Today we’d like to introduce you to Billi Sarafina.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Billi. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Once upon a time in a galaxy far far away my founding fathers sent me to Los Angeles where I would live for 18 years once it was time to venture off into adulthood I moved to three snow states. Missouri, Colorado and Utah. I missed the sun I moved back to my hometown of Los Angeles. The year was 2017. I moved back to pursue my career as a writer for television and film. I have known since I was nine years old that I have wanted to be a writer. In 2018 I filmed my first short and nine more followed. I have been motivated more than ever after winning two film contest and being in 7 film festivals, but being an up and coming artist, you never know when you’ll catch your “big break”. I was focused solely on my writing, but in January 2019 I got engaged and although I was overjoyed, I couldn’t believe how expensive weddings were. I thought long and hard about how I could bring in extra income to save for our new wedding and future but chickened out when the thought of starting my own business came into play. After the passing of rapper, community activist, and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle I was motivated to do it even if it was something I always feared, I realized life is to short and it was now or never. For years I had been giving handmade body and bath gifts to friends and family, so I chose what I knew. In April of 2019, I started the beginning stages of Body Vibes Beauty and we officially launched in June 2019. In the winter on 2017 I started a support group for women called “I am Bes Goo” it means I will give my best self and it will be good. After the #Metoo movement, I wanted to start a group for survivors of any negative life event. As a humanitarian, I wanted ladies and even men whom we invite sometimes. To know they have a safe space.
Has it been a smooth road?
Definitely not! One of the biggest struggles with starting your own business is getting the support no matter if you believe in yourself and your product people have to buy it etc. The fear that knowing most businesses fail within the first year almost made me change my mind, but I have profound confidence in my business. When it comes to creating finding a dependable team to create with is also a struggle. I believe in the power of teamwork! You also think about all the other amazing creators and entrepreneurs with the same goal as you and it may be discouraging, but my main motivator is their brain doesn’t work like mines, our personalities are different, and our backstories are different. All reasons to keep pushing, I am resilient if nothing else.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is called Body Vibes Beauty. We specialize in shea butter, body scrub and handmade jewelry. Since starting our most popular shea scent is Magnolia Moon. We also have a shea butter for men called Dedication in honor of the late Nipsey Hussle. Our Sunshine scent is also a favorite and of course, we have unscented. All of our sheas have a shimmer option which is beautiful with the summer sun. Our mission is to help people get their glow on! Building confidence and healthy skin. The start of having a good day is feeling great and that’s what body vibes inhibits good vibes only!!! Our jewelry is in! Our beaded wire can be used as a bracelet, choker, hair accessory and even waist beads. I am most proud of the positive and appreciative reactions I’ve been getting and of course when someone makes a purchase. What sets us apart from others is our signature scents, our unique designs, and our hope to grow. We want to expand our product line once we create more buzz.
With Bes Goo productions we specialize in dramedy shorts. I am always looking for other creatives to collab with. I’ve attached links to a few of our shorts. So far in 2019, I have filmed two shorts which will be released soon. And I am working on getting others into production. I am Bes Goo recently hosted its 2nd open event June 29th called “Desserts, Drinks, and Discussions”. To many women deal with similar issues and if feels good to know you are not alone and that someone survived and so can you, someone prevailed and so can you, or someone let go and so can you! One thing that separates both of these ventures from others is that these play a major role with my care about humanity. Rather it be teamwork, offering laughter the best medicine, or a human connection.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Its the city of dreams! Being an entrepreneur in LA is for sure a struggle when you are just starting out. But the most motivating part is that you are in Los Angeles and there is always something going on. I go sale at farmers markets, the beach, festivals and other vendor events. So when selling a product similar to mines, there are many opportunities, its just a matter of getting people to invest.
Pricing:
- Our shea butters are $10.00
- Our Body scrubs are $8.00
- Our Jewelry ranges from $3-$10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BodyVibesBeauty?ref=shop_sugg
- Phone: 9704577233
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @bodyvibesbeauty @iambesgoo @urbesgoo
- Other: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IzvDgsohxIY
https://vimeo.com/263806437
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rHx40evbEbI&t=14s
Image Credit:
Photo credit of myself taken by my fiance Christopher
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