Where did you get the idea to create ZOJO?
A few years ago, I made the decision to leave the corporate world and was looking around wanting to do something fun and meaningful that I could relate to. As a busy working mother I was quite tired and becoming a little burnt out. I recognized that I was not feeling too well on the inside, or on the outside and I knew that a lot of other people out there were feeling just like me. We needed a more energized lifestyle. We are what we eat – a lot of which tires us out – and the supplements available on the market at the time had too many chemicals and not enough nutritional value, taste or any plain pleasure. After a lot research I discovered adaptogens and their potent natural powers and thought “This is it! That is what we all need.”
What is the story behind your brand’s name? What was the inspiration?
The brand name comes from my daughter’s name – Zoe – which means “life” in Greek. We call her Zojo at home. She’s an awesome kid with a child’s amazing zest for life and she reminds me daily about what is truly important in my life. So when it came to a name I thought what better name than ZOJO to sum up my brand.
How did your story begin?
Starting your own business is a real rollercoaster so if you’re not up for it – don’t do it. Before taking that decision, we had worked very hard on creating our products for almost two years before the launch and we put all our knowledge and passion into every jar. We wanted to create something real with our unique blend of natural ingredients to address not only various beauty and body needs but to also be beneficial for your mind and soul. By nature I am very methodical and detailed, but as with any great journey I faced lots of challenges and surprises. I am not a person who gives up easily. Our packaging is gorgeous and our elixirs support wellbeing and beauty from within. We want to share this with other women. The most important thing however is that we really love what we do at ZOJO and we truly believe in our beauty from within philosophy.
What gives you the most joy running ZOJO?
I would have to say it’s watching people change their lives for the better. It’s really very satisfying to see ZOJO inspired selfcare being introduced into our customers lifestyles. People improve their diet, introduce physical activity into their lifestyle, or simply aim to live a less stressful life. It makes us happy.
What is your bestselling ZOJO product?
It’s hard to choose one, as they are all targeting different body needs. We have quite a range of products so that everybody can find what they need, however collagen is proving very popular as a skin supplement. We value individual customer recommendations and we offer assistance in guiding customers through the process of choosing the right formula for them. There’s also lots of yummy recipes on our blog, helping you introduce your daily spoonful of beauty into your meals.
How do you use ZOJO elixirs?
Our formulas are blends of powdered superfoods, adaptogens, tonic herbs and potent mushrooms. All our ingredients are sourced from organic farming so that they contain maximum nutritional value. We recommend adding them to smoothies, oatmeal, desserts or other kitchen creations, and if you’re struggling on ideas, our Instagram feed can offer lots of inspiration.
What do you think is the most important thing about your product for your customers?
That would probably be the quality of our products and their natural ingredients. But we’re also getting a lot of praise for our beautiful brand identity and packaging.
Who is a ZOJO customer? Describe her.
#ZOJOGIRL is an independent, conscious, modern woman, who puts a lot of emphasis on natural beauty care. ZOJOGIRLS vary – from loving moms to hustling businesswomen to fun-loving It Girls. They are all busy and multi-tasking, but wanna find time for holistic self-care. We can all live a ZOJO life and anyone can become part of our ZOJO community any time.
What is your daily inspiration at work?
The needs of our customers. We are so happy when they come back or recommend us to their friends. It makes it all worthwhile and keeps us going.
How do you start your day?
I wake up very early, usually around 5.30- 6.00 am and get ready for the day. I always try to find a few minutes to meditate and get my thoughts together, then fix myself a smoothie for the road. Around 8.00 am I drop my daughter at school and start the work day. Usually we start with checking mails and getting orders out, so our customers can start enjoying the benefits as soon as possible. I am also working on some great, new products. Other than that, every day is different but always exciting.
I can’t imagine work without…
…my staff. We are a close-knit team and it is the foundation for our success.
