We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine, CEO and Owner of ButterSoft Essentials and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christine, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christine, CEO and Owner of ButterSoft Essentials and we’ve shared our conversation below.
In response to: Hi Christine, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Updated Response:
The ButterSoft Essentials brand wasn’t exactly intentional. I guess we can say that the idea for my business stemmed from numerous inspirations.
Growing up, I always preferred to use natural products. My personal journey began in elementary school—after a near death experience. I almost drowned while on a school trip. This left me with a fear of water at just 9 years old. Throughout adulthood, I’ve learned to find comfort in taking showers which seemed ironic. As they transformed my deepest insecurity into a place of healing. This lead to the development of my concept, Shower Therapy™.
In April 2018, I enrolled in a local Soap Making class. This then sparked my interest in learning how to make my own natural body butters. Through trial and error, I developed a formulation I loved and began to incorporate it into my daily routine.
Eventually, I noticed how the use of my own products made me feel; instantly boosting my confidence and mood as I intentionally took my time during my self care moments. This realization propelled me to birth ButterSoft Bae™, inspiring me to want to provide that exact feeling to others.
Using something I created eventually became a part of my daily lifestyle. So much so that I began to carry my body butter with me everywhere I went. I became the go-to person when friends/coworkers needed a moisturizer.
They’d ask “Do you have lotion?!”
My response would be: ”No, but I have body butter!”
(I reallyyy disliked for it to be confused with lotion lol).
Each time I would share my personal stash, people would ask “How much do you sell that for?” I never had an answer, because my intentions were never to start a business. One day, I woke up to a cash app notification from my coworker Tishin.  Her note attachment read “Bring me however much this can get me, but don’t come into work without my body butter!”
At that very moment, I realized the value and quality of what I was creating. It had the potential to be sold. A few months later, in September 2019 ButterSoft Essentials was launched.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

I would say that what sets me apart from other brands is this; I don’t just “sell body butter”. I help provide  confidence and vibes that come with using my product. Simultaneously promoting self-awareness and self-adoration through intentional cleansing + moisturizing—superseding the care level of other 21st century ‘self-care’ brands. The purpose of this brand is for men, women, and youth alike to view routine showers and physical hygienic practices as more than ‘just another thing I have to do.’ I’ve creatively named my products in a way that will leave an impression on you, based on the fragrance story.
One of the lessons I’ve learned along the way as a business owner is, although the title isn’t self explanatory…you don’t really know what it means to be the CEO until the moment you realize you’re the one wearing all the hats. You get all the credit when everything goes right, but you also have to take accountability when anything goes wrong. As a business grows, the best lesson you can learn is WHEN to delegate and outsource. No successful business grows without a team.
(Which I am currently working on building lol)
I want the world to know that ButterSoft Essentials is more than just a product based brand. It’s a brand that influences a self care lifestyle. It encourages self-confidence, mental health and boundaries. Self care truly starts with proper mental hygiene. Taking care of my mind has benefited me tremendously and has been a catalyst to intentionally nurturing my physical well-being. Shower Therapy™ is such an underrated form of self-care. It’s in the shower that we are our truest selves. We can self-reflect, while washing away negative thoughts. We can cry, and be vulnerable. Self-care starts in the mind and everything else follows. It’s a priority—not a chore.”

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?
I’m a MAJOR foodie so this is an easy question! LOL

Being a Brooklyn, NYC Native–the options are endless! My favorite type of cuisine is Greek, so I will always recommend ‘Souvlaki GR’ on the Lower East Side. The ‘Crab House’ is also another one of my faves, with their All-You-Can-Eat-Seafood. My go-to for a quiet solo date is ‘Two8Two Bar & Burger’ (the lamb burger is AMAZING). For a nice view + vibe even if you’re on a budget, I would suggest hanging out at the South Street Seaport–a very touristy area where you don’t have to search hard for some livelihood. For local eats, in my neighborhood I like to do brunch at ‘Brooklyn Residency’.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my friends, family and coworkers. From day one of this just being a personal hobby, they have all been extremely supportive. Whether it was listening to my creative ideas, physically showing up for me, giving feedback, purchasing, or giving a referrals by word of mouth. The ButterSoft Essentials brand would not be as successful today without their overwhelming support. As unbelievable as this may be, I truly remember each and every customer that has purchased with me–even if it was only once! I’m truly grateful to have organically built such a strong community that values the hard work and intention that goes into my products.

Website: https://www.buttersoftessentials.com/

Instagram: ButterSoftEssentials

Twitter: ButterSoftBae

Facebook: ButterSoft Essentials

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT3PzwytsdBmixFRYCTZJvQ

Other: TikTok: ButterSoftEssentials

Image Credits
RawMuseMag TrellVisuals

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