SoyCare Incorporated

Name: Joseph Carmichael

Location: Avondale, AZ 

Type of Business:
Beauty and personal care products

What does your business do?
SoyCare Incorporated makes Soy Balm Sage & Aloe Blend. Soy Balm Sage & Aloe Blend helps restore dry and cracked skin to its natural smooth condition. We are also developing additional balms which will assist in the relief of sore muscles and body aches as well as a cough suppression and sinus relief. All SoyCare Incorporated products use only the highest quality minerals, herbs, botanicals, flowers, fruits, and roots in order create unique product blends that will safely and naturally nourish your skin. We never use chemicals or animal products/byproducts in any stage of testing,development or manufacturing. In fact SoyCare Inc. has been officially certified cruelty free through Cruelty Free International. Cruelty Free International is the international standards and certification body for the movement to end animal testing for cosmetic, personal care and household cleaning products.

When and why did you start the biz?
I started the business in early 2011 due to the fact that when I moved from California to Arizona I started getting dry skin and it was cracking. Nothing I tried helped battle my new dry skin so I created my own balm to help my skin and that is how SoyCare Incorporated was born.

How Many People are in your Company?
There are currently three people. Myself, my wife and my brother.

Where's your office?
Right now my office location is in my spare bedroom. I have converted my garage into a small storage are for material storage as well as created an area for production and assembly.

What's the toughest part of running your biz?
Perfecting the formula for the balm was pretty tough and took the better part of a year but at the same time it has been the most rewarding to date as well. There have been a few other "tough" parts as well. The toughest of all I would say has been working with the manufacture of our product containers known as "tins". Between the slow and painful application of color control, order quantity and contractual nuances we then faced extremely slow delivery times. Certain certifications have been pretty easy to attain and others are a little tougher but in order to be looked at as a reliable and credible brand, certifications are a necessity.

What's the most fun part?
Knowing that our product is wanted and liked is extremely rewarding. Between myself and my brother, we have made a few direct sales to local businesses and individuals as well as showcasing our product at community events. All in all, knowing that we are helping others in a small way, even if its through skin care, is a reward all in itself.

Anything you would have done differently?
If there was anything I would have done differently I would have to say it would be financing. It is not cheap creating a start up from nothing, the expense sneaks up on you fast. We have now learned to check and double check any and all possible costs involved with any move we make and forecast the cost. So ya, If I could do anything different, I would have generated more operational start up funds before getting started.

What's next on the horizon for your biz?
Oh, there is a lot in the works for SoyCare Incorporated! We are developing additional "Soy Balm" brands. We are also in the conceptual phase for the creation of a few more product lines. Every product that we develop will always be cruelty free towards animals in the manufacturing process and we will never use animal products or byproducts in any phase of development.

What advice do you have for others?
where do I start? lets see, first ensure you have enough capital to get your line up and running without creating development stops do to a financial shortage. Second, have faith and confidence in what you are developing! For some people, in my opinion, the largest barrier is the fear of their dream not being accepted by the consumer. Do it right, do it safe and just simply do it. You will be pleased at how a good quality product will be accepted by the community and the consumer.

How do you use Idea Cafe to help your biz?
I plan on using Idea cafe as a networking hub if you will. There are a lot of interesting people and ideas here. I like to talk and I really like talking to other business owners and entrepreneurs. I feel this helps me understand the business mind better. You never know where a contact will take you and in the small business world, any contact is a positive contact, you just have to know how to use it to your benefit. I also like to write. As such I will want to add my two sense any time I read something that captivates me or grabs my attention. I have a good amount of knowledge in many different areas of business. I hope to be able to share some of it with the Idea cafe community.

School (where, still in school, degree)?
I hold a MBA from Webster University.

Prior jobs or business?
A friend and I started an inter-modal freight transportation company back in 1995 named Barbarick & Carmichael Transportation. I ended up selling him my half of the business 2001 in order to pursue other ventures. I currently teach business courses at Rio Salado College in Tempe, AZ. as well as work for Sigler's as a senior purchasing analyst.

Favorite Food?
I would have to say anything Thai is my favorite.

What are your pets' names?
I dont have any pets but my brother has a cat. His name is Simba.

Do any of these pets help with your biz?
Not unless you count Simba biting on my brothers toes in the early morning to be let outside, LOL.

Is there any one person or event in your life that led you to go into business for yourself?
I have always wanted to create a product that helps the consumer and one that people like. SoyCare In. has done just that for me! Not only that, I want to create jobs! If, through SoyCare Inc., I create one or 500 employment opportunities for Americans, I feel that I have been successful in business and in life.

Anyone you publicly want to thank?
My Mother. She is the inspiration in everything we do.

Contact Info:
Joseph Carmichael
josephl@soycareinc.com

Website:
http://soycareinc.com