Welcome to the Personality Spotlight, Patricia! This is our
opportunity to get to know you better through your own words.
Please tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are
now.
I was
born in Dallas, Texas in the 70's. When I was
1-year-old, I was adopted by the best parents I ever could
have hoped, dreamed, prayed, or wished for. I grew up in
a Greek family, so the Greek heritage has always been
important to me and been very close to my heart. It is
who I am today. Had your typical, happy, wonderful
childhood, typical awkward teenage years. After high
school I went straight into college with the goal to teach.
My mother was a school teacher for 35 years and I was going to
follow in her footsteps. As a little girl, when I had
vacation I would go to school with her and either help her
out, sit in the back of the room and drink a Pepsi, or
socialize with the other kids and teachers. So I studied
to be an elementary school teacher and have been teaching for
15 years. I now live in a cute little house with my
little feminine cat, Gracie.
As I understand, your business, Agape & Zoe Naturals, was
formed a couple of years on a winter break from teaching. I'm
sure that this was no whim, but something that was a natural
progression for your life. What was your reason for starting
your company, and tell us what your general mission is for it.
I have always been
intrigued by the fact there seems to be two classes of beauty
products out there. I had never asked myself why until
recently. In high school I had a friend that was very
much into animal rights activism and was a vegetarian and I
remember that she would actually go to fur fashion shows and
demonstrate against the fur wearers. Very extreme!
I remember spending the night at her house and she would have
some brand names that I had never heard of, but tried, and
liked very much. At that time, without a car or the
ability to drive, I just shopped at, and was limited to,
grocery stores and drug stores for cosmetics and beauty
products. But, I loved the "famous name" products
because they just smelled so nice and lathered so well...
little did I know at the time. So, I was not yet opened
to the world of natural beauty.
I also had a friend who taught with me about 6 years ago who
was a bit of a "hippy chick"; very cool, very environmental,
worked with the Peace Corps, etc. Something about her
natural lifestyle was very intriguing and appealing to me.
However, I still did not know about the "other world" out
there. I just knew that it was through another door that
I had not yet opened.
Now we're up to the most recent event-- life-changing event--
that made me switch to all-natural beauty products. A
couple of years ago, a teacher on my grade level gave me a
"starter kit" of Burt's Bees products. Now, granted, I
had already been subconsciously leaning this way. It was
a Christmas gift and then winter break began. So, I went
through winter break and used the products, which I liked.
As winter 2008 break drew to a close, I suppose I had a little
extra time on my hands, and I had a thought in my head that
would not go away. I began doing research on the toxic
chemicals in beauty products. As I began typing in these
words, a plethora of other words also came up-- SLS,
phthalates, parabens, petrolatums, propylene glycol, etc.
What??!! I ran back and gathered some shampoos, lotions,
etc... and returned to the computer. All of my products
contained 1 or more of these chemicals. I was shocked,
horrified, angry, and a little scared. I had been using
these products for 35 years. Most everyone else in the
world is using these well-known products, as well! I
took notes. I gathered all my "bad" products and filled 3
grocery bags. I was going to take these to school and
let people have them (not before warning them about the
toxins).
I went to the Natural Grocer's and started small: one shampoo,
one conditioner, hairspray. It was a change. I had
a difficult adjustment period, but I stood strong and, to this
day, I read every label. So, I had been without my
beloved designer perfumes for six months (packed them up and
sold them on eBay). I have been an absolute perfume
lover all of my life. I could tell you the scents before
I asked the person what they were wearing. I wanted a
safe perfume that I would love. I tried some brands of
natural, organic perfumes, but was not pleased, at all.
They didn't smell right. They didn't smell good.
Inspiration struck in July 2009. I had some essential oils
stored away somewhere. It started as the name and logo
first. Then came the experimenting. Many were
wrong and, having such a good nose, I knew that. Some
were just OK. Others were deliciously perfect! My
inspiration had just become reality. Finally, healthy
perfumes that I loved and wanted to wear!
My mission is to share them with others so that they may enjoy
them as much as I do. I knew I didn't want anything
harmful in them. There are only two ingredients: 100%
organic grain alcohol and 100% pure essential oils.
