Supernatural Botanicals

I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with amazingly talented Kara DioGuardi to discuss her upcoming SmartTalk Connected Conversations appearance in Cincinnati on March 22nd.

Hi Kara!  We are elated to have you as part of SmartTalk Connected Conversations here in Cincinnati.  I have to admit…you are very easy to promote!  Everyone loves you and we are so excited to have you.  I’m assuming that you no longer have a fear of public speaking at this point?

Thank you!  I’m excited to be a part of SmartTalk.  Yes, I have, for the most part, gotten over the fear of public speaking, but it’s always there to some degree.  What makes me overcome the fear is connecting to the audience.  I still say to people…you are this excited to see me? It’s always great connecting to the fans.

Even in a smaller market, like Cincinnati, people in the “industry”, whether it be our local news, being cast for commercials, etc., I’ve learned it can be a very cut-throat industry.  I’m sure this must be 10 fold in larger markets like LA and NYC.  Have you witnessed extreme cut-throat behavior in Hollywood?  And are women worse than men?

Oh definitely!  I’ve definitely seen cut-throat behavior.  But I think that many times, it’s not cut-throat just for the sake of being cut-throat.  When someone is very driven, they don’t let anyone or anything stop them, and I think this can be misconstrued as being cut-throat.  But when you’ve pounded on your craft and you have drive, nothing can stop you or get in your way.  So that can be considered as cut-throat at times.

In addition to your drive for success, I can see you are very successful in keeping your body looking top-notch!  I was surprised to see you once used food as your crutch.  Can you tell me your workout routine?  It’s working for you!  You look sensational.

I really started to notice my body transform when I did Chicago on Broadway.  The constant dancing and moving really transformed my body, and I’m so thankful for that.  But I also workout and eat well, too.  I exercise about 3-4 days a week.  I rotate cardio (although I have a back issue, and that makes running for more than 2-3 miles difficult) and weights.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve incorporated weights into my routine, and that’s helped so much.  And I eat healthy.  But I don’t go crazy with it.

One thing I adore about you is your “tell it like it is” attitude.  There is absolutely zero pretentious behavior with you and I love that!  We’ve heard the stories of diva-like behavior from celebs…anyone you want to call out for having bad behavior?

There are definitely those out there with their fair share of bad attitudes.  But honestly, I think that one’s drive can be misconstrued as diva-like behavior.  When you are driven, you don’t let anyone stand in your way.  If you have to be blunt and direct, than so be it.  When you have drive, which is key, nothing is going to stop you or get in your way.  So I think that can be perceived as bad behavior at times, but really, it’s just drive.

I have often wondered if ultra-successful are born with a mental edge.  Did they always know they had a little extra “something”?  Did you always know you’d be a star or this ultra successful?

I think that develops over time.  When you become very good at your craft, there is a confidence that develops and confirms those thoughts in your head.  Again, though, I think it’s the constant hammering at your skills, your craft, that you develop that “knowing” that you are a star.  I always knew I was very good at what I do.  I don’t think I went into it thinking I’d have this amount of fame, but I am very driven.

SmartTalk audiences are filled with success-seeking women, all wanting to know what it takes to get that edge in life?  What separates the every day people from the people who are making things happen in their careers.  Can you identify what you think that edge is?

Simply put, it’s all about drive.  It’s about how much time you are willing to spend on your craft or to develop your talent that gives you that extra edge.  We’ve all watched people who have had loads of talent, yet don’t have the gumption to apply themselves.  That’s the difference between people who are accomplishing their goals and those who are not.  You have to develop a discipline of drive, or you’ll go nowhere.

Just last week, we witnessed the horrific passing of the great Whitney Houston.  Were you a fan?

Such a huge loss to music and the world.  I was a huge Whitney fan.  I remember sitting in my bedroom as a teenager listening to her records over and over.  She had a beautiful and unique voice, and she will sorely be missed by all.  Her passing was a tragedy.

