Ep 58: How to Build and Rebuild a Business After Tragedy with Nadine Artemis

Problem: 

After a few years of analyzing labels and perfecting formulas, Nadine Artemis developed her first line of botanical solutions for Living Libations. She first started her journey in college but after preparing, organizing, and developing her business plan and products, she was ready to open the doors to her first business only six months after graduating from university.

The Steps to Developing a Botanical Business

From “initial idea as a college student” to Alanis Morrisette discovering her business,” Nadie goes over the story (and evolution) of her botanical health and beauty product business.

Step 1: Word of Mouth and other marketing techniques

Word of mouth isn’t just helpful, it can actually be the key to a thriving business. Once word got out, about the quality of the products in Living Libations, as well as the amount of work, research, and thoughtfulness she put into her storefront, it was only a matter of time before customers came in flocks. Word even got around to Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morrisette, which is why she came looking for Nadine’s products after a show one year.

It was really such a unique concept and (right out of the gate) quality has always been number one for me.

Step 2: Put in the time and effort

While good word of mouth, marketing tactics, and advertising might get people to your store, it is the quality of your products which will keep bringing them back. Especially in the cosmetics industry (where there are so many to choose from), people can easily become customers for life. After all, these products affect their appearance, as well as their health. Once you find something that works well for you, a certain sense of loyalty kicks in.

Even clients I had then, are still clients I have today. That’s how much people love the purity and the effectiveness of our formulations. 

Step 3: Evolving with the times (and changing chapters)

In the 1990’s, not only did Nadine have a storefront with the first iteration of Living Libations, she also had a (now obsolete) website, and a mailing catalogue (called, ‘Inhale by Mail’). In the 90’s these were the most effective tools of the trade–this was how you got your product in front of others. As her life changed and as the times changed, the portability of her business (which she now shares with her husband) was able to change along with her.

I sorta felt like stores were on their way out–which has really come to fruition this year–and I really wanted to get out of the city.

She was also forced into a change after a fire broke out in her storefront. Millions of dollars were lost but she was able to focus on what was in front of her instead of only the ashes. 

We didn’t have a physical business… but we did. At first you think, “Oh my god” but then you think, “We have the clientele, the love of the libations and luckily we had savings” because we were about to build an epic project we had been saving for years for. So that was really good.

Being able to evolve with the changing world and with the events that unfold along your journey as an entrepreneur is important. 

Now with the current virus and stuff, I think we’re going to see a lot of new strategies from around the world, on how to handle that.

A few resources about botanical health aromatherapy from Nadine Artemis

• Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums by Nadine Artemis

Renegade Beauty: Reveal and Revive Your Natural Radiance–Beauty Secrets, Solutions, and Preparations by Nadine Artemis