From top left: Jeannie Price, Anti-Aging Moisturizer SPF 30, Refreshing Foaming Gel Cleanser, RestauraCel-C Thermal Microdermabrasion
Jeannie Price, owner of the Dallas based beauty company, Mia Mariu, did not always know she wanted to start a skincare line. “But, what I did know was that I wanted to create a boutique of products that made the connection between beauty – inside and out,” she said, “Of course, the products needed to be simple and pure.” The products in the Mia Mariu line are full of antioxidants that nourish and protect the skin on the outside. “The Mia natural nutritional supplements act as ‘internal’ beautifiers that enhance our external beauty,” said Jeannie, “Sensible companions!” And, how did she come up with the name of her business? “The name Mía in Spanish means ‘mine,’” she said, “I chose it because I wanted our advisers to feel like Mia is ‘their’ company. The Mariú comes from part of my legal name of Maria. I wanted to give it a chic twist.”
She also adds that diet is an important aspect of a skincare regimen. “We are so busy and our lives are so hectic, and most people, especially women, do not get the nutrition they need and that has a direct affect on how their skin looks and feels,” she said. The Mia Mariu skincare products are designed to detoxify, nourish, and protect. “It’s only logical to link and connect the products,” she said, “This makes Mia unique from many, if not all of the other skincare brands.” Mia Mariu offers a mineral makeup line that is considered the “finishing touch” the product lineup.
To begin her company, it took Jeannie 18 months of continuous hard work. “It started as a vision to empower women as entrepreneurs and to bring to life an exclusive product line,” she said, “The concept was that both the business opportunity and the products had to offer up something more, something different. The product sells itself.”
Beyond enjoying the products, individuals can actually sell them as well. “The Mia Adviser is one of the most lucrative direct sales ventures for women and one of the most contemporary- designed and tailored made for today’s women,” she said, “Imagining it was easy! Creating, testing, molding and launching was the difficult task. Mia Mariu opened the virtual doors for business in May 2008.” Jeannie also said a goal of the Mia Mariu line was to offer luxury products without the high prices.
“The Mia line conveys a retail department store glamour and sophistication at an affordable price without the heavy-handed sales tactics you might experience at the counter,” she said. The products are oil-free and offer unique and nourishing ingredients like yucca, agave, and pomegranate in the skin treatments and aloe, cactus, and other antioxidant fruit extracts in the nutritional supplements. And, what’s her favorite product? “Our hydrating moisturizer with SPF 30+ – it’s a powerhouse antioxidant with amazing hydration and anti-aging protection,” she said, “The hydrating moisturizer is a powerful sunblock against UVA and UVB rays. At the end of the day, if you can only do one thing in your regimen, you must protect the skin to prevent premature aging.” Some of her favorite colors in the makeup line are: South Beach bronzer, Durazno eye shadow, and Tango lipstick. “Once a week without fail, I use our phenomenal RestauraCel-C Thermal Microdermabrasion in the shower after cleansing,” she said.
So, with so many options at Mia Mariu within both the skincare and cosmetic lines, how does one begin to start their own business and selling the products themselves? “It is very easy to start a Mia Mariu business,” she said, “You can select from three different Starter Kit options ranging from $49.95 – $140. Each Kit offers a sampling of the product line. It also contains business forms, materials and catalogs. With the purchase of the larger Kits, an Adviser obtains a 6 month free subscription to a personalized website, a 24/7 online store, so she can immediately be in business and leverage the power of social media to market her business.”
Options for sales ventures include: selling products at in-home party presentations, personal appointments, or online. There isn’t an inventory requirement and Mia Mariu offers direct shipping to the customer as well, allowing advisers to keep more of their profits and spend less time driving and delivering. “An adviser can make up to 50% profit on retail sales,” she said, “We also provide training and support to help advisers develop their business.”
The Nonsense & Sensibility verdict: the products smell wonderful and I am definitely a fan of the thermal microdermabrasion kit. After just one use, my skin looked as if it had shed layers of dull winter skin and left me feeling spring-ready.
Learn more about the botanical skincare and cosmetic company here.
