Meet Jonell Mallett of Verlee in Downtown Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonell Mallett.

Jonell, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up, my mom would make my oldest sister and I stand in front of a mirror and repeat to ourselves “ I am beautiful and I can do anything I set my mind to.” She taught us at a young age that we are beautiful (both inside and out) with or without makeup. Even though my mom wore minimal amounts of makeup, we would always tease her for wearing it because she didn’t need it! Her skin always stayed soft, glowing and clear. Because we didn’t wear a ton of makeup, we went through loads of products to make sure our skin stayed blemish-free. Healthy and clear skin became a priority for me. When I entered my teenage years, I developed dermatitis which left my skin very dry and made it hard to maintain that clear glowing skin I desired. My resilient nephew also struggles with dry skin due to eczema. He was born with a rare disease called Mowat Wilson syndrome which made it difficult to find a product that wasn’t too harsh on his sensitive skin as well as mine.

I decided to do some research to find natural remedies that would lessen the irritation on our skin. I spent countless hours educating myself with different recipes and finding the right combination of unique ingredients that I could use in my own homemade products. My supportive little brother would always volunteer to test out my creations. I was happy to find out that not only did my products help sooth my dry skin, but it also helped clear up some of the acne and scarring that he has been dealing with for quite some time. I hadn’t really thought about turning it into a business until my brother suggested it. I decided since skincare is something I am passionate about, It was worth the journey. Verlee is the vehicle.

The name Verlee is a combination of my parent’s middle names, Vernice and Lee. I wanted to make sure I included my family in my journey somehow, With my sister being the photographer, My brother as my model/tester and logo designer and my parents being the inspiration for the name. I wanted my business and it’s named to be timeless and provided healthy skin for generations to come.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has definitely been a bumpy ride, especially with Verlee being a start-up business. I Believe starting up a business is always the hardest part because you are being vulnerable by putting yourself out there and starting from scratch. I’ve had to go through different vendors, trial and error with recipes, figuring out what ingredients complement each other, marketing, etc…

I mentally prepared myself over the years by taking the time to research and talk to veteran business owners about their personal struggles along the way so that I didn’t walk in with blinders on.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Verlee is a Natural Skincare line that is dedicated to making sure your skin stays healthy and hydrated. I take pride in my keen knowledge when it comes to skincare. I have conducted hours of research to make sure that every ingredient that goes into my products will benefit your skin so that all of its needs are met. I want everyone to feel beautiful in their own skin!

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe patience is an important quality to have. Running a business isn’t easy, especially when you are just starting out. I knew that I wasn’t going to blow up right away. It’s tough because sometimes I can go weeks without getting one sale and that will bring doubts and can be very frustrating. I know it will all be worth it in the end, I just have to make sure I stay positive and surround myself with supportive people. You also have to be optimistic. Always look at the brighter side of things. When confronted with challenges you have to see them as opportunities and not as an obstacle. Staying abreast of what trends help market my brand and how I can better serve my niche market.

Pricing:

• Whipped body butters 4 oz- $15
• Whipped body butters 8 oz- $20
• Face wash- $12

Contact Info:

• Website: verlee-106170.square.site/
• Phone: (602) 857-2385
• Email: be.verleenatural@gmail.com
• Instagram: @b.verlee
• Facebook: @b.verlee810

Image Credit:
Countless Faith Photography

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