How We Got Our Start at Farmers Markets
How We Got Our Start at Farmers Markets
Bella GLOW Skincare got its start in 2018 at local farmers markets under the name Auntie & Me Essential Wellness. The name was inspired by the close relationship she had with her niece Whitney and she wanted to teach her how to make her own skincare products. Annabell was afraid that her niece would one day have the same awful faint of an illness because of the products she was using, so she was determined to give her natural options for her day to day products she used, like the natural deodorant to start since Whitney was an avid soccer player. After a battle with breast cancer, Annabell learned the power of chemical-free, all-natural products. A holistic lifestyle proved to be the very thing she needed to heal, and a fire was lit under her to share her knowledge with the world.
She started small, with natural deodorant, natural bug repellant, Liquid Gold Facial Oil (still a best-seller!), makeup remover, facial toners, and body scrubs. Annabell was drawn to farmers markets because it was a perfect sample population to get a feel for the market—people who like to shop small, consider their ingredients carefully, and support sustainable businesses. She quickly grew a loyal following, and by 2019 she added a collection of essential oils, sanitizer spray, sunblock, and Vitamin C moisturizer.
What Annabell loved most about her time selling at the farmers markets were the genuine connections she made with her neighbors. It was so much more than sales for her. Those authentic relationships, that sometimes led to friendships, became the foundation on which she grew her brand. Though Bella GLOW skincare has evolved and expanded, Annabell still conducts business the same way she did back then—with care, compassion, and an emphasis on personable service. All of her orders contain a handwritten thank you note and product samples. Annabell makes herself available to answer questions and help customers find the right products for their unique skin. It’s no wonder that many of her first customers still shop SIMPURE today. Annabell has the keen ability to make people feel special, seen, and heard.
Since cancer was the reason Annabell started her company she definitely connected with hundreds of cancer survivors and/or their family members over the years in her booth at markets all over southern California. One particular customer stands out because she was also diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at a young age and has always wondered if it was connected to her use of antiperspirant from age 13 when she started sports and thought that was the only deodorant option that would help her stay dry and smell good. After over an hour of discussing the harmful effects of long-term use of aluminum deodorant and other chemicals she stood there and cried and said, “I was meant to be in this booth today. I will NEVER use antiperspirant again and will make sure all my friends and family make the switch to natural.”
She is still a very loyal customer of Bella GLOW (formally A&M) and still buys deodorant every year during the holidays to send as gifts. This is just one of many examples of how a farmer’s market connects people and communities in general, they are important and we here at Bella GLOW love being a part of our community. After May 2020 we haven’t been able to attend on a regular basis due to the pandemic, but we do plan to continue to support our local farmer’s markets and hope that you will too!
Authenticity and compassion guide everything we do at Bella GLOW Skincare. It doesn’t matter how small you start—if you’re passionate about what you do and who you serve, you can’t help but succeed.