Self-Care is Not Just for Customers: Why: Running a business can be demanding, and it’s easy to neglect your own well-being. Embracing self-care practices helps prevent burnout and keeps you energized. Balancing work with personal well-being ensures that you can continue to lead effectively and provide the best for your customers.
Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sherri Dindal and Christa Dias.
Christa and Sherri were driven to find natural products to support their family’s health. Sherri’s sensitive skin and her quest for non-pharmaceutical pain and wellness solutions sparked the creation of an all-natural product line. Their best-selling magnesium creams, known for their soothing properties and ability to promote relaxation, are a viral sensation.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
We launched Wholesome Hippy the same month Covid hit in 2020. We had always been looking for more natural ways to help our family. We started with a small line of homeopathic topical products that help with everything from chronic pain, sunburns, tattoo recovery and more. Reading ingredient lists really opened our eyes to the amount of filler, chemicals and junk in products we were putting on our kids and ourselves.
Shortly after we launched WH our daughter (now 13), started showing signs of anxiety. After a lot of research we found that a lot of kids and adults are deficient in magnesium, which leads to all sorts of possible health issues. We tried having her take the gummies, feeding her more magnesium rich foods, nothing we tried was helping. We decided to talk to our chemists to ask them about the possibility of creating a topical magnesium cream. To this day our “Calm Cream” is one of the only things that helps our daughter come down from an anxiety attack. Our whole family and thankfully thousands of people around the United States are now getting help from our Calm Cream for their mental health, chronic pain, neuropathy, sleeplessness, focus and more!
Along with our homeopathic products we also developed a full range of beauty items for every type of skin. I (Sherri) have very sensitive skin and was never successful in finding a beauty line that didn’t break me out or cause a reaction.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?
When we launched our Calm Cream, our goal was to provide a solution for relieving stress and anxiety. A particularly touching moment occurred when a customer shared her story with us. She had been struggling with severe anxiety and found it challenging to unwind and relax during her busy days. After using our Calm Cream, she was astonished by how effectively it helped her feel more at ease and centered. She was surprised to find that something as simple as a body butter, infused with magnesium and Vitamin D3, could have such a significant impact on her life.
What made this story even more meaningful was that this customer was a single working mother with three kids. She used the Calm Cream to carve out moments of tranquility amid the chaos of her daily routine. She told us it had become an essential part of her self-care regimen, helping her regain a sense of peace and balance.
The key takeaways from this story are:
1. **The Value of Genuine Connection:** Hearing how our product positively affected someone’s life highlighted the importance of crafting authentic, effective solutions. It reinforced the significance of connecting with our customers on a personal level to truly understand their needs and make a meaningful impact.
2. **The Importance of Purpose:** Learning that our Calm Cream helps people manage stress and improve their well-being reaffirms the purpose behind our work. It’s a reminder that even simple, thoughtfully created products can profoundly impact people’s lives. Stories like this remind us that creating with heart and purpose can truly make a difference.
This experience has been a powerful motivator for us to continue developing products that enhance our customers’ quality of life and promote overall well-being.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One significant mistake we encountered was launching Wholesome Hippy during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. We had all our plans in place, but we couldn’t have anticipated the chaos that would unfold. Supply chain disruptions meant we faced issues like missing key ingredients, mismatched lids, and delays in getting essential containers and labels. It felt like we were trying to navigate a storm with a broken compass — mix-and-match lids on products and shortages of materials became our new normal. Thankfully our customers loved the products so they were ok with it.
One particularly tough challenge was the soaring demand for hand sanitizer. With toilet paper flying off the shelves, we struggled to secure alcohol from distilleries, which was both scarce and overpriced. Despite the financial strain, we felt it was our duty to provide a high-quality hand sanitizer to help our community. We sacrificed profits to offer this much-needed product, even though it wasn’t financially viable for us. I still wonder how we survived that first year.
The lesson from this experience was multifaceted. First, it highlighted the importance of being adaptable and resourceful in the face of unexpected challenges. But more importantly, it reinforced the value of standing by your community during critical times. Our commitment to serving our customers, even at a loss, was a testament to our core values and resilience. This dedication not only helped us navigate through the pandemic but also strengthened our bond with our customers, keeping Wholesome Hippy alive and thriving through tough times.
In the end, while we made mistakes and faced setbacks, it was our unwavering support for our community that truly defined our success and continued growth.
Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?
At Wholesome Hippy, we’re dedicated to making a significant impact in the realms of health, wellness, and beauty. Our approach combines the use of natural ingredients with a commitment to holistic self-care, aiming to enhance not just physical health but also overall well-being and confidence. By producing our products in small batches, we ensure they arrive at their peak freshness, becoming more than just another bottle or jar in your cabinet. We strive to make our products a meaningful part of your daily routine.
Our offerings are designed to support both wellness and beauty through high-quality, clean ingredients. We avoid harmful chemicals and focus on natural, effective components, providing solutions that nourish both body and mind. This dedication to purity and efficacy promotes healthier living and aligns with a broader movement towards sustainable, mindful personal care.
Beyond the products, we aim to foster a strong sense of community and connection. We engage actively with our customers, addressing their needs and concerns to ensure our products genuinely enhance their lives. Our commitment to wellness and beauty extends to supporting our community, especially in challenging times. By adapting to customer needs and standing by them, we contribute to a culture of self-care and positive change.
