Interview: Linda Stein of Zosimos Botanicals

by: Dennis Salazar

25 Mar

The opportunity to get to know people and their businesses is one we truly appreciate and value. It goes far beyond social media — it is truly connecting with people on a one to one basis when they share their dreams and passion with you.

One who freely shares is Linda Stein, the founder of Zosimos Botanicals. We clicked while working on a recent custom-printed shipping box project, and I am very pleased to be able to share her story with ISP readers.

ISP Readers: Linda has graciously offered us a discount code on her site www.zosimosbotanicals.com. Use promo code GLOBEGUARD for a 15% discount on your purchase.

Linda Stein, founder of Zosimos Botanicals

DS: Linda, we have to begin with your company name. Can you please tell us how you decided on Zosimos and give us your “elevator speech” on what your company does.

LS: First of all, thank you for taking an interest in my company, Dennis. Zosimos refers to a third century alchemist, Zosimos of Panoplis. Because most people have never heard of him, they only think of us when hearing or seeing the Zosimos name. It’s a strong trademark, which helps build brand recognition since there are no competing associations to overcome.

Basically, we make healthy cosmetics by hand. We use only natural or certified organic ingredients like essential oils, floral waters, natural waxes and nut butters. Part of our mission is educating people on the ability to create effective products without harsh chemicals.

The studio is environmentally conscious, right down to the last detail. It matters to me that the shipping envelopes are 100% recycled content and that our boxes are Globe Guard 100% post-consumer waste content.

Plus, there are social responsibility projects we are involved in throughout the year.

Eco-friendly eye shadows in a variety of colors.

How fresh are your cosmetic and skin products?

DS: Your personal story is a fascinating one because I know you were a practicing Trademark attorney when you became interested in personal care products. Tell us a little about your background and what drove you to become a “green entrepreneur.”

LS: Yes, I “left the law for lipstick.” I have always been highly sensitive to eye makeup and very creative. After a few years of practicing law, a friend started a business handcrafting cosmetics. She became busy, I offered to help, and look what happened!

Being a formulator is so much more fun. People thank me every day for making toxic-free makeup available for them. No one ever thanked me when I practiced law.

As an added benefit, the apprenticeship corresponded with my husband and I starting a family. The studio is attached to my home, so when not working I can spend time with my kids. As an Indiepreneur, I probably work more hours, and suspect you probably do also. I’m a content human being.

DS: Knowing how popular and even “mainstream” personal care products have become, how do you manage to make yours different and stand out in an ever crowded market segment?

LS: You’ll be surprised how different we are. As a micro-business, we can update recipes to make them safer and introduce new products very quickly. Our products don’t have synthetic preservatives and cannot be warehoused, so there’s no need to recall items from nationwide distributors.
Almost all of Zosimos products are available in miniature sizes. People love this. They can try out the colors inexpensively, and it eliminates waste.

We have built a community with our customers. It’s about more than the makeup.

DS: Linda, you told me you have signed the “Compact for Safe Cosmetics.” Please tell our readers what that is and why it is important.

LS: The Compact is a European Directive that companies making their own line of cosmetics can sign. To put it very simply, it is a vow to make products without carcinogens, mutagens and endochrine disruptors. A U.S. entity, the Environmental Working Group maintains a cosmetic database where consumers can research the safety of ingredients, companies and products. Everything that Zosimos Botanicals sells falls within the safest rating on the cosmetic database.

Many of our customers find us through the cosmetic database. Typically they have become aware of the harmful ingredients in their current personal care products and are seeking out healthy replacements.

DS: One of the first things anyone will notice on your Web site is your “100% wind-powered workshop” where you make your product. Please tell us about that.

LS: Our community offers a “clean currents” program that allows us to choose 100% wind energy for our electricity. It would be nice, but we don’t have a turbine out back.

DS: One of the other things that makes your product unique is that is not made in advance and actually manufactured “to order.” How does this product “freshness” make a difference on cosmetic and skin care products?

LS: My ingredient philosophy is “what is applied topically is as important as what you ingest.” Just as many foodstuffs have expiration and freshness dates, so do cosmetics and skincare products. You are exactly right: Zosimos begins crafting the items when they are ordered. No one is simply picking anything off of a shelf and packing it up. The facial cream sent to a customer was made within the last few days, if not hours. It’s the freshest makeup, period.

Everything is custom, right down to the biodegradable bubble packaging. We use a heat sealer to create an individually sized pouch tailored to the items in the order. Any selvage is cut and used as fill in the boxes.

DS: I’ve noticed you have your own e-commerce site but your products are also available via retail stores and other Internet outlets such as Etsy. How important is it today to be able to take your products to market via multiple channels?

LS: It’s very important to reach out to as many people as possible. The more familiar your brand becomes in the public, the more likely people are to trust in the products and make purchases. A customer may see a YouTube video containing a link to our Etsy store. A Google search may bring up our e-commerce store. Environmentally conscious folks find us through World of Good by E-Bay. The more available we are, the more likely it is that a customer will access our products. A great advantage to having our logo and URL on the new boxes is everyone in the mail stream can see it. The ladies at the Post Office always complement us on it! Kudos to you Dennis, for making custom packaging products available to small businesses. Zosimos makes exclusive custom cosmetics available in the same way.