This week's So Stylish Spotlight is Carla Foster of Carson Bryce Trading Company, an online home decor boutique headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Their Apothecary, Westhaven Botanicals, features only handmade bath and beauty products---handmade soaps, lip balms, bath salts, scented shea butter creams, and of course the awesome sugar scrubs! I was introduced to Carson Bryce products when she participated as a vendor at my Swapnista fashion swap this summer. She has such a sweet caring spirit that is reflected in her products. I hope you enjoy her interview as much as I did!
What inspired you to start Carson Bryce Trading Company?
I am an artist by God's design! I have always been creative and enjoy making things by hand. In 2006, I had a son who was born prematurely at 7 months and passed away on the 30th day. His name was Carson Bryce Johnson. I could have never imagined such pain and sorrow!
After his passing, I completely stopped creating. In every outlet. No more painting, no more glass-blowing, no more soap-making, no artisan paper projects. Nothing! Then...one day after I cried and dried my tears, God told me that while I was unable to have him, HE needed him and that his life would be a gift to me. I didn't understand that at all. Slowly, I began creating again...all the while Carson was on my mind. In everything I did!
My dream is to have my own shop housing all of my offerings and creative outlets from furniture making, repurposing architectural objects, home decor, and soap making. I thought, general store. Old Fashioned general stores and trading posts carried everything under one roof and usually had an Apothecary. A place that created homemade elixers, medicinals and soaps.
That was it! I would have a place that offered all these things and I would name it Carson Bryce Trading Company! Indeed, my son's name and life would be carried on in this way. God's vision was so much bigger than I could ever imagine.
What sets you apart from other bath & body companies?
My products are handmade using only the finest ingredients. All natural, no polylaurylsulfates, no alcohols, no artificial preservatives. Just wonderfully natural. Pure and Simple. Period!
My soaps are lovingly handmade the old fashioned way of making soap. The cold process method. This not "melt and pour". It takes hours to prepare soap with a 4 week cure time before it can be cut. You will feel the difference immediately. Commercial soaps are filled with chemicals and un natural ingredients that are absorbed into the body. Next time you pick up a bar from your local store. Turn over the package and read the ingredients closely. "methyl, ate, poly" are usually the prefixes and suffixes of most of them.
The first ingredient in all of my bars are shea butter, organic olive oil and coconut oils plus a healthy tablespoon of Vitamin E. All wonderful and great for your skin. And while it's not listed on the packaging, the main ingredient in every product that I offer is Love!
Who is your target customer?
My target customer is anyone that conscious of what they put on their bodies and are looking for products that are made with organic, all natural ingredients. Customers that want healthy, glowing skin made by loving hands. My price range is $3.50- $75.00
What's HOT at Carson Bryce?
Folks absolutely love the soaps, of course but the Fresh Lemonade Sugar Body Polish is life changing. Lol. Seriously, it is organic sugar infused with skin-loving oils that is absolutley heaven. Great for exfoliation and moisturizing. Using this polish 2 to 3 times a week, customers will see and feel a huge difference. It's highly addictive. I ask people to try it once and they are immediately hooked!
My products are handmade using only the finest ingredients. All natural, no polylaurylsulfates, no alcohols, no artificial preservatives. Just wonderfully natural. Pure and Simple. Period!
My soaps are lovingly handmade the old fashioned way of making soap. The cold process method. This not "melt and pour". It takes hours to prepare soap with a 4 week cure time before it can be cut. You will feel the difference immediately. Commercial soaps are filled with chemicals and un natural ingredients that are absorbed into the body. Next time you pick up a bar from your local store. Turn over the package and read the ingredients closely. "methyl, ate, poly" are usually the prefixes and suffixes of most of them.
The first ingredient in all of my bars are shea butter, organic olive oil and coconut oils plus a healthy tablespoon of Vitamin E. All wonderful and great for your skin. And while it's not listed on the packaging, the main ingredient in every product that I offer is Love!
Who is your target customer?
What's HOT at Carson Bryce?
Folks absolutely love the soaps, of course but the Fresh Lemonade Sugar Body Polish is life changing. Lol. Seriously, it is organic sugar infused with skin-loving oils that is absolutley heaven. Great for exfoliation and moisturizing. Using this polish 2 to 3 times a week, customers will see and feel a huge difference. It's highly addictive. I ask people to try it once and they are immediately hooked!
Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Yes I do. Be thankful everyday! Aspiring entrepreneurs should be determined and resolute. Believing in themselves, undeterred and completely passionate about their product or services. They should love what they do! The money will come. They should not be fearful of failure or success for that matter.
The dreams that people have are given to them by God and it is their obligation to fulfill those dreams. Nothing on this Earth is worse than wasted talent! Use your gifts and give back. I can't tell you how important giving back is.
Most importanly, allow no one to talk you out of your wonderful, out of the box, unconventional ideas. NEVER! Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. With God all things are possible. Faith, Faith, Faith!!! Hebrews 11:1 Should be an entrepreneur's go to verse. Don't know it. Look it up.
Mediate on that and watch what happens. Begin the journey, yes rocky sometimes, a bit uphill, but oh so worth it in the end! You will find so much about what is possible when you live by Faith.
Yes I do. Be thankful everyday! Aspiring entrepreneurs should be determined and resolute. Believing in themselves, undeterred and completely passionate about their product or services. They should love what they do! The money will come. They should not be fearful of failure or success for that matter.
The dreams that people have are given to them by God and it is their obligation to fulfill those dreams. Nothing on this Earth is worse than wasted talent! Use your gifts and give back. I can't tell you how important giving back is.
Most importanly, allow no one to talk you out of your wonderful, out of the box, unconventional ideas. NEVER! Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. With God all things are possible. Faith, Faith, Faith!!! Hebrews 11:1 Should be an entrepreneur's go to verse. Don't know it. Look it up.
Mediate on that and watch what happens. Begin the journey, yes rocky sometimes, a bit uphill, but oh so worth it in the end! You will find so much about what is possible when you live by Faith.
So please check out Carson Bryce today. She has great gift sets perfect for the holidays. You can go to her Facebook Page to stay updated on deals & specials.
Keren, thank you so very much for this opportunity!
ReplyDeleteCarla you are welcome..this was such an inspiring interview!
ReplyDeleteI love me some Carla! I am saddened to hear this story! She is an incrediably strong women! So sorry for your lose! I can feel the love that goes into her products!
ReplyDelete