In essence, our work at Wholesome Hippy is about empowering individuals to embrace their natural beauty and well-being with confidence. We believe that by integrating wellness and beauty in a meaningful way, we can inspire a ripple effect of self-care and positive transformation across our communities.
Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?
- What You Put on Your Skin Goes in Your Skin — Be Picky:
At Wholesome Hippy, we emphasize the importance of using natural, clean products on your skin because what you apply can affect your overall health. Our skin, the largest organ our body has and is often an afterthought when we think about health and wellness.
2. Be Present:
Live in the moment. Being present can transform your mind, your well-being and deepen your connections with others.
3. Keep Moving:
Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining both physical and mental health, especially the older we get.
4. Take Time for Yourself — Self-Care Matters:
Self-care is essential for maintaining balance and preventing burnout, yet it often gets neglected. Even small acts of self-care can make a significant difference, helping you feel recharged and prepared to handle life’s demands. At Wholesome Hippy, we believe you can’t pour from an empty cup — taking time for yourself isn’t just a luxury, but a necessity.
5. It’s Important to Disconnect Sometimes:
Taking breaks from the digital world can refresh your mind and improve your overall well-being. Go outside and connect with the earth.
If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?
If we could start a movement to bring the most wellness to the greatest number of people, it would center around “Holistic Self-Care for Reducing Anxiety in Children.” This movement would focus on integrating holistic self-care practices to address the rising levels of anxiety seen in today’s youth.
Here’s how we envision it:
- Education on Holistic Practices: We need resources and workshops for parents, educators, and caregivers on the benefits of holistic self-care for children. This would include strategies for incorporating mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and emotional regulation into daily routines.
- Access to Gentle, Affordable Natural Products: People need safe, affordable natural self-care products designed specifically for children.
- Promoting Mindfulness and Relaxation: Encourage the integration of mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques into children’s daily lives. This could involve creating easy-to-follow guides for breathing exercises, guided imagery, and simple yoga routines that help manage stress and build resilience.
- Community Support and Resources: Establishing a supportive community where parents and caregivers can share experiences and tips would be crucial. Think of online forums, social media groups, and local workshops to foster a network of support focused on reducing childhood anxiety through holistic methods.
- Empowering Emotional Awareness: Promote the development of emotional awareness and coping skills from a young age. This means providing tools and resources that help children understand and manage their emotions effectively, reducing anxiety and promoting overall mental well-being.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
- Prioritize Authenticity Over Trends: Why: It’s tempting to chase trends, but staying true to your brand’s core values and authentic mission is crucial. Wholesome Hippy’s commitment to natural, effective ingredients and holistic self-care resonates more deeply with customers than following fleeting fads. Authenticity builds trust and loyalty, which are essential for long-term success.
- Emphasize the Importance of Quality Ingredients: Why: Customers are increasingly aware of what they put on their skin and in their bodies. Using high-quality, natural ingredients not only ensures better results but also aligns with a growing preference for clean, sustainable products. Early on, I wish I had been even more meticulous about ingredient sourcing and product integrity.
- Adaptability is Key: Why: The journey is rarely smooth. For example, launching during the pandemic presented unexpected challenges with supply chains. Being adaptable and resilient in the face of disruptions helps maintain business continuity and customer satisfaction. Flexibility allows you to navigate obstacles and seize opportunities effectively.
- Building a Community Matters: Why: Fostering a genuine connection with your customers can set your brand apart. Engaging with your audience, understanding their needs, and creating a sense of community around your brand can turn customers into advocates. Wholesome Hippy’s success is partly due to the strong community we’ve built by listening and responding to our customers’ needs.
- Self-Care is Not Just for Customers: Why: Running a business can be demanding, and it’s easy to neglect your own well-being. Embracing self-care practices helps prevent burnout and keeps you energized. Balancing work with personal well-being ensures that you can continue to lead effectively and provide the best for your customers.
Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?
All of these topics — sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental change — are incredibly important to us and are integral to our philosophy. However, if I had to highlight one cause that is particularly dear to us, it would be the intersection of sustainability and mental health.
Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment but also about fostering a sense of well-being and balance in our lives. We believe that caring for the planet goes hand in hand with caring for ourselves. By creating products with sustainable practices, we’re contributing to a healthier planet, which in turn supports our own mental and emotional health. Knowing that we’re reducing our environmental footprint while providing products that promote self-care creates a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction.
Similarly, mental health is deeply intertwined with how we interact with the world around us. At Wholesome Hippy, we are dedicated to crafting products that support mental well-being, using natural and effective ingredients to help manage stress and promote relaxation. This holistic approach aligns with our commitment to sustainability and veganism, ensuring that our products are not only good for you but also kind to the earth.
In essence, our focus on these causes reflects our belief that true wellness encompasses both personal and environmental health. By integrating sustainable practices with mental health support, we strive to make a positive impact on individuals and the planet, fostering a more balanced and harmonious world.
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
Go to www.wholesomehipppy.com or follow us on Social Media
TikTok, Facebook and Instagram — Wholesome Hippy Naturals
Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
