Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlie Brown.
Ashlie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I had really bad acne as well as the auto-immune disease guttate psoriasis. An auto-immune disease is one in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells. Psoriasis is a condition in which skin cells build up and form scales and itchy, dry patches. Psoriasis is a pretty common, but Guttate is pretty rare and presents itself as the small dry teardrop-shaped spots that can flare anywhere on the skin; that is the form that I have. Neither have a cure but they can be managed with topical steroids. Between the two of those, my self-esteem was pretty shot, because it is hard to go through something like that as a kid and teen and then having acne on top of all of that. My psoriasis got better as I grew older and I’m about 90% clear now, but from high school on out my acne got worse through college.
During my sophomore year of college, I decided that I wanted to take the health of my skin into my own hands. Since I was 11, I had been on topical steroids to manage my psoriasis as well as oral and topical antibiotics and creams for my acne. I was tired of feeling crappy about my skin so I started researching and trying various natural remedies. I would say I fell in love with beauty care around that time because I learned that there are hundreds of plants, oils, extracts, powders and more that are available to us to use from on own beautiful, green planet! I became obsessed! I was always going to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s to purchase the highest grade items that my heart desired to bring home and make up new concoctions for my skin. It took a lot of trial and error but I also learned that different things worked to solve different skin concerns. Regardless, I was having fun and seeing results. Towards the end of 2017 is when I created what is now the Glow Mask, and I fell in love!
Over time, it helps solve any hyperpigmentation I had left and kept my acne at bay at the same time. I let a few people try it out, and everyone fell in love—even men! I knew in the back of my head I wanted to eventually sell the mask because my friends were always asking me to make them a batch of the mask, but I wanted to do it the right way and provide high quality, an organic skincare line that literally anyone could benefit from. My goal was to get people conscious of what they put on their skin. I wanted people to understand that everything that we need to be healthy and beautiful is readily available to us in nature, and of the damage over the counter, items could cause long-term. I spent a lot of summer 2018 testing and going back and forward with different samples and finally launched last fall.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road! I think the hardest part is finding a financial balance to fund a new business that obviously isn’t going to pay all your bills right off while paying your bills and tending to your other priorities. Sacrificing is so much easier said than done. To other young women: I’d say give yourself time. A lot of seeming to think that starting a business is a way to make it, and quick, but that’s just not the reality. Give yourself reasonable deadlines. Plan within reason. Just be real about yourself and your goals. Being real doesn’t mean you can’t still dream big and go big.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sunberry Skincare – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I formulate handmade, plant-based, organic skincare products! And I guess that’s what I’m known for now! As for my brand, I’m most proud that I was able to pull this off. Like my products actually, work. People actually love my products and are calling them their “staples” and “must haves” I have a brand that has a signature color and a gimmick and it is marketable. I think that’s so dope that I can say that. I’m proud of myself for taking pride in each order. And I think that’s what sets me apart. As of now, my business is pretty small scale so I’m able to stay connected with every one of my customers if they choose and hear their feedback and hear what works best for them using my products. And when I say that my products are handmade and organic and plant-based I really mean that! They are made with top quality ingredients and I am able to offer my products at an affordable price. I’m one of those people that I’m skeptical of every claim that is made when it comes to purchasing anything, so I wanted to have as much integrity as possible when it came to my own thing.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
You have to put yourself out there. That sounds so cliche but it’s true. How will anyone know you or your brand if you don’t? How will you make connections? Surround yourself around people that have the same strong qualities that you have and that have strong qualities you want to gain. I changed my circle tremendously since starting my company. And in return, those girls have opened new doors for me as far as knowledge and game for getting in the right circles because I sought out women that had admirable characteristics and worked it from that angle. Approach those people with things that will spark their interest. Not just going right in asking them to put you on, but literally voicing how having you in their circle will benefit them. Or how they’ve helped you from a distance, and how you can help them. Those type of people wants beneficial people. Even mentors. No matter what, if a person is giving you their time you are an investment.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.sunberryskincare.com
- Email: sunberryskincare@gmail.com
- Instagram: Sunberryskincare
- Facebook: Sunberry Skincare
- Twitter: Sunberryskin
Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
