Work-at-Home Success Story

PF: What products or services do you offer?

Viola: God's Country Botanicals offers a select line of all-natural essential oil blends and aromatherapy candles. I'm very excited to soon be adding a line of all-natural cologne for men and women. I plan to offer the women's fragrances in signature aromas created by the "scent personality" of each individual woman, so you don't have to be JLo to have your own perfume!

PF: Do you make the candles yourself?

Viola: I currently hand make all my own candles starting from a box of wax to the finished product. It is time consuming but I love the quality of the finished product. It's sort of like creating a work of "sense"-ual art!

PF: What prompted you to start your own business?

Viola: I believe that my first calling is to be a mom. Not just a mom, but a Mom Who Is There. I wanted to invest the bulk of my time and energy in my three sons, so a job outside the home would have required more than I wanted to give. But because I also wanted to supplement the family income, I began selling things on Ebay and Amazon. Then, when my husband began seeing a local chiropractor for tendonitis, we were introduced to one of the "miracles of God's creation", essential oils. Our doctor uses them to disinfect the equipment in his practice as well as boost the immune function of the people in his office. When I began using them in my own home, my family experienced about a 90% reduction in colds and flu that year. When my husband threw out his back one morning, I mixed together some essential oils and applied them to his back for 24 hours. The next day, he said it was "miraculous" and was able to return to work whereas previously, he would have had to spend a good 3-5 days in bed before he could move around comfortably. Now a "believer" in the power of these gifts of God, I began blending and making them available to family and friends. God's Country Botanicals was birthed from the desire to spread the word about these powerhouses of nature and supplement our income at the same time.

PF: I love the name of your business. Why did you choose it?

Viola: I chose "Botanicals" because it lends credence to the fact that there is science behind our claims. Botanical means "relating to plants, especially the scientific study of plants" and all our products are made from natural (meaning "from nature") ingredients. Then, as a Christian, it is my desire to give God glory. It is also important to me that I give the glory to God, not his creation. While there is great power in essential oils, the power comes from God, not the earth or the plant. So the term "God's Country" refers to the fact that God is the owner of the source of these wonders of nature. Plus we live in Colorado, which is, of course, truly God's Country.

PF: How did you get started? (what steps were required initially, etc.)

Viola: Lots of research is required to start a business! First, I had to decide what products I wanted to start with. After scouring the Internet for unbiased scientific research of their effectiveness, I decided to begin by marketing my blend of antibacterial oils, which I eventually called Clean & Fresh (I originally called it Vitality, but I was afraid people might think they could drink it!).

Next, I had to research the availability of the names of the product and the company, availability of the web site address, the cost of ingredients, cost of supplies, cost of building a web site, and the scope of my competition. After that, I had to engage a web designer (fortunately, that's what my husband does) and come up with the money to fund my business (which came mostly from our own savings and the generosity of several credit card companies!). Next, and the hardest part for me, was hiring a label printing company. I kept trying to create my own labels with my color printer but I couldn't quite get what I wanted because I was trying to get a professional look with amateur equipment. I ended up going with a digital printer because they didn't make me buy 5000 of each label and the cost was much more affordable. It is still hard because if I want to add a product, I have to order at least 400 labels to be cost effective. It really makes me think long and hard before I add a new product.

Finally, marketing my products is an on-going part of the business. There are many ways to market and most of them require capital, which can be in short supply when you are just starting out. I like "viral" marketing the best, which simply means that I don't have to take out advertising, the word gets out and people begin coming to me. This interview is a great example of viral marketing. (Thank you, Brenda!)

PF: What do you wish you would have known before you started?

Viola: I wish I had known that online businesses selling products are a slow build and that sales ebb and flow throughout the year. It would have made the slow times less frustrating.

PF: Are your sales exclusively based online?

Viola: About 30-40% of my sales are from online purchases. The rest are either word-of-mouth or via other advertising methods. I have several wholesale clients that found me online but now order via phone.

PF: Do you advertise?

Viola: I will occasionally take out a paid advertisement but most of my business comes from organic searches on the internet (i.e. someone searches for "natural disinfectant" in Yahoo or Google) or word-of-mouth. I also have a storefront on Ebay.

PF: How many hours per week do you dedicate to the business?

Viola: It's hard to say. I spend a lot of time on my business. If I'm not manufacturing and shipping product, then I'm visiting forums, researching the competition, or dreaming up new products. I also spend a lot of time improving my web site. I hope it shows!

PF: What is the most challenging aspect of having your own business?

Viola: I think the most challenging aspect of having my own business is not being consumed by it. I don't want to spend all my time working on, thinking about, and talking about the business. It can take on a life of its own, and it tends to want to squeeze God and family out. I have to be intentional about keeping it in its proper perspective.

PF: What part do you most enjoy?

Viola: I absolutely love creating great products that people like and that are good for them! I love teaching people about the benefits of essential oils and how they can use them instead of more toxic products on the market. I love it when people say, "Wow. I did not know that!"

PF: What has surprised you?

Viola: Hmmm. Surprised me? Sometimes I'm surprised at how long it takes for a good product to catch on.

PF: How have you seen God's hand in this endeavor?

Viola: God has definitely taught me perseverance and patience in this business. Being an entrepreneur, I like things to get moving and become self-sustaining quickly so I can move on to the next project. Hanging in for the long haul is a fruit of the Spirit (I think it's called "long-suffering" but I can't say I've been suffering!).

I've also seen God bring me customers than would likely not have found me without His direction. I have a customer, a health food store owner in North Carolina, who called me and asked if I was a Christian, then ordered over $1000 worth of product without even seeing a catalog! That was definitely the hand of God.

PF: You also take time to teach a women's Bible study at your church, called "The Five Aspects of Being a Woman." Have any of the concepts taught in the class helped you in managing your business?

Viola: The Five Aspect of Woman has been a profound influence in the way I do business. For instance, the first aspect, Mistress of The Domain (I know, the word "Mistress" seems out of place in a Bible study!) discusses how God created us to be viceroys of His creation. A viceroy is someone who cares for a thing while the owner is away. God has given me the ability to manage and make decisions about my life and business. I don't have to defer everything to someone else. The Proverbs 31 woman is an excellent example of an empowered Mistress of The Domain. I could go on about the other four aspects but I doubt space would allow me. It really is a fabulous study of womanhood.

PF: Do you have any words of wisdom for women who are considering starting a home-based business?

Viola: My advice would be to really know what God has called you to do. Don't try to do more than you are able. I think that many women expect that they will take care of themselves, take care of their husband, take care of their children, take care of their parents, friends, neighbors, church, community, home, while trying to find time to exercise, cook, read, study, and relax. Now throw in a business, and it is easy for women to become fixated on earning money rather than imparting their life-giving skills to those who most need it, including themselves. There is a time for everything. A time to nurse, a time to attend basketball games and tea parties, and a time to build a business. Really listen for God's timing.

Visit Viola's website at www.GodsCountryBotanicals.com.

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