ARJÊ is an Australian natural, vegan, gluten free and cruelty free skincare brand available exclusively online. You can have a look at our website here: www.arjeskincare.com.au.
That’s what my great-grandmother told me when I was 7 years old. When I grew up, I knew that it was not a phrase of hers, but that the very cheeky one took it from another. Yet those words echo in my head to this day.
Has it happened to you that you want to sleep, but an idea turns you around and around without giving you rest? It happens to me all the time. All my life I wanted to be my own boss, but I was afraid of failing and that stopped me. I was limited by my own high standards of perfection and that prevented me from taking risks. I never did anything without giving it 100%. Who knows me would say that I am stubborn, but I like to call it perseverance.
Hey there! My name is Sofia Zanettini Gomez and I’m the founder of ARJÊ, where we support people to increase their confidence through creating natural and mindful skincare products that they are proud to use. Our philosophy is heavenly skin.
ARJÊ is an Australian natural, vegan, gluten free and cruelty free skincare brand available exclusively online. You can have a look at our website here: www.arjeskincare.com.au.
At ARJÊ, we are health-conscious and passionately trust in the powerful properties of plants and natural ingredients. At ARJÊ we apply the “less is more” rule, which is why we bet on ingredients that are respectful of our skin and also our environment. All our packaging is minimalist, 100% recyclable and without “extras” (e.g., boxes) in order to reduce waste. In addition, we focus on a routine that is simple, practical and adapted to today’s modern life. Who has time to apply 8 products?
Virtue is in the habit and for this reason we strongly believe that healthy skin requires patience and consistency. Nothing is achieved from one day to the next and what’s more, each skin is unique and different. Like you, like me. At ARJÊ, we think that having healthy skin has more to do with health than it does with beauty.
I launched ARJÊ in May 2022 after two long years of hard work and Covid in between. I’m originally from Argentina, but I have adopted Australia as my new home. Although I worked in the legal field for many years, since I was a child, I was curious about the world of skincare. I was inspired by my great-grandmother, who used to use eggs for her hair, or olive oil to nourish the skin on her face. She shared recipes and tips with me, taught me how to take care of myself and make my own products with ingredients that we had at home. Later on, and as a consequence of having very sensitive skin, allergic to several “conventional” ingredients, I decided to venture into natural skincare. I needed to find the cause of why my skin was reacting to different products. I wanted to know why my skin kept getting red, dry and flaky even though I moisturized it. Literally, the skin under my eyes was peeling off every second day. Therefore, I dedicated time studying the skin, natural skincare, product formulation and also the impact of emotions on the human body. I also started making my creams and experimenting them with myself. Results weren’t long in coming and were notorious for me and for everyone
Sensational skin starts within. Because it is the largest organ in the human body, the skin is a true window into how we think and behave within. Healthy skin not only depends on a constant facial routine but also on the lifestyle we lead and how we manage our emotions. Our skin speaks to us so it is very important to learn how to read it. Pay attention: when you fall in love or you are embarrassed your cheeks turn red; or when you are cold, your skin turns purple; or if you’re scared, your skin looks paler. In this way, and as an example, if we understand that acne is related to an identity conflict (hence why it is so common in teenagers), or that eczema or dermatitis are related to the lack or absence of contact with someone or something we love, it will be easier to attack the root of the problem and then support it with skincare routines. Because of course, taking care of ourselves is an absolutely necessary act of self-love. If you don’t do it, who will?
In most cultures, your face is the first part of your body that other look at. So, having lovely skin to show off will make you feel good about yourself and will boost your confidence. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that you are consistent in your skincare routine to keep your skin looking its best all year around. The sooner you can commit to a skincare routine, the sooner you will start seeing results. Also, taking good care of your skin health daily will save you money in the long run.
How does ARJÊ skincare routine work?
ARJÊ skincare regime has just 4 simple steps and is suitable for all skin types, genders, ages, and ethnicities:
STEP 1 – CREAM CLEANSER: facial cleansing is the first and most important step in any skincare regime.
STEP 2 – CALMING TONER: complete the cleansing process and help your skin to restore its balance, refresh and calming it.
