Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikal Miller.
Hi Mikal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
YaaDaa is a 100% natural, handmade and organic beauty line, which has been in the making for 10 years. When I was in high school, I struggled with acne and eczema but nothing seemed to help. I tried every OTC cream ever made, I had been to the dermatologist, I tried Proactiv, and anything I could get my hands on but to no avail.
My mom and I have extremely sensitive skin so we cannot use OTC products or any products that contain chemicals or fragrances. After trying a wide variety of products on the market, I started to research natural remedies that would help me with my eczema and acne. I ran into essential oils and I knew nothing about them but I figured it would be worth a shot – especially since nothing else had helped. I thought, “What do I have to lose?!” After extensive research, I bought a variety of oils that I believed would help with my skin conditions and this is where the heart of YaaDaa began! After years of continual research, I realized that essential oils are effective, natural cleansers, and work well with our bodies! Through learning the science behind essential oils and the many varying benefits of different oils, I no longer struggle with the skin conditions I once had. This drove me to help family members, starting with my aunt and mom. I figured, if I can help myself with sensitive and problematic skin, as well as my family, why can’t I help the rest of the world? At this point, I started pondering the possibilities.
My mom is an integral part of this company. She became interested because she was helping me study for a cell biology exam and I mentioned the word “antioxidants” during my study session. She asked, what EXACTLY does that mean, so I proceeded to explain it to her. She now tells me that that one word changed her whole life – antioxidants. From that point on, she began to study science and essential oils and is now pursuing her Master of Science in Aromatherapy and Integrated Health Science. Her knowledge behind the product helps not only to educate people, including me, the founder, but it brings certifiable credibility to YaaDaa! She has become an intricate part of the business. We have become an amazing dynamic duo! Where I am introverted, she is extroverted. When I am ready to level out, she is ready to go at it again. It is our compatibility that keeps me on my toes and moving! People often think we are sisters, and of course, she says it is due to the Anti-Aging Serum!
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?
One thing I appreciate is that there was no initial pressure to start the business. YaaDaa has been in the making for such a long time and not for business reasons, but primarily for my own healthy skin. Originally, I did not plan for it to become a company. The only pressure to develop the business was the pressure of my mom. She said that if I did not start the development of the company, that she was going to, which propelled me to make haste. Besides that, I would say that the main struggle along the way was my transition from working as a flight attendant to becoming my own boss. I released myself from my job, then woke up the next morning and realized that my success was solely MY responsibility. Let’s be real, I’m not going to pretend that money wasn’t an issue. Realizing the financial risk that came with starting the business is much more than a notion. I think many people assume that businesses just come from an idea, and then TaaDaa.. that’s it; there’s the business, let us make lots of money. This is far from the truth. I remember spending half of many paychecks (and more than enough of my mom’s money); sacrificing most, if not all, of the things that I wanted i.e., going out to eat, going to the movies, clothes (to name a few), just to buy products for testing. I remember writing down EVERY attempted formula to try and mix the oils for the perfect blend for healing and for a pleasant scent, then throwing out batches that did not work. It seemed like a waste but was all a part of the process (behind the scenes).
Initially, I can recall a time where I sat at my desk for hours on end, concocting formulas, constantly researching the benefits of every oil, and pushing, even when I did not feel like it. There are times that I cried and struggled to complete tasks because I knew that the business fell on me. Many of these details go unseen, but it is in these moments that you let your passions carry you and not your feelings. I say all of this to say that running a business is hard work and at times being driven is not a walk in the park. I want people to know and understand this if aspiring to create a business! It is one thing to fight to create something out of the blue, it is another to work at something when you know, without a doubt, that you have been called to it. In my case, I know that God has called me to help others through this business and that is one reason that I push the way I do! The fight to create the business is over and I now feel that YaaDaa is in a sweet spot, where we can create without fighting to float, but with growth comes new challenges. Nevertheless, I would not change it for a thing. With all that being said, I always tell people that I have not worked a single day since I stopped working a corporate job, even with the hard work invested into this business!
I would be amiss if I did not acknowledge that I had people along the way to help motivate me. Let it be known that if it were not for my mom’s help, not only creating with me and being YaaDaa’s #1 advocate and saleswoman, YaaDaa’s sales would not be where they are today. I sincerely thank her for a seamless transition and minimal struggles throughout the entire process!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about YaaDaa?
To give you an overview of YaaDaa, take an all-inclusive look into who we are and what we do. I have always felt that natural and organic is the best approach and wanted to create products for myself that were just that. After realizing how effective these organic oils were, I wanted to spread the love and help others. Once YaaDaa came into creation, I knew that in this case, two minds were better than one, and took on the help of my mom to expand. Now, as a full-time job for me and a part-time for my mom, we create 100% natural and organic skincare and beauty products for all skin types, sensitive and problematic alike, in order to accentuate everyone’s natural beauty! We run the entire operation, from fulfilling online orders, making products, and maintaining inventory numbers, to attending vending events and so much more! YaaDaa has provided not only a new and refreshing way of life for me but has been a blessing to my family and beyond.
From time to time, people ask where the name came from, so here it is! YaaDaa comes from the Hebrew word, Yadah. One of the biblical translations of this word means, “to praise with lifted/extended hands” like seen in the letter “Y”. It is called YaaDaa because I believe that creating and helping others with what God has provided us on earth is a beautiful way to glorify and praise Him! It is for these reasons that I am the happiest business owner I could have ever imagined myself being.
How do you define success?
I think success can have many different definitions. My primary definition of success is stepping into your calling, head over heels immersed in what you have been called to do. Another definition of success for me is, one day, being able to provide for myself, as well as for others and wildlife initiatives. I also feel very successful whenever we have a repeat customer. For people to keep coming back means that we have created happiness and something that works for others’ skin. We absolutely love pouring ourselves into YaaDaa but the real definition of a business’ success is longevity, so contact us in 20 years and see what’s happening with the company!
There’s an old saying my mom used to say to us kids: “Do what you love to do because when you’re doing that, nobody has to motivate you.”
Pricing:
- $15 After Shave & Beard Growth (1 oz)
- $20 Body Oil (2 oz), Roll-Ons
- $25 Eyelash Growth Serum
- $36-$38 Hair Growth, Bath Salts, Body Butter, Beautiful Skin (acne prevention),
- $45-$47 Anti-Aging, Body Scrub
Contact Info:
- Email: customerservice@yaadaabeauty.com
- Website: www.yaadaa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaadaabeauty/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaadaabeauty
