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Meet Kristin Fraser of The Grapeseed Company & Seaside Makers Collective in Santa Barbara & Carpinteria

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Fraser.

Kristin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The spark behind The Grapeseed Company began when I moved to Santa Barbara, California after a two-year adventure sailing a 30ft boat from Boston to the Caribbean. Living off solar power, fishing for food, and rationing the fresh water supply, I gained a deeper respect for treading lightly on our planet. Through travel, I discovered the benefits of natural oils and plants being used by local islanders. During the ocean passages, I studied herbs, essential oils and the craft of making natural skin care products. At times it was challenging to get to stores, so I began making products for personal use on the boat.

When the sailing adventure came to an end, I settled ashore in Santa Barbara. After falling in love with wine country, I began experimenting with the benefits of using antioxidant-rich red wine waste to creating formulas.

In 2004 I launched The Grapeseed Company, creating the first vinotherapy line upcycled from the byproduct of the California wine industry. I started selling grapeseed based scrub, oil and lip balm to friends, online and at the local Santa Barbara Sunday Beach Market while I was teaching elementary school nearby in Goleta, CA. I quickly picked up wholesale accounts with spas and retailers, and realized, “this could be a great opportunity to turn my passion and craft into a real business!” I went part-time next fall teaching, and financed my business by bootstrapping and reinvesting in Grapeseed Co. to get where we are today.

I opened my first store in downtown Santa Barbara in 2010 with an interactive Scent Bar where customers come and create their own bespoke scents and even name their own products. We host “Scent Camp” parties and offsite events where we bring the Scent Bar on the road and set up for corporate events and celebrations. A big highlight was being asked to host a Scent Bar for Visit California last year, where we set up for over 1000 people on the Huntington Beach Pier.

Today, The Grapeseed Co. has grown to over 100 vinotherapy skin, hair & personal care products utilizing fresh, local ingredients and is known for our custom Scent Bar and niche in the beauty industry. Grapeseed creates products for some of the most exclusive spas and resorts, as well as distributing to specialty shops, wineries and boutiques in North America.

After the hardships the Thomas Fire and Montecito Mudflow brought in 2018, I decided to turn our stores into Seaside Makers Collective, bringing the best Artisan Gifts & Essential Goods from the area into one interactive shop. We have 2 stores, one in the beautiful seaside town of Carpinteria, and the other in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Our Scent Bar is a big draw to the shops, and gives a one of a kind creative experience to guests. It’s a strange time in brick & mortar retail, but we are committed to keeping the shops alive, bringing the local brands Santa Barbara is known for to our customers near and far. We’ve added an Artisan Pantry section to the shops upon reopening, to offer more Essential Goods in addition to Grapeseed Co. products.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m not sure any entrepreneur can say it’s been a smooth road! There have been so many hardships and life lessons along the way. the past 16 years. I believe even in the darkest of times, there is always a silver lining and something to learn from the experience, even if it’s tough to see at the time. I always tell myself, “something good will come out of this. I will learn something from this, I will be stronger because of this.” It helps me stay positive and get through the tough times… much like what we are facing now with a global pandemic. I’m not positive what the silver lining is yet, but confident there are many things we will all learn from this journey we are currently on.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
It’s important to know your strengths, and weaknesses… and hire people whose strengths are your weaknesses! If I could go back and do it all over, I would have hired people sooner who could help my company rise to the next level. It’s so hard the first five years or so when you are just getting started, trying to do it all alone, and think you can’t afford to hire help! Sometimes bringing in help may hurt finances at first, but can payoff in the long run. Know your “zone of genius” and try to function in that zone as much as you can; build a team that can support you and help you rise up!

Pricing:

  • Our individual products range from $5-40, making them affordable luxuries. We also offer at-home Spa Kits and Gifts Sets.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Property of Grapeseed Co.

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