STEP 3 – REGENERATIVE SERUM: contains a clever blend of probiotics and root extracts and it helps to prevent signs of aging, reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation and enhances collagen production.
STEP 4 – HYDRATING AND ANTIOXIDANT CREAM: is ideal to magnify your antioxidant levels for glowing, smooth, and healthy skin.
Do I have to follow all the steps? NO! Check it out this! At ARJÊ we are inclusive, so we thought about:
1) Those sloths and “WTF” people (hey! “Will To Fight”): your skin would love a minimum care, so you just follow Steps 1 and 4.
2) Those “WTH” people (“Welcome To Heaven”): your skin would appreciate a little bit more. Then, at the bare minimum (step 1 and 4), you add step 2 OR step 3.
3) The “OMG” people. Yeah! No doubt… they are level “God/Goddess” of skincare. You know what to do! But just in case, follow the 4 steps and relax knowing you’re doing great things for your skin.
You can find more information in our Instagram: @arjeskincare and Facebook Page: ARJE Skincare. Don’t forget to follow us! 😊
The challenges and opportunities the business/market is facing
Personally, it was a great challenge for me being an immigrant, almost no English (my first language is Spanish), no close contacts or family to support me when frustration invaded. But as the saying goes: ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’, right?
When I started to develop the brand, I was working part-time and my income wasn’t enough to live and support financially the business. I was really struggling. Then, I changed job and although the pay is better, the time is more limited since it is a full-time job. So, I get up very early and go to bed very late to dedicate time to ARJÊ and keep the agenda up to date. I think this is a common challenge that all entrepreneurs have: being “one” for everything, I mean, the person who covers all areas of the business, at least initially (purchasing, sales, marketing, etc).
In addition, I don’t like the exposure and as I said before, English is not my first language. Then, I don’t feel comfortable in front of a camera, making videos o showing myself on social media, as sometimes I feel that people won’t understand my accent.
At business level, it is known that the skincare industry is one of the most competitive in the world. There is a lot of misinformation, so reporting well is a task that we at ARJÊ take very seriously. We spend a lot of time studying, analysing and filtering the information we share with our people, because once again, health is the most important thing.
Another challenge is having a strong online presence. Since the market is oversaturated, you are one click away from being “closer or further” from people. The point in favour is that the scope is clearly massive, although it requires being more competitive and creative.
However, natural skincare is a market that has been growing in recent years and is expected to continue growing in the future. This gives the pattern that there are more people interested and aware of consuming natural, vegan and environmentally friendly products.
In fact, due to the high demand and volume of inquiries in the United States, we are preparing everything to expand our business. So, you will have news soon!
Advice to others about business
My advice to new entrepreneurs could be summarize as following:
- Prepare to fail. You are learning and starting a new business is challenging. Someone sometime said: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Don’t forget it. So, observe, take action and learn.
- Doesn’t matter what you do, you always try your best. You are going to make mistakes but, believe me, trying is the only way to know if your idea works or not. Try not to be too harsh on yourself.
- Be patient. Practice makes perfect. Sometimes the results take longer than expected. But they arrive. Keep going!
- Honor your journey: Always the first step is the most difficult and sometimes we feel frustrated. That’s why, from time to time, turn around and tell yourself: “wooow how much I have progressed! How much I have achieved in this time.” Appreciate and congratulate yourself. Celebrate every baby step: they are the fuel that will take you further.
- Do not compare yourself with others. Your business is like you, unique. Nobody is like you, and that is YOUR POWER. Then, focus on your idea and take action.
- Find your balance. If you’re just starting out, like me, and you’re a multitasker, don’t forget to take time for yourself and enjoy every day. In the end, this is just a business and It’s not worth gaining wrinkles over… However, if you do… go back to the very beginning and try ARJÊ skincare! 😛
I believe that nutrition science is a wonderful helper both for the preventive improvement of health and adjunctive therapy in treatment. My goal is to help people improve their health and well-being without torturing themselves with unnecessary dietary restrictions. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle – I play sports, cycle, and swim in the lake all year round. With my work, I have been featured in Vice, Country Living, Harrods magazine, Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Women's Health, and other media outlets.
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