Starting my own business has been a long-time dream, a culmination of passion, purpose, and a desire to make a meaningful impact. Today, I am excited to share the driving forces behind my decision to launch Maná, an all-natural body product line. This venture embodies my values, aspirations, and commitment to creating something truly special.
The Journey to Maná
Maná is the culmination of my passion for family, health, healing, and sustainability. It is also a leap into entrepreneurship, which I quickly realized is more of a full-on dive—sometimes graceful, sometimes a belly flop.
In this month’s blog post, I want to share not only the inspiration behind this business and the reasons for embarking on this journey but also the challenges and fears that I have encountered. My hope is that by sharing my story, you will gain a glimpse into the mind, heart, spirit, and backbone of Mana.
What Drives Me
Personal Experience and Inspiration
My son's and my own skin challenges played a significant role in shaping my business idea. Over the years, I struggled to find products gentle enough for my neurodiverse child yet effective for my inflamed skin. This struggle inspired me to develop my own solutions using natural ingredients that are kind to the skin and the environment. During this time, my Grandfather was terminally ill. A couple of weeks before his passing, he told me to “GO FOR IT!” and in that moment I promised him I would. His words and my promise to him launched me into action, making my dreams a reality and keeping me going on the hard days.
Passion for Nature and Wellness
I have always been passionate about nature, wellness, and returning to wholeness as individuals. I believe in the power of nature to nourish, heal, and nurture our bodies. Nature gives us everything we need to feel grounded and connected to something greater than ourselves. I want to share this belief through my product line, offering experiences that are self-soothing and aligned with personal values.
The Vision Behind Mana
Maná is about creating body products for conscious living. There is a growing demand for natural and ethical beauty products, with more people becoming conscious of what they put on their skin and the impact their choices have on the environment. Mana aims to meet this demand by offering high-quality, natural alternatives that cater to the needs of conscious consumers. All my creations are free from harmful chemicals, environmentally friendly, and beneficial for all skin types. My goal is to offer products people can trust and feel good about using.
Commitment to Sustainability
The beauty industry often contributes to pollution and waste, and I wanted to create an alternative. Maná's products are made with sustainably sourced ingredients and packaged in eco-friendly materials. My goal is to reduce the environmental footprint of my business and promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
Beyond environmental sustainability, I am committed to ethical business practices, including fair trade sourcing, cruelty-free testing, and supporting communities involved in the production process. I want Maná to be a force for good, ensuring every step in the supply chain is conducted with integrity and respect for people and the planet.
Personal Empowerment and Autonomy
Starting my own business is also a journey toward self-empowerment and autonomy. It’s about taking charge of my career and making decisions that reflect my values and vision. Being my own boss allows me to make decisions that foster a sense of fulfillment and purpose. As an entrepreneur, I am passionate about inspiring others to pursue their dreams, break barriers, and create their own paths to success.
Overcoming Challenges
The journey to starting Mana has not been without challenges. From navigating product development complexities to securing funding, each step has required resilience and determination. These challenges have driven me to push beyond my limits and strive for excellence.
Balancing Acts
Starting a business involves financial risk, which can be intimidating. Securing funding has been a delicate balancing act. I have conducted thorough market research, developed a solid business plan, and set realistic financial goals to mitigate anxiety and build confidence in my venture’s success. I also continue to work a job outside of entrepreneurship to infuse funds into Maná, though it takes time away from focusing on the business.
Family Responsibilities
As part of the “sandwich generation,” I balance caring for my 11-year-old son, born with cerebral palsy, and supporting my mother, who is caring for my father in his last days with ALS. Balancing the demands of running a business with personal life responsibilities is daunting, requiring careful planning and the support of loved ones.
Embracing the Entrepreneurial Journey
Entrepreneurship can feel lonely, making it essential to build a robust professional network. Networking involves breaking into established circles and finding mentors who can offer guidance and support. This process requires effort, confidence, and sometimes stepping out of my comfort zone.
Overcoming Fear and Imposter Syndrome
Fear of failure is a common concern for many entrepreneurs, myself included. However, I’ve learned to view failure as an opportunity for growth and learning. Every setback is a chance to improve, adapt, and come back stronger. Embracing this mindset helps me overcome fear and pursue my goals with determination.
Imposter syndrome, the feeling of being a fraud despite evident success, is another challenge. To overcome this, I focus on celebrating my achievements, acknowledging my progress, and surrounding myself with supportive people who believe in my vision and me.
Dealing with Naysayers
In business, naysayers are inevitable. Their impact can be significant, but I’ve learned to hold others’ opinions loosely and let go of those not in my best interest. Maintaining my business's momentum and achieving long-term success requires resilience and focus.
The decision to start Maná is driven by family values, a promise, finding a solution to skin troubles, passion, purpose, and a commitment to making a positive impact. It’s about creating products people can trust, promoting sustainability, and empowering myself and others. The journey may be challenging, but it is incredibly rewarding. I am excited to share this venture with the world and look forward to the growth and possibilities ahead.
To anyone considering starting their own business, remember that your dreams are valid, your passion and purpose are powerful motivators, and your potential is limitless. Embrace the journey, learn from the challenges, and never stop believing in yourself. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future.
With Love,
Nikki