Life and Work with Kara Cross

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Cross.

Kara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In short. I studied fine art/sculpture in school, so of course I ended up working at a grocery store. I was an alcoholic most of my life. About five years ago, I injured my back and needed two major surgeries, I had a major life change (heart-wrenching break up, no more step kids) and sobered up. I was on Worker’s Comp for two years and suddenly health focused. I had the time and interest (thanks to Pinterest) to start researching healthy, natural living. Went on a smoothie cleanse, lost 20 pounds, and started a small frozen smoothie business (Green Smoothie Goddess) inspired by that change. And also a pet sitting and pet treat business for extra measure. I also began making all of my own natural home cleaners and health and beauty products. I found a passion for natural remedies and concoctions, and from that was born Cross Apothecary. I ended up talking to a few local CBD companies, and started buying from them (for myself my anxiety and OCD, my kitty and my customers) and including CBD in my health and beauty products (soap, bath bombs, salves, etc etc), which I now offer wholesale to other like-minded small businesses, which are currently all women-owned. And blammo, I am finally living the dream, making natural artisan crafts with purpose and spreading joy and awe with my little soap babies and other inventions, which are typically rainbow-colored and sprinkled with glitter or well, sprinkles.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We’ll say a road of rolling hills, only because I am very blessed in my support network and have such a passion for what I do and for helping people, many times in the beginning for only the joy it brings, rather than a paycheck. But to some, it might be a rocky climb if one is not interested in investing most of their savings and the majority of one’s time and free time in starting their own business. Early mornings, late nights. Failed experiments. Expensive mistakes. But I think that is certainly part of anyone’s journey to success, live and learn. But I might say, instead of diving in and always relying on my intuition and steadfast internal vision, a little research before any experiment is not too difficult and advised upon retrospect. A little Google search, maybe a YouTube instructional. But really, I never got anywhere without just starting, no matter if it’s perfect, or your logo sucks, or you have one or no customers. Also, Instagram has connected me with most of my business partners. As a woman involved in many male-dominated fields, I’ve found disbelief from the ignorant (one manager told me if I continued to wear skirts every day, as I did at the time, that I would never be a success, well, he was fired and I was promoted. And I regret not speaking out against him). But as I gravitate toward other women business owners, they are the people who have had such open, patient and sharing hearts and minds and who’ve taught me much. And the San Diego Business Center (also ripe with brilliant women) has free and wonderful resources.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Cross Apothecary – Soap CBD & Such – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I make artisan handcrafted soaps and bath, health and beauty products, and I offer CBD as well. What sets me apart from other similar companies in the industry, is my passion for doing it differently, making it special and creating things that are not only safe, healthy and useful, but that capture your imagination and heart. I could spend hours hand painting one product, and still offer it at competitive pricing. I think in the CBD industry, no one has really tackled specialty products, something you could make a gift set out of. And that’s where my sister company, Spirit Guide Wellness, and I are really starting to find a home and blossom. One of my most popular products is a multi-layered rainbow and clouds soap. People love rainbows because rainbows are beautiful. Beyond the love and skill, I pour into my products, I pride myself in being very conscious of using safe and natural ingredients, and really high-quality ingredients. And I formulate recipes custom for different companies. I have made a whole line of vegan bath bombs for CannaPride, an LGBT women-run company. And I’ve invented all sorts of beautiful products after brainstorming with clients. And I do everything for every aspect of my business, which can be challenging at times, but I have full control over my vision that way.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Just get started, in any small way, down the road you want to travel, and seek knowledge and ask for help at every turn.

Pricing:

• Soap Bar – $6
• Custom Soap Bar – $8
• 50 mg CBD Bath Bomb – $10
• 1000 mg CBD Isolate Tincture – $60
• 1000 mg CBD Full Spectrum Tincture – $80
• Candles – $5 – $25

Contact Info:

• Address: North Park
  San Diego, CA 92104
• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrossApothecary
• Phone: 858-539-5899
• Email: cross.apothecary@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/cross_apothecary
• Facebook: facebook.com/CrossApothecary

Image Credit:
My portrait – Cassie Colvin, My products – Kara Cross

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