By Admin, BuyLocalBG.com, BuyLocalBg@gmail.com/
Thursday, August 13th, 2015 11:00 AM CST
Get To Know Jana Esch ofJust Natural Products at Beech Bend Farmers Market! Here is a brief Q&A we recently had with Jana:
1. Tell us a little about you. Where are you from, what are your hobbies and where did you start your career that led to the business?
I retired from Real Estate and moved from Northern Indiana to Adair County, KY 20 years ago and have never regretted it. As a child I always lived on a farm and it took almost 25 years for me to be able to enjoy that experience again.
2. What is your earliest memory of your work, what got you interested in it?
About 17 years ago our church had a day of teaching old time crafts. I taught candle making, while others taught quilting, canning, soap making, etc. Always a crafter, the soap making caught my interest as a new hobby. Months of learning, and experimenting led to some decently attractive soap. But as I am forever wanting to try something new, I soon branched out into many other facets.
What attracted me to soap was the aspect of self-reliance. This was soon overridden by the knowledge of the harmful ingredients I was learning about that were in the commercial body care products. I was determined to keep my products free of those substances, and make as natural and beneficial a product as I possibly could. I’m very proud of this commitment and have stuck with it even though it is harder and more expensive to do so.
3. What is your favorite thing you sell?
I currently sell about 10 different body and home products, with an unlimited amount of varied hard bar soaps. My most recent addition to my product line has been a shaving puck – named “One Wise Man” that is scented with frankincense essential oil, of course.
4. If you had to choose a last meal, what would you eat?
Last meal? It would have to be a buffet! I love variety.
5. How important is local business collaboration to you?
Business changed about 40 years ago with the coming of the large corporate chain stores which squeezed out the small businesses. I don’t think we realized it at the time, the consequences that this would lead to. As most people can testify to now, we gave up personal service, vine ripened fresh produce, locally produced merchandise, and financial support of our own communities for a few cents of savings. There seems to be a movement to regain what we have lost and return to the days of supporting local businesses. Buying local also enforces integrity upon the seller, providing for a better product and service.
6. What event in Bowling Green are you involved with?
I joined the Beech Bend Farmers Market this past spring and sell my products there most Saturdays.
