Meet Michelle Hill | Skincare Alchemist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Hill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The journey to starting Honeymilk was deeply personal for me. It all began when my son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at just four years old. His health became my priority, and I became acutely aware of the impact everyday toxins and chemicals could have on his fragile system. I wanted to do everything in my power to heal his skin and support his overall well-being by eliminating these harmful substances from our lives.

It was a moment of clarity for me. I couldn’t stand by and watch my son struggle with his health, so I began researching and educating myself about the potential dangers lurking in everyday products. I was shocked by what I discovered. So many skincare products contained ingredients that could potentially harm him further. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands and create safe, toxin-free alternatives.

His diagnosis strengthened my resolve to use nothing but natural products for my family. I started experimenting with different formulations in my kitchen, using only the purest, most natural ingredients. The transformation in my son’s skin and overall well-being was remarkable. It was clear that I was onto something significant, not just for my family, but for others facing similar challenges.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Honeymilk officially started on a kitchen counter with only 2 feet of space available in a small 2-bedroom apartment. My supplies were stored in my laundry room on one shelf that I cleared out to claim as mine. We started with small 4-ounce jars of essential oils, and 1 pound of shea butter block to now having to order 50-pound blocks and 11 Kgs of oils. I wasn’t afraid to give myself a start and invest what little I did have into something I wholeheartedly believed in.

What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to providing safe, toxin-free skincare solutions that prioritize both health and effectiveness. Our journey started with a personal mission to heal my son’s skin and support his overall well-being by eliminating everyday toxins and chemicals from our lives. That commitment has evolved into a thriving business that caters to people who share our values and seek products they can trust.

What truly sets Honeymilk apart is our dedication to transparency and purity. We believe that everyone deserves to know exactly what they’re putting on their skin, which is why we carefully select only the finest natural ingredients for our products. We steer clear of harmful chemicals, artificial fragrances, and preservatives commonly found in mainstream skincare brands. Instead, we focus on harnessing the power of nature to provide effective, nourishing skincare that delivers real results without compromising on safety.

Running a business like Honeymilk certainly has its challenges, and there have been times when it was far from easy. In 2018, we faced a significant setback when a severe flood nearly destroyed both my business and my home. About 75% of our studio was damaged, and it was a devastating blow.

It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had to stay resilient. I spent five months shut down, working tirelessly to have the studio repaired. I even took on 15% of the work myself to save money. It was a challenging period, both financially and emotionally, but I was determined to bounce back stronger than ever. There were also moments when I completely decided to do away with the business after the big disaster. I went as far as to list packaging items for sale on Facebook.

The support of my community and the belief in my mission kept me going. I received an outpouring of support from loyal customers, friends, and family who rallied around me during those difficult months. Their encouragement fueled my determination to rebuild and reestablish the business.

It took a lot of hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt. I had to reassess my business model, find new suppliers, and rebuild our inventory from scratch. It was a challenging process, but with determination and a positive mindset, we were able to overcome the obstacles and emerge stronger than before.

The flood taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability in business. It also reinforced the value of community support and the strength that comes from facing adversity head-on. Today, I’m grateful for the lessons learned and proud of how far Honeymilk has come since that challenging time.

I want the world to know that Honeymilk is more than just a skincare brand; it’s a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the pursuit of wellness. Our journey began with a mother’s desire to heal her son’s skin and protect his health by eliminating toxins from our everyday products. That personal mission has blossomed into a thriving business that is dedicated to providing safe, effective skincare solutions for everyone.

With Honeymilk, I hope to inspire a shift towards natural, holistic skincare that prioritizes both beauty and wellness. I want to empower people to make informed choices about the products they use on their skin and to embrace a lifestyle that promotes health from the outside in. Ultimately, I hope to make a positive impact on the lives of others and contribute to a healthier, happier world.

I want our customers to know that they are more than just consumers; they are part of our Honeymilk family. We are here to support and uplift each other on our journey to healthier, happier skin. Together, we can create a world where beauty is synonymous with wellness, and where everyone can feel confident and radiant in their own skin.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, if they were any of my friends, they would love anything outdoors in nature. I would take them hiking on a nature trail, on a bike ride in the woods, or visiting some historical place. I’m naturally a homebody that enjoys being in cool places with some significance.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are two incredibly important women in my life who played a pivotal role in the journey of Honeymilk, and they definitely deserve recognition. Firstly, my late Mother Marjorie Hill, who passed away from complications of Breast Cancer, was the initial inspiration for my foray into creating toxin-free skincare. She had such a giving spirit and would give you her last. Her battle with illness made me deeply aware of the importance of taking care of our bodies, inside and out.

I was determined to keep my little soapmaking project a secret by making it and storing the bars to cure up in my bedroom closet. My attempt was safe until my Mother came by and continued asking me about the beautiful citrus scent she kept smelling in the house. Eventually, I gave in and told her that it was soap that I had made. I took it out of the closet to show her and she couldn’t believe it. It was all because of a book she found and gave to me. She took some of the little bars and shared them with all of her friends and some of our family members.

A few weeks later, she told me that she had run out and that they wanted more. “More? They who??? You weren’t supposed to give them away. I don’t want anyone to know that I made soap. OMG!” I screamed at her in embarrassment. She then shared it with my sister Nickola and forced me to show her all of my soaps. I just knew she wouldn’t care and would call me all sorts of names for making soap. She nonchalantly took them and gave me a nice little look of “This girl is crazy.”

Next thing you know, she called me and told me to go to her Facebook page. Nickola, being the incredible sister she is, shared my so-called secret with her over 14,000 Facebook followers! She told them how much she loved her new soap made by her little sister. It was as if I had a business overnight, all thanks to her enthusiasm and support. Being the graphic designer that I am, in 30 minutes, I quickly purchased the domain name, designed a logo and put up a lead-capture page to grab anyone that would come looking. I went to her post on facebook showing my soap in a sudsy, royal blue rag and I added my comments saying “If you are interested in purchasing soap, we will be launching in 2 weeks. Please join my mailing list by clicking here.”

Long story short, people flooded the website with their information. From that point on, I couldn’t keep up with the demand. Thirteen years later, I’m here because of them. Their support, love, and encouragement gave me the courage to pursue my dream of providing safe, toxin-free skincare to everyone.

Every day, I’m reminded of their influence on Honeymilk. Their spirits live on in every product we create and every customer we serve. I strive to carry forward their legacy by continuing to provide high-quality, natural skincare that honors collectively my son, my mother’s fight for health and my sister’s unwavering support.

Website: https://www.HoneyMilkCo.com

Instagram: @honeymilkcompany

Twitter: @honeymilkco

Facebook: @honeymilkco

Youtube: @michellemarieco

Other: TikTok: @honeymilkco