Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Vanessa Gonzalez.
Hi Ingrid, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hello, let me introduce myself; my name is Ingrid Vanessa. I was born in Costa Rica. We did not have much and had a simple life; my parents broke up when I was 15. Life was difficult, that is when I decided I want it something more, Knowing I needed it an education to be successful, school became most important thing in my life. However, my DREAM was to come to America. In 1998 I got my chance and took it; I arrived here in America with $800 and my suitcase. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay with my best friend, Maureen who had come 6 months earlier. Not been able to speak any English, I went out and got my first job. It was at a Mexican- American Restaurant where I cleaned and wash dishes. It is here where I began to learn English, by speaking with customers and taking an English course at Palm Beach State College. Over the next 20, I was a waitress, phone translator, food service technitian, data entry, Ekg Technitian, Cardiac Monitor, Chiropractic Assistant. This are the jobs that supported me as I went to school. As a part-time student, it took me a number of years to finally achieve my goal and graduate with a degree. Proud of becoming an Occupation Therapist Assistant. Still, I realized there was something missing, my passion to help people and to use nature, herbs and other natural ingredients was just to import to me to let go, this led me to my true calling. I taught myself to use these natural ingredients to help people. It all came together; I remembered all those days I had spend with my grandmother learning about herbs, spices, flowers, and many others. Taken this knowledge I created candles, soaps, lotion, deodorant, lip ChapSticks body oils herbal salves bath salts, and many others. The options are virtually unlimited. Which leads me to my last job in my company Pure Life Candles and Beyond. It is has been so rewarding making and perfecting these products. As well is hearing my customers telling me of how much these products had help them. It inspires me to keep learning and growing in my chosen profession; I really feel that is my calling not just a job.
I am very grateful to United States of America for all the opportunities that has giving me, and for that reason, I do believe in giving back to my community. I am proud to be an American.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
No, the road had ups and downs, success and failures; I got knocked down but always got up. Some people did not believe in me, but I stay focus in my goals, in the positive, having faith, hope, I keep learning and doing My best. Some struggles such as advertising, letting people see, know what I do, and for them to learn about the products I make. In addition, there are a lot of artisan’s soap, candle makers. I do not compare to others I like me, being me, what comes from my heart from my learned experiences.
People inspired, nature, friends, and family. And want to thank each person that had encourage me in keep making in keep creating because they like what they see; they like what I make because it works. If works for them, and what works for them works for me, works for my community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I believe in keeping it natural, with the use of natural ingredients, I make soaps, lotions, deodorants, body oil, bath salts, sugar scrubs, and candles among others. I specialize in using natural ingredients for all the products I make, which help people with different skin types, oily, dry skin including sensitive skin, acne, dark spots, itchiness to mention some.
I like to say one of my biggest rewards is when I hear a customer telling me that the soap or body product they purchased from me a product that I created is helping their skin. I feel proud that my dedication and hard work is making the difference in someone’s life, either a teenager with acne issues a mom or dad that gets relaxed after using one of my products, or an older person with sensitive or dry skin.
What sets me apart from others?
I do believe my background helps me to be strong in what I make from the knowledge I acquired from my grandma growing up, the passion for natural ingredients, nature, and the years that I had work in the medical field and my profession all combine together makes me strong and make my products efficient.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I do not believe in luck, I am determining in hard work, dedication, inspiration, and love. These had made me learn, grow, and makes me stronger every day.
Additional Info
Pure Life Candles and Beyond specialized also in wedding and party favors. Been the heart Candles (candles with embedded heart) one of the brides’ favorites also 6 oz tins candles and sun and moon soaps.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: purelifecandlesandb
- Wedsite: Purelifecandlesandb.etsy.com
Image Credits
Ingrid Vanessa
Valentina
