Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Cuccio.
Danielle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in Los Angeles with a family in the beauty business. They are in the nail business (they sell to nail salons and nail technicians nail polish, nail files, nail art, etc.). It was always super fun going to their warehouse growing up – I was a kid in a candy store – just with beauty products. 🙂 I went to UCLA for college and had a passion for skincare. In my teens, I had bad skin so I wanted to help people achieve beautiful skin and to feel good in their own skin. Also, I knew that I could extend my family’s brand and add on another category. I worked as an Esthetician working with skincare clients for about a year and quickly realized that my Esthetician clients wanted a quick fix. I was learning that true beauty came from the inside-out: what you eat, stress management, exercise, daily water intake, positive thinking all played a role on peoples’ skin, but everyone wanted the latest chemical peel, which wouldn’t leave lasting changes or the changes I knew their skin could be. I became overly interested in nutrition, yoga, ayurveda… SO I studied all of it.
I went back to UCLA and took nutrition, anatomy and business courses… I studied with an Ayurveda guru and learned his ways. I also got my 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher license. I immersed myself in the yoga world because I would see students walking out of yoga with a glow that no facial could ever give. I HAD TO LEARN MORE. I knew that these yogis were doing something since all of their skin looked amazing! I danced my whole life, so I loved yoga and movement. I found a class in Brentwood (Maha Yoga) that taught yoga to hip hop music and I was like, “I can do yoga!” It doesn’t have to be boring or holding a pose for 5 minutes at a time. It can be more of a dance. You’re also on your mat for 45 min-1 hour at a time, forcing you to be with yourself, your thoughts, your body and mind…. It’s an amazing practice over all that can help you not just physically feel better but emotionally.
I started my health + beauty blog, The Beauty Blender, around this same time and basically blogged about everything I was learning. I wanted to take people along the journey with me to share all the amazing information I was learning to hopefully help them in their lives live healthier and happier too. I was also going through a break up after being with my high school sweetheart for 9 years – so it helped me go through that tremendously. Yoga can give you so much confidence and teach you how to have a relationship with yourself.
I started teaching Private Yoga to celebrities, at corporate offices and to people at their homes – bringing them yoga straight to their front door. I still teach and LOVE it. It’s my passion.
My students started asking me questions about how to clean their yoga mat, what oil they should use, the oils I use in our practice, the lotion I would use to massage their shoulders while in Half Pigeon…. I was on to something. I created CUCCIO SOMATOLOGY.
I studied everything I could, as I’m still studying and learning. It’s an ongoing journey. Cuccio Somatology makes products for the yogi and for people who want to live a more relaxed and purposeful life. We are about achieving true beauty from the inside out and making our products a part of your life so you can integrate them to live a better + healthier life.
We now sell worldwide and love spreading the yoga love to people everywhere.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Owning a business might be one of the hardest things in life. If someone in business says they had a “smooth road” they’re lying! It’s so tough!!!! BUT, it’s the most gratifying thing in the world when you achieve your business goals. I can’t even count the amount of NOs or no responses I’ve had in the past few years. Want to know the secret to success? Patience + KEEP GOING. You can’t let the NOs discourage you. You can’t let roadblocks get in the way. You have to know they will be there and keep going anyway. You have to keep going and get up every day to go after your goals. They won’t happen overnight – IF EVERYONE COULD BE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER OR HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS, EVERYONE WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL!!!!! There’s a reason why it’s such a small percentage. It’s the people that are resilient that get there.
Believe in yourself…. always!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cuccio Somatology – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a yoga brand that caters to yogis. Cuccio Somatology is a simple way to help enhance your life through yoga & wellness products.
Tagline: OM THE EXPERIENCE
Our products include:
- Yogahhh! Milk Bath
- Yogahhh! Muscle Fitness Balm
- Calming Chamomile Lotion
- Yoga Essentials Kit
- Yoga Mat Sani Spray Cleaner
What I’m most proud of as a company is watching it grow and having people love our products.
What sets us apart from others: MASTIHA! Our unique ingredient in ALL of our products is Mastiha. Mastiha is a natural ingredient made on ONLY ONE ISLAND IN THE WORLD. Made in CHIOS, GREECE, it can only grow on one side of that island!!! It takes years to grow the tree and resin. It is a miracle ingredient that has been used for over 2,400 years and can be used for oral care, digestive health, has been used on burned victims to heal skin and many more miraculous benefits. It is a miracle ingredient and we place it in every product.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are so excited for 2018! Cuccio Somatology is growing rapidly and we have so much in store. We are partnering with some big name stores and excited to get the brand to more people all over the world. We are always creating new products so that’s always something to look forward to as well!
We are the lead yoga brand in the business. We know the yoga business is huge and we love everyone who is a part of the community!
Contact Info:
- Address:Â Cuccio Somatology HQ
29120 Avenue Paine
Valencia, CA 91355 - Website:Â www.CuccioSomatology.com
- Email:Â [email protected]
- Instagram:Â www.instagram.com/daniellecuccio
- Facebook:Â www.facebook.com/cucciosomatology
- Twitter:Â www.twitter.com/daniellecuccio
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