PLI Logo

PEARL LEMON INTERVIEWS:
Roberta Perry -
ScrubzBody

Roberta Perry

I researched botanical oils and various exfoliants. I mixed up different combinations and test batches until I came up with a winner. My late sister, Michelle, joined me, and in 2006 we started ScrubzBody Skin Care Products. It’s true I sell skincare, made by hand with natural ingredients, but what I really offer my customers is the permission to pamper themselves. I was a natural remedy segment guest of the Dr Oz show, which aired on 10/24/14.

A Fireside Chat

I had the opportunity to have an amazing conversation with Roberta Perry at Scrubzbody today. From talking about SEO for eCommerce sites, Roberta agreed to a quick interview.

She took the time to talk to me and answer some questions so I could get to know her better and hear more about the things that have helped shape her business success to date – let’s get stuck into it!

What Is The Book (Or Books) You’ve Given Most As A Gift, And Why?

For enjoyment, I recently gifted on audible, American Dirt, by Jeanine Cummins. I loved the story about courage, grit and love. I gave my daughter and my niece, Men to Avoid in Art and Life by Nicole Tersigni, as a gift for the holidays, because it is hysterical and spot on. Business books I love to share are The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. It is a story of scaling for the right reasons and why. The Middle Finger Project by Ash Ambirge which basically sets the bar for doing it differently and individually, Zombie Loyalists by Peter Shankman about customer service and loyalty and The Power of Free Publicity, Using HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to Build Relationships and Get Free Press 1st Edition by myself 🙂

What Purchase Of $100 Or Less Has Most Positively Impacted Your Life In The Last Six Months?

My Soda Stream Seltzer Maker! I love drinking seltzer all day long with lemon and ginger added for health and flavor. I was going through too many plastic bottles of the stuff, and the seltzer maker has become my go-to every day for multiple bottles.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

The worst is the multi-level marketing of something as important to understand as essential oils. I love them and have used them for 15 + years with respect and admiration at not only their fabulous scents but at their wonderful holistic properties. But when all of these companies started popping up with good oils but improper and misleading information, I was appalled. I bought the book The Unspoken Truth About Essential Oils by Kayla Fioravanti and Stacey Haluka, to show to customers when the topic arose. I get on my “soapbox” and explain the joys and dangers of essential oils and hope they begin to educate themselves with more information than what their up-line told them.

When You Feel Overwhelmed Or Unfocused, Or Have Lost Your Focus Temporarily, What Do You Do?

I look at the whole picture of my day and my life at the moment. I have ADD and so focus for me is a big deal, especially when my business has many juggling parts. I write things down, which helps. I also allow myself time to decompress, remembering that if I don’t get it done today, I’ll do it tomorrow. If it is a timely deadline, I will take a 15-minute breather and then tackle the problem. Actually doing the work usually gets me through the fog.

Yes, you ARE worth it!

- Roberta Perry

What Is One Of The Best Or Most Worthwhile Investments You’ve Ever Made?

In my business, I invested the most in customer service. It is my #1 component, and I go out of my way to know my customers and how I can serve them. For myself, I invest 2 hours a week to my juicing and health. I spend 2-3 hours a week on the elliptical or when the weather is nice, my bicycle or inline – skates, for my health. I invest time in my friendships because I know they are a foundation for my life. I am diverse in my financial investments with stocks, ETF’s and recently cryptocurrency. 

In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?

Juicing! I started in August of 2016 and have been juicing ever since. My friend Jennifer taught me about juice fasting in a course she did. I then watched the movies Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead 1 and 2, Hungry for Change and the Gerson Method. I did my own 12-day juice fast and never looked back. I have 1-2 juices daily and have gotten my husband hooked on them as well. My favorite blend is kale, cucumber, celery, lemon, ginger, apple, pineapple and sometimes grapes. I also love carrots with celery, ginger and apples.

If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — what would it say and why?

Yes, you ARE worth it! – I think people in general and women, in particular, don’t value themselves enough. People will question their worth and their expertise. They suffer from imposter syndrome. I believe we all have an incredible contribution. We just have to have the courage to show it to the world.

How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favourite failure” of yours?

I had a business before ScrubzBody Skin Care, called The S’Cool. It was an adult education program school, based in Texas. I had 2 partners who were totally different from each other and from myself. We just could not mesh in focus or feel to the business we wanted. It failed. Miserably. When I started my own business, I was able to learn from all those mistakes and not make them again.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?

The real world is so much more than you are learning in school. It’s about the business of people as much as the business of your “widget”. Remember that. Customers are your lifeblood and are the reason you are in business in the first place. Treat them with love, respect and dignity. Ignore the naysayers. Ignore the talkers who only talk and do not do. Making mistakes is part of the story. Learn from them and move on to the next strategy.

What is the most significant thing that someone much younger than yourself has taught you?

My original label only had the name of the product on them, not the name of my brand. They also had slightly different looks. My at the time 17-year-old nephew, who was taking a marketing class in HS, pointed this out to me. I redesigned every label to include my logo and more cohesively brand my products. Thanks, Andrew!

What careers advice would you give to your 21-year old self?

Forgive yourself if you make a mistake and move on. Go for it. Never be afraid of speaking your mind, just do it with class and kindness.

Tell Us About Your Business. What Does It Do And What Value Do You Add?

I create natural skin care, but what I really do is allow people the chance to pamper themselves. Self-care is too important to forget and my products make it easy and fuss-free.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

I love photography. I believe that would have been another career path I would have loved.

Where do you see your industry in the next 5 years?

Small, intimate shops catering to customers with a one on one experience

What is a 'hack' you have for success that most people don't know about?

I use Help a Reporter Out www.helpareporter.com as a PR tool. I have been quoted or written about in over 100 publications or podcasts. I got so good at it, I wrote a book!
The Power of Free Publicity

What is a useful skill someone could learn in one minute?

Smiling with their eyes, as much as their mouths.

What one song can you listen to every day non-stop?

It’s too difficult to only select one.

Europa by Santana, Hotel California by The Eagles, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, Carpet Crawlers by Genesis, Let it Go, Let it Flow by Dave Mason, or Gravity by John Mayer

What is the most surprising thing you've seen in your industry?

In my small Indie part of the industry I have seen real sharing and helpful suggestions. Makers helping other makers make is the best success for all of us.

How has Covid-19 changed your industry?

The people who participate in craft fairs and things like that have seen a drastic reduction in business. The ones who pivoted big time online saw an increase.

How has Covid-19 changed your company?

We are 90% touch-less for the customers. We will take things off the shelves for them. No contact on the credit card screen. Scents are placed in small cups for them to smell 6 feet away. Masks on all the time. We had curb-side only for months and then went to smaller amounts of people in the store at one time.

What's your favourite colour?

Purple

What's your favourite holiday destination?

Amsterdam

What popular celebrity do you admire the most and why?

Lenny Bruce. He was a game-changer in terms of freedom of speech. He spoke his truth and the truth of many others who were afraid to. He also happened to be my grandfather’s first cousin. I really wish I met him, but he died when I was a child.

What one thing in life do you consider to be overrated?

Designer mutts. 🙂

What are you NOT Very Good at?

I can’t sing very well, but this doesn’t stop me in the car. 🙂

What's your star sign?

Pisces

What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Açaí bowl with peanut butter, bananas, strawberries, blueberries and a drizzle of honey. Yum!

About Us

Pearl Lemon are an SEO, PPC, PR, and B2B lead-generation agency. We are based in London but service clients around the world.

We have taken the time to interview entrepreneurs and experts (like Roberta) in this new series.

About the Author