Meet The Maker: Barbara McAteer of Josie's Botanicals

When did you set up your business and why?

I officially launched my website approximately four years ago.

I had been creating natural healing skincare products for the past 15 years, with family, friends and clients loving them and really seeing an improvement in their skin and mood while using.

I set up Josie's Botanicals to be really able to meet the skin concern needs of my clients and customers.

During the lockdown, as a result of being unable to carry out my holistic therapy business, I dedicated my time to really fine-tuning my blends and product range and creating my website.

I had all my products tested and approved in order to be able to sell them. It was during this time that Josie's Botanicals was launched.

Can you explain your process?

I have always been a true believer of plant-based ingredients and their ability to heal. I've always felt my best in nature.

Having grown up in a large Irish family, our lovely mum Josie was always very passionate about herbalism and natural remedies and ignited our passion and belief in the power of the plant kingdom.

Discovering wonderful natural healing ingredients and blending them together with purpose - this is my happy place.

All of my products are presented in packaging that is recyclable, reusable or biodegradable. Zero waste is very important to me and sustainability in every aspect of what I do from manufacturing practices to selling of my products.

What is your best seller?

One of my best sellers would be my organic cleansing balm.

It is a luxurious cleansing balm, full of antioxidant, natural ingredients to dissolve makeup, daily impurities and pollutants while deeply nourishing and rebalancing the skin, leaving it soft and smooth.

Skincare hero frankincense improves the appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections, while refreshing lemon myrtle and soothing lavender revive the senses.

This healing balm contains ingredients such as an organic anti-acne active formula and chamomile CO2 extract to calm and help heal skin issues.

What is it about your business that brings you joy?

I absolutely love seeing the difference my products make to help heal the skin and, with the likes of my muscle and joint ease balm, offering pain relief to people is the very reason I do what I do.

I adore doing natural facials using my own skincare, which is hugely beneficial in achieving a smooth, revitalised complexion.

My natural face-lift massage, along with Japanese kobido face massage, have also delivered amazing results for my clients, who return time and time again.

Seeing the difference these treatments make to rejuvenate and uplift the skin is incredibly rewarding.

What are your hopes for 2023?

I hope to see my business flourish and grow. I want to continue doing what I love and reach a wider audience with my healing skin and bodycare.

What advice would you give to another start-up business?

Always believe in your dreams. Remember, we can't do everything ourselves and finding people who are experts in their field to assist you with necessary aspects of your business will really help.

For example, for me, finding a really good product photographer (Ana Dorado) and designer (Treetop Studios) to create my brand image was essential to allow my products to shine in their best light.

Develop a good, responsive, website and also social media page for your business. I have been told by clients and customers that they've found my informative posts and blogs with advice and tips really helpful.

Collaboration with other local businesses and supporting each other has also been invaluable the past few years.

Visit https://www.josiesbotanicals.com/

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