Sylvia Walker
President of NAIWBE®
What inspired you to start your business?
NAIWBE® was started to address my own dry skin issue of Contact Dermatitis associated with repeated hand washing with harsh cleansers and alcohol-based lotions in a hospital environment. In March of 2000, NAIWBE Natural As I Wanna Be® officially began product development and test marketing of its signature certified organic Hands, Feet and Body Moisturizer with safe ingredients; no animal testing, fragrance-free, hypo-allergenic, GMO-free and no mineral oil to address nurses, healthcare professionals and consumers with dry skin conditions.
As a healthcare professional I continue to develop and advocate the use of ecofriendly organic skin care products and provide health and wellness consulting further promoting certified organic solutions to the skin care industry. I am committed to developing, providing and maintaining the highest organic standards for responsible skin care products for all skin types.
What challenges have you faced as a woman entrepreneur and how did you overcome them?
One of the greatest challenges I faced as a small businesses transitioning from small batch production to manufacturing on a larger scale, was selecting the best manufacturer for my business needs, maintaining product standards and ensuring manufacturer responsibility in creating a quality finished product.
Marketing is always a challenge when you are a developing business with limited resources. The key is to think outside the box and be creative.
What advice would you give to other women entrepreneurs?
Keep dreaming your dream and nourishing that dream until it becomes a reality. You have to see yourself making it. Achieving one goal a day, gets you closer. Take baby steps. Research the industry, read product reviews and conduct focus group sessions to determine your market and the specifics of the demand for that market. Develop your business locally first to achieve brand recognition.
What women inspire you?
My mother is my role model. She inspires and motivates me to grow without any barriers. She looks at life as a challenge and wholeheartedly intends to seize the day every day. She is my hero and supports me in every part of my life. I feel so blessed to have a best friend that happens to be my mother. After suffering a stroke on April 19th, 2021, the experience of my life so far has truly brought things into perspective. My mother has taught me that obstacles can be overcome and that losing battles can be won.
As a business owner, what keeps you up at night?
Planning the next step for business. COVID-19 has changed the way many small businesses operate regardless of the industry. I have to be creative and think outside the box. I am pursuing more online opportunities.
What are the biggest obstacles you see for young female entrepreneurs?
Limited funding is the biggest entrepreneurial challenge for female entrepreneurs. Not all entrepreneurs are fortunate enough to have an investor or financier for their business.
What do you love about being a business owner?
I have control of my own schedule and destiny. Being a business owner allows me to have creativity and flexibility with my time. I love working with people, helping people find solutions to their problems.
What’s the hardest part about being a business owner?
Learning to say no. Other businesses are always reaching out to you with ideas and opportunities all day long, but focus is critical to success. Embracing change and getting the right support staff is also critical to your business’s success.
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay true to who you are. It’s okay to slow down, as long as you keep moving forward. Work everyday to become the best you from the inside out and the outside in.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a professional dance choreographer like Debbie Allen.
How do you unwind after a long workday?
Spend time with Sasha, my teacup yorkie. She is a little Diva who loves to play with her toys especially with her ball. She likes for me to throw it to try and catch it the air.
Fill in the blank:
When I face a challenge, I… accept that this challenge is happening.
If I could go back in time, I would tell myself… life is going to throw you a curve ball but don’t give up!
The one thing I couldn’t live without is… Smart Water.
The best thing that happened to me last week was… taking a nap during a heavy rain storm.
To get my creative juices flowing, I… meditate for 15-30 minutes.
NAIWBE®
NAIWBE® is an organic skincare company with a vision to be recognized as an industry leader in promoting organic skin care products and supporting and educating the local and global community on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices
NAIWBE® is committed to developing, providing and maintaining the highest quality organic standards for responsible skin care products.
