Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Jones.
Hi Donna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have lived in Austin for quite some time and have been a massage therapist for 15 years. I own a massage studio (Sandglass Therapeutic Massage) located in NW Hills Austin, Texas. I started making my own body butter and signature scents with essential oils to use during massage services because I was not satisfied with any commercial products on the market. A lot of my clients loved my products and asked if I sell them. I wasn’t at the time, but it was an easy decision to start. With my creativity and love for DIY projects, I quickly made my first jars and sold them as soon as they were displayed on social media. I’ve added gloss balms, soap scrubs, solid perfumes, bar soaps, and candles to the list. There will be more product lines added in the future. Right now, I make products in my home office and display them in my massage suite. So, after running Potions 11 Skincare as a side hustle for three years, I am taking the steps to incorporate it into an official business, Potions 11 Skincare and Apothecary! I’m currently looking for boutiques or shops that will let me place my products on their shelves. My products are water-free, made for normal to dry skin, free of toxins, vegan or natural. I made my first skull-themed intention candle during the pandemic shutdown, and it sold quickly. I began taking more candle orders and it became my main income until I could reopen my massage suite. I am surprised by the amount of support I receive just making sales from Facebook. Currently, I am taking the steps to expand, rebrand, add more lines of products to my shop, and give it a physical domain on the internet so it will be open to cities all around the US.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges is not having enough capital to bring awareness to my brand. I have been on listed on one of the most popular e-commerce company platforms for three years and I find it intriguing that I’ve gotten more sales from social media platforms. I’m okay with that because it just tells me that I needed to think bigger and control my brand more. I just started my first crowdfund on GoFundMe and will be applying for small business grants. I’m also designing my official website which will be published in 2022.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Potions 11 Skincare is a woman led business in the early startup process. I specialize in designing signature scents with aromatherapeutic properties. My skincare products are waterless, free of toxins and vegan. They are handmade for people with normal to dry skin. My candles are hand-poured and creatively themed with color patterns, trinkets and crystals. My biggest projects so far have been big orders for holiday gifting and a big candle order for a wedding. I am happy that my passion for great quality products is desirable to others.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love to hike here. My favorite trail is River Place Nature Trail. I support the music scene as well. I have a lot of friends in great bands here so you will definitely see me out and about! I love that Austin has a great small business community but I’m sad that some of my favorites had to close their shops recently.
Pricing:
- Custom Candles – $20-$50+
- Body Butter – $40
- Solid Perfume -$21
- Gloss Balms-$4
- Whipped Soap Scrubs-$16
Contact Info:
- Email: Donna@potions11skincare.com
- Website: www.potions11skincare.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/potions11skincare
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PotionsEleven
- Twitter: www.etsy.com/shop/potions11skincare
- Other: https://gofund.me/36ae5226
