Belle & Beast Organics
Alhambra, California
Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do:
Christy of Belle & Beast Organics
Hi! I'm Christy and I make sassy, organic skincare. Everything is made by hand with essential oils and formulated for sensitive skin! It's effective, smells great and feels amazing.
Let us know more about your business name - how did you come up with it?
My favorite Disney movie has always been Beauty & The Beast so when I started thinking about a business name, a play on it came to mind. I was initially making products for women but my husband kept using them! He also (demanded) a beard balm so I needed a name that would let people know I make products for both Women & Men. Enter, Belle & Beast Organics! I also have extremely sensitive skin and am allergic to fragrances as they are synthetic as well as alcohols and drying agents. So everything I make is organic!
What is your signature style / item? How did it become so?
My signature style is definitely sassy - you can tell by a lot of my product names like Tired AF and The Struggle is Real. I also have a signature item - my Hippy Lippy Lip balm. It was the first product I ever started making in my home kitchen in Anchorage, AK at the age of 15! I've been making the Hippy Lippy ever since. It's still to this day a #1 top seller for me.
Hippy Lippy Lip Balm!
What makes your business unique to the industry?
My business is unique because my products are classy but ultra sassy! I wanted my products to be for people that value quality ingredients but don't take themselves too seriously. We like to have fun around here and believe skincare should always be fun (and effective!)
What's been your biggest roadblock when it comes to business and how have you been able to overcome?
My biggest roadblock when it comes to business has been fear. Fear of the unknown, of not succeeding, as well as my anxiety around people. If you met me at an event, you would never know I struggle with social anxiety. But I do. My drive, dedication and persistence to succeed and continue doing what I love has helped me to overcome my fears and anxieties. Having an amazing customer base really helps with this too! I have some of the most amazing, genuine and supportive customers who are constantly referring Belle & Beast Organics. That is the biggest motivator and push to keep going.
How has your business had to adapt amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic? What are you doing to navigate the situation?
Oh wow, the pandemic has been TOUGH. For everyone. For me, it's meant no more in person shows. Which (usually) are my bread and butter. It's been really hard having to adjust -at first- to the idea that I wouldn't be doing any shows. But it did force me to spend more time on marketing and social media. It's allowed me more time in the studio to develop new products, come up with more promotions and giveaways and it seems my customers are really loving the "newness." With a break from shows, I likely would not have been able to be so creative.
What is your favorite part of what you do?
Being creative! I literally do EVERYTHING. I come up with my recipes/formulations, make the products, design ALL the graphics, do all the product photography, formulate newsletters, run social media accounts, my online stores.. All. Of. It! But doing it all means I get to be insanely creative.
What is your *must do* local activity?
My all time favorite local activity to do in the LA area is hiking! Our favorite trails are Echo Mountain in Altadena and Switzer Falls in LA Canada!
Also, brunch! Favorite spot is Cos & Pi in South Pasadena (just blocks from our old location!)
Where to find Belle & Beast Organics:
Online: BELLEANDBEASTORGANICS.COM
Instagram: @thebelleandbeastorganics