I see you married someone who is not in your industry.  Do you find that it’s easier to be married to someone who is not in your line of work?

It’s a perfect fit!  My husband is a teacher/contractor/artist, so he’s a very creative type.  We relate on that aspect very well.  But I love coming home from work and sitting at the dinner table and talking about something that isn’t music related.  When you are with someone in the same industry, your life becomes about “did you see that new artist”, “did you hear that new song”, etc.  So it’s been really great to have someone that I can relate to creatively, yet someone who isn’t in the same industry as I am.   He gives me the space that I need to conduct such a busy life, and I give him his space.  Plus, we married a little older, and you really know yourself so much better.  I’m in such a good place!

To hear more from Kara DioGuardi, join us on March 22nd with SmartTalk Connected Conversations at the Aronoff in Cincinnati!

Cincinnati is gearing up for its 2012 season with some of the biggest names in show business.  Smart Talk Connected Conversations is bringing the above noted speakers to the Aronoff from January through May 2012.  What could be better than hearing fabulous celebs sharing their stories with you and then a personal meet and greet photo opportunity?  How about discounted tickets?!  Simply use the code SB2012 when purchasing tickets to receive your tickets at VIP pricing.  Join us January through May for the hottest ticket in Cincinnati.

Mabel Williams, Maybelline namesake

Maybelline is the gold standard in mascara; in fact, they were the original creators of mascara.  Here’s the skinny on how mascara was developed.  Tom Lyle Wiliams would watch his sister, Mabel, with fascination as she performed what she called the “secret of the harem”, mixing petroleum jelly with coal dust and ash from burnt cork and applying it to her lashes and brows.  Mabel’s simple beauty trick ignited Tom Lyle’s imagination and he started what would one day become a billion dollar business.  He named it Maybelline, which is a combination of Mabel + Vaseline.  Brilliant invention!

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are the epitome of hippie-chic, and are known as the modern day pioneers of the throw-back style.  Long beachy hair, flowy tops, lots of bracelets, and cut off short-shorts are the makings of hippie-chic style.  It’s one of my favorite looks!  Here’s how to achieve it:

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To achieve beachy hair, wash, then only partially dry your hair with a high watt blow dryer.   Spray your hair with a texturizer (try Beach by Supernatural Botanicals), and scrunch with hands, then air dry.  It creates long, loose waves.  A center part (if you can do it) is ultra-hippie style.

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Loose fitting and flowy tops create an earthy, cool style.  Try Forever21.

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Everyone has tons of jeans.  Turn some of them into jean shorts.  While cutting them, cut longer than you think you need at first.  You can keep cutting them off until you acquire the right cut on you.  After cutting, pull the strings and fray them out a bit.  After several washes, they’ll be perfect.

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Accessories…and lots of them!  Wear lots and lots of bracelets.  Mix colors and textures together.  Scarves are a hippie staple as well.

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 Supernatural Botanicals is a proud sponsor of SmartTalk Connected Conversation.  SmartTalk will bring their sensational lineup of interesting, successful and dynamic women to Cincinnati again in January.  Stay tuned for the release of their 2012 lineup on their website at SmartTalk.

A big thank you to EcoBold for not only supporting eco-minded people and businesses, but for also featuring Supernatural Botanicals today.  The following article is courtsey of EcoBold.  Visit their site to learn more about the great work they are doing…then let it inspire you!

The founder of Supernatural Botanicals, Robin Feltner has a chemistry background and she just knows what ingredients should or shouldn’t be inside skincare products. This line is completely paraben-free and phthalate-free. Learn more with the interview below:

Tell us a little bit about the background and story of Supernatural Botanicals.
Supernatural Botanicals is an eco-chic bath & body company specializing in skincare that follows Green practices and principals, and formulates its products with intent and purpose.

