SKaiser writesSolo Artists Create Local Business in Chicago

by Shawna Kaiser

How much passion comes to mind when you think “local business?" Not too much, really? All of us pass countless storefronts as we go about the day, but then there are those loving business owners working their craft from inside a living room, all while (more than likely) keeping day jobs intact.

Take Sarah deHebreard for example. She is the owner of bonnie, a naturally nourishing skin and body care business in Chicago. She moved here in 2007, started bonnie in 2010, and a couple years ago needed to find a larger apartment for the growing amount of product coming out of her kitchen.

“The local business owners I’m most familiar with are ones in similar situations; they work from home, along with   another full- or part-time day job, and they  don’t get out much, unless they’re participating in a festival or craft market,” she said  in an interview after participating in Coterie at Pitchfork.

With a product line ranging from facial and skin care to body balm candles (which are delightful, check them out to the right) deHebreard is looking forward to accomplishing a new connection with the community – consumer education on cosmetic ingredients.

“A lot of people are scared of certain types of ingredients based on industry buzzwords (sulfates, parabens, etc.) but not many people can explain why,” Sarah said. “It's my hope to help educate consumers about the safety of all  types of ingredients and further understand what they're putting on their skin.  For example, not being able to pronounce an ingredient should not make one assume that it’s not safe or naturally-derived; instead it should inspire the consumer to look it up, and learn a new word!”

"I'd love to have a learning library in my store (someday) where people could learn about individual ingredients; how they're made, where they come from, why they're used, and include published research,” Sarah deHebreard, owner of Bonnie, said.

Keep Reading…