Hi, I'm Vanessa, the founder and creator behind Enamored Essentials. I’m a San Francisco native and a mom of two. I have always been the creative type and have dabbled in many different hobbies throughout my life- painting, photography, pottery, singing in a choir, style blogging, and so on.
I was inspired to start a new hobby when I was newly postpartum with my second child. I was scrolling on TikTok one day and fell in love with the art of soap-pouring videos, which is what initially piqued my interest. Despite the many hobbies I have explored in my lifetime, I had never been much of a DIY girly. However, after two children and more life under my belt, my confidence, patience, and capacity to hone in on a task strengthened.
My passion for soap-making quickly expanded. I researched nonstop and studied the craft through books, YouTube videos, and Facebook groups. The more I learned, the more I yearned to create. I experimented often and gifted lots of soap to family and friends. It felt like such a precious gift to give- something made by hand with love. My adoration for soap making continued to grow, and soon I decided to turn my newfound hobby into a business.
Our family of four lives in a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco, so space is limited. My husband often works from home at his computer desk in the living room, and I needed a place to store my supplies as I became more serious about my craft. He suggested that I transform our dining room table into my new workspace, which made me feel truly supported in my new venture.
I first started selling online and later began exploring pop-ups. My favorite market to sell at is in Pacifica, and I make an effort to pop up there every few months. It's such a wonderful beachside community in the Bay Area, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.
My goal for Enamored Essentials was always to expand the product line beyond soap. Looking back, I realize now that a lot of my perspectives and preferences on bath and body products were longstanding. In my early 20’s, I began gravitating towards fragrance-free options for body wash and clothing detergents. The older I got, the more intentional I became about the ingredients I used on my body.
By my late 20’s, I developed an autoimmune disorder that greatly affected every aspect of my life- specifically my skin. I had to reevaluate every aspect of my life- my diet, my lifestyle, and what I put on my skin. The irony is that many of the clean beauty products that I wanted to use didn't work well for me anymore because my newfound health issues also came with sensitivities to nuts and seeds. Many clean beauty brands use almond oil, cashew oil, grapeseed oil, sesame seed oil, and other ingredients that are no longer an option for me. It was frustrating to realize that many "clean" products weren't made with certain allergies in mind, and I often felt defeated.
My own life experiences have shaped the deeply ingrained essence of Enamored Essentials. As allergies and ingredient sensitivities become more common, finding products that work for our individual needs can feel increasingly complicated. My goal has always been to create products beyond soap that can be safely used for those with similar sensitivities.
Last year, I expanded my product line to include “Ever Thine," a multi-purpose balm, “Sigh of Relief,” a chest and muscle salve, and “Ocean’s Devotion,” a magnesium spray. These creations were inspired by my own daily routines- a balm that I can use as chapstick, for dry skin, or on my C-section scar. Sigh of Relief to use when our family has a cold and could use a little extra support to open their airways. And Ocean’s Devotion, which can be used as a deodorant or when my restless legs are acting up. I'm also currently experimenting with a new body butter formula. Every product is handcrafted and formulated by me, and I test the formulas on myself and my loved ones before they ever reach the Enamored Essentials shop. My kids are always excited to try Mommy's newest creations, and getting to share that thrill with them has become one of my favorite parts of this journey.
I still have so many ideas that I would love to bring to fruition. My goal is to continue creating thoughtfully handcrafted products made with high-quality ingredients that people can feel excited about using daily.
Thank you for being here and for supporting Enamored Essentials- whether you've placed an order, stopped by my booth at a market, or you're simply taking the time to read my story- I'm grateful for it all, and it inspires me to keep going.
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