Hidden Gems: Meet Elizabeth Carrera of Kalming Koi

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Carrera. 

Elizabeth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Initially, I started this business back in the summer of 2018. At that time, I was 1 year out of undergrad, but I had difficulty finding that “career job.” This was a means to make money and boost my self-esteem about not having a corporate job. Fast forward to November 2018 and I got the corporate job; the downside? The job was in Newport Beach. Because of this, I’d spent all of my time commuting to my job that I didn’t have time for my business. 

In 2020, I honestly thought of closing up shop altogether; until we were sent home in March. During the heat of the pandemic, I found that I had A LOT of time now on my hands (due to not having to commute to work) and I’d noticed that a lot of my friends were sad and depressed and needed something to do. That’s where my business came back. I started making products and sending them out to friends/family. They LOVED the idea of being able to have spa treatments at home since everything was closed and were so happy that I thought of them. This leads me to promote my business more (and make sales on the East Coast!). 

From here, I started expanding more. I’d go to craft fairs to sell my products and started looking into consignment orders–so that my business can still make money, even if I’m not actively working on it. Fast forward to today, I have steady sales online and in-person at events. I’m currently in 4 stores nationwide and am thinking of expanding into more stores. 

The goal of this business is to now make it my sole source of income. I think that within the next 5 years, that very well may be a possibility. 

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?
It has not been a smooth road in the slightest. I know that no one wants to hear that, but it is true. I’ve dealt with constant imposter syndrome–thinking that my products were subpar in some form; or that I wasn’t qualified enough to be a business owner. I’ve also dealt with the long craft fairs not making any sales and dealing with the hating public (some people have called my products “gross,” and others have asked “why are you even bothering, haven’t you heard of Lush?”). 

Even with all of this negativity, I am INSANELY lucky to have a supportive network of people who keep me motivated. I know that whenever I feel down, I can call up any one of these people and ask for a bit of support to keep on trucking along. At the end of the day, I think that’s what’s most important–to have a network of people who love you and want to see you succeed. You can have the WORST possible experience ever (and honey, trust me, I’ve had PLENTY!). But when you have people that support you, you can hold your head up high and move on. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in handmade, small-batch, cruelty-free self-care products. What sets my business apart from the rest is that I’m the one that oversees EVERYTHING! For starters, I do TONS of research on products before I even try them out. For example, with my new whipped products. I searched high and low for common ingredients and their benefits for the skin. I looked up common customer complaints and made notes on how I should do things better. And then, I make a small batch and test it on myself. 

Once I get a solid amount of info on formulation, I send products out to friends/family. This is so I can learn how to send out products in general (the first question I ask when I hear a package has arrived is “how did it look when it got to you?”) and how to wrap/package them down the line. I then ask them for their opinions on how the products work/feel for them and any improvements that they’d like to see. Then, TA-DA! We have a finalized product that’s ready for market. 

Another thing about my products that sets them apart is that they’re water-less. Most self-care/skincare products that are sold in larger retailers will have water listed as their first ingredient. Most of the time, when an ingredient is listed first, that typically means there’s more of that ingredient than everything else. So, if you circle back to the “water-less” comment; my products do not contain any water, meaning that you’re getting 100% efficacy of the ingredients in my products. And let me tell you, it makes a difference. 

Again, I’ll make an example with my body butters. I still use a large name-brand lotion from time to time, but it does NOT make my skin feel as buttery soft as my body butters do. Another note about myself; I’m a swimmer, so I’m in chlorine for a total of ~ 6 hours a week. That’s quite enough time for the chlorine to dry out your skin. Typically, after my sixth swim of the week, I’ll use a body butter after I shower, and man, oh man! My skin feels baby-soft and shows no indication of being in a pool for a week. 

What do you think about happiness?
In business, I’d have to say, making and labeling products. They’re so tedious, but once you have a system down, it’s actually a lot easier than it seems. When it comes to making products; I make products, first and foremost, for myself now. Last year, I had REALLY bad acne, so I made my turmeric line. I did a lot of research and found that turmeric is really great for healing the redness of acne and scarring. So, I tested it myself and wound up healing my acne and scarring myself. To this day, I’ll sing the praises of turmeric for your skin and suggest that everyone use it and see for themselves. For me, making products is a labor of love–for myself, and anyone else out there who’s experiencing a similar issue and needs help. 

When it comes to packaging/labeling, I’ve found a system that is SUPER relaxing. Of course, packaging comes with making a product, but when it comes down to labeling; I’ll put on a favorite show (personally, I love “Friends”), stack up my inventory and label printouts, and just watch a show/movie while labeling. Before I know it, I’d labeled all of my inventory and didn’t even feel like I was working. 

Pricing:

• Body Scrubs: $10.50
• Body Butters: 15.25
• Face Masks: $13
• Whipped Body Scrubs: $15.75

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kalmingkoi.shop/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalming.koi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kalmingkoi/