Today we’d like to introduce you to Akane Tran.
Akane, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I got started in the beauty industry 24 years ago working behind the cosmetics counters at department stores for the first half of my adult career. I wanted a change of pace but still wanted to stay within the field so from a retail setting, I pursued a corporate executive position in the professional side of beauty. I received my CA State Board Manicurist license in 2007 and landed an amazing Account Manager position with OPI Products Inc. from 2007-2018. During this time, I also got my aesthetics license just to have for safe keeping, because you just never know when you’re going to need it. After leaving the corporate world during the first quarter of 2018, all of the reasons why I got my licenses MADE SENSE.
I had to think quickly but be smart on what my next MOVE was GOING TO BE as I’m a single mom of 3 kiddos. I applied for similar corporate positions to no avail and every day, it just became a tireless, daunting task. I decided to do something outside of my comfort zone of the structured life of corporate America and LOOKED INTO building a business, my own business, utilizing the space I own! During this process is when I realized that everything happened for a reason so I stopped stressing out because I just knew in my heart that everything would fall into place. Noelle Botanicals was actually established as a corporation in 2017 (again, another thing I had under my belt, just in case). A year later, unbeknownst the reason why I did that no longer was a mystery. The name Noelle is a combination of my maiden name and my daughter Ellie’s name. There’s not really a rhyme or reason… besides how cute is the name Noelle?
As of today, I have a quaint little WELLNESS BEAUTY BOUTIQUE + SOCIAL in Downtown Brea. I’ve also created an all-natural hand + cuticle oil that not only is aesthetically beautiful but handcrafted. EACH and every single drop of oil that goes into handcrafting the three formulas are MADE with POSITIVE intentions and love. Noelle Botanicals is slowly making its way within our community at local pop up events SUCH AS West Elm + Madewell South Coast Plaza. I get to meet amazing people and get to know the local communities I frequently visit. I have so much to respect for these companies as they are huge supporters of the #shopsmall movement and I’m so proud and honored to have shared their space with them.
Has it been a smooth road?
Yes and no. One, leaving a consistent salaried job of 10 years to pursue my passion for entrepreneurship was not decided overnight. With that came lots of sleepless nights, worry and a sh*t load of stress. I didn’t tell my mom for almost a year into it because I didn’t want to worry her. (Best daughter ever) But that came and gone. The real struggles were really about doing everything myself! No more director or colleagues to help a sista out. This was all me. I am the PR manager, social media content creator, the warehouse/shipping department, the “green” chemist, R & D, payroll, event coordinator. You name it, I’m it!
The “smooth” thing about this was my transition into being where I’m at today. Initially, there were many days of heartache and uncertainty of whether I made the right decision. But as of recently, those feelings of worry and stress are slowly subsiding as things are progressing in the right direction. Just gotta pray + keep it moving! I’m super grateful for everything, every single day of my life. And that leads me to even bigger, greater things!!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Noelle Botanicals is not just an Indie Beauty hand + cuticle brand but we also have a storefront boutique in downtown Brea! For now, it’s by appointment only for my lash + facial clients but I do host socials for people who are looking to spend some QT with their friends with “make + take” soirées. It’s so fun and the best part of it all is that it’s intimate. 3 hours with 5-6 of your besties, just laughing + hanging out! Bridal showers, birthday parties, doesn’t have to be a special occasion, just a reason for friends to come together.
Our three, all natural hand + cuticle oils are the stars of the show! They’re handmade with luxe, sustainably sourced ingredients that are infused with Rose Quartz. Our hero ingredient is the prickly pear seed oil which is one of the most highly coveted, expensive beauty oils out on the market today. The prickly pear seed oil is known for its many benefits AS IT’S packed with vitamins and nutrients to nourish your skin. You’ll feel an immediate difference once applied. We infuse our oils with Rose Quartz, which REPRESENTS unconditional love. We used this particular crystal to promote self-love and self-care. So this oil permeates LOVE + abundance!
In the boutique segment, I am dedicating THE retail area to bring in brands that are from local (and not so local) makers/entrepreneurs and small businesses alike. I have so much respect for these small companies who literally put everything they have from their last dollar to their last drop of sweat to keep their businesses alive. So my way of contributing and supporting the #shopsmall movement is to show love + promote their BRANDS to get their name out within my community.
Being a 40 something, Asian American momtrepreneur, I want people/girls/women to be inspired by the tenacity, the hunger, the fight one has in themselves to achieve their goals no matter what race, age, status, sexual orientation, etc. Break through the glass ceiling of today’s society of the “boys club” and show up every single day, and do what you can to become the very best YOU. With that said, I’m honored to be a part of the ever-growing women’s movement on equalization, self-awareness + self-worth.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe that any city WHERE people ARE CONSCIOUS about taking care of themselves and their well-being is a great place to start any type of “wellness” business. But because I’m a So CA girl, I’m gonna be biased + say YASSSS to my chosen business industry because of the high demand in healthy foods, eco-friendly lifestyles and beauty products that are an important part of people’s lives. Nowadays, consumers are gearing towards the green beauty industry and looking for healthier options to up their beauty game.
Pricing:
- No 12 Lemon Blossom Hand + Cuticle Oil $25
- No 26 Three Kings Hand + Cuticle Oil $25
- No 27 Rosé Hand + Cuticle Oil $25
Contact Info:
- Address: 515 S Brea Blvd Unit D
Brea CA 92821 - Website: www.noellebotanicals.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @noellebotanicals
- Facebook: @noellebotanicals
- Yelp: Noelle Botanicals
Image Credit:
Laura Burbano @thecreative18
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