Today we’d like to introduce you to Jess Bullock.
Hi Jess, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was in my 20s, I was diagnosed with cancer. As I was going through chemotherapy, I was having so many complications with my skin that I couldn’t even use regular soap! I had tried a few prescription soaps, but in the end, I started researching how to make it myself so that I could control every ingredient.
From there, my passion for natural products grew into the brand we are today. Every ingredient is meticulously researched and selected to be safe for all skin types. While our product line continues to expand, I work each day to make sure we are offering unique items that are made to the highest quality standards. From hand-sifting bath salts to stone grinding herbs, we go the extra mile to ensure you get the absolute best we can offer.
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?
It has definitely been a journey of ups and downs! I never intended for this to be my career, but when covid hit, it felt like the right time to finally leave the medical field for good. I started making soap in 2012 and didn’t start selling products on the side until 2017. Even then, it was just a fun project where I could make scents that reminded me of places I had traveled.
When covid shut everything down, there wasn’t a large market for candles that smelled like places I had traveled. Without the ability to smell before buying, I had to start thinking of new ways to market my scents. I had several friends who worked for Walt Disney World and they were missing their favorite rides while we were all locked down. That’s when I had someone request the scent from Main Street USA’s Confectionery, and the entire concept of replicating theme park scents came to life.
I studied microbiology in college, and I knew if I could find a list of fragrance notes for each ride or resort, I could reverse engineer the scent with natural ingredients. Whenever someone sends me a request for a new smell, I get to work looking at the organic chemistry side of the industry… Researching chemical isolates and finding a way to create the same scent, but without all of the synthetic chemicals that often cause headaches and other adverse side effects.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Our company is unique in that we operate in both retail and corporate branded wholesale. So you can go to our website and order your favorite theme park smells, or you can request 500 custom candles with your own scent and logo on them. We are most famous for recreating all of the scents from the Orlando area theme parks, but we also work with destination management organizations such as Visit Orlando and Experience Kissimmee.
Corporate branding is a really fun way that we get to help our clients stand out from their competitors at exhibits and vendor events. When you visit most conferences, you get a swag bag full of items that mostly go in the trash. We specialize in making products so fun and unique that people don’t consider throwing them away. We can embed a company logo into a bar of soap, create fun workshops for VIPS, or even design a custom fragrance that can be used across several products that can be gifted.
At the end of the day, we are different because we think creatively and we execute by making everything from scratch while focusing on sustainability.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Join a networking group! The connections you can make are invaluable. My businesses ticked up tenfold when I started working with other local business owners. The best starting point is your local chamber of commerce. Get plugged in and they will guide you through building your brand and client list.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.travelersapothecary.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelersapothecary/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravelersApothecary
- Other: www.shop.travelersapothecary.com
