Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Otey.
Hi Jacqueline, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thanks for having me. I’m a native of Saint Louis and I have been living in Atlanta for over 30 years. Atlanta has proven to be a great place to grow and learn. I’m the mother of two amazing sons and grandmother of two adorable grandchildren.
My quest to find a product to assist my youngest son with his dry skin landed me here. After years of doctor’s appointments, prescriptions and over-the-counter medication with little relief for his skin issues, I started experimenting. I was determined to make something with simple ingredients that we could pronounce and that would solve the issue. I spent time mixing different ingredients until I found the magic mix that provided relief and healing for him. I would share the products as gifts to family and friends and received amazing feedback and they were requesting refills.
In 2017 I decided to see if Butter Me Up by JRena was simply a hobby or if it could be a business. I shared my story and compared product ingredient labels to my Facebook friends. When I launched my thirty-day test to see if I had a business, I sold 100 jars of my whipped body butter. Although I had gained the interest of many, I didn’t know how to really “do business”. When something is meant to be, the means will present to make it happened.
I entered a competition offered to homeowners with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity called VGA (Vision. Goals. Actions). This program was designed to assist Habitat homeowners who were interested in becoming entrepreneurs. I applied to the program where we learned how to pitch our business for an opportunity to win a grant to help launch my business. This prepared me to go before five judges, a room full of spectators, and against five other business owners who pitched their businesses. I was prepared and determined to give all that I had, and I came in the first place and won the top prize of $2500. This grant would provide me with the boost that I needed to purchase more supplies and move me forward.
After winning the VGA competition through Habitat for Humanity, I looked for other opportunities to learn and grow my business. I applied and was accepted into a program called StartME through Emory University School of Business. This program was truly amazing and help me to create my business plan, obtain my LLC, start my website and so much more. One of the best takeaways from this program were the mentors that I remain connected to. I would highly recommend this program to anyone in Atlanta who could use some guidance getting their business started.
I am also a member of YSB (Your Small Business) Toastmasters group a wonderful platform to help improve public speaking and leadership. I recently accepted the role as Vice President of membership and would love for any entrepreneur who is interested in learning more about Toastmasters to reach out to me and join us for a meeting.
I am so grateful for each day that I get to create the products that I love, each person that places an order, and the positive feedback that I continue to get about my products.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My experience as an entrepreneur hasn’t been the easiest, but it is rewarding.
I struggle with some aspects of the business as I am a full-time employee outside of my business and I am the lone person in my business. I wear many hats and play all of the positions in my business. I am the owner, doing all of the CEO things, I am the production crew, creating all of the products, I am the purchaser keeping up with inventory, and I am the content creator figuring out how to stay relevant in this social media driven time.
I learned that it’s okay to ask for help and typically there are people in arms reach willing to assist. I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to certain things, but I quickly learned to allow someone to toss me a float before I drown.
There are still some challenges, but I figured there may always be something. I lace up kicks and keep it moving and figure it out as I go.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my full-time job inHealthcare, I serve as a Bariatric Patient Navigator. My role allows me to meet and assist patients on their journey to better health with weight loss surgery.
I have served as a navigator for over 15 years and find great joy watching patients transition into the best version of themselves. In this role, I have helped thousands of patients navigate and understand the insurance system to get approved for bariatric surgery. Although it’s my job, many of my patients tend to think of me as a hero and this makes my heart smile when they express gratitude for my assistance.
I have a strong desire to see everyone win and live their best life in general and in business.
What’s next?
In the future, I’m looking forward to creating new products, growing my business, and increasing my presence on social media. I’m looking for more vending opportunities in this lovely city of Atlanta where I love to network with other entrepreneurs and meet new customers. I would like to continue to offer an affordable quality product that will become a staple in households everywhere.
Pricing:
- $3.00 Lip Balms
- $14.00 Whipped Body Butters
- $15.00 Herbal Hair & Body Oils
- $20.00 Black Soap Shower Gel
Contact Info:
- Website: www.buttermeupbyjrena.com
- Instagram: buttermeupbyjrena
- Facebook: buttermeupbyjrena
Image Credits
Callie Ford Eric Meadows Photography
