Whether or not you consider yourself a “bath person,” it’s impossible to deny the explosion in popularity that bath-related accessories have seen in recent years, and none more so than the bath bomb.
Sarah Reid Massimo and Rachael Oberste know this better than most. The two best friends are behind Hi Peach Layne, a company focused on providing clean, quality bath bombs at an affordable price, which have been picked up by major retailers like Walmart.
For the latest installment of our Small Business Talk series highlighting and demystifying the world of women in small business, the duo talk utilizing your strengths, the fizzy buzz of beauty and the importance of trusting your instincts.
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Elevator pitch time. Tell us about Hi Peach Layne.
Our brand, Hi Peach Layne, is all about bringing fun and flair to your daily routine, starting with bath bombs. We are proud to formulate products that meet clean beauty standards. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to choose better health for their skin without breaking the bank. You’ll see our playful brand identity expand around the holidays as we like to create fun, giftable products in the bath and beauty spaces.
Did you have a lightbulb moment when you knew this was what you were supposed to do?
Definitely! We’ve always had a passion for creativity and making people smile. When we realized there was a gap in the market for affordable, clean beauty and great-smelling bath bombs, it just clicked. That lightbulb shined brighter when Walmart called with the news that our “World’s Largest Bath Bomb Bar” was the No. 1 beauty and bath holiday item last year! Creating this product was our stamp on being innovative in a relatively static bath bomb space. Not a lot of people believed it would work, but the market and their appetite for fun are in total alignment with our capabilities and creativity.
You’ve both been open about health issues that affect your daily lives. How have those concerns impacted your relationship with work?
Being open about our health issues and struggles is natural for us. After all, we are strong-willed, brutally honest women. We have learned that health, family and relationships are at the center of what we value most. We not only support each other when one of us needs to take a break, but it is also encouraged. Doing so gives us the ability to allow one of us to fly and steer the ship when the other is having one of those “off” days. It’s a balancing act at its finest. We love what we do, and having each other by our side through the ups and downs makes it all worthwhile.
What is something you wish you’d done differently when you launched?
Honestly, nothing. We believe in seizing the moment and learning as we go. Sure, there have been ups and downs, but surrounding ourselves with experts and staying true to our vision has been key. Starting something new is intimidating and feels uncomfortable at times. Trusting in our instincts and each other kept us moving forward even when times were tough.
The retail bath and beauty industry is full of big fish. It is easy to swim like a small fish upon entering and is scary at times. Utilizing our small team strengths — like being nimble and quick — landed us far beyond our expectations in year one!
Since then, what was a moment that felt huge to you, but might not look that way to others?
Sarah: Seeing our products on store shelves felt like a dream come true! It might seem small to some, but for us, it was a major milestone.
Rachael: Opening our Little Rock office space. Our company culture operates on a “spread out” mentality. Spread out to create, buy samples for inspiration to create and try and try again until you create the winning product at the right price. My closets and garage, and my house in general, became overloaded and unorganized with Hi Peach Layne product. Relocating to our office space has been a game-changer.
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How have your goals evolved since you first started?
We have been laser-focused on building a brand. We realize there are decisions along the way that impact that growth, so staying true to the brand has been key. Although, we know growth sometimes comes with partnering with other organizations. Hi Peach Layne is proud to have maximized an opportunity to collaborate with Warner Brothers for bath bomb productions in the near future. Stay tuned!
What are the best and hardest parts about working for yourself?
The best part? Getting to work with my best friend every day and making decisions based on what truly matters to us. The hardest part? Balancing personal and professional priorities, but having each other’s backs makes it all worthwhile.
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Does being a woman affect how you do business or the way people do business with you? If so, how?
Absolutely! Sometimes people underestimate us, but we’re used to proving them wrong. Having each other’s support and a network of smart people around us has been crucial in navigating the challenges. I’m sure there are other industries where women have a harder time being business owners. But, in the retail world, I see being a woman as an advantage. We are women, expert shoppers and expert buyers. We know what we and our families need and want, and work hard to create that and offer it to the world at an affordable price point.
What do you wish people knew about small business owners?
It’s not always glamorous, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Small business owners pour their hearts and souls into their ventures, and every success feels like a victory. We want to be creative and do what we love, but with that comes a slew of other responsibilities (and admin) that aren’t as fun.
Learn more on the Hi Peach Layne website and follow all their adventures on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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