Gratitude Empowers My Business

By Roberta Perry

From day one, I have been a grateful entrepreneur — the kind who wakes up and often still thinks, “how did this even happen?” But almost 20 years in this business have made me even more so. I guess time has a way of deepening appreciation. Every high, every low, every mistake, every win — they’ve all reinforced just how fortunate I am to do this work, with these people, for this long. I have said it often, I have the best job because I get to make people feel better about themselves.

I started ScrubzBody Skin Care in 2006, right in the middle of a tough economy, which, in hindsight, was probably either the boldest or craziest decision of my life. Since then, it has been a rollercoaster — full of unpredictable twists like the shutdown and the recession that followed. Those experiences taught me early on never to take a single sale, a single compliment, or a single ounce of customer loyalty for granted. When someone chooses to spend their hard-earned money with us, it’s not just a sale — it’s a vote of confidence. It’s trust. And I treat it like the gold it is.

My sister and I started humbly, selling at craft fairs and holiday boutiques, schlepping tables, bins, and sugar scrubs from one venue to the next. Slowly — and I mean slowly — a loyal following formed. And here’s the magic: those early customers didn’t just return. They brought friends. They brought mothers, sisters, co-workers, daughters, book clubs, and strangers they met at the nail salon. They became our cheerleaders and our tribe. Talk about gratitude! I would have no business without that circle of support that expanded organically, generously, and enthusiastically.

I also never forget that those same customers have endless brand options and many bombard them with million-dollar marketing campaigns. Yet my customers walk past all that noise and choose to buy from us — a small, real, hand-crafted product line. The first purchase makes me happy. But when they come back a second, third, or tenth time — that is when I feel humbled, energized, and deeply validated. It tells me we’re not just making good products — we’re delivering sincerity, consistency, great customer service, and care.

Gratitude also shows up for me in another important way: I live and work for both myself and for my late sister, Michelle. Losing her forced me into one of the biggest decisions of my life. I could have shut down emotionally, gone quiet, and disappeared into grief. Or I could choose empowerment. I could take the ideas she sparked, the laughter she left me, and build something extraordinary in her honor.

I chose the latter — and I’ve never looked back.

One of her best ideas was our “Make Your Own Scrubz” parties. Full confession: I didn’t love the idea at first. But Michelle knew. And she was right. These parties are now a beloved, steady part of our business. Even during slower months, there is always at least one on the calendar. Whether it’s 10-year-old Girl Scouts® or a room full of 70-year-old women in a community group, the laughter is always the same — loud and joyful. I swear I can still hear Michelle giggling beside me, whispering, “Told you so.”

Beyond retail, we’ve grown into private label manufacturing — which opened a new door for me: mentorship. I get to help new makers in the natural skincare world get started, guiding them around potential problems, and sharing what I’ve learned through years of trial, error, and messy sugar spills. It allows me to wholesale our products and pass the torch.

It feels like a beautiful full circle — building something I love while helping others create something of their own.

And honestly? That may be the greatest and most empowering gift of all.

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