Mamaprenuer: Andria Sanchez
Business: The Body Bar & Co.
Site: www.thebodybarco.com
Facebook: The Body Bar & Company
About Andria:
Andria describes her family simply as adventurous and passionate Jesus-lovers.
About Andria's Business:
The Body Bar & Co. is a naturally inspired, organic, vegan skin care company.
Why did you decide to become a Mamapreneur?
Eight years ago I was young mother and nurse struggling to manage my son’s debilitating, rash-prone skin with store bought remedies and prescription medications. As I was also working with women battling cancer and realizing my own medical issues as a result of estrogen dominance and hormonal imbalance, it became obvious to me that it is necessary for women to be conscious about what kinds of products we put on – and ultimately into – our bodies. I felt awakened to the toxic nature of many store bought products and just how important and effective the use of healthy, non- toxic, natural, organic, cruelty-free, and vegan products can be. And, I love being able to be home with my family. I also currently foster children, something I would not otherwise be able to do if I was still working those 12 hour nursing shifts!
What is the greatest challenge you’ve experienced in your business?
Taking my business from local craft fairs and farmers markets to the big online world is challenging. I recently opened my online store and I am trying to learn this whole new world on a budget. I am my own web designer, graphic designer, photographer, product maker, social media manager, and marketer – without a college degree in any of these, of course!
How did you overcome that challenge?
I think my faith keeps me faithful. I know it takes time to build a momentum in a business so I am taking each day one day at a time, piece by piece and bit by bit. I get closer to my goals each day and that is rewarding.
What is your greatest win as a business owner?
My greatest win as a business owner was my first co-op. I was in the beginning stages of my business and was lucky to have one sale a week. I remember feeling a bit discouraged. One morning, I opened an email from a woman who was a member of a large, Earth-friendly, work at home mom forum group. She had been one of the very few customers who had purchased a couple of my products. She shared my products with her fellow forum friends and they proposed a co-op. It was very successful and so much fun. I sold out just in time for Christmas. It definitely gave me the confidence to keep going!
Describe your ‘day in the life’.
I'm committed to getting a good workout in before the kids get up for school. I listen to a good podcast message and a little Hillsong to get me going. I scramble to get the kids fed and dressed, and lunches made before school starts. Once I drop the kids off at school, I run back home with anticipation to start my business day. My business day is always different, but often includes filling orders, answering or returning phone calls, ordering supplies, networking, connecting with other mamapreneurs, social media managing, and most importantly learning and progressing in the area of marketing. My goal is to build real, authentic, lasting relationships with my business community. Before I know it (I swear it has only been an hour and I think I ate something), it's time to pick up the kids! I spend several hours with them completing homework, running them to their sports teams, or my favorite, spending quality time with them. After the kids are tucked away in their beds, I am usually back in my office working until the late hours as I've sparked a new idea or can't wait to research a new question.
What’s your great big dream for your business?
My greatest big dream for my business is to build an authentic and solid community of business friends, family and customers. I would like to build a reputation for being able to offer a product that people love and trust. My hope is that my skin care line is a fun, sensory, exotic experience and yet an effective solution to my customers' skin care needs.
Share a tip with your fellow Mamapreneurs.
Connect and network with fellow mom entrepreneurs through your local resources or online. I have learned so much from others, that I can say my network is invaluable to me. Sharing experiences can also be an encouragement throughout the journey.
Share a funny, crazy, or disastrous Mamapreneur moment you’ve had.
My husband and I had just connected my new business number, but we forgot to talk with our kids about not answering the phone. When the phone rang, my son ran, picked up the call and said, “I've got it!” and before I could run up the stairs to tell him to wait, I could hear him saying, “This isn't a bar, sorry. I think you have the wrong number. Bye!” Thank-goodness for caller ID!
