The other day we received a letter from a potential customer mentioning they heard about our organic beauty products from a friend and were interested in purchasing them. However, much to their dismay, the price of our products were cost prohibitive for the average consumer who wishes to do what is right. This person was just trying to voice the feelings of many of the consumers that are out there looking for great organic products but have similar concerns regarding the cost.
The first thing out of my mouth was "God Bless this person." You may be asking why I had such an unusual knee-jerk reaction? Well, instead of just sticking it to us and telling us to take a hike under their breath, this person actually took the time to write us acknowledging they know we have a great product but it's just too much for the every-day-folk's pocket book.
This got me thinking that maybe there are others out there considering to buy our products and wondering why we charge the higher prices that we do. So, it's high time you know what I know.
"Thank you so much for taking the time to voice your thoughts. It is obvious that you care a great deal about your health and the health of your family. Please allow me to explain how our prices have come to be.
"Although I would love to make a lower price product I am unable to do so without compromising the integrity of the ingredients I choose to use.
"I am not sure if you have ever owned a company before but starting up a smaller company such as ours in this economy is not an easy task. Especially if it is a conscientious company - which is exactly what Nurture My Body is.
"Our company is run by myself and my husband and we employ our daughter part time. We cannot afford to pay other employees so we do all of the work ourselves. With many long days! But, we love it. The reason why our products are expensive is the cost of our raw ingredients.
"We actually cannot even mark up our products properly as we are at the top of our price point and are competitively priced for our market. We have not taken a vacation together since we started our company 4 years ago. Nor do we spend frivolously.
"Other companies start out in debt by taking out huge loans to start up. However we chose not to. Other companies also source out less expensive ingredients such as petroleum ingredients or chemicals so they can make a bigger profit. Larger companies can buy their ingredients in bulk. We are a smaller company going up against the "big guys" and are not able to buy in bulk.
"We source out our ingredients from local Organic Growers and when the ingredient can not be grown in the US then we import from smaller organic growers out of the country. We do this to help support their growth as well as know they are fairly paying their employees and we are getting a pure ingredient. This is called fair trade and it is wonderful to do business with people we trust.
"I am so baffled at times and talk to other small business owners in the green and organic industries and many of us are so confused. We all share the same quandaries about price point, safe ingredients and costly organic sources.
"Part of the reason why people have gotten so sick is that as a society we have demanded to buy things cheaper, so cheaper ingredients (such as chemicals) were used by companies, with the result being lower quality products produced.
"Come to find out that those ingredients weren't healthy. So, the consumers point their fingers and say, 'Why you greedy producers. You just wanted to make a lot of money.' (Which in some cases is true.) But no one wants to take responsibility for their own choices - namely buying products that are cheaper.
"We are trying to bring people around the world products made with the safest ingredients. And we run our company in a way that leaves the lowest carbon footprint on our precious earth.
"As I have said I wish I could make cheaper products but I can't; to do so would be going backwards. I personally have learned to do with less and buy quality personal care products as well as healthy food for my body. I have also made the choice to not compromise my integrity for greed.
"Unfortunately it leaves my products too expensive for some because as a society we are used to buying cheap junk, and I can only hope that there are enough people out there that understand our products' value.
"My husband, Rich, made a great video about this very subject, called 'Costing Your Life.' Please take a moment to watch it, and perhaps in the end we will have been blessed by contributing to yet another caring soul that has crossed our path."
In great sincerity,
Patty Kerr
Owner
Nurture My Body