Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Harmon.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My curiosity for essential oils started when I was 17 in my hometown Miami, FL. I walked into an apothecary and instantly fell in love with all the scents, gorgeous bottles, herbs and the overall energy. I started with just dabbling with a few essential oils making blends and natural remedies to help family members. My hobby and curiosity in natural healing and bath products continued with me throughout the years every now a then working with oils. But it wasn’t until 2016 when I was introduced to one of the popular MLM brands that I started to work closer with essential oils. A friend gifted me a small starter set and that was all I needed to reignite my passion.
That same year my whole life got turned upside down when I lost my best friend and husband in a car accident in December 2016. The pain of losing my best friend was excruciating a feeling of helplessness and confusion. Our happy little family of three was now down to me and our two-year-old little girl Lala. I needed to keep myself up and moving forward for us. My anxiety, depression and insomnia went into overdrive that year. Which is when I started working with essential oils to help me; at least get some sleep and relax my anxiety. This point in time is where Harmonie Fox was born! Working with essential oils became part of my grieving process. So, once my daughter was fast asleep, I started working on myself. Writing, researching, making blends and planning a future. It started as a small hobby to keep me busy helping others and it slowly grew into my passion. I would be thinking about it all day constantly writing down ideas and recipes throughout the day. I shared my ideas with my sister Viviana and she jumped to the opportunity to join me in my grief and bring Harmonie Fox to life.
I wanted to create a company that fused the passions both my husband and I had in natural healing. My husband Chris was into Chinese medicine, herbs, teas and tinctures and I was into essential oils, herbs and root powders. We had always talked about our own little apothecary where we could help others naturally. So, I decided to build something for our little family. The name Harmonie is a blend of our family name and the end of my first name. And fox was my husband’s favorite animal known for being clever, playful, confident and versatile. Also, the animal logo from his favorite rappers clothing brand Akoo (Snobby the Fox).
In 2017 on the first anniversary of his passing I registered the company name and my sister and I finalized the first HFox logo; that was a big and emotional day for all of us. Since then it’s been a joint effort with my sister as the creative genius behind the marketing and branding. Me endlessly coming up with product ideas and blends, and of course my daughter (5 now) Lala as my amazing and encouraging promoter, helper and a wonderful present reminder of her dad. I’m proud that she gets to see first-hand how we turned a dark and sad moment in our lives into something that not only helped mommy but also helps other live a more natural and balanced life and to see one of mommy and daddy’s idea come to life.
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?
Starting a small business has many challenges. I think the first one I encountered is branding. I had no idea what to call my company, what I wanted it to look like and what I wanted others to perceive when they saw my labels or logo. Thankfully with my sister’s experience and (lots) patience, we slowly got through that first hurdle.
But once we had a logo, name and product, getting into a space that is full with many established companies and brands felt daunting and many times impossible. I first tried Amazon, Etsy and eBay posting my products hoping others will give me a try and buy from me. But I was a new brand without any reviews needless to say I didn’t get a single sale. That was incredibly discouraged and my momentum slowed down for a few months. For a moment in the beginning I was about to throw the towel in and just give up. But my sister wouldn’t have it. We had come way too far to just stop at the first hurdle. Since no one knew my blends or how they smelled it wasn’t attracting new customers we switched gears and decided to stay local.
In 2020 HFox launched at one of the local farmers markets in Las Colinas. The first day was nerve-wrecking but I had a great first day in the market, it was exactly where I needed to be and best of all Harmonie Fox was no longer an idea or dream it was now a real and active force helping, educating and inspiring others!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Harmonie Fox Aromatherapy started as just a company that worked with essential oils to help with health ailments – colds, flu, sinus infections, depression, anxiety, insomnia, grief and so on. I blended to help myself but then I started to blend for friends and family as I would hear them tell me about someone sick or in need of support. I spent the most time creating and testing my synergy blends made of essential oils. Then I started to add into my product line from essential oils and blends to inhalers, lotion bars, bath salt, tea soaks and bath biscuits. My sister designs and creates aromatherapy bracelets and I include them in my store paired up with one of my oil blends.
I love that HFox first and foremost is known for its amazing synergy blends. I spent a long time studying and creating my blends so when I hear someone say, “ohh that’s my favorite” or “I can’t decide they all smell so good”. I have a proud momma moment knowing that in my pain, I created something that others love and helps them. I’m also proud with the opportunity I have to educate others on how to safely use essential oils and the many amazing ways to incorporate them in their lives. And one other great thing I love to hear is “wow, you have really fair prices.” As I started my journey, I told my sister that I wanted to create a company that would educate, help and makes it accessible to everyone. So, I always make sure that my pricing is fair but still of premium and organic quality!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a quiet and dainty little girl. But as I got older, I quickly dropped that and became an active and curious tomboy, haha. I loved being active, playing sports, riding my bike and working little neighborhood business like car wash, selling candy, mowing lawn, babysitting and making arepas to sell. My parents had their own company cleaning floors, so every weekend I spent it with them passing out flyers and helping out. Watching my parents work hard to provide for us taught me the value of hard work and the work that went into making a dollar. I thank them every day for teaching me to be ambitious, persevere and work hard for your dreams!
Pricing:
- Essential Oil Blends start at $5 for 5ml and $10 for 15 ml
- Bath Salts $8 for 8oz
- Lotion Bars $3.50
- Bath Biscuits $4
- Aromatherapy Bracelets $20
- Aromatherapy Inhalers $3
Contact Info:
- Website: HarmonieFox.com – Going live in early Fall 2020
- Phone: 305-310-7289
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: HarmonieFox
- Facebook: HarmonieFox
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