Today we’d like to introduce you to Lissette Monzon.
Hi Lissette, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I always loved aromatherapy. In college 1998, I asked if there was an Aromatherapy course, I could major in. Needless to say, they had no idea what I was talking about. I became a high school English teacher and a successful one. I had students thank me for inspiring them to go to college or for helping them pass their exams to graduate. I have a double masters in the field and was moving into administration. I couldn’t shake my love for aromatherapy and found an accredited school through naha.org. I became a Certified Clinical Master Aromatherapist is 2008. I secured my lillybe.com website and did nothing with it for nearly 3 years, but pay to keep the name my own. I made products for family and friends and at work when asked to present an educational best practice to the district, I suggested lavender satchels under their pillows for self-care.
I dreamed of starting a business but didn’t want to leave the comfort of salary and health care until I had my children.
I had my two children just shy of 2 years apart. Rather than returning to the school system, only to pay a second mortgage in childcare, my husband and I decided to try something new. We decided for me to stay home with the kids during the week and then take the products that I was already making for family and friends out to local farmers’ markets. I went to a niche, organic market with handwritten labels and four product offerings. I sold out my first day. It was here, I realized the world was ready for organic care and aromatherapy. People understood what I was creating, unlike 20 years earlier in college.
I showed up every weekend, rain or shine. I got to know my customers. I learned from observation and reading about how to start a beauty and wellness business. I prayed, a lot! I enjoyed my children and the fact that I could stay home and raise them while actually living my dream of selling my creations to others. I finally resigned from the school system and went all in.
In 2018 I rebranded to the packaging you see today. I’ve grown locally and am continuing to find inspiration on the journey.
In 2020, during quarantine, I changed my strategy to all digital. I’m rebuilding my website to have more exciting features and value to offer my customers. Lilly Be is currently expanding into more than clean beauty, but holistic care for overall health.
I’m grateful to be doing what I love, currently even homeschooling my children, and exploring more wellness practices each day.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In 2015 when I first went to market is was equally amazing and terrifying. I was so happy to see that people wanted what I was creating. I loved that the world was turning toward natural care, and I knew how to make it for them. I was also overjoyed that I could spend the days with my children during the week instead of returning to my 9 – 5. But, not having the security blanket of a regular salary, insurance, and stability I had known for 12 + years, stirred my anxiety and was a source of doubt.
Luckily, I pushed through and kept building my small business. Having to wear all hats was also difficult, but inspired commitment to bringing on my design team and others.
Becoming a small business owner means learning about almost everything needed to run it…marketing, finances, product development and so much more.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I create organic skincare & aromatherapy products that keep my customers aligned on their wellness journey and holistic health.
My customers love beauty, nature, health, gardening, yoga, and wellness practices to help them feel their best. They often feel that work, time, and modern stress stands in their way of having their best day. They love using Lilly Be because the aromas make them feel good, the skincare leaves them feeling that their skin looks great, they feel less stressed, connected to nature, and know that they are avoiding questionable ingredients in most mainstream conventional products.
I teach my customers how to use our natural products and the benefits the ingredients serve them physically, mentally, and emotionally. This idea is reflected throughout our entire line as each product is named after the state of being the ingredients inspire. Peppermint oil = Be Energized.
I also share more content on practices for emotional and mental health, gardening, herbal cooking, and tea. etc…
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Email me, dm me, or stop by the website and try something new! I’d love to get to know you!
Contact Info:
- Website: lillybe.com
- Instagram: @lillybeorganic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LillyBeOrganic
Image Credits
Lynn Parks Photography
Anna Barnett
