Today we’d like to introduce you to Mayci Neal.
Mayci, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began making body care products for myself because I needed something that the store wasn’t offering. I had dry skin and regular lotions seemed not to be able to “cut it” for me, so I started researching both how skin care products were made and the composition of people’s skin. I learned what worked for me, in turn, my research brought me in touch with what works for others. It is still a work in progress and has led me to a study of herbalism and holistic care, which brought forth the idea for my other business @wild.witchy.woman. It gives me the greatest joy to see how my products heal and how they are received. My customer base is not huge – but almost all of my customers are repeat customers because they see the quality and care put into their product.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was absolutely not a smooth road. There were many costly mistakes that I made and whole batches of products that I just threw away because they weren’t up to my quality control standards. Starting the business and finalizing my formulas sort of came hand in hand – but not before wasting money on gallons of oils or learning the ratios for mixing fragrance with Shea Butter or which types of oils blend together in order to soak into your skin and not sit on it.
And my labels, oh my goodness my labels – theyve changed at least 6 times. But I am finally at the place where I look at my products and I see them in stores. When I pull somebody oil out of my purse and someone asks “where did you buy that?” and I can proudly say, that I handcrafted it myself – all of those challenges seem worth it!
Black and Golden – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I actually have two companies. Black and Golden is a company that specializes in handcrafted body care items that include Luxurious Multi-Use Body Oil, Body Butters, Body Washes and Body Mists. We infuse our products with botanicals that also aid in the healing of the dermis and they smell heavenly.
The other company is The Wild Witchy Woman. This side of the business focuses more on holistic health and energy work. Our website www.thewildwitchywoman.com should be up by mid-April and includes offerings such as dressed sage bundles, crystals, herbal tinctures, candles and Intention oils.
As a business owner, what I am most proud of, is the time and the care that is put into each and every one of our products – from their ingredients to the intent with which we make them. Our goal is for our customers to always feel the love and care infused into everything that our hands have touched. This also sets us apart from others – nothing is ever mass produced, it is handcrafted with care.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My litmus test for reaching success will be when I can make a handsome living off of creating the products that I so lovingly make. To be able to get up each morning and work for myself, and feed myself from the things that I have crafted with my own hands is a beautiful goal for me.
I think myself and many other makers are striving to get back to that place – which was a very common thing in history. People had skills, they trained in their trade and became skilled artisans in that vein and they were able to sustain themselves and their families in that way. For me, that would be the embodiment of success – to be able to live well, simply doing what I love.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.blackandgolden.com / www.thewildwitcywoman.com
- Email: shopblackandgolden@gmail.com / thewildwitchywoman@gmail.com
- Instagram: @blackandgolden / @wild.witchy.woman
Image Credit:
Phyllis.Iller
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