Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Landers and Ashton Ward.
Hi Mary Landers and Ashton, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Our passion for skin care started young and was always at the forefront, thanks to our grandmother. Some of our earliest memories is hearing her say, “Beauty is as beauty does” and “Moisture is the key to good skin,” which still reign true. As individuals, we have always had entrepreneurial spirits, and as sisters, we always knew we would one day create something meaningful together. We built and launched Intune in 2019, a small business with a big vision, as we like to say. Before we launched, “clean beauty” was already becoming oversaturated in the marketplace, but as conscious consumers, we quickly realized that this buzzword no longer held much weight. So much of our journey in creating Intune relied heavily on doing our research, which also meant researching other products and diving deep into the ingredients being sold to consumers. During this period, it became clear that just because a company claims to be clean doesn’t mean it always is. This became a foundation for us, going beyond clean beauty because that should be a given. Being transparent about product ingredients, ethical ingredient sourcing, choosing sustainable product packaging, and achieving zero water waste are and will always be non-negotiable. Since creating Intune, our CEO, Mary Landers Ward, chose to go back to school to become a licensed Esthetician, allowing us to further understand the world of skincare and strengthening our credibility in this competitive world. We have relocated and are now headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Co-Creator, Ashton Ward, is currently in Massage Therapy School and will be a licensed therapist late 2023. Today, we are in a growth period, working toward advanced product formulation and many other exciting things we don’t want to reveal just yet. So, stay tuned!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road? No. A rewarding road? Yes! Launching in late 2019, everything was going perfect. In 3 months, we had successfully kick-started our business, secured a spot in British Vogue’s “Get Set, Glow!” three-month campaign, and sales were doing well. However, shortly after that business “high,” the world more or less crumbled with ole’ COVID-19. Since we were solely online, we didn’t have to pivot too much in terms of strategy, but learning to navigate this new normal wasn’t easy for anyone. When we say small business, we mean it. We don’t have outside funding or investors; we still work normal jobs every day to put everything toward our business. Bartending, working full time as an Esthetician, being in school, and maintaining the work we put into Intune isn’t an easy task, but we know that all of our hard work and effort is paying off. Starting our own business is the hardest thing we have ever done, but we wouldn’t change a thing. Once you find that one thing you love to do, you’ll always figure out how to make it work, and getting to do it together as sisters is icing on the cake.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Intune seeks to create effective, non-toxic, and cruelty-free products that enhance the skin, mind, and body. Our vision is to cultivate a positive skin experience because we believe that investing in your skin is a pleasure, not a chore. We strive to offer simple solutions for everyone because it is never too early or too late to care for your skin.
When thinking about what sets us apart from others, it is absolutely our labels and packaging. Most times when you think of clean, non-toxic, and sustainable products, you picture neutral color palettes and earthy images on the label. But that isn’t us. We like color and chic things, so we decided to combine the two. Who says clean beauty can’t look cool and beautiful on your bathroom counter?
We are really proud of our branding because it tells a story. The definition of Intune is “in a state in which one thing agrees with or matches another” aka balance. Since Intune is also a classical musical term, we decided to lean into that, making Harmonize Your Mind and Body our tagline. Every day, we are working toward finding balance or harmony in this life. Eating clean while also not denying ourselves dessert, moving our bodies and also knowing when to rest, being consistent with your skincare routine but if you forget to wash your face one night it’s okay. Listening to your mind, body, and spirit and becoming Intune with ourselves. That’s what we represent and have built our community around.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most valuable lesson we have learned along the way is that no one will advocate more for you than you will for yourself. We always like to say we have the biggest hand in our health, meaning only you can do the work when it comes to taking care of your physical, mental, and spiritual health. Just like, the support you show yourself will always be the most important and most beneficial. Building a brand and a community is really hard work, and we’ve experienced many high highs and many low lows, but at the end of the day, only we have the option to keep going or quit. It will only ever work if you become your brand, live it authentically, and represent what you’re trying to sell to people every single day.
Pricing:
- Nocturne Body & Hair Oil $28
- Lieto Face Mist $22
- Sempre Balm $10
- Dolce & Viola Aroma Rollers $20
- Sempre Stick $8
Contact Info:
- Website: www.intuneskin.com
- Instagram: @intuneskin
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/intuneskin
