Meet Jennifer Gonzales | Indie Selfcare

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I could rattle off about customer service and the experience I have with it. But that isn’t the reason my brand has done well. It helps, don’t get me wrong. But the overall factor for the success of my brand? Me. I’m genuine with my customers and my products are unapologetic.

When you buy a Copper Cat Apothecary product, you are buying a small piece of my personality. My sarcasm, humor, effort and time goes into each one. Beauty should be attainable, fun and easy. It should never be something held on a pedestal, away from the masses. It should be inclusive and make you feel good using it.

I began with a small selection of basic items with basic names. Timid to truly be me. And the brand was okay…. but not great. And I was asked at an event, “Where are you in these items?” At first offended because I had spent so much time, effort and money into creating something. But realizing the person was being honest. They didn’t see the real me behind the brand.

After that, I took time and decided to just, be myself. Products like BOO! You Whore Sugar Body Scrubs came out; a Pumpkin Pie Spiced scrub with a cute ghost soap topper. Blood of My Enemies, in Black Absinthe with a bloody drizzle and soap knife. Each having a dark sense of humor, and each having a piece of my personality.

The brand began to gain a stronger following. Not only because the product spoke for itself, but because I felt better about what I was making. I loved it! I was having fun. It was no longer work to me. It was being fully creative, with no one to answer to.

You would think it would be niche, right? That only “certain” people would like these items. Let me tell you…. that is not true. The spectrum of my customers is quite large. From ladies wearing Chanel to the spookiest Goths… They have purchased my products. When Covid hit, I made candles that read “Daily Covid Test. If You Can’t Smell This F*ck”. I sold out over and over again. A large order went to our local Police Department. Apparently they needed a good laugh too.

Watching someone light up with joy, even laugh when they read a label or see the product…. Is the best feeling. To receive a 5-star review and see return customers, makes me feel fulfilled. Knowing that I was able to make that connection with someone and have them love something I created, cannot be expressed in words.

I am the driving force behind my brand. Not because I created it, or spend hours making the items and listing them. It is because I put myself out there, into each jar or bag. I connected with my customer base on an honest level. I’m genuine with them. And I feel that they appreciate that more than anything.

I feel that any maker or artist needs to be themselves. Never copy someone else or try to be something that they aren’t. People will know immediately. They are craving something different, something genuine. That is why they go to indie brands and makers.

The driving force behind my brand was me… but my customers are what keep it going. And for them, I am more than grateful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The first hurdle was to get people to see my work as art. Selfcare isn’t truly seen in that category to begin with. People think soap, scrubs, body care. They think tubes and jars, without personality. But after seeing the time, effort and skill that goes into my items, people appreciate the creativity that is needed for them.

What sets Copper Cat Apothecary apart from other brands would be a few factors. We’re Spooky-Self-Scare, but not 110% horror themed. It is often lighthearted, sarcastic and fun. You do not have to be a die-hard fan of something to purchase and enjoy an item.

Professionally it has been a very long journey. I have been in the beauty industry for decades, at nearly every level. From stock room, counter manager, sales rep to account manager. I’ve seen nearly every aspect of the industry itself, and that is why I wanted to do my own thing. I grew tired of seeing people trip over themselves to become the newest fad or trend. Never seeing how beautiful they were to begin with. That self-loathing behavior, burned me out. Now, I celebrate everyone! No matter what you look like, believe in, identify as; you’re welcome at Copper Cat Apothecary. And we never ask you to change.

I’ve learned to not fear failure. I’ve fallen on my face a few times. I’ve also gotten right back up, learning from it. There is no such thing as perfection. You just continue to learn from each experience. Owning a business means being able to adapt quickly.

The hardest lesson I learned, was to mind my own business and avoid the online drama. I stay in my own lane, do my own thing.

Being a business owner today, is difficult. Not only do you have to create a good product, but you have to market it. I am in charge of sourcing raw materials, creating a product, actually making it, creating the packaging, taking photos, listing items, making promotional material, talking with customers, shipping the items, tracking orders but also have to make content for social media. It is a lot for one person to do. You learn to play with your strengths, what works best for your own brand, and what fits within your own timeframe.

I would like the world to know that Copper Cat Apothecary is inclusive. We welcome everyone, period. Come with a good attitude and you are welcome at anytime. We often raise money for non-profits we believe in, ranging from anti-bullying, mental health, LGBTQIA+, Death Positivity and Animal Rights.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh, why this question!? I’m in the Valley!!! Fine… If my bestie from out of state showed up…. We’d have to hit up the Mystic Museum in Burbank. Then cruise some of the vintage shops and go nuts inside of Vixen. Maybe stop at Coral Cafe for a bite.
Next day, cruise over to The Broad for a bit of art. See what was being shown at any of the local indie galleries.
Last day, take her to the beach. The good beach… Ventura Harbor. Walk around in the dunes, relaxing without many people. Then stop in at the El Rey Cantina, an Elvis and Day of the Dead themed dive bar for a bite.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are too many people to list here, who have helped me. I would have to thank my teacher, Mr. Sanchez for pushing me to be my best self when it came to customer service and sales. Every single person who pushed me to be my true self. All of my friends who were guinea pigs for each new product I created.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CopperCatApothecary

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coppercatapothecary/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CopperCatApothecary

Image Credits
All images are property of Copper Cat Apothecary