At the inception of Supernatural Botanicals, we knew we wanted to create a company that knows its demographic. Growing increasingly disappointed with mainstream bath & body stores catering to teenagers, Supernatural Botanicals wanted to target the grown sexy woman demographic. We also wanted to focus on being Green and creating products that not only feel and smell amazing, but products that are highly beneficial for the skin.

We created products formulated without Parabens or Phthalates. Green products come from natural and organic ingredients, and that’s exactly how we formulate our products…with intent and purpose, and as natural as we can. After literally hundreds and hundreds of prototypes, we formulated perfection, bringing to you natural products that smell as incredible as they perform.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? 
I’ve always had “entrepreneur” in my genetic makeup. I was selling homemade cards to neighborhood ladies at the age of 4. I wanted to grow up and have a double major as a fashion designer and interior designer. That dream never materialized. In hindsight, I wish I would have had a mentor to help me prepare, telling me which art and business classes I should have taken.

What’s wrong with standard skincare products and why do you think such ingredients are allowed? 
I believe lack of quality ingredients poses a huge threat. Not only has quality fallen by the wayside, but we also should be concerned with the toxins in the products we are using every day. Many common ingredients have been proven by scientists to be harmful, yet manufacturers continue to use them because they are inexpensive, thus allowing for more profit.

How did you choose your ingredients and what to put in each product? 
Extensive research! Having a chemistry/pharmacy background, I’m always extremely cognizant about using quality, natural ingredients.

What’s the biggest lesson you learned while starting Supernatural Botanicals? 
I’ve literally learned a wealth of knowledge in forming my company. I’ve learned that customers sincerely do appreciate companies that are going the extra effort to keep them healthy. I, too, have learned how many mainstream companies use cheap fillers in order to make profits. 

If you could choose just one of your products, which one would it be? 
Extremely hard to narrow that down as I love all of the products. I do favor our Beach Body Spray. Not only does it smell absolutely amazing and I get numerous compliments on it every time I wear it, but it’s a multitasker. It works great in your hair, giving your hair extra volume and beautiful scent. I even use it as a linen spray on my bed sheets. It’s also our best seller.

Describe a typical day in your life.
I’m an early riser. I tend to get a tremendous amount accomplished in the early hours. I work on the business end of the business from 5-8…networking, emails, following up on orders, PR, social media, etc. From 8-6 I’m in our workshop, formulating skincare products and filling orders. The day flies by, and I’m always hungry for more hours at the end of the day. In the past, it would be very common to find me in my workshop until as late as 11 p.m. I’ve luckily learned time management, and the importance of accomplishing that task.

What’s one thing we could do to have an awesome skin, naturally? 
Check your labels. Use products that do not contain parabens. Don’t be fooled by companies that splash the name of an all natural ingredient, only to flip the label over and realize that they natural product they are promoting only has trace elements within it, and is filled with other harmful fillers. 

If there is one thing/thought/idea that you could pass on to the next generation, what would it be? 
One huge concern I have for our next generation is the condition of our planet. Global warming and eco concerns will certainly be a problem in which they inherit. My hope is that we can educate the masses enough to get everyone on board with being green and eco-responsible. 

What’s your # 1 green tip? 
Recycling is an easy way to start being green. Every human being on the planet creates waste. There’s absolutely no reason we shouldn’t be more responsible for the garbage we create. This is also something that even children can learn and be a part of. If we start them early, it will become second-nature to them.

If you are serious not only about working out, but about being stylish while doing so, look no furhter…Spirit for Living  has got you covered. 

My friends over at Spirit for Living  was generous enough to send me one of their gorgeous classic boat neck shirts.  Being a huge Green fan, I was ultra-impressed that the shirt was made of natural soy and cotton blend.  The shirt is super-soft.  I love the way that the shirt just barely slips off one shoulder once in a while…a little dose of sexy without trying too hard.   

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 It’s a perfect shirt for working out, as it’s comfortable and not confining whatsoever, but it’s also a great shirt to wear with jeans or even a skirt.  We all love multi-functional pieces in our closet and need more of them. 