Looking at the ingredients in many other "natural" perfumes
you'll find many other ingredients that are not necessary, and
are even toxic. In keeping with my Green heritage, Agape
& Zoe means "Love and Life" in Greek. The names for the
perfumes fit the perfumes by making a one-word statement.
Please tell us about your fabulous products.
Agape & Zoe
Naturals perfumes come in three different sizes for your
convenience: 1/3-ounce rollerball, 1-ounce capped bottle, and
2-ounce spray. Each scent is unique. "Botanica" is
a floral, predominantly Gardenia scent that is fresh, light,
and clean. "Beauty" is a rich, warm, creamy scent with
Vanilla and Sandalwood. My newest is called "True" and
it just reminds me of love. It smells very romantic,
like a sweet Rose. There are six scents in all.
Were there any books, people, or classes that inspired you to
go a more natural way as well as create your natural scents?
Do you have some recommendations that you would like to share
with us?
The Green Beauty Guide by Julie Gabriel helped me see how
simple making your own products can be. It gave me the
knowledge to make my own shampoo, lip gloss, etc. I
haven't ventured this far, yet, but would like to some day.
Another book that has been an inspiration has been Master Your
Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. She has a chapter in her book
that is all about toxins in everyday products--from plastics
to shampoos. When her radio show was on, they
broadcasted from Los Angeles, and I would listen to it online.
Jillian Michaels is very informative about all of these topics
and has really "opened my ears" and mind to this different
world of natural products.
What advice would you give to those looking to open their own
businesses? We all have made mistakes or have been
unprepared for things that happen along the way. Do you
have any stories to share about what you wish you would have
done differently with your business or with creating
fragrances?
My advice to anyone
opening their own business is, if you are really passionate
about the items or products that you are making, you truly
believe in them and stand by them, then just give it time.
It might take a year, a couple of years, but just be patient.
If you truly believe in what you have created and you want
others to reap the benefits of their unique qualities, be
patient. It will happen. There have been many
times I have created certain combinations of scents and thrown
them out. There have been many times I have asked
myself, "What am I doing? Is this worth it? I am a
teacher, so do I have the funds to do this?". But I
believe this is well worth it. If you are a perfume
lover, there will be one, or many, of my perfumes that will
appeal to you and a healthy body.
Without giving away too much, what plans do you have for the
future of Agape & Zoe Naturals?
I just want people
to catch on... I want people to know how harmful your basic
designer perfumes are. I want the future to hold more of
a market and a greater knowledge by everyone to think about
what they put on their bodies. I would love for Agape &
Zoe Naturals to become a household name and one that people
can turn to for their beauty needs.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time, any special
hobbies or talents that we should know about?
Obviously,
perfume-making has been taking up much of my time over the
past year, which I love! I also have a passion for
writing that is temporarily on hold. I have two
published novels and enjoyed writing those very much.
Spending time with my big Greek family is very important to
me, as well. Traveling is a joy in life to me, as well.
Spending quality time with friends and just enjoying the
simple pleasures in life.
In a perfect world, if you could have a perfect day of
pampering, what would it look like?
A perfect day of
pampering would be about taking time for reflection and
self-awareness. I have busy weeks as a teacher and
pampering is taking time to slow-down and reflect on life,
love, and purpose.
The day would begin by having the sunlight and the circadian
rhythm wake me up around 7 (much like I did this morning).
I would make some freshly-ground organic coffee and wait for
it to brew, thinking about the beauty and nature I see and
hear outside (squirrels, birds, sunrise). Then, I would
enjoy my coffee while listening to the birds and relaxing my
mind. Next, I would go take a yoga class and really
clear my mind and warm up my body. After this, I would
go to Whole Foods and get a "lymph drainage" massage (which is
wonderful). Come home, drink plenty of water.
Shower and rest. Go to my favorite Persian restaurant
for some saffron rice, baked eggplant, hummus and tzadziki and
pita. Spend time with family and friends in the evening
with wonderful conversation and a relaxing atmosphere.
Very simple.
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