Bonnie: est. 2010

Creator: Sarah deHebreard

What's your company philosophy?
"My naturally nourishing products harness the goodness that nature provides in new and creative ways by making use of natural compounds in complex and luxurious formulations. I am constantly developing new formulas and searching for new and interesting ways to combine nature and science, while keeping up with current cosmetic trends (and the suggestions of my friends!)."

What's the most challenging aspect of running your own business?
"I have to keep as up-to-date as much as possible on which beauty buzz words are either attracting or scaring consumers. For example, people love hearing that products are 'natural' or contain any number of plant oils, but media buzz has scared some away from things like parabens (which can naturally occur in plants), silicones, and sulfates. I have to be prepared to answer very specific questions about what those things are, or about what I use (and don't use) and why. I spend an extraordinary amount of time on the FDA website."

What's one product we should try right now?
"Everyone needs to try the lip balm, since it was the first product in the Bonnie line. It's one of my most popular products. I had a customer at a street festival tell me that although she now lives in California, she makes sure to stock up on Bonnie lip balm every time she visits Chicago."

Anything new on the horizon?
"I'm currently researching trends in eye creams to see if I can develop something without the use of expensive cosmeceuticals (to keep costs down) while being as effective as possible. There are also rumors of a bacon-scented soy wax candle in the works (I may have started those rumors!)."

Bonnie Lip Balm, $4.50, available at Bonnie.