LaRose Bath & Beauty was founded in 2014 by D’andra Lyn LaRose. Her company strives to be free of harmful chemicals, use organic ingredients and create health conscious alternatives to bath and beauty products. The story of how I began is full of many different details and stories, but to make it simple enough for a blog post, I condensed it for you (lol). In 2013, I became pregnant with my first child, my beautiful daughter Olivia. I developed the flu and began researching safe treatments. I ran through my OB’s “safe medication” list and dug a little deeper. I slowly started looking into the ingredients of all the accepted medicines for pregnancy, and then for anyone in general. From there it sparked an interest to look at everything around me; my food, my cleaning and home supplies- and my skincare. I started discovering ingredients in my deodorant, my face wash, soaps, shampoos and conditioners, and even simple things like bath salts. I specifically remember picking up a jar of bath salts and flipping it over. I was very surprised to find a long list of toxic ingredients, in something that was half empty and I had been using already and loving. The first product I ever researched making on my own was deodorant. Something I used on a daily basis and depended on for its efficiency. Something I felt very strongly was important to be natural since it was so closely linked to multiple different cancers. And so was born, my Organic Deodorant- the top seller in my company today. It lasts 8-12 hours, is great for sensitive skin and is very soothing. I was working in a fine dining restaurant by this time, my daughter was 9 months old. I waited on a very happy couple who I began to have a passing chat with, to lighten the vibe of my already happy customers. The topic of business came up and I mentioned something about how I wanted to open an organic skincare business. They were intrigued and we made an appointment to meet at a local Starbucks to go over the details. At the time I was very new to all of this. I didn’t even know what to call my company. I had no idea what I wanted my labels to look like. I had no idea what list of products Id have. I had zero knowledge of how to run a business or what went into a startup. I had never designed a website or anything similar before. However, slowly, my passion grew and ideas began to flow. From then on very slowly I began creating things for the business. I did in-depth and complete research and had an entire binder, hand written, of dilution guidelines, shelf life of ingredients, INCI terms and botanical names, benefits of ingredients, recipes, many different charts for multiple different things, a simple business plan, etc. I created a group of 13 products and made 16 of each, making a total of 208 products that were tested among about 50 people. The products were a success. From then, it took another year before I was able to purchase all ingredients needed again, containers, labels, etc. and I began rewriting my product collections. I adjusted what worked and what didn’t, I took out the unpopular products and put in more exciting ones. During this year I was pregnant with my son Theo and chasing my toddler, so it was an exhausting venture but water doesn’t cut through stone because if its force, it cuts through because of its persistence. He was born June 1st, 2017. I moved into my new home June 3rd and I officially launched my company and opened for business June 15th, all in the same month. The products I carry and introduce are all handmade in small batches per order, by me. The products themselves are my own creations, though I do have inspiration for some. I create my own recipes; these recipes are concluded through research of dilution guidelines for oils and made with natural and organic ingredients from the earth. Product testing is currently through myself and others (friends, family and some people I network with). I follow the guidelines from the Food & Drug Administration as well (cosmetics/drugs differences). My labels are legal and contain all that is required by law, and if they don’t then included with the product is a description card (usually for products that the labels are too small to hold all of this information). I created my website alone as well, and I am thankful to have had some help with writing a few blog posts. In 2018 I met Lisa Beck. She is a life coach who dedicates her life to teaching others. Her main focus is law of attraction and she is the best support for anyone. She sees opportunity and will make sure you see it too, even when you feel like you are slacking. She is a sevret weapon for anyone wanting to strive for higher. If you would like to meet with her, please contact me. She will change your life. She is an amazing friend to have. I want to be an inspiration to others who are striving for their goals. If you have an idea in your mind, go for it. If you don't know how to do it, you can only begin to try. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing but I knew I wanted it. Everyday that I work on my business I am fulfilled. It is my escape. Its my stress reliever, even when its sometimes stressful in itself it is a stress I love to have. If you have a passion for something, don't let go of it because it may be hard. Don't let go because someone tells you it will never happen. I can not count how many times I was doubted, how many times I was told this would never get anywhere and I was wasting my time and needed to wake up to reality. But guess what- I'm doing it. I wont stop either. I will go and I will grow and I will fulfill my passions and prove it can be done. You can be that example too if you just try. This business is truly my life. I have worked so hard on it and I don’t see an end in sight. There are many products I have waiting to be introduced and every sale helps me expand into bigger and greater things. I am slowly building a team and creating a strong foundation for the limitless potential this company has. I have so many different things I want to accomplish through this and I can’t wait for everyone to grow with me. With much love, D’andra