Exploring Life & Business with Zeyla Zazueta of Zazu Body Treats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zeyla Zazueta.

Hi Zeyla, 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?
It all started in June 2016 while purchasing the regular natural handmade soap I had been using. I thought to myself: “I think I can make something like this.” I had just graduated from college and found myself with extra free time, so I began to do some in-depth research regarding the making of natural handmade soaps. I spent months doing research, buying soap-making books and watching different tutorials, but it was not until early 2017 that I actually had the courage to put all my research into practice.

I will never forget the first batch of cold-processed soap I made. The process of actually making the soap was very stressful and nothing like what I had expected it was going to be like. My first attempt was a failure and all I accomplished was to make a huge mess. I did not allow that failure to take over, so I continued my attempts to make soap. It took me about a year to come up with a formula I actually liked. After figuring out my formula, I started getting more confident in my soap-making skills and started incorporating extra beneficial ingredients, getting creative in the soap-making process, and also incorporating ingredients from my culture that my mother had taught me in a lot of DIY self-care products growing up.

I fell in love with making new formulas and loved that I could put beneficial, natural ingredients into a single bar of soap. For the next couple of years, I found myself having excess bars of soap and started gifting them to friends and family. It was not until November 2020 after receiving many encouraging words that I actually started selling my handmade soaps and Zazu Body Treats was created.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle I have had to overcome in this process is my own self-doubt. It took me many years to overcome my thoughts and actually have the courage to put my product out to the public. I went back and forth deciding whether or not I wanted to pursue this. I always was afraid of failing. But throughout the process and with the support of my family, I came to learn that failure was a natural part of this process. I think back to when I made my first batch of soap. I had failed, but along the process I learned what I had done wrong and what I needed to change. Failure only made me wiser. Instead of looking at my mistakes as failures, I learned to change my way of thinking and look at them as opportunities to improve and grow.

As you know, we’re big fans of Zazu Body Treats. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Zazu Body Treats carries an array of handmade self-care bath and body products, including cold-processed soap bars, body scrubs, and body butters. We use luxurious, low-waste ingredients from the earth such as essential oils, extracts, spices, and herbs to help make your self-care ritual a treat.

All body treats are made with hempseed oil. Why hempseed oil? We have found that adding this oil to our treats creates a creamier and smoother product. Additionally, this oil is great for all skin types, does not clog pores, and helps promote skin health.

Each body treat is handcrafted and packaged with care, all while ensuring a sterile, sanitized product and a safe work environment.

Most of our treats are natural and vegan. Additionally, all of our treats are sulfate, paraben, and formaldehyde-free.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zazubodytreats/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Zazubodytreats