5 Minutes with... frecklefarm organics

Organic skincare line, frecklefarm organics has been curated with a selection of high performance and plant based ingredients with an aim to improve the skin’s appearance. Born out of Juliana's passion for natural beauty, spiritual alchemy and the desire to share how the pairing of the two can help transform your beauty inside and out, their mission is to cultivate unique beauty inside and out, make beauty products using organic, fair-trade and natural ingredients, inspire spiritual growth, and create sustainable jobs around the world. We caught up with the founder, Juliana Kuzminova, to find out more…

How did frecklefarm organics begin?

I was in the last semester of my Masters in Business Information Management when I realized that I should turn my organic skincare making hobby into a business. In 2013, I quit my career in the Pharmaceutical industry to fully focus on my vision; along with being a mom to my newborn. At the time, I had been making skincare for two years. Later in 2013, I completed several Organic Skincare Formulation programs in Formula Botanica, an accredited organic skincare school. This education provided me with the knowledge and confidence I needed to move forward with my own dream. On my journey through motherhood, I realized that feeling beautiful is as important as having beautiful skin.  Maintaining beautiful skin, enhancing my confidence, my sexuality and connection to my inner child, were the main focus that drove my research, and then I discovered the powers of essential oil. Essential oils can positively alter our physical body and emotional state. In my products, I used essential oils that improve skin tone and texture, promote skin elasticity and cell regeneration as well as stimulate the sacral chakra that guides our creativity, self-esteem, confidence, self-love, connection to our inner child and sexuality. The results were wonderful and self-fulfilling and I wanted to share them with the world.

Have you always been interested in the beauty industry?

The beauty industry has always piqued my interest. I followed all the fashion and beauty trends since I was a little girl; however, during my late 20s it lost its charm. I started noticing the harmful ingredients in many of my favourite makeup products and it was discouraging to put something harmful on my skin. I switched to eco-friendly and organic products and this has taught me self-love on a different level.  

How did you begin to develop your products? 

These products were created over six years, each time improving the benefits and results.

What have been the highest and lowest points on your journey so far?

The highest points of the journey have been receiving great feedback from our customers; being featured in magazines: Vogue, Tatler and Glamour; being among other luxurious products in Wolf & Badger and in several other boutiques. Several challenges that I’ve been working with is shifting from a 9-5 job to having a kid and starting a business that requires financial, emotional investment and endless effort to move the brand it forward.    

How would you describe your customer base?

Individuals who are self-aware and love and pamper themselves.

What do you do when you are feeling uninspired?

I take a break and focus my attention on other things and wait for my inspiration to come, it always does. Sometimes it takes a day, sometimes a week, but I don’t push the process and always follow my intuition, which I called ‘My Natural Guiding System’. My work truly inspires me. If I don’t feel inspired at a given moment, I know it’s time to take a break and reflect.

What is your evening skincare routine?

For my face after cleansing, I apply 2-3 drops of the 24k Gold Revitalizing Youth Serum and mix it with Rose Hibiscus Toner in the palm of my hand, using it as a palate. I massage the mixture onto my face, neck and décolleté area, gently with circular motion. I use this opportunity to add affirmations to my ritual, such as “I am beautiful, I am confident,” etc - whatever is needed at the moment. The serum and toner absorb within a minute. Neroli essential oil is known to uplift the spirits and rose water is known to balance the nervous system. It makes me feel fabulous and my skin feel nourished. 

For my body, I mix Luminous Body Elixir and Rose Hibiscus Toner in the palm of my hand and apply all over my body, giving it love and affection. I mix the toner and elixir/serum together because the effect is moisturizing and the products dry instantly.

What’s different about your products?

Our alchemy infused products have been mindfully curated with a selection of organic, high performance, plant based ingredients that improve the skin’s appearance, health and stimulate creativity, self-esteem, intuition, love and sexuality. This helps us feel beautiful inside and out.

Why is using natural/organic ingredients in your products so important to you?

During the last semester in my Masters program, my professor asked our class to write a paper called “Insert your Name, Inc”.  As I stared at the mission statement of “Juliana, Inc.” I realized the big disconnect in my values and my actions. That day I decided to never compromise who I was or my values. Since then I began to eat healthy, organic food, replacing all the products with harmful ingredients with organic and sustainable (including household products). When my son was born, I understood the importance of sustainable, organic lifestyle even more. I wanted my kids and our future generations to have a healthy planet to live on. As a result, we make strides daily to become as sustainable as possible, for instance we are working on producing our products using solar energy in the coming months. Here is our mission statement:
OUR MISSION

• Cultivate your unique beauty inside and out
• Make beauty products using organic, fair-trade and natural ingredients
• Inspire spiritual growth that enables abundance, kindness, and love in people throughout the world
• Create sustainable jobs that foster creativity and personal growth in the workplace
• Support animal and human rights by donating 10% of all our profit to organizations that are dedicated to building sustainable communities governed by abundance, oneness, love, peace and freedom for all
• Use green packaging alternatives

 What is your go to product from your range?

If I really had to pick one, it would be our 24k Gold Revitalizing Youth Serum, but all our products complement each other and I use all three products daily.

Do you have a mentor?

My sister and my husband have been my mentors because they know how to be successful. My husband taught me to go after my dreams. My sister, who has been a big inspiration and major support, has become my business partner and uses our products daily. She became health conscious and self-loving over a decade ago and has been my mentor in many aspects of the business prior to joining.

Is there another brand whose work you particularly admire?

I admire anyone that has used their creativity, dedication and unique talent to build an empire. Their success stories have been truly inspiring.

What drew you to Wolf & Badger?

We fell in love with the style of the brand, the story of the creators and amazing products available for purchase. 

What’s next for your brand?

We have a multiple prong approach for growth: 1. Continue to enhance the quality our product line. 2. Collaborate with complementary companies that share the same ethical principles. 3. Expand our footprint within the US and abroad. 4. Educate on the value that natural beauty and alchemy can bring.