Today we’d like to introduce you to Trang Nguyen.
Hi Trang, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
CVA Products started in February of 2021. At the time, we had three kids (4 years old twins and a baby). Our twins had been suffering from eczema since birth. We tried different prescriptions, creams, skin products, and nothing was working–until we came across goat milk products. The products worked great in terms of reducing the eczema they had been struggling with for years. We knew other parents were struggling with the same issues we were, and we wanted to help. That’s how the idea for CVA Products was born. We wanted to be able to share these great products for sensitive skin with those who would benefit from them the most. We named the business after my children, Charlotte, Vincent, Alex+Zander ( which included our youngest newborn son who we named this year).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although starting a business looks so simple, but they aren’t that easy.
There is a lot of legal paperwork that we have to go through when there is not a checklist for us to follow. Not only that, we started the business during the Covid when everything were still shutting down. E-commerce was our only option initially and it was the most challenging for us. We did not know where to start and how to get traffic so we stopped the E-commerce after a couple months and decided to participate at the craft shows in person when it was opened up.
Although being at the craft shows in person have allowed us to educate and present the products to the customers, we still struggled as we were new and inexperienced. We did not know how to market and compete with the others. Our finances were limited so we were unable to satisfy the customers’ needs at the time. We also refused to make certain products that the customers asked due to the chemicals involved.
With the support from our customers, friends, and family, we were able to expand our line of natural products to include other products, such as goat milk bath bombs, dogs’ products, toys, simple syrups, etc.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Just like any other artists, my husband and I are both have a full-time job and four young kids to look after. Saturday is the only day that my husband could be at the craft shows with me. Other than that, I will use the time that I have available at night after dinner to educate myself through researching or to make the products to keep our inventories flowing.
Unlike the other products that you’ve known, all the products that we used at home, such as soy candles, soaps, bath bombs, shampoos, lotion bars, laundry detergent, play dough kits (just to name a few), are chemical-free and handmade by us. Our products are specifically created to help with the allergies and sensitive skins. We use the high-quality materials to make the products not only to help our daughter to control her eczema from flaring up, but also to help our newborn son got rid of his cradle cap and our dog from having severe skin allergy recently. We also were told by our friends that they love our products as they’re affordable and didn’t cause any skin irritations as they are fighting for years.
We are so proud to hear that our products could help the people to relieve the irritations. We will continue this bumpy roads and do what we can to satisfy the needs and wanted from the customers.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I joined different Facebook groups, local chambers of commerce, and handcrafted associations to networking with the others and locating the craft shows. I also watch youtube and read books so that I know how to make the products.
Pricing:
- Play Dough Sensory Kits – $30
- Bath Bomb – $10
- Bar Soap – $10
- Candle Bowl – $35-$45
- Bath Crayons – $25-$30
Contact Info:
- Website: cva-products.myshopify.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cvaproducts
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cvaproducts21
- Other: https://g.page/r/CQoY-8j5WmX9EA0/review
Image Credits
Tania Cardenas
