Have you ever had an idea and thought, “that would be a great business”? I know I have. Here’s how I turned my wildest dreams into a thriving reality. Welcome to Simply Bare.
I am from Maryland. If you’re from here, you know just how brutal the winter can be on your skin– sensitive or not. It was a cold, harsh January during Covid when I knew I needed to do something. I was so tired of having to choose between a product that smelled good and a product that had ingredients that would actually benefit my skin. I have lived with eczema since I was a kid, so I've always had to be careful about what actually touches my skin. A lot of products that smelled good had so many ingredients that I couldn't even pronounce, and definitely did not want anywhere near my skin. It baffled me that so many products had hazard warnings on their labels for ingredients they were using. I knew something needed to change.
I chose “Simply Bare” because I was really searching for those simple ingredients that people can pronounce and maybe even were familiar with, whether they use them on a daily basis or even in childhood. The “bare” part came from wanting people to use my products to chase the bare, soft skin they had as a child. Everyday products strip our skin and do a lot more damage than good. My goal is to get you back to the smooth skin that we all crave and love.
I started out by making body butter. It was as hard as a rock, but I knew I couldn’t give up that easily. I kept going and attended my first pop-up shop just two months after starting Simply Bare. People really loved the products and I knew I was on the right path. Small-batch products are something that people really value. Every ingredient is picked with care and mixed with love. Nothing in the process is sacrificed for the sake of making a buck. Each step is intentional.
My best advice for someone just starting out? Don’t assume who your customer base will be. I made these products with the skin care girlies in mind. Little did I know that my boyfriend at the time would help me make my first sales… at his construction job site. The men work with their hands all day, which can leave the skin rough. This was obviously not my original target audience, but these guys loved my body butters.
Three years later, that rock-hard first jar is still what I think about every time I mix a fresh batch. Simply Bare was never about being the biggest. It was about giving people permission to slow down and actually take care of themselves, one small batch at a time. This was never just skincare to me — it's self-care. A few minutes each day that are just for you, with something that's actually good for your skin. If you've ever felt like you had to choose between something that smells amazing and something that's safe to use, I made this brand for you. I can't wait for you to see what's coming this season. I know all you ladies will definitely fall in love with it.
Come be part of the Simply Bare family. I'm so glad you're here 🤎