In celebration of Small Business Month, we are elated to shine the spotlight on visionary entrepreneurs across the United States thanks to our Visionary Sponsor, SwagHer Magazine and Media!
Today, we introduce you to Kim Cross!
Introduce yourself to the Visions of Greatness audience. I am a Happy Skin Formulator and proud Navy veteran. I served in the U.S. Navy, following the footsteps of a long line of servicemembers, going from Chicago to Florida to Washington State and several trips overseas defending the country she so loves. I was never was completely satisfied with being out of the military, so I began to follow her original passion of being a hair stylist--a trade I had been active in since middle school. Zhi Bath & Body was born from years of trial and error with formulas and testing. For almost 17 years, her goat milk skincare and soy candles have been helping people of all ages and skin types to love their skin…naturally.
Who or what inspired you to pursue entrepreneurship? Constant exposure to water and chemicals made a skin condition I developed in the Navy worsen, so I finally came from behind the stylist chair after almost 20 years in the cosmetology industry. With my skin out of control, I began her journey to entrepreneurship when finding skincare products that did not agitate my already inflamed skin became almost impossible. Knowing the hardship of finding skincare that is gentle, good for the skin, and smells amazing, I used the grit and determination learned in the military to research and formulate her own solution.
Tell the Visions of Greatness audience more about your products/services. I formulate and manufacture goat milk skincare products and home fragrance! Our skincare products are formulated without toxins to provide skin solutions that do not irritate. We also create customized solutions for specific skincare needs.
Let's switch gears briefly and discuss the COVID-19 pandemic. What adjustments have you made in your life and business since the pandemic started? In business, COVID was a blessing. Zhi Bath & Body grew right before my eyes and I thank God each and every day for the customers I gained and what I've learned about MYSELF and my ability to wear so many hats without falling apart. I learned I can do this and that I belong in the skincare industry. In life, it's been tedious, but then I'm accustomed to tedious and to change. It's something you learn early on in the military - adapt and keep moving forward. Because I'm immune-compromised, we are all ALWAYS extra careful...even now. But like everyone else, we adjusted and made it work. There were some things that were business as usual--ordering groceries online and going from attending a rare virtual church service to full time virtual church. All in all, we, like so many others are glad to be out again.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs struggling to balance their life and business?* If you haven't already, create your support system. It should include mentors, family, honest friends, and other business owners. Balancing life and business can often be lonely, frustrating, adjust plain hard. So we MUST have a support structure of people that can relate to the journey, that can and will be honest, and that are rooting for us to succeed. Having that alone will help when things get tough. I've always thought there's no balance, just an honest acknowledgement that sacrifices will have to be made for a while in order to make things work. The balance comes when you have a system that will not let you fall into quitting and will help you in tough moments or when tough decisions have to be made.
Share with us one ingredient in your secret sauce for success. Be the turtle. Yes, be the turtle in the journey to success by shooting for the long game, not short term. You have to be ok with knowing that being sustainable doesn't come quickly. Leaving a legacy of success in business comes with doing the work and doing it right. I learned so many gems from Nicole Walters but one thing that I think of most and keeps me going is: Stay ready, so you don't have to get ready. Ok ok, one more...Do. The. Work.
How can the Visions of Greatness audience connect with you? I'm all over the internet! Be sure to visit my online store at: www.zhibathandbody.com Instagram and Twitter: @zhibathandbody Pinterest: @zhibathandbody Facebook: @zhibandb. Email: info@zhibathandbody.com