February 6, 2017

Meet Sandee Ferman of No Tox Life in Glassell Park

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandee Ferman.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I taught myself how to make soaps three years ago, and loved it! I found a connection between the art of the soap design and the precise science behind making that idea come to life.

A couple years ago, I was buying shampoo at the store and happened to look at the ingredients label — I was shocked reading all the unnecessary chemicals even the “natural” brands were loaded up with. I decided then and there I was going to give everyone an alternative to that crud; something REALLY natural, using ingredients you can actually pronounce and that are beneficial to the body.

For the first year, I sold at local farmers’ markets in Los Angeles, then my daughter joined me and we branched out into San Francisco and multiplied our LA markets. A month ago, we finally opened our own brick-and-mortar retail store! We love the neighborhood here.

Has it been a smooth road?
Most of our challenges have been growth-related.

For example, when we were in San Francisco for a holiday event last year, we were interviewed on the news. Very cool. Then we started getting online orders — but we were out of town! After the event, we drove all night to get back to LA in time to pack up and ship out more online orders than we’d ever seen before. Literally TABLES full of orders, that we needed to get shipped out that day (because we ship fast). We were slinging up tables, taping boxes, packing products and shipping all of it, and we got it done on time. Barely. Since then, we’ve had several days like that but we get more and more organized each time.

A few months ago, we had completely outgrown our previous location. Seriously, we were all bumping into each other constantly. I found a new warehouse location that had the bonus of a separate building we could use as our storefront. Great! Then we had to move. That was its own challenge because we didn’t want to stop shipping or production, so we juggled packing, moving, cleaning, making and unloading all at the same time. It only took a month but it seemed the unexpected costs and surprises were never ending.

After we moved, we started using a cargo van for pickup and delivery of all our markets since we do several each day in Los Angeles (Hollywood, Melrose, Montrose, and Smorgasburg, for example, are all on Sundays). We finally got that routine all down pat, and then realized we were spending a small fortune in van rentals to carry it all. Fortunately, one of our customers is a car dealer and found us a great deal on a cargo van, so now we rule the world! hahaha

So, as you know, we’re impressed with No Tox Life – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We make and sell vegan skin care for men and women. That means handmade soaps (made the traditional way, from scratch), cremes, oils, deodorants, lip balms, shampoos, masks, scrubs, shaving soaps — more than 100 different products. Even candles (non-GMO soy wax, of course, and with wood wicks, because they’re more fun).

We hand make everything we sell, right here in Los Angeles.

People know our products are long-lasting and well made. Our packaging and designs are done in-house. Customers frequently comment on the attractiveness of our packaging and products.

We’re known for:
-An aluminum-free deodorant that actually works all day, and we offer 14 different scents so there’s one (or two or three) you’ll like using.
-A lip balm that lasts all day in 15 different flavors.
-Being at multiple farmers’ markets or events every weekend.
-Growing and expanding.

These points also set us apart from others. There are other handmade vegan skin care businesses in LA. Just not another one with the huge product line we have and the expansion we have.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
LA is huge and you can find anything you want here. Space to spread out? We have that. Urban condensed activity? We have that. Beaches? Mountains? Parks you can get lost in? Local communities where you know everyone who lives around you? Yep, we’ve got all those, too.

There’s a very hip vibe in the growing arts revival in LA. I love that about the city and about our local customer base. Very exciting times. People are supporting artists, and they want to know who is making the things they use — I love this about LA and its people.

Like least? Hmm… probably when freeway construction is taking way longer than I think it should because that’s just silly to torture us like that.

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