Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Marcelin.
Diana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
While growing up I really didn’t have any skin issues. However, as I got older my skin became more sensitive to store-bought products (i.e. soaps, lotions, shampoos and conditioners). I wanted to see what was causing my skin irritations. So one day, I decided to look at the back of the packages to see what ingredients were being used in the products I was using. To my dismay, after doing some research, I saw that I was using a lot of harsh chemicals on my skin.
This led me to do an extensive amount of research on natural ingredients that our body needs to remain healthy and soft. It also led me on a journey to start creating my own products. After handing out some of my creations to friends and family as gifts for Christmas, a good friend of mine, Tashia Zeigler, encouraged me to go into business selling what I was making. At first, I was taken aback but with support from my loving husband, family and friends Martous Naturals was created.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road, lol. I didn’t know anything about opening up a business let alone my own so I read a lot of business forums and blogs to familiarize myself with the subject. Also, having friends who are entrepreneurs helps. I’ve had plenty of discussions with them when I ran into situations that arise with my company, picking their brains and tapping on their expertise from time to time.
From there, I just took off running. I’ve made several mistakes along the way and learned from them as well. I’ve had to tell myself that it was OK to fail just don’t give up and continue to sow my seeds and nourish it with love, energy and passion so I can one day enjoy the success of my labor.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Martous Naturals – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Martous Naturals is a family owned business that specializes in making handmade soaps, lotions and sugar scrubs for the entire family. I make all of our products and Frito, my husband does the marketing and finance for the company.
One of the values that I hold onto is “Handmade with love”. Every product that I make is made with joy and passion. The best thing that I love to hear, is people raving about our products whenever they try them.
Some of the things I’ve heard are:
“Using your products is like going on an experience”
“My skin feels so soft after using your soap”
“Your lotion doesn’t feel greasy or heavy, it just absorbs into my skin.”
“The sugar scrub makes my hands feel so soft, I don’t even feel like I need lotion afterwards”
“Your soaps are like a work of art I don’t even want to use it”
One of our favorites is hearing people with eczema say how our products help to soothe their skin. To me, that means I have done my job of conveying that love to them and they are feeling that energy. This type of care also guides me to put nothing but the best of ingredients in our products so that we are nurturing people’s skin.
It brings joy to my heart to do what I do and I’m very proud of the products that I create.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Atlanta is a great place to live, I enjoy the diverse culture here and being able to converse and network with like-minded entrepreneurs. My dislike about Atlanta is the traffic I can totally do without that lol.
Pricing:
- Our handmade soaps start off at $7 and up
- 8 oz Body Lotions (a little goes a long way) – $14
- 2 oz Face Lotion – $8
- Wonderland Sugar Scrub – $16
Contact Info:
- Website: www.martousnaturals.com
- Phone: (404) 997-9873
- Email: martousnaturals@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/martousnaturals
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/martousnaturals1
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/martousnaturals
Getting in touch: VoyageATL 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.
