Today we’d like to introduce you to Gillian Bigelson
Hi Gillian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey to founding Bonjour Delilah is deeply rooted in my personal experiences and lifelong passions. As a child, I aspired to be either a veterinarian or a heart surgeon, driven by a natural desire to heal and nurture. However, my path took a different turn due to my personal health challenges, including asthma, allergies, and various skin conditions. This led me to explore the powerful connection between nutrition and holistic health, ignited by a book my mother gave me, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.”
My curiosity and passion for healing through nutrition led me to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition. Over nearly two decades, I dedicated myself to the health and wellness industry, working closely with medical professionals and providing cutting-edge products like stem cells, peptides, specialty lab testing, and supplements. Despite my focus on nutrition, my passion for skincare never waned. I remember being captivated by Paula Begoun’s book, “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me,” and developing a keen interest in product ingredients and their effects.
My beloved dogs, Baby and Delilah, have always been a significant part of my life, inspiring me in countless ways. Delilah’s love for licking lotion off my skin inspired the creation of Bonjour Delilah. Combining my expertise in nutrition with my passion for skincare, I crafted a luxury non-toxic skincare line that prioritizes both efficacy and safety. Bonjour Delilah’s products are meticulously formulated with a blend of nature’s finest ingredients and cutting-edge science, offering transformative results.
My journey also included a personal health revelation. After experiencing nutrient deficiencies during a vegetarian diet, I reintroduced grass-fed beef and discovered the remarkable benefits of tallow for skin health. This realization led me to incorporate grass-fed tallow, rich in fat-soluble vitamins, into Bonjour Delilah’s formulations, emphasizing sustainability and the brilliance of natural ingredients.
Bonjour Delilah is more than just a skincare brand; it’s a culmination of my passion for wellness, skincare, and animal welfare. Each product is designed to be a luxurious self-care experience, offering nourishment and hydration for a radiant, healthy glow. Additionally, we are committed to making a positive impact by donating $1 from every product sold to support animal rescue charities.
In essence, Bonjour Delilah represents the convergence of my love for skincare, my dedication to holistic health, and my deep affection for animals, particularly my dogs. It’s a dream realized, and I’m excited to share this journey with others who value the transformative power of clean, effective skincare.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
HA! I wish! No, it’s been a wild ride, and I don’t think being an entrepreneur is ever smooth sailing. Starting a business and creating a physical product for the first time has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. I’ve had to learn so many new things and make countless difficult decisions.
One of the earliest challenges I faced was with the first formulator I hired, who was taking me for a ride. The next formulator didn’t work out either. Then the shipment of glass jars I ordered arrived smashed, and the supplier refused to replace them. This was a tough blow, but I didn’t let it deter me.
Once I started working with the third formulator, it took about eight months until I finally had a product that I was excited about and proud to share with the world. The R&D process took much longer than I anticipated. There were multiple occasions where my formulator would tell me, “I think this is it,” and I would eagerly rush to the mailbox, ripping open the boxes in the mailroom to check the samples, only to be disappointed. I was determined not to compromise on texture, scent, or performance, which meant enduring numerous setbacks and moments of discouragement.
There were times I considered giving up, but I always reminded myself of why I wanted to create this line in the first place. My passion for creating a luxurious, non-toxic skincare line that people would be excited to use kept me going. Additionally, my commitment to giving back and supporting animals in need was a powerful motivator. I wanted Bonjour Delilah to not only transform people’s skin but also make a positive impact in the world by donating $1 from every product sold to animal rescue charities. Finally, my formulator nailed it, and we achieved my goal. The products feel amazing, smell divine, and make your skin look incredible. Mission accomplished!
The journey has been anything but smooth, but every challenge and setback has taught me something valuable and brought me closer to realizing my vision for Bonjour Delilah.
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?
Bonjour Delilah is a luxury non-toxic skincare brand inspired by my deep love for animals and a lifelong passion for holistic health and skincare. Our mission is to create high-quality, effective skincare products that not only transform your skin but also contribute positively to the world.
