Louise Duke is an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Wondery Skin Food. Louise is our 2020 AusMumpreneur NSW-ACT Customer Service Silver Award winner.
After an aggressive melanoma diagnosis in 2018, Louise made it her mission to rid her body and her household of all things chemical. It wasn’t an easy feat, we are so tuned into buying reputable well known brands it was a transition and mentality that didn’t come easy!!! Louise started making her own make up and face creams and after some beautiful comments on what make up do you use? She decided to look into selling.
With a new perspective and a little creativity, we can change the old once was into something even more beautiful than before. It was here Wondery Skin Food was born!!
When did you start your business?
My business idea began in 2018 and evolved to launch in 2019.
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
After my diagnosis, life heated up a little so I had to make some changes. The whole house went low tax and just seeing how many ‘nasties ‘ and names I couldn’t pronounce were in skin care and make up products astounded me. I wanted to help others so they didn’t have to go through what I went through. I love connection and the thought of connecting with women in this way was so exciting to me. I started researching and made my own make up and after so much interest and compliments I decided to take the leap and begin selling my products.
What are you most excited about in your business?
I love the connection and the being able to part of the growth of natural products and ingredients in the beauty business. A ‘revolution’ into the education of what’s good and what’s not, I wanted to see the sale and use of natural products grow within teens too.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
Believing in myself and my products has been the greatest challenge. To see and read that other people love your product is hard to comprehend when you’ve hand made them yourself. I’ve carried self-doubt and comparison around at times but thankfully those times are becoming less frequent. I get through these moments of doubt by helping others so hopefully they don’t feel the same. I love connection, so being able to assist and encourage others starting out has helped me help myself too!
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Believe in YOU. You don’t have to have all your ducks lined up to begin, you just have to have the faith to take the leap, things will never be what you originally start out like, as you grow your ideas and your business grows – Go FOR IT and surround yourself with likeminded mums in business. Finding a fellow mumpreneur mentor that was ahead of me in business has been one of the most pivotal points for my business.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
I was nominated and was really scared to take the leap! But my friend and business mentor encouraged me to go all in and really go for it!
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
The awards were a little different last year to say the least but Peace and Katy did such a fabulous job of keeping us all in the loop and creating an online event that was fun and connectable. I loved the work within myself and the business in the lead up too. I can’t wait to attend a real AusMumpreneur event! The atmosphere would be amazing.
What surprised you most about the awards?
My confidence once I decided to go for it! The connection to fellow award nominees and the hub of business women coming together really surprised and inspired me.
How did the awards help you in your business?
They gave me the confidence to believe in myself and my product. They helped my business grow because I had the confidence to step out and believe and take risks. The media and publicity also helped as it gives the customer the feeling of reputable product.
What advice would you give to others mums thinking about entering the awards?
It’s an AMAZING experience that you should really GO for! Take a leap of faith in yourself and your business have fun and enjoy where it takes you! You won’t be disappointed!
What’s happening next in your business? Any big plans for the future?
I’m excited to keep growing and building the foundations of my business! Its also important to have personal development along the way. I’m currently investigating launching into another country and always creating new products.
To learn more about Wondery Skin Food, please visit the website, Instagram or Facebook.
All images featured here are from Louise Duke.
NOMINATE an amazing mum in business for the 2021 AUSMUMPRENEUR AWARDS!
For every nomination we receive this year we will donate $1 to Share the Dignity! We’re on a mission to raise $5000 to help end period poverty.
>> NOMINATE HERE <<
