Fields of Ambrosia is a long-time HBN member.
The full-time business of owner Run by Deborah Jasien, Fields
of Ambrosia in Intervale, New Hampshire,
full service provider of bath and body care products such as hand and body
lotions, sugar scrubs, handmade soaps, body butters and creams. The company
uses no petroleum products or detergents. After
being "retired" for a few years, Deborah was searching
for new ways to enjoy her extensive
gardens. At the same time, she became interested in incorporating natural
products into her personal body care regime. Her dual quest led her to a
soap making pot, which of course led her to wonder if she could make other
more luxurious items.
When her sister Karen was diagnosed with cancer,
Deborah began studying aromatherapy and designed a few products for deep
tissue pain and skin sensitivity - common side effects of chemotherapy and
radiation. While Karen lost her battle with cancer in 2001, Deborah wanted
to do something more with the product line she called "RainDrops".
Deborah's true passion was born, Fields of Ambrosia was incorporated and she
has never stopped.
The Nuts And Bolts
Fields of Ambrosia was fortunate to have
benefited from the support of Deborah's life partner who contributed space,
equipment and start up cash to get the business started. At this time,
Deborah is the sole employee but she has plans to hire
young adults from a local organization for the mentally challenged to help
with gardening, packaging & labeling. In addition to her own
contributions, which include graphics work and design and printing of her
own marketing materials, she enjoys the services of an attorney and an
accountant. Fields of Ambrosia tithes 10% of its sales
to a New Hampshire Cancer Foundation
According to Deborah, the most rewarding part of her
business is that she gets to work with the herbs and flowers she grows to
create wonderful products. Says Deborah, "
I enjoy all the benefits of preparing the soil, planting and nurturing the
seeds, witnessing the growth and the harvest, and then using the spent life
of the plant to create healthy body care products.
Deborah's best selling line is
White Mountain Lilacs, representing the state flower of New Hampshire. Her
top sellers are body lotion, soap, bath crystals and body mist. Deborah's personal favorite is her lotion which she says leaves a
"soft and non-greasy feel on the skin".
Deborah's
future plans for Fields of Ambrosia include
continuing to showcase her products in select local craft stores. She and another
soap maker plan to open their own retail space in 2005. In the meantime says
Deborah, "My online business continues to grow and I have wholesale
clients throughout New England. I'm happy with this until I'm ready to take
the next step and open my own store."
Deborah's Advice To New Handmade Beauty
Businesses
Deborah's advice is simple. "Above
all else, love what you do. Educate yourself on all aspects of the products
you want to produce, from the ingredients to the consumer. Research is the
key to creating great products and selling them to happy clients. If you
can't honestly and with confidence answer customer's questions about your
own product, they won’t buy anything from you."
Benefits of HBN
Membership
According to Deborah, who has been a member of HBN since
2002, "Both
legally and philosophically, HBN has smoothed the rough road of small
business ownership, especially in regard to important issues like products
liability insurance and labeling guidelines. The
valuable information that HBN and dM make available to me has been a godsend
for my business."
