Welcome to our Spotlight, Isabella. Please tell us about yourself, and how you became the businesswoman that you are today.

     I was born in the former Soviet Union.  At the age of 5 my parents, sister and I moved to the United States.  At that time we had been on a waiting list for over 10 years and in 1979 they let out around 10,000 Russians, some went to Israel, others to the US.  The interesting part that always amazes me is they allowed each family to leave with only around $800.  Can you imagine coming to a foreign country, not speaking the language at all, having small children on top of it?

     Having coming to the USA was a big deal for our parents; they wanted us, their children to have a better life and more opportunity.  They encouraged us to go to school and having the mind set of the American dream, getting a good job for a major company was their belief.  Fortunately I strayed off the path and knew that working for me was what I wanted and needed to do.  I didn’t believe in corporate America and from my limited experiences with working for United Airlines, Federal Express and a few others, I knew that that would not feed my soul.

     At the age of 20 I started my natural journey.  I learned about Hemp in a High Times magazine and it became my passion.  I learned there were thousands of uses for Hemp, completely natural and healthy products that were beautiful and supported the environment.  I began representing a company, Ecolution-Pan World Traders.  I was in Chicago and determined to promote hemp products in this big city.  Unfortunately, now 10 years later, Chicago is not interested.  This first business attempt led me to meet people in the natural products community, non profit organizations and still today some of my best friends.

     After trying for about 2 years to launch my first company without financial success I moved on to my next venture.  I couldn’t again believe that such a big city like Chicago did not have an environmental directory, so here I was again my next journey, the Ecoteam pages, a small pocket size directory and savings program that introduced Chicago to many health providers, holistic businesses and vegetarian friendly restaurants.  Although not profitable, this experience launched me to new heights.  I went back to work for a small homegrown manufacturer of yoga and wellness products.  I stayed with Bean products for several years, finished my college degree, started taking yoga, and learned an invaluable amount of information about the natural industry and running a small business.

     Towards the end of my time with Bean products, I was introduced to Natural Salt lamps and completely fell in love with them.  I was intrigued by the beauty, and then all of the health benefits that came with them.  The retail, web based www.natural-salt-lamps.com was created.  I spent hours every day building the site, marketing, advertising and slowly growing the business.  Having a passion for hand crafted, natural products and extensive research, I came in contact with many other companies that made hand crafted products.  Exclusive to us, our line of Solay 84 mineral therapy skin care products was born, along with our Solay therapy pillow line, Crystal energy jewelry and many other products that I personally test, develop, and make sure they are the best possible product I can offer, all while being committed to environmental preservation.  My reward is the constant feedback of our caring customer and the amazing health benefits they experience on their journey to natural health.

 

Why did you start your company, and what types of products do you sell?

     I started the company after discovering Natural Salt Lamps.  After learning about the healing benefits of crystal salts and experiencing the energy I personally felt, I knew that this was something I could be proud to offer, healing products that fed the soul with energy, life and health. And with a passion for acquiring products hand crafted from around the world, I started offering beautiful and rare Natural Salt Lamps from the Himalayas, Poland and Persia, Mineral rich bath salts, and later developed our Solay skin care line and our, Solay Therapy pillow line.
 

Please tell us more about your all-natural skin care products, and what makes them so special.

     About the Solay 84 mineral rich therapy Skin Care: Fortunately we were introduced to many small manufacturers that made natural skin care products by hand.  Through much testing and trial and error we developed a small line of natural skin care that uses the 84 mineral rich Himalayan crystal salts.  Solay Skin Therapy combines these bioenergetic crystal salts with other 100% natural and pure ingredients, to give your skin what it needs for balanced nourishment on a cellular level.

     All of our Solay products are made using the highest quality Himalayan salts, essential oils, and other pure ingredients with no harmful synthetic ingredients, parabens, or waxes.  Solay Skin Therapy products use no animal products or testing, and are 100% cruelty-free.  They are produced with care in small batches, by hand, using only the finest and healthiest botanicals.  The oils are distilled from plants that are grown organically or wild-crafted.

     The clay used in our Solay Detox Mud is Therapeutic Living Clay (TLC), the finest calcium bentonite clay in the world.  Ours is obtained in an environmentally responsible manner from a protected mine in the California desert.  Its deposit was sealed away from natural deterioration by a cap of zeolite minerals for forty-three million years.  Because its adsorptive properties have not been compromised by air or ground water contaminants, this highly charged, 100% pure calcium bentonite clay has drawing power that is unsurpassed by any other known clay making it perfect for deep cleansing and clarifying of the skin, as well as treatment of skin problems, including rashes and burns.  It's also wonderful for total body detoxification.

