that against him, he was able to make it with hard work.
So often people want to wait for the perfect moment, the perfect business plan, the perfect time. Sometimes that time never arrives, so you just have to do it.
So I’ve just been doing this. I’m a one-woman show and this has been a learning curve. It’s overwhelming, but also a great learning experience. This business is my baby.
Q: I hear that! Putting in the time and effort into something you love and care about can definitely be overwhelming. So what about the elusive work-life balance? Have you been able to find the balance for yourself?
A: I think this is important. I’m a big advocate for caring for yourself. Once you take care of yourself you can show up better for your friends and those in your circle.
I sometimes work odd hours — like up until 2 am — and days like that, I double down on my self-care, skincare routine. I also take time to be with my friends and family.
There will always be something to do or something else I could be doing, but having that time for yourself is important. Burnout is a very real thing, so when I feel very overwhelmed or not inspired, I take a few steps back for a day or two to check in with myself.
Q: Well you certainly seem to be striking some kind of balance! How do you do it all? How do you keep focused on your goals between work, a business, and your personal life?
A: Well, this product gave me purpose. I was in a bad transitional phase and putting my energy into this gave me purpose and hope.
I don’t think Aarti’s Organic Skincare will ever lack passion for me, it helped me develop self-love, and I’m so happy that I’m able to share this with other women. What I’m accomplishing is very motivating for me. It’s not a destination, entrepreneurship is a journey.
Q: I can certainly feel the passion you have for your business in the way that you speak about it. As a business owner, what’s one challenge you’ve had to overcome, and how did you tackle it?
A: We’re an Indi up-and-coming brand, and we don’t have a big budget for influencers and marketing campaigns. We’re competing against other brands that may have more connections, so we rely heavily on customers to send love and spread the word about Aarti’s Organic Skincare.
It’s hard, but I overcome this by being creative. We hire freelancers instead of working through contracts because contract work hasn’t worked so well for us in the past. We work to find the right outlets for our products and deliver a quality product so that folks will like us and then promote us to their circles.
It all goes back to being creative.
Q: With all that you’ve gained thus far on your entrepreneurship journey, what’s the best advice that you could pass on that you’ve ever received yourself.
A: Best advice…to work hard and be creative.
Also, that you never know who you’ll connect with. We’re so gung ho about needing some specific thing or person, and so often these things come from unexpected places or people.
Q: And are there any future goals that you’re striving towards right now?
A: Absolutely! We’re currently in product development for a brightening mask and scrub that’s still in the process of being formulated. I’m so excited to launch it when it’s ready!
Q: Finally, if you could have one skill or superpower, what would it be?
A: Hmm, it would definitely be a skill, the ability to get in front of TV shows and makeup artists that are passionate about beauty and skincare and just market!
I’m so very appreciative of the time Aarti took to chat with me and share this wealth of knowledge.
Definitely check out her site: Aarti’s Organic Skincare – https://www.aartisorganic.com/ and her Instagram to show some love: @aartisorganic.
Caia Rose 