I'll begin at the beginning. I began making deodorant the beginning (I just reread this - that's a lot of "beginning/begans") of June and by the end of June, it had been tested and I was looking to comparison shop and do some "recon". I searched Etsy and checked out similar products available at a shop in Doylestown. I was getting ready to mix bug spray and needed some more oils to make it. I went to Naturalistic in Hatboro and while there scoped out other local suppliers. At this point, it hadn't occurred to me that BFB might find a home on those shelves. Joe Grossman, one of the owners of the shop was so helpful in telling me about the different products and I explained what I was working on with deodorant and bug spray. He told me to let him know when I was ready to go to market and perhaps they could carry the products. Say what!?! So, that's been in the back of mind. Instead of ordering my oils online, I now patronize the store getting all of our oils for bug spray and (the yet to be officially named) lice hairspray locally from Naturalistic.
Fast forward to August. School is approaching meaning I am somewhat less able to deliver and the idea of a brick and mortar option for customers is pretty appealing. Add to that the bonus that I *might* help drive traffic to a local downtown Hatboro shop that I believe in and support personally and that's a combination for where I want to be right now. Instead of calling or emailing, I put together a bag with samples of what we've got and brought it down to the shop. I spoke to Bonnie Grossman and, like her husband, she was amazing and so helpful. I waited two weeks before checking back in and a week after that, we are officially on the shelves! What an incredible leap!
A few notes:
- You can still purchase from me directly if you would like :)
- I will still offer discounts for direct purchases. Naturalstic participates with the HRA Discount Card program and offer $5 off a purchase of $35 with an HRA Card.
- I will still offer refill of containers for direct purchases but this will not be on the labels of containers in Naturalistic.
- New labels will include ounces!
A HUGE thank you to Bonnie and Joe Grossman for giving us a shot! Please check out all that Naturalistic has to offer - it is a great store, right in downtown Hatboro!
Naturalistic Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 AM- 6 PM
Wednesday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Thursday: 10 AM - 7 PM
Friday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Saturday: 10 AM - 5 PM
Sunday: Closed
If you know of a shop near you that might be interested in carrying some BFB products, shoot me an email at barefootbodybrand@gmail.com
We are already in Naturalistic's online store too! Buy a small deodorant. Unintended, but a beginning of the alphabet brand name gets top billing - bonus!
