Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Wyatt.
Alicia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
G&M Creations’ catalyst was a summer project between my daughter, Gwen, and mom, Margi, in 2015. Gwen, then a 10-year-old, needed to fill her “boring” summer days, so she and my mom began researching essential oils and making soap. Little did they know that their simple summer project would blossom into a lasting business. They began experimenting with colors and molds using melt-and-pour bases and attended the Lone Star Soap conference to learn how to make cold-processed soap from scratch. Gwen transformed into a kid on a mission, asking questions and taking notes. They chose lavender and lemongrass as their signature soaps, but have since added a variety of other scents, as well as natural lip balms, bath bombs, body butters, salves, and lotions.
In October 2017, my mom was diagnosed with a rare metastatic breast cancer. I stepped into the business after that to help keep it going. I was ready for a new challenge after spending more than ten years in the investment management industry. We are now a multi-generational family of women producing handcrafted artisan beauty products. In March 2018, we moved into Lone Star Mercantile opening our vendor space in Allen, Texas. In September 2018, we started offering subscription boxes with a choice of soaps or bath bombs. Next, we are focusing on expanding our website offerings.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I agree that you should pursue your passions, but it’s true that it hasn’t been easy to launch a startup. as I’m sure most new business owners feel that way at some point or another. There’s been a definite learning curve because this is a new industry for me, but the business side is second nature. I enjoy the challenge of it and every victory is that much sweeter. On top of the regular new business challenges, I’m juggling being a single parent, still working my full-time job and dealing with my mom’s terminal cancer. Despite all of those challenges I love building this new business and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the G&M Creations story. Tell us more about the business.
Our beauty products contain natural ingredients, essential oils, and fragrance oils. We sell soaps, lotions, body butter, bath salts, bath bombs, room diffusers, lip scrubs, lip balms, and body scrubs. Our soaps are vegan, paraben free, phthalate free and contain no animal fats. We use skin-care approved colorants, along with natural herbs and plants, to produce our colors. There are no harsh chemicals added. I’m proud of the time we dedicate to ensuring our ingredients are quality, healthy for your skin and benefit a variety of skin types. We also offer subscription boxes and gift set options. We’re currently developing and expanding our facial soaps and scrubs. Eventually, I hope to add a dedicated men’s product line.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
My philosophy about life, in general, is that things always happen for a reason. I think it is more about knowing how to seize opportunities when they arise versus luck. We may not end up where we’re planning to go, but we end up where we need to be. I have learned to embrace new directions when they come up, so I don’t necessarily believe I have “good” or “bad” luck. I deal with challenges as they come up and celebrate the successes as they happen. I am thoroughly enjoying the process as we reach each new step.
Pricing:
- Soaps range from $8-$12
- Scrubs range from $8-$18.
- Lotions range from $5-$14.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.g-mcreations.com
- Phone: 480-235-7701
- Email: alicia@g-mcreations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creationsgm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GwenandMargiCreations/
{“effects_tried”:0,”photos_added”:0,”origin”:”gallery”,”total_effects_actions”:0,”remix_data”:[“add_sticker”],”tools_used”:{“tilt_shift”:0,”resize”:0,”adjust”:0,”curves”:0,”motion”:0,”perspective”:0,”clone”:0,”crop”:1,”enhance”:0,”selection”:0,”free_crop”:0,”flip_rotate”:0,”shape_crop”:0,”stretch”:0},”total_draw_actions”:0,”total_editor_actions”:{“border”:1,”frame”:0,”mask”:0,”lensflare”:0,”clipart”:0,”text”:0,”square_fit”:0,”shape_mask”:0,”callout”:0},”total_editor_time”:172,”brushes_used”:0,”total_draw_time”:0,”effects_applied”:0,”uid”:”E9F75DC4-CFC4-4876-B2BC-0EFA63A5A516_1545773226235″,”total_effects_time”:0,”sources”:[“283218479009211″],”layers_used”:0,”width”:2786,”height”:3869,”subsource”:”done_button”}
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