     Our Solay Purifying Body Scrub uses Oshadhi Essential Oils, the most meticulously produced and respected line of essential oils in the world.  Impeccable care is taken in the growing, extracting, filling, and packaging of these essential oils.  All Oshadhi products are completely hand crafted, from farm to bottling without the use of electromagnetic machinery to avoid disruption of their exquisite subtle properties.

     Our line has expanded to include Solay Daily Use Detox Soap, Purifying Body Soap, Green tea Shampoo Soap, and more natural salt skin care products coming soon.

What are the standards that your company has, and what is your philosophy for business?

     Our philosophy is simple... You get what you give.  That pearl of wisdom is true for so many aspects of life, including one's business.  We know that in order to attain you as a customer and repeat customer for many years, we must make the investment of finding the very best products, offering you the very best knowledgeable service, and guaranteeing your full 100% satisfaction.  And it's all worthwhile.

     Being in the natural products community for over 10 years, we offer our clientele a line of responsibly made crystal rock salt based wellness products that support a healthy lifestyle.  We are conscientious of the environmental impact of each product in regard to its lifespan, integrity of manufacturer, sustainability, and highest quality.

     Before a product even comes close to being offered to our customers, we personally research and test each and every product.  We attract the finest manufacturers because of our quality commitment, and strict standards of quality.
 

What changes have you seen in the conscience of the average consumer when it comes to going the more all-natural route?

     Many changes, I believe that as consumers learn the truth about the products they put on their skin, the products they wear and the companies they support, the more willing and active they are at pursuing and researching the products they buy and buying natural products.

Do you have any books that you would like to recommend on the subject of all-natural beauty and/or health care?

     Yes, 3 books, of course we offer 2 of them but we offer them because of the importance that they have in guiding people to look at natural alternatives and steps to changing their lives to live a healthier life. Water and Salt by Peter Ferreira, a comprehensive, easy to read and even scientific book on the 2 basic elements, water and salt, which as we all know our bodies are primarily made off.  The other is by Dr. Joyce Starr, an e-book that is an excellent beginner’s guide for people to learn about natural salt therapy.  The third is the first book I read on hemp products, The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer.  Some of my other favorites are books on Ayurveda by Robert Svoboda, and various Yoga and Meditation books.

What recommendations do you have for others that are interested in starting an all-natural beauty business?

     I would recommend doing as much research as possible about the ingredients, products and manufacturers that you would be working with.  If making the products themselves, I would suggest searching out the best ingredients, testing the products.  I have never started a business for the sole benefit of financial reward although necessary to continue and operate.  I believe when you follow your heart and believe in the products you are offering or making, that passions shows and that energy will guide you to make intuitive decisions.

     Surround yourself with people that have your best interest at heart, listen to everyone, their suggestions and thoughts but ultimately make the final decision yourself based on what’s right for you.  When I started www.natural-salt-lamps.com, my third business, the thoughts of failure were always with me and I learned to except that this business also might not succeed financially but as with any business, one never knows.  But being aware of my internal thoughts helped me look at the truth and continue my journey consciously, always steeping back, refocusing and collaborating with good friends and business colleagues in times of need really helps.

     I look at running my business as a hobby, its something I love to do, the long hours, the weekends that I work are rewarding because I have a passion for what I do.  It’s not easy having to make all of the decisions and then trusting that you have made the right decision.  It’s always a learning process, you do the best you can with all your heart, intensely and consciously and whatever happens after that, well that’s the journey.

Do you have any hobbies outside of your business that you'd like to share with us?

     Yes, I teach Yoga. Having started Yoga about 5 years ago and having experienced beautiful results physically, mentally and spiritually, I knew that I had to share my love for Yoga with others. I also love to travel and do meditation and yoga retreats. Teaching and running a small business are my favorite hobbies ;)

What would be your idea of the perfect pampering session using any all-natural products that you can imagine?

     Perfect pampering to me is lying on the beach in some tropical island and getting a wonderful massage.  If this is not possible then the next best thing is a warm salt water bath, a detoxifying Solay salt scrub and a Solay Mud mask to energize my skin, really this is an excellent pampering technique I use before or after a nice yoga practice.