Starting a Natural Love Product Business
Interview with Good Clean Love Founder Wendy Strgar
Wendy Strgar founded Good Clean Love, an organic love products company, in Oregon in 2003.
Wendy Strgar has launched a one of a kind organic love products company that can now be found on the internet and Whole Foods.
Tell me about your current business. What are you doing exactly?
Good Clean Love manufactures organic and natural love products and sell them internationally, wholesale to stores like Whole Foods and retail to web customers . We also provide educational resources and write for several on-line and print publications.
What were you doing before this, and is this your first business?
I was working on starting a children's peace academy. This is not my first business.
Where did you get the startup money?
Personal finances and home equity capital.
Who are your main competitors? How do you compete against them?
We have very little competition in our niche. Most products in the intimacy category in both OTC and adult are made of petrochemicals and parabens. We don't have a large advertising budget so we rely on getting the word out through PR and sustainable love content.
How has your experience in running the business been different from what you expected?
It requires the same perseverance and energy as maintaining a marriage. There are no quick fixes, just like loving someone, you have to just keep showing up and focusing on what is working.
Is there anything you wish you had done differently?
Wish I had understood how much capital was necessary to create a product business and had studied more business classes in college. There is a vocabulary and theory that makes the whole process easier.
Also a business plan before you start is a great idea.
What have you done that has been very effective in helping to grow the business?
I have shared my story and built the business around the concept of sustainable love.
What advice would you give to somebody else who wanted to start a similar business?
Have more startup capital and think through a plan.
Good luck with your company, Wendy. Thank you for sharing your story with Gaebler.com readers.
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