What We Do and Specialize In
At Bonjour Delilah, we specialize in crafting skincare products that combine the best of nature and cutting-edge science. Our formulations are meticulously developed to ensure they are non-toxic, effective, and a pleasure to use. We prioritize clean, organic ingredients and avoid harmful chemicals, focusing on creating products that deliver visible results while nurturing your skin’s health.
What Sets Us Apart
What truly sets Bonjour Delilah apart is our unwavering commitment to quality and our unique blend of ingredients. In Creme du Luxe Face and Body Cremes, we use grass-fed tallow, which is rich in fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and combine it with other powerful botanicals like organic red raspberry seed oil that protects against UV damage, organic buriti oil, a natural retinoid, and green caviar oil. This unique formulation offers exceptional nourishment and hydration, giving your skin a healthy, dewy glow.
Élixir Jeunesse, our revolutionary youth serum, is meticulously formulated with a potent blend of cutting-edge peptides, actives, and precious botanicals. Among these transformative ingredients, Vigna Acontifolia enhances cell renewal, providing retinol-like benefits without irritation, while Octapeptide S8 targets neuromuscular junctions, reducing fine lines for a smoother, more youthful appearance. Collagen Prepeptide has been shown to dramatically increase collagen synthesis in in-vitro studies, and Astaxanthin defends skin cells from oxidative stress. These remarkable actives, alongside synergistic ingredients like Citrustem™ work harmoniously to restructure the dermis, fortify the complexion, and ensure a firm, radiant, and youthful appearance. These are just a few potent ingredients in this scientifically advanced formula, promising a transformative skincare experience backed by the latest in skincare science, revealing a radiant and ageless complexion.
Another distinctive feature is our dedication to animal welfare. Inspired by my beloved dog, Delilah, we donate $1 from every product sold to support animal rescue charities. This commitment reflects our core values and allows our customers to make a positive impact with every purchase.
What We Are Known For
We are known for our luxurious, non-toxic skincare products that deliver transformative results.
What We Are Most Proud Of
Brand-wise, I am most proud of our commitment to creating products that people get excited to use every day. Each product is designed to feel amazing, smell divine, and make your skin look incredible. Seeing the positive feedback from our customers and knowing that we are making a difference in both their skincare routines and the lives of animals is incredibly fulfilling.
What We Want Readers to Know
Bonjour Delilah is more than just a skincare brand; it’s a testament to the power of clean beauty and a commitment to giving back. We believe that skincare should be a luxurious, enjoyable experience that enhances your natural beauty while being kind to the planet and its inhabitants. Our products are crafted with love and care, ensuring that every ingredient serves a purpose and contributes to the overall efficacy of the product.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that might surprise people about me is that in February 2020, just a month before COVID hit, the company I worked for scheduled a conference call for all the reps and laid us off on that call. At the time, I was $20k in debt. I had already been meditating every day, but this event pushed me even deeper into spirituality.
As I searched for work, I interviewed with companies that didn’t resonate with me. Suddenly, wonderful opportunities began to open up, allowing me to represent multiple companies and sell to my existing customers as an independent contractor. This period was incredibly challenging, especially since I couldn’t visit doctor’s offices due to the lockdown.
I worked every day, including weekends, creating spreadsheets of contacts and composing detailed emails with information about all the companies I was representing. Initially, I didn’t realize that sending these emails from my personal account with numerous links and attachments caused them to land in spam folders. Determined to succeed, I studied a book about selling over the phone and got creative. I never knew how driven and ambitious I was until this period.
Eventually, I figured out tricks to get my emails opened and started making headway. Now, four years later, I am proud to be launching my own business, Bonjour Delilah, which has been self-funded so far. This journey has shown me the power of perseverance and adaptability, and it has shaped me into the entrepreneur I am today.
Pricing:
- Creme du Luxe Body $135
- Creme du Luxe Body Rose $135
- Creme du Luxe Face $115
- Creme du Luxe Face Rose $115
- Elixir Jeunesse $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bonjourdelilah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonjour_delilah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BonjourDelilah
Image Credits
Estefania Ruiz
Michael Marom
Julia Ishmuratova