One look at Spirit for Living’s website and you’ll want every single item they offer.  My next piece will be the slim fit skirt.  It’s so pretty and flattering to the body….and it’s going to look great with my boat neck shirt.  Kudos to Spirit for Living’s founder, Jennifer Smith, for being a female entrepreneur with a consciousness about being Green and ultra-stylish.  Love that! 

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Fantastic news!  We are featured on StartUp Princess today!  StartUp Princess is a website dedicated to women entrepreneurs.   They are all about connections, resources, and coaching women to succeed.   The site is fascinating, depicting stories of the highs and lows of female business owners….super motivational.  Great advice for women who have businesses, or women who someday want to own a business.  …after all, no one is stopping you.  If you have an idea, a way to do something better, a way to bring happiness into the lives of others, take it all the way and start your own business.  And you can do it on a shoestring budget like millions of others have done before you.  You CAN do this.  Check out StartUp Princess and get inspired!

Check out StartUp Princess feature here.

Join us today on Blog Talk Radio with Girlfriendology at 2:00 EST to listen in to our girlfriend chat.  Debba Haupert, founder of Girlfriendology.com, will be hosting.  You can call in and chat with us.  Follow the link below.  Talk to you soon!

Girlfriendology BlogTalkRadio show – http://blogtalkradio.com/girlfriendology

or call in (347) 426-3761.

Soapbox Cincinnati is an online magazine that I read regularly, so I was pleased as punch when they decided to feature Supernatural Botanicals as a Featured Growth Company.  A huge THANK YOU to the folks over at Soapbox Cincinnati and especially to Alyce Vilines for writing such a great article. 

The following is from the SoapboxMedia website. 

A self-proclaimed “girly-girl,” Supernatural Botanicals CEO Robin Feltner makes no apologies. If anything, she considers her feminine nature at the very center of her company’s success. In early 2008, after a lifetime of creating her own personal skincare products at home, and gifting family and friends with the same, Feltner launched Supernatural Botanicals, an eco-chic bath and body company, located in Delhi.

A combination of her passion for beauty products and her disillusionment with what was available on the market (“I didn’t want to smell like bubblegum,” she said) prompted Feltner to begin mixing her own formulas. A former pharmacy major at the University of Cincinnati, Feltner has a healthy knowledge of what is beneficial, as well as what is potentially harmful, to the skin.

“Ninety-five percent of what we put on our skin is absorbed by the body,” said Feltner, who sees no reason to use unnecessary chemicals and preservatives “with the array of organic ingredients available to us in nature.”

Feltner relies on centuries-old recipes to create her products, using pure essential oils, vitamins, high-quality beeswaxes, botanical extracts, and pure cocoa butters to produce her extensive skincare line and prides herself on adhering to green practices and principles in their manufacture.

Feltner also speaks passionately about her target market. Though the Supernatural Botanicals line has shown universal appeal, Feltner defines her targeted customer as the 25-and-older “grown, sexy woman.”

Offering a wide selection of organic body lotions, spa soaps, linen sprays, a botanical skincare system and more, the Supernatural Botanicals company has garnered popular national attention in its two short years in business. The company was recently contacted by “Everyday with Rachael Ray” magazine for a feature in an upcoming issue because of the many favorable web posts they’ve received about Supernatural Botanicals.  Consumer demand in their east-coast-to-west coast distribution has spawned the development of a soon-to-be-released hair-care line, as well as a line of men’s skincare formulas.

With business booming, the company is also quickly outgrowing its home base and they are already anticipating the need for additional employees to deal with the busy holiday season ahead.

Those are impressive problems to have for a company born in the midst of a recession. Feltner sees the economic climate as a blessing. “I wasn’t looking for instant success. In this economy, I have had to work for it and I feel a great deal of pride in that.”  It seems beauty, after all, is more than skin deep.

Writer: Alyce Vilines
Source: Supernatural Botanicals CEO Robin Feltner