Exclusive Interview with Trish Thomas, Founder of Good Body Products
Stacey Chillemi: Describe your product
Trish Thomas: Good Body Products crafts therapeutic body care products using 100% organic and locally sourced ingredients (whenever possible). We are passionate about the healing power of plants and take pride in crafting effective products using their inherent beneficial qualities.
Stacey Chillemi: What inspired you to come up with the idea?
Trish Thomas: We are inspired, first and foremost, by nature and the healing powers of plants. Through years of living in NYC, we had been steadily drawn towards a healthier lifestyle. While living there we created our own Green Smoothie Recipe Book and had begun learning about, and working with medicinal plants. In 2010 we moved to Vermont to follow our intentions to cultivate and work with our own plants. Soon after our daughter was born we were inspired to make our first product, a calendula-based diaper rash cream. This formula was so effective that we were inspired to create more products to address other common ailments. In addition, being surrounded by the multitude of healing plants here in the northeast inspired us further.
Stacey Chillemi: How will this product help others?
Trish Thomas: Good Body Products are all therapeutic and made for healing. We have received a tremendous amount of feedback on the effectiveness of our products through our presence at local Farmers’ Markets and events. Through this we have steadily grown a loyal following of users who love our products to address issues of the skin (Our calendula products help eczema, rashes, itchiness, scarring, psoriasis, rosacea, wrinkles, and skin aging.), muscle and joint pain (Our arnica and comfrey products help muscle and joint pain, swelling, bruising, sprains, strains, arthritis, rheumatism, and inflammation.), and provide relaxation and calming (Our Aromatic Mists and Solid Scents impart aroma therapeutic balancing, and our specialty Menstrual Relief and Bite and Itch Salves provide key relief for those symptoms.).
Stacey Chillemi: What makes it unique?
Trish Thomas: Our product formulations are specifically designed for healing. Achieving this goal made us focus our choice of ingredients to the purpose intended. This makes our products slightly different from many others on the market today, which are often focused on glamour and beauty. In addition, we use the finest organic ingredients available. We source locally grown botanicals whenever possible and make our products in smaller sized batches to maintain consistency.
Stacey Chillemi: Why should someone buy it?
Trish Thomas: Our products promote body and mind healing. They are natural solutions to the common wear-and-tear of everyday life. In addition, our products are free from any chemicals and use the finest organic ingredients available. Our products are never tested on animals. Our company is dedicated to sustainable, green business practices. And very important to us—our products are affordably priced for repeat usage.
Stacey Chillemi: What makes your products better than your competitors? Would you say your product has had an impact of satisfied buyers? (You can provide testimonials if you like.)
Trish Thomas: Our products are focused on healing and so stand out amongst the many emerging organic skin care products focused on beauty and glamour. Through over two years of constant feedback, we have no doubt that our products are effective at addressing the issues for which they are intended. We have fantastic testimonials on our website, including this great note we received: “Dear Good Body Products, Your Arnica & Comfrey Joint and Pain Salve product is fantastic. I have been enduring a lot of pain in my right hand to the point where I could not function on a daily basis, most of the day I spent lying on the couch and taking Advil. My daughter brought me some of your Arnica and told me to try it—boy what a godsend this product is! It has now been three weeks and I use it every day just a little dab and my pain has disappeared. I can now get back to my normal day of feeling good. I had an appointment with my orthopedic and have cancelled it due to my hand feeling so great. I cannot thank you enough for making such a wonderful product that helps with pain.”
Stacey Chillemi: Do you think there is a difference between organic and all natural?
Trish Thomas: There is definitely a difference between organic and all natural. Plants grown covered in pesticides and chemicals can be labeled “all-natural.” The skin is your largest organ, and it is the interface between you and your environment. It absorbs what you put on it. We are pleased that many people are realizing the importance of what they eat—what they put into their bodies—but we want to encourage people to think about what they put on their bodies as well. To this end we are currently in the process of getting our own organic and non-GMO certifications.
About Good Body Products: Good Body Products is the result of a constant progression towards healthier living—it is the culmination of a long-time momentum towards a more natural and beneficial way of ingesting life with our bodies. We began working with alternative diet, natural healing, and herbal body care in the 1990s, while living in New York City. Our research and experimentation manifested in our own Green Smoothie Recipe Book, exploration of emerging and rediscovered health technologies, and creative use of essential oils and botanicals. As the years have passed we have become more and more understanding of the need to take care of our bodies, especially the skin. In 2011, our first body products began to take shape in our kitchen. Now, years later, our formulas are ready for everyone to enjoy. We are proud to offer you the finest in natural body products—simple, 100% organic, vegan, gluten-free, and good for you!
