(1) LAEDA: Entrepreneurship is a very challenging path to take with many different possible directions. What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?

I become an entrepreneur because I wanted a more flexible schedule outside of the normal 9-5. I felt the need to help educate and provide affordable organic beauty & hygiene products. I also wanted to be able to spend more time with my family and to give back to the community. This is why Belle Mai gives 10% of our proceeds to the Autism Speaks Foundation.

 I began this journey in 2009 in my mother’s kitchen, looking for relief from dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. Through research, I started making all-natural skin products such as body butters, lotions and soaps using organic shea butter. Afterward, when family and friends started seeing the benefits, they soon wanted them as gifts.

In 2016, Belle Mai became a registered active business in the State of New Jersey and in 2018, Belle Mai is now severing consumers online and state-to-state.

(2) LAEDA: Why did you choose your industry?

I chose this industry because so many people suffer from skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, and psoriasis. Consumers are looking for healthier, holistic, and chemical free skin & hair care products at affordable prices, especially as we are moving into a holistic, conscious way of living.

(3) LAEDA: Tell me about your experience while attending EDTP. What have the major takeaways been from the program? Have you had any “Ah-ha!” moments? How did the program help you?

My major takeaways from the program are the following: Developing an elevator pitch, better marketing techniques, construction of my business plan, credit repair, credit building for my business and understanding operating budgets.

That “Ah-ha” moment for me was seeing my business plan completed and Graduation Day, I set a goal and accomplished it!

The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) helped me to understand how important it is to have insight into structure. It also helped me to maintain good business practices and to provide confidence to effectively own my own business.

(4) LAEDA: Tell me about your journey on the road to business start-up. What have been some of the challenges, successes, failures, etc.?

My start-up challenges have been learning how to market Belle Mai, bring in a healthy cash flow, maintain customer connections, product acquisition, order supplies, become organized, and correct website issues.

My successes have been to identify and obtain my Belle Mai Brand while creating products that are in high demand. Those products consisting of lip balms, coffee scrubs, body butters, and aromatherapy candles. Learning how to personalize product grouping for consumers to meet their need has been another major success for Belle Mai Organic Beauty & Hygiene Products.

(5) LAEDA: Could you tell me a little about where your business is today?

BELLE MAI is an organic skin care product line for the whole family by the family. We specialize in Raw black soap, scented and unscented body butters, body lotions, moisturizing bath bombs & body scrubs, lip balms, shampoos & conditioners, hair/beard pomade & oil, aromatherapy candles, and more for those who are in need of relief from eczema, psoriasis, dry skin or just want healthy skin.

(6) LAEDA: Do you have any advice for future (or existing) entrepreneurs?

My advice to existing or future entrepreneurs is to hold fast to your dreams and trust the process, believe in yourself no matter what it looks like, always be DEDICATED, because DEDICATION brings rewards.

Congratulations to Melva June for completing EDTP and recommitting to her journey on the path of entrepreneurship. Her company, Belle Mai Organic Beauty & Hygiene Product Line, uses organic butters and oils, botanical herbs, and essential oils/fragrance that nature has to offer. The products and packaging are also friendly to the environment. Mother Nature offers ingredients that, when carefully crafted to make personal care products, are effective and satisfying. For more information, contact Melva June via telephone at (856) 319-5405, via email at iam1bellemai@bellemai.com, via website at www.bellemai.com, via Facebook 1Belle Mai and via Instagram 1bellemai. Remember Being Beautiful Comes Naturally, Take Care of Your Body, it's ....the Only Place You Have To Live. 

The Entrepreneurial Development Training Program (EDTP) is a free, nine-week business skills training course offered in Camden, NJ in the Winter Spring and Fall each year. Qualified entrepreneurs receive 72+ hours of training from industry professionals, business planning, and one year of technical assistance. Apply online at www.LAEDA.com.