True care often comes from simple, authentic routines that make us feel both refreshed and cared for. In the natural skincare world, where countless products offer quick fixes, the real transformation lies in finding genuine self-care solutions. It’s not just about improving your skin’s appearance but also enhancing your well-being through effective and comforting routines.
Imagine transforming a personal struggle into a flourishing business that helps others feel their best. This is precisely what Roberta Perry did as the Founder and President of ScrubzBody Skin Care. Roberta’s journey began with her own battle against severe skin issues, which drove her to create a line of skincare products that seamlessly blend self-care with a touch of luxury. In 2006, she took ScrubzBody from selling at craft fairs to opening a cherished apothecary-style shop in Farmingdale, NY. Her commitment to holistic self-care has shaped ScrubzBody into a brand that stands out for its straightforward yet indulgent products.
Under Roberta’s leadership, ScrubzBody turns everyday skincare into special moments of personal pampering, making her story and her company a powerful example of how personal challenges can lead to innovative solutions that benefit many.
Let’s dive into the interview to discover Roberta’s inspiring journey, the values driving ScrubzBody, her innovative approach to self-care and the insights she offers in the natural skincare industry!
Brief us about yourself and shed some light on your journey so far. What inspires you to serve the natural skincare industry?
It was my own lack of self-care that got me into space. I was involved in various other businesses, including telecom and graphic design and I had no intention of starting another business. When my skin became so chapped and dry that it bled, I had to finally find something that would make it better. I bought various lotions and potions, but it was a body scrub that transformed me. However, I didn’t love the smell. So, I set out to find another and another, realizing I could take the best of the best and make my own. My late sister, Michelle, had some retail background and so she helped me sell at craft fairs and holiday boutiques. My previous graphic design and telecom knowledge helped me create a logo, get my phone numbers set up and create the most rudimentary website. It’s amazing how all my past jobs and experiences led me to ScrubzBody. That was 2006. Having the chance to work with my late sister, and now my best friend, Wendy, who stepped up when Michelle passed, allows me to have so much more than just a business. It created a lifestyle. I’ve since learned a thing or two since then and we now have a fabulous apothecary type shop in Farmingdale, NY, a thriving Main Street type of village. We offer a high fuss experience in a low fuss product line.
Can you elaborate upon the core values, vision and mission based on which your services are aligned with ScrubzBody® Skin Care Products?
Our whole vision and mission are in giving customers respect, kindness and pampering. We love when people recognize how important self-care is. We believe that taking care of yourself is a have-to, not a luxury, but we make it easy to indulge.
What areas in your opinion, does the health system struggle with, when it comes to caring for/treating people?
I think the health care system is more about sick care and not health care. To me, health care is whole body care. Mental health, exercise, proper nutritional guidance, stress relief techniques, and pampering downtime are all ways to prevent illness because our bodies are less stressed and more apt to fight off infections. I love that what we offer is a mental break that also happens to be incredible at making skin feel soft, smooth and nourished.
Please highlight your roles and responsibilities at ScrubzBody® Skin Care Products
I do a little of everything, but mainly I run the day-to-day operations of the business and handle all the sales and marketing. When we started back in 2006 and all the way through 2014, I was making products with help from my late sister, Michelle, and a few part time hires. Since 2017,
Wendy stepped in and became the production manager/VP. Short of helping out when it’s time for our once-a-year big sale, Wendy and our hired part time, Nikki make all the inventory for our brand.
In what way do you consider ScrubzBody® Skin Care Products technological advances to be a pathway in conducting its operations effectively?
We are more of a low footprint type of production business, but we use technology in our marketing which helps streamline everything.
What endeavors are you currently pursuing to improve the care/treatment measures for your customers?
We are striving to be more of an event type space, hosting lectures and meditations and empowerment groups and of course, parties. It’s the home of many happy mental moments. And laughter, so much laughter!
What are some of the challenges you face when conducting projects and how do you turn them into opportunities for growth?
Our only real challenge is supplies. It is so frustrating that items available all the time a few years back are now on backorder indefinitely. Plus, shipping is through the roof. So, when we price out a large order, we have to take all of these factors into consideration, because it brings the price of each jar up. With this in mind, we have found additional suppliers, and we now purchase in greater bulk. We also co-op purchasing with other natural skin care makers in the area.
Share with us some of the strategies that have helped you in your position as a leader. How do you keep up with specific responsibilities at ScrubzBody® Skin Care Products?
There are days I feel so lucky because our in-place systems let me “set it and forget it,” however, there is always something to do to keep our name in the public brain.
One of my best strategies is my yearly emails ideas. At the beginning of each year, I create a template of email ideas I want to send weekly throughout the year. Then I print that list and one by one check off the actual writing of the emails. This way, when I sit down to write, I don’t have to think about the topic. Plus, I can get months’ worth of emails completed.
This has been my best strategy because it is our best lead magnet. I like to think of myself as a leader who wants others to follow by example. “What would Roberta do?” is the question I want my staff to consider when working with a customer and it will always be to treat that customer with the utmost respect, love and dignity.
What advice would you like to give to budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts who desire to venture into the natural skin care sector?
Any entrepreneurship is not for the faint hearted. It takes the constant drip, drip, drip, of working on the systems and ideas and making them allow the business to grow smarter, not harder.
In the natural skin care space, some of the words and ideas have been overused and diluted, so finding your own brand story and niche, plus listening to the needs of your customers is the best way to grow organically and with sticking power.
How do you envision scaling your services and operations in 2024 and beyond?
I want to host more events at our shop. I want to expand our private label business because I love helping other businesses succeed. I want to do more of the same things that we did this year and the year before because it works.
What are some of the testimonials or recognition that accurately highlight your position in the market?
I have been recognized in over 120 publications over the years. I was the leader of a small business summit hosted by Newsday, Long Island’s local paper. I was the finale episode of a Bravo show, Sell it Like Serhant. Our customers come back time after time, bringing family and friends.
It doesn’t get much better than that.
