Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Keeshin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started out in the performing arts as a singer/songwriter and dancer and then moved into the healing arts acquiring certifications in massage therapy, Kundalini yoga, Sheng Zhen meditation and Qi gong and Integrative nutrition and health coaching. I have always been passionate about helping people feel less pain( physical or emotional) and more joy! It all started 10 years ago while doing a massage. I decided to make a product that I could use on my clients instead of just regular oil and that is when I created my signature product Chiki Buttah which is a velvety smooth whipped body butter that transformed my massages into a spa experience! My clients were telling me how soft their skin felt long after the massage and asked if they could buy it. That’s when I knew I had to share my creation with the world! While doing massage was a great career, I knew that it wasn’t sustainable in the long run so I decided to make this my exit strategy. I’ve always been very particular about what I put on, in and around my body and always chose products that were chemical and synthetic free but I was never completely satisfied with the results which steered me in the direction of creating the Chiki Buttah products line. I basically created all of my daily essentials and formulated them with the highest quality ingredients that I could find. I was like the mad scientist/alchemist, researching and formulating until I got it just right. The next product that I formulated was the Chiki Chill pain relief balm. That was a big hit since most people are walking around with some form of tension, pain and stress. The ingredients speak for themselves and now I have a huge following for all of my pain and comfort products and clean skin care products. A huge part of how my business is growing was meeting my husband Randy back in 2017. He just so happened to be in sales and marketing and after seeing me sell my products at a small festival in Austin he decided to partner with me and help grow Chiki Buttah Products. We dedicated all of our time, money and energy to expanding our reach by doing festivals all over Texas and even in Oregon and Chicago. That was a big part in building our data base by connecting with people and educating them about the importance of using clean products. Today we have many retail stores across the country carrying many of my products including spas, natural pharmacies, health stores, chiropractors and boutiques.
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?
After being in business for 15 years there have been some ups and downs. It has not been a smooth road. The thing that derailed us was when the Covid 19 pandemic hit! We had to completely restructure how to do business as more than half of our business shut down since we could no longer do festivals, and our whole sale business dropped off because everyone was staying home! That said, it was a great opportunity to focus on our online sales and really shift and simplify how we do everything. Somehow we survived and through it all we were able to build out from that point with a much more precise and focused approach. When the game board shifts you have to roll with it and create something from the ingredients that are available! We did that! It’s been an amazing journey as both Randy and I learned so much about our business and each other!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Being an artist and a very creative person, I have always lived my life with the ability to express myself through many mediums, work and hobbies. I made sure of it because it is who I am and I would never sacrifice that part of myself. I have always created jobs that I enjoy and feel very blessed to have the will and passion to manifest that. I never take that for granted! I think too often people sell themselves short or lack the confidence to take risks. It’s not an easy road and sometimes not a secure one but I think that’s life, so why not take a chance? As for what I specialize in, I like to call myself an alchemist because I can imagine something and create it the way I imagined it! I am a really good listener with a high level of sensitivity and intuition so I’m good at helping and coaching people which is one of my greatest passions. I think my sensitivity is what makes me a good product formulator. All of my senses are very acute which is most of the time a blessing and sometimes a curse! Ha! What I am know for is being very educated in the field of health and wellness. I have studied and researched extensively and learned through my own path of healing all kinds of things from diet to hormones, meditation and everything that makes the body feel whole through a holistic approach. I’m also know for my enthusiasm and sincerity which are great assets to have in any business and it’s what I’m most proud of because I would never compromise my high level of integrity just for profits. What set’s me apart from others is all of the above wrapped up into what I do with a strong desire to help the world be a healthier and more joyful place!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for finding a mentor would be to find brands that you admire and follow them to learn from and get inspiration. There are meet up groups for just about any interest that get together and support one another. It’s always good to find people that you align with to spark ideas and inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chikibuttah.com
- Instagram: @chikibuttah
- Facebook: chikibuttah
- Youtube: chikibuttah
