Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Gilbertson.
Hi Lynn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Wisconsin and later moved to Arizona with my mom and sister. My mom has always inspired me. I worked by her side when she and a partner opened an all-women printing company in Phoenix. She taught me strength and integrity by example. Years later, after getting married, having two amazing children, and as my husband’s company relocated to Austin in 2007, it was time for our family to make a fresh start and begin our new journey.
Willo Naturals started in 2009 from our home in Texas offering essential oils, carrier oils and candles, and soon added natural skincare products. I began as a vendor at local health, beauty, yoga and natural skincare events; traveling around Central Texas and the DFW area. Our daughter, Shannon, was always interested in what I was doing and creating. She came with me to events and we networked with other brand owners and began to grow into a private label business. Our business quickly outgrew our home and we leased our first facility space in Leander, Texas.
Continually inspired, and with close collaboration on daily decisions and focus on the future, I am proud to have Shannon by my side running our Woman-Owned business. In 2017 we took a leap of faith and moved into our current location in Round Rock, Texas with over 26,000 square feet. Last year my husband joined the team – Woman-Owned; Family Run.
I’ve learned a lot these last 12 years and found a niche in the market by offering highly sought after natural and organic skincare products. Willo Naturals became unique in the industry from early on by offering Certified Organic and now offers NSF/ANSI 305 and IASC (International Aloe Science Council) certified products, as well as EWG compliant products. It is important for us to offer our clients relevant, trending and highest quality botanical ingredients and formulas so that our brand owners can launch successful product lines. We listen and assist our clients. We are proud to be able to work with brand owners from all over the world because of the quality of our products and the recognition our company has gained.
But in the same way that we dedicate ourselves to our business, I also know that I need a loyal team alongside me with a tremendous work ethic. Our team members are highly trained, customer-focused, customer-driven, and stay up to date with the latest ingredients, formulas and products to thoroughly accommodate our clients. We love what we do every day, which makes me happy because I love what we do for our customers!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In order to grow, we must continue to step outside of our comfort zones – we’ve all heard the saying. I am grateful for the lessons learned; an accumulation of my life’s experiences blended with those I closely surround myself with. Our path has been charmed with amazing client relationships. With that, we must remain relevant and current within our industry to grow with our clients’ needs and order volumes. To me, struggles are better defined as challenges. I learn and persevere. Our challenges have ranged from supply chain issues, facility expansions, customizing equipment to accommodate specific product requests, funding and installing a fully automated production line, and navigating a business during COVID-19. I am thankful that we have been able to continue our work, even with the current economic uncertainties, and for the challenges we have endured as we continue to grow personally and professionally.
We’ve been impressed with Willo Naturals, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Willo Naturals is a woman-owned, family run business offering private label natural and organic clean beauty products. We are unique in our industry for various reasons.
Relationships are built with our customers in order to create long-term, rewarding partnerships. We get to know their dreams and work closely together to achieve the unique end product that the brand owner desires, customizing requests such as the product, packaging and product boxes or preferred special final finishes.
We are forward-thinking, offering quality natural and organic products, facility certifications, continued education for our highly trained team, and ongoing investment in equipment and facility expansions to meet the needs of our growing clients.
We do not have our own brand and do not compete against our clients in the market. Dedicated to working with our brand owners, we help them create and expand their product lines. As a small family run business, you will find us to be highly accommodating, flexible and a very resourceful skincare manufacturer to partner with.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
There is so much to love about the Austin area!! Great people, great food, and lots of wonderful things to do and places to go. We have been here for 15 years and have seen a lot of growth. Like most, we hope to hold on to what has made Austin the wonderful place that we fell in love with.
Contact Info:
- Email: Hello@WilloNaturals.com
- Website: www.WilloNaturals.com
- Instagram: @WilloNaturals
- Facebook: @WilloNaturals
Image Credits:
Willo Naturals
