Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Dobosenski.
Mandy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started BeeNaturalz in 2017 as really nothing more than a hobby. In early 2017, Cover Girl stopped making my favorite tinted lip balm and I couldn’t find one I liked, so I figured “how hard could it be to make it?”. When I looked at the ingredient list, I realized I didn’t know what any of those ingredients were, and the list was so long. So instead, I turned to Pinterest and started researching alternatives that contained natural ingredients that I recognized. It took many iterations to get it exactly the way I wanted, but once I hit that “eureka!” moment I was completely hooked on the process of researching and developing products. At that point, creating a business was still just an idea. Fast forward to summer of 2017 – my husband and I were watching a honey extraction demonstration at our favorite place (the MN State Fair!) and the beekeeper was explaining how raw honey (which is unfiltered and still contains traces of propolis and pollen from the hive) was used for centuries before antibiotics existed to treat things like cuts and burns because of it’s natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. In that moment, I looked at my husband and said THAT’S what I want to incorporate into my products. And that’s when BeeNaturalz was born: completely natural products that all incorporate what I call “beepower”.
Over the years, the product line has really evolved and grown, with a blend of both botanical artisan-style bath/body products, as well as an extensive skincare line. The skincare side of things has always been a little bit of a “happy accident” – in part due to my own desire to want to improve my own skin issues that I struggled with well into adulthood. Acne was always problematic for me and nothing worked – until I started creating my own products with ingredients that were naturally soothing and healing (like honey, propolis, and more). Diving into the research and development side of things (and then adding my own spin with my beepower additions) has been such an eye-opener for me over the years as it relates to ingredients and routines that do and don’t work. When everyone tells you that this harsh cream or “extra strength” prescribed medicine “should work” and it doesn’t (or makes things worse) — you sort of give up after a while and assume that “normal skin” is just not in the cards for you. So when I realized the products I was making for my own skin were actually working and calming down issues, I knew it was something that I needed to include as part of my product line. I believe that everyone deserves the chance to feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin – from head to toe!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Up until more recently, BeeNaturalz was something I only did on the side of a full-time HR Director job, so balancing a small business along with a family and a demanding full-time job was often a challenge. The pandemic in particular was a struggle that brought a lot of stress and anxiety in the HR world, as I know it did for so many people. I enjoyed my HR work, but quite frankly I enjoyed working on my business more, so in March 2021 I decided to walk away from my HR career and completely devote myself to the small business life. It was scary, and a complete leap of faith, but I don’t regret it for a second. I absolutely love what I do – it’s a privilege – and hearing from other women who have had success with using my products makes it all completely worth it.
Day-to-day, owning a small business has its ups and downs – I had zero knowledge of what I needed to do for taxes or insurance or anything like that in the beginning, so I did a lot of learning with a ton of trial and error (and still do). It’s not always easy and some days I feel like I’m completely winging it, but I’m pretty well known for just rolling with things as they happen. The cardinal rules that I enforced in my HR world I also apply to my business: #1: no drama allowed, and #2: don’t do anything illegal. 🙂
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
BeeNaturalz was created with a mission to combine #beepower with nature’s purest ingredients to craft non-toxic artisan skincare products that support radiant skin and overall wellness.
Every product is handcrafted in small batches to ensure the highest quality, and formulated with pure essential oils, natural botanicals, and the extraordinary gifts from our pollinator friends. We are committed to supporting our environment and pollinators with eco-friendly practices.
With the addition of curated self-care goods and a mini apparel collection – a cozy combination of ultimate comfort, unique style, and northern vibes from our bee-friendly home state – our mission is truly embraced in everyday life. Being comfortable in your own skin is more than just skincare – it’s a way of life.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am a chronic entrepreneur with an overwhelming need for a creative outlet! I had a successful cupcake business for 3 years before my son was born, and most recently I discovered a love for graphic design and screenprinting, so I’m working on a side project for apparel offerings. My brain literally doesn’t stop (just ask my husband!).
Contact Info:
- Email: mandy@beenaturalz.com
- Website: www.beenaturalz.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/beenaturalz
- Facebook: facebook.com/beenaturalz
Image Credits
Mandy Dobosenski
