Today we’d like to introduce you to Silvana Marroche
Hi Silvana, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I founded Forest Nymphs in the Summer of 2000, after my son ( then, 6 years-old ) experienced a skin break out from using a well-known commercial bath soap. My son, Sebastian’s skin issues were remedied by using handmade clean skin products that I made, by following a practice of Phytotherapy ritual that I grew up with. That has been in my family for generations. All created in my home kitchen in Long Beach, California.
In 2008 I opened my first online shop on ETSY. My business grew from there, and in 2011 Whole Foods Market approached me thru ETSY as a local supplier.
With a degree in Psychology, license in holistic massage, certifications in Aromatherapy and Herbalism all synergistically manifested into the creation of Forest Nymphs. I studied under the legendary aromatherapist and herbalist, Jeanne Rose in San Francisco, Ca, for years, I spent 7 years as counter manager for LANCOME’, Christian Dior and BIOTHERM, then onto 10 years managing a Dermatology and Plastic Surgery practice. I grew my business organically, no loans, no investors, only from the sales of the products sold.
In my massage practice I incorporated mixes and custom blends of oils; bath salts and more for my home base practice clients as well as for my musician
clientele in the Music industry.
Silvana’s healing hands eased the muscle pains and stresses for many years of celebs such as Kenny Loggins; Iron Maiden, Journey, Styx, REO SPEEDWAGON, Foreigner, Matchbox20, Rob Thomas, Weezer, Sublime With a Rome, Black Keys; Linkin Park, Def Leppard and many more.
Today, we have grown into having an extensive retail, online and wholesale accounts list, we have a 3500 sqft warehouse space, and our flagship store front in the city of Seal Beach, CA. Taking a risk we opened our store front on Halloween, 10/31/2020 right during the pandemic 2020
We at Forest Nymphs we are true to our beliefs; in that eating fresh, whole foods, is better than filling our bodies with the fakes, processed ones or popping vitamins and antioxidants. We have a passion for practicing an animal free diet, in a cruelty free, drug free way of living, and we feel the same about our products.
I have a team that I carefully and intuitively select, we hand make all our products free of, preservatives free of “wanna be’s”, free of junk. Our products are handmade by me and my team. We infuse all new creations, and products with Reiki, gemstones energy at the correct moon times, all in a music filled environment with positive vibes, with Light and lots of LOVE. We test our products on our families, friends, husbands, wives NOT on animals. We are Peta Cruelty free Bunny certified,
In 2009 with deep sadness my mom passed away from breast cancer, yet the practice remains and today, we at Forest Nymphs continue to practice the Uruguay holistic tradition, of Phytotherapy, Energy Healing and Energy work, infusing all our products with said energy practice in a music filled environment, daily cleansing and smudging rituals.
We believe that how you take care of your skin will show…. Why use junk when you don’t have to? we aspire to make it simple, clean, always vegan, accessible while having fun and making a positive difference. We hope we are achieving for you to do just that…naturally
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not smooth at all! We have been gone thru many ups and downs, more ups then downs. But from being copied, lower vibration individuals, to the growing pains of having more orders than we had financial back up for, to not having enough equipment, and staff, to supplier delays, to the bills piling up and payments being delayed. But it has all been worth it. Every headache, every worry. Today we are established, and so grateful beyond words for the blessings we have been given. Owning a business is no easy ride, it takes a great responsibility to keep it going, along with a lot of determination, alot of passion, perseverance , an immense belief in your craft and a team that is with you 100%
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We handmake and create all our products, we do not have anyone outside of our team make products for us, We specialize in Vegan, clean, soaps and bath and body products, We specialize in Vegan soaps, in making beautiful, great smelling and clean and good for your skin soaps that are energy and intention based and cruelty free. I create every blend and soap creation. Inspired by life, music, people, animals, nature…. each blend is created with the psychological effect that essential oils and botanicals have on our brains.
I am most proud of how our creations, our products have given me the opportunity to help people and animals. We donate our time and soaps to many organizations, for the homeless, for creating water wells, and jobs in underserved areas. It makes me proud and means the world to me that we have touched so many lives with our soaps. We bring art and soap together… also creating huge soap display art pieces along with hand size bar soaps
The love and excitement we as a team put into our products, how customers FEEL it, our intention is priceless! And they let us know! THAT is incredible! We are proud that we are successful in making a positive difference in animals’ lives by being a voice for them thru our soaps and products.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Staying true. Staying true to the quality of our products. Embracing the values that set us apart from others, keeping the passion fire burning and not quitting. Quitting is not an option, Having integrity. Being genuine, being honest and remembering to have compassion for all, Because we are all one
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.forestnymphsbathandbody.com
- Instagram: @forestnymphsbathbody
- Other: https://www.forestnymphsveganbathandbody.com
Image Credits
all pics were taken by me and my son sebastian
