Behind the Brand: Syll Botanics

1. What is the name of your company?

Syll Botanics

2. What is your title?

Founder & Chief Alchemist

3. Where is your company located?

Superior, Colorado

4. Whats your current obsession?

Start with Yourself by Emma Grede (highly recommended for any female entrepreneur or woman in business!). Also homemade zucchini bread with chocolate chips, ground flax & collagen protein – for me as much as my kids!

5. How did you hear about Naturally Colorado? What made you become a member? Has Naturally Colorado helped you in any way?

I have known about Naturally CO for years, starting as an MBA student at CU. I became a member after starting Syll. I was excited to be part of the mentorship program, which still serves me to this day. I love being part of the startup forum, both attending and exhibiting at events, and just meeting great people in general. NatCO has helped me in numerous ways, from getting market feedback, to connecting with vendors and retailers, to making friends and learning about other ways I can grow my business locally.

6. What size is your company?

1 full time!

7. What inspired you to start your company?

I created Syll because I wanted to serve people in a different way than how I saw the mainstream beauty industry marketing products. Brands tend to flood customers with too many products, complicated regimines, and/or confusing clean claims. I was working a stressful job, so I wanted products that worked amazing in as few steps as possible. But, I was also pregnant so I cared more than ever about what I put on my (very sensitive) face, and my body. That is how I came up with the idea of a performance driven skincare line that gave better results in fewer steps to fit a full, healthy lifestyle. I LOVE alchemy…the act of making something that is so much greater than the sum of it’s parts. Whether it’s a new skincare ingredient, or an amazing recipe or cocktail, that gets my creative juices flowing.

8. Why did you choose to focus on the natural and organic industry?

Natural and organic skincare provides nutrients that synthetic ingredients simply can’t. Also, petrochemicals are one of the most prominent raw materials when it comes to synthetics, and that many of the final ingredients are actually forms of liquid plastic. This is one thing that we are passionate about raising awareness around.

9. Can you describe the biggest challenge you faced during the early stages of your company, and how you overcame it?

I was terrified of putting myself out there. It kept me feeling smaller than I wanted to be for a longer time – entrepreneurship is vulnerable! But, I slowly started to overcome this doing markets and taking baby steps with social media posts. It’s still hard sometimes but I don’t let it stop me – it’s more of a time/energy balance than anything at this point.

10. What keeps you up at night regarding your business?

Feeling stuck, or not getting enough “done”. As a solopreneur, I almost always move slower than I’d like to. But it’s a tradeoff: I get to have the freedom of being self funded, but a lot falls on my shoulders – even the stuff i don’t like or I’m not good at.

11. What strategies can you share that have been effective?

12. How important is networking, and what strategies do you use to build and maintain professional relationships?

Doors open when you connect with people. It’s easy to feel like you are on your own entrepreneurial island, which makes getting out there that much more important. I leave with a new piece of knowledge or a meaningful connection everytime. Get contact info and just send a note when you think of a relationship you value. It doesn’t even have to be for a meeting, it can just be a check-in to see how they are doing, or letting them know about something useful.

13. What is one piece of advice or knowledge that has changed your life and why?

A coach told me one time that the only failure there is, is not trying. That is actually the advice that made me decide to leave my corporate job and give Syll a go.

Connect with Hilary.

Learn more about Syll Botanics.

More about Behind the Brand:

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