Watch this episode as Mervin discusses with Kendra Griffith, a pioneer in the skincare industry in Belize. Discover the success story of how Kendra transformed a problematic skin condition into a thriving business in this segment on Creative Monday Discussion, Season 5 Episode 10: “Transforming Problems into Profit.”
Listen to commercial-free audio below:
About Kendra Griffith
Kendra Griffith is Belize’s leading pioneer in skincare, with a full line of skincare products ranging from cleansers to scrubs and salves. Her business, “Hello Body”, has become well known for its product quality and effectiveness, and Kendra has mastered her craft of creating solutions for skincare problems. The business focuses on providing natural and organic skincare remedies, specializing in Eczema. Hello Body came to life due to Kendra’s own struggle with skincare after being diagnosed with Eczema. Upon diagnosis, she soon realized that there were little to no adequate results from the highly recommended pharmaceutical and commercial skincare products. With the help and motivation of family and friends, she was able to develop and launch her first products, starting a business that has since greatly expanded. Kendra is also now exporting her products to countries such as Taiwan and the United States. She continues to remain humble in her business venture as she accredits a great deal of her success to the support of her Belizean community. In addition to her belief that the support of the local community aids in the success of a business, Kendra also believes in the importance of business owners and entrepreneurs being able to assist each other and succeed together.
Apart from being a thriving entrepreneur, Kendra has also worked as a Project Coordinator at the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, as an English Tutor, and as a Researcher. It can be said that she has used her combined working experience paired with proper research to build her business and ensure its success. To add to Kendra’s accolades as a successful businesswoman, she has also earned a Master’s Degree from the National Chengchi University, Taiwan, in International Studies as well as her Bachelor’s Degree in Ancient History from the University of Belize. She is a proud first-generation graduate who has made a name for herself locally and internationally, representing Belize with great pride.
Key Points from this Episode/ Take Away
- Kendra introduces her business, Hello Body Belize.
- The nature of the products being offered is explained.
- Kendra shares her personal journey battling a skin condition (Eczema) which started in 2015.
- The insecurities faced due to physical appearance are shared and discussed.
- The importance of being able to do the necessary research, and do it properly, is discussed.
- Kendra shares her first line of products which were introduced to the market: scrubs.
- Kendra shares the initial stage of how she received her first purchases.
- Types of skincare products are explained, including cleansers, moisturizers, multipurpose salves, sprays, and scrubs.
- Kendra shares that the business recently celebrated six (6) years in business.
- The diagnosis process is discussed along with the process of developing products that work.
- The side effects of Eczema medications are discussed.
- Kendra’s previous working history is discussed, along with how it was used to her advantage to further develop her business.
- The importance of research is highlighted.
- The process of data gathering and analysis to create a product is discussed.
- The mental health struggles due to skin conditions are discussed, along with they were overcome.
- The importance of creating awareness for skin diseases through social media platforms is discussed.
- The importance of being approachable and mindful of others in business is emphasized.
- The ability to interact with those who are not aware of skin disease is discussed.
- The importance of educating and encouraging people to deal with Eczema, mentally and physically, is discussed.
- The importance of providing a source of motivation to the audience through posts on social media is discussed.
- Being sensitive to the conditions of others as individuals, employers, and business owners is discussed.
- The importance of accommodations being made for others due to mindfulness of health conditions is discussed.
- Having a business mindset is discussed.
- The transition from a hobby to a business is explored.
- The importance of knowing your market is discussed, along with the fact that the rise in demand for skincare in the US resulted in a rise in skincare demand in Belize as well.
- Purposes of skincare are discussed.
- Kendra shares that she is the first Belizean to have her own diversified line of skincare products.
- Kendra shares her experience in getting into Expos and eventually receiving praises from organizations such as Beltraide and Belipo.
- Kendra shares about her focus shifting from being an entrepreneur to pursuing academics.
- The journey of pursuing a Master’s Degree while maintaining a business is discussed.
- Kendra shares the realizations about her business from her three (3) year break.
- The importance of family support for the success of one’s business is discussed.
- The concept of “Hello Body on Autopilot” is explained.
- Competitors are discussed.
- Acknowledging accomplishments is discussed.
- The outreach approach used in interactions with customers is shared.
- The COVID-19 pandemic is discussed, including how the business flourished during the pandemic.
- The importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with the Belizean community is discussed.
- The future of Hello Body is discussed.
- The target audience is identified.
- What keeps Kendra motivated to continue on in her journey is shared.
- The measures taken to allow the business to sustain itself are discussed.
- The transition to wholesale is discussed.
- The appreciation and testimonies received from customers are shared.
- Giving back to the community is discussed, along with the Round Table program.
- Advice is given to entrepreneurs looking to start a business.
- The importance of having passion and being able to trust yourself is highlighted.
- The importance of networking is discussed.
- Kendra shares how grateful she is to the Belizean community.
Monday Night Brain Teasers
- “Started with my journey, finding something that would work for me and then other people loving the products.” – Kendra Griffith (00:04:48 – 00:04:54).
- “Being sensitive to the environment and the space you are in” – Mervin Budram (00:17:52 – 00:17:56).
- “Progress brings problems”- Mervin Budram (00:38:01 – 00:38:03).
- “I saw a market in which I could just blossom”- Kendra Griffith (00:39:49 – 00:39:54).
- “The support from the Belizean community is like no other” – Kendra Griffith (00:59:35 – 00:59:40).
- “Someone cannot trust your product, if you do not trust your product yourself” – Kendra Griffith (01:01:34 – 01:01:40).
- “If you want to move fast, you go by yourself. If you want to move far, you go as a community as a group” – Kendra Griffith (01:02:26 – 01:02:34).
