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Photo care of Hillary Peterson
Please describe your business, and explain your personal mission.
Marie Veronique Organics makes safe and effective skin care products that minimize the effects of the aging process. As a cancer survivor, it is so rewarding to lead a company that understands that what goes on your skin goes into your body. We never use toxins, petroleum-based products, nanoparticles or anything else that’s potentially harmful. We also are mindful of the environment by packaging our products in recyclable materials and sourcing them as close to our Berkeley headquarters as possible. Marie (Founder of Marie Veronique Organics) and I both feel strongly that it is important to give back so we give 10% of our profits to global organizations dedicated to creating better opportunities for women in Third World countries. I feel so lucky that my job can so closely mirror my personal values.
What is your background and what lead you to this business?
As a melanoma survivor, I take sunscreen seriously and I was having a tough time finding a safe and effective sunscreen that I was willing to wear every day. A sunscreen story on NPR led me to the Environmental Working Group’s website and one of their top rated sunscreens….Marie Veronique Organics’ Moisturizing Face Screen+. I loved the product so much that I called Marie up and asked if we could have lunch. I have a marketing background (I was Senior Ad Manager for 501 Jeans and Marketing Manager for Women’s Jeans at Levi Strauss & CO) and I got excited about re-branding an exceptional local product and launching it nationally.
How does a mind/body approach apply to your business and your lifestyle?
I have had several dear friends die at a young age from cancer. As a cancer survivor myself, I feel lucky to be here and I have the personal goal of aging with acceptance, gratitude, and grace. I love working for a company that makes brilliant products that protect and transform our customer’s skin without unnecessary exposure to toxins. It is so rewarding to have family and friends call me to say that our products have transformed their skin and to know that we are doing this in a way that is not only good for our customers but also for the environment.
What makes your business unique and sets you apart from your competition?
When it comes to skin care, consumers have been asked to either choose products that are effective or products that are safe and natural. We have bridged that gap by using scientific studies to better understand the aging process and turning to nature to find ingredients that counter those effects. We have many customers who are not as concerned about exposure to toxins and still use our products because of how they impact their skin. One customer recently called our face oils and serums: “Nature’s answer to botox.”
Read more in part 2 of this interview.
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