Founded out of a desire to help his infant daughter overcome severe diaper rash, Chad Zelensky turned a personal challenge into a thriving Calgary-based skincare company. As the Pharmacist Owner of Lowen’s Natural Skincare, Zelensky combines his background in pharmacy and business with a passion for creating safe, effective, and environmentally conscious skincare products. What began with a homemade diaper balm for his daughter, Lowen, has grown into a line of EWG Verified natural skincare products sold across Canada and beyond.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Lowen’s Natural Skincare, and we formulate, manufacture and retail natural skincare products.
What made you want to do this work?
I’ve always had a creative side, so when I finished my MBA we had our first child, Lowen, and she had REALLY sensitive skin and a recurrent diaper rash that would not go away. This is trying pretty much everything on the market, prescription and non-prescription. When I nailed down the formula for Bum Balm Blues – Natural Diaper Balm, Lowen never got a diaper rash again, and we didn’t have to deal with it when our youngest daughter, Simone, was born.
Anyhow, we saw a market for “Blues” and created a business behind it. Now we make a variety of personal care products. From skin to hair, we have you covered!
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
Initially, my daughter’s diaper rash and then give others the opportunity to be rash-free in creating Lowen’s Natural Skincare.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
60:40 female to male, ranging in age from mid-20s to their 60s.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Retail website.
Wholesale – Amazon US, Federated Coop stores, local niche retail partners.
White-label custom products.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
“There are a lot of products out there, so why should I buy yours?”
We are different in that our natural skincare products are cruelty-free, and EWG Verified (We are one of select few skincare lines to have all their products Verified), use unrefined, nutrient-rich ingredients, source many of our ingredients locally and finally, our products are safe, effective, and long-lasting.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Best: Hearing stories where our products have helped someone or their child address an ongoing skin issue.
Worst: Managing the retail side of things (selling)
Where can we follow you?
Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Website
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
Alberta Apparel
