4 years ago yesterday I got my business license, so it's basically Jessicurl's birthday. (the business, not me!) :-)
Wow. It's INSANE how much has changed in 4 years. I started this thing in my kitchen in Berkeley. Now we're in Arcata, CA with a 2000 sq.ft factory and employees. That is the hugest part to me - other people depend on me for their paycheck! It's awesome though. We moved here 3 years ago in order to grow the business, since the cost of living is less here, and it was the best decision ever!
A batch of conditioner used to make 6 bottles. Now the smallest batch of Aloeba we make is around 260 bottles, but we have the capacity to make about 3 times that much in a batch. I used to buy the flax seeds for Rockin' Ringlets in 1 pound quantities at the health food store, and that would lasta few weeks. Now we go through about 25 pounds a week. I used to print out the labels on my computer and tape them to the bottles. The ink would run in the shower and it looked totally crappy. Now we have them printed for us and buy thousands of them at a time. It's all just so crazy. And while, sure, I had a good idea and ran with it, it's our CUSTOMERS who are the reason why we are still in business. You guys are AMAZING. Begging your stylists to carry Jessicurl, bringing it in with you when you get your hair cut because you don't want anything else in your hair. Even when the ink ran off the labels in the shower, you guys bought it anyway! How cool is that?!? I'm so grateful to ALL of our customers, but especially those of you who were there in that first year while I figured it all out.
Anyway, sorry to get all nostalgic and whatnot, but I just totally appreciate you guys! Have a curly day! :-)
Jess
