Today we’d like to introduce you to Adria Ali.
Hi Adria, 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.
If you had told my younger self that I would be the owner and creator of a skincare and lifestyle brand when I started my career path, I would not have believed you!
Armed with a Bachelor’s in Science and a love of all things health and fitness, I was first a personal trainer through my 20s until an injury on the job led to a sharp turn into the tech industry. I was grateful to learn the art of SEO (search engine optimization), building websites, and running successful editorial content and blogs. I worked hard to become my best in the field while still training on the side for fun. Positions at Warner Brothers, Adobe, and other industry-leading companies validated my hard work but left me feeling unfulfilled in my love of science and the joy of helping others.
It was through necessity that I began to create products, starting with my best friend, who had a terrible case of psoriasis. She couldn’t find a product that worked and tried everything. Steroid creams left her skin dry, irritated, and dependent. I set out to create a product that used time-tested ingredients. I used research and science to create the formulation for our very first product, appropriately named “Skin Therapy.” A mutual friend gave the product to one of the writers of “Will and Grace.” That writer told me she believed in the product so much that I needed to “hurry up and create a website.” Every day, Essence was born, and an unexpected life unfolded.
While still working full-time, I spent all of my time off creating (and personally funding) the next product for a friend who had suffered through chemo. She needed a natural product to regrow her thinning hair and deodorant that was free from chemicals. From that need, our “Phoenix Hair Growth Spray”(one of our most popular items) and four different Everyday Essence natural deodorants (Lavender, Palo Santo, Lemongrass, and Woodspice) were created.
My best friend suggested we use Palo Santo as a scent. I loved the deep, woodsy aroma and the perfumy smell it produced when it was burned. I became obsessed with creating a scent that would be both authentic and potent. After a lot of trial and error, it was finally approved by the harshest scent critic, my brother. It became one of our most popular scents. We’re currently working on a beard and hair oil to complement the line.
From that, I was inspired to produce our natural toners harnessing the power of humic acid and Shilajit. My sister and myself had always struggled with consistent breakouts. The Vitamin Mists became our daily solution to fighting acne and balancing the ph of the skin. We became the first American-made skincare line to use Shilajit (an ancient Ayurvedic mineral compound) to aid in rejuvenation, prevent acne, and revitalize skin.
The brand continued to grow into our “Saffron Gold” facial oil, which received an unexpected boost when we were featured in Condé Nast Traveler magazine by way of Douglas Friedman, a world-famous photographer, who said if it’s “good enough for Cleopatra, it’s good enough for me” in an article called, “What Super-Travelers Always Have in Their Beach Bags.”
While all of my paths appeared to be random and unassociated, they all serve a very important purpose in my journey and the brand. My science degree is the base of all of my creations. My tech career allows me to harness online marketing to propel the brand forward, and my love of all things health and fitness has given me the passion and education to create natural products for those who value organic ingredients over chemicals.
My journey shows Angelenos that a love of helping other combined with a passionate side hustle can lead you to your true calling and ultimate freedom.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a business owner and creator is a humbling process. It teaches you that failure isn’t the enemy, nothing is ever perfect, you have to celebrate even your smallest wins, and resilience separates the good from the great.
The balancing act of running a business, creating full-time, and working full-time has always been the biggest struggle. Patience, documentation, and a willingness to fail (many times over) became the pillars of my approach.
The secret to a passion project is time management. I had to plan my schedule a week in advance. Then, I would break up each day into time frames. This allowed me to get the most out of each hour.
Over time, I was able to save enough money to leave my full-time job and dedicate more time to growing and developing the brand.
Formulating was another challenge; creating organic products is never easy. It takes creativity and science to find natural solutions and ingredients to replace some of the most toxic chemicals. In many cases, those solutions may not be one ingredient. It could take 2-3 natural ingredients to create the desired results.
I desperately wanted to weave shilajit into the brand, along with silver. However, shilajit was a very potent compound. This meant that all of our products would need to be sold in glass (shilajit shouldn’t be sold in plastic due to its composition). I also had to find the perfect balance to create harmony within the formulations. Through a lot of trial and error, as well as testing, I was able to mimic the pH of the skin, ensuring that all of our products prevented acne and didn’t disrupt the delicate pH balance.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Everyday Essence?
Everyday Essence specializes in the creation and development of natural skincare and supplements with an emphasis on organic ingredients. Our mission every day is to help everyone discover the powerful essences in nature.
We revolutionized skin care by being the first American-made brand to use Shilajit, an ancient compound that contains 84 ionic vitamins and minerals. We also sell shilajit as a supplement.
Our complete line of products ranges from Skin Therapy salves, Phoenix Hair Growth sprays, natural toners (Vitamin Mists), natural deodorants without all the chemicals and metals, Saffron Gold Skin Oil, and our Shilajit Resin supplements to detoxify you from the inside out. Coming soon we will be releasing our highly anticipated Shilajit low-foaming face wash and collagen eye cream.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
App: Headway – allows me to learn info quickly and stay motivated. App: Rise – helps me to optimize my sleep and position work time in the most productive parts of my day.
Pricing:
- Saffron Gold – 39.99
- Vitamin Mists – 19.99 – 29.99
- Natural Deodorants – 11.99
- Shilajit Premium Resin – 34.99 – 64.99
- Skin Therapy Platinum – 29.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://everydayessence.shop
- Instagram: @everydayessenceorganics
