Kristen started making lotion in the small seaside community of Treasure Island in Laguna Beach in 1992. She would put it in 8 oz glass bottles with cork closures. She would decorate the bottles with ribbons and things and give them away as presents for birthdays and holidays.

Of course, people liked the pretty bottles, but then they would ask for more lotion. Soon, others who had tried the lotion were asking for it.

 

Kristen then decided to try a few craft shows as a way of working from home and still caring for her youngest son. People began eagerly purchasing the glass bottles of lotion. Decorating the glass bottles became very labor intensive and her true product was the lotion, not the bottles. Also, the customers were asking for dispensers that were easier to use instead of the glass bottles with cork closures. The demand grew to the point where just finding a supplier of glass bottles became very time consuming for the full-time mom. Next, she developed a more concentrated version of the Original Lotion into a cream dubbed "Extreme Cream^®."

Finally, in 1996 Kristen abandoned the glass bottles and opted for the more practical plastic flip-top bottles that allowed her more time to concentrate on making lotion.

As her youngest son reached school age, she was able to explore cold process soap making. Soon to follow were scented body oils. Kristen dabbled in candles, for a short time, but her true passion was in skin care.

By 1997, developers had finally forced the destruction of Treasure Island as well as Laguna Canyon. Kristen and family moved to the coastal community of Encinitas in northern San Diego County. By this time, she had been nicked named the "Lotion Lady^®" and was doing business under the name of Aurora Botanicals. Weather permitting, a large percentage of her sales were at the various craft shows and events in the San Diego area.

Lotion Lady^® expanded to the internet in 1999 as LotionLady.com. This made it easier for those outside of San Diego to order from her. Many people have received Lotion Lady^® skin care products as gifts. Others were tourists that tried it at local events and brought it home with them. They in turn have referred others. The nick name, Lotion Lady^®, became so popular, it was trademarked.

Kristen was born in Kumamoto, Japan and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. She is a graduate of the University of Redlands. She is a former corporate banker.

Today, Kristen is the Lotion Lady^® as well as full time mother. Her husband, Dan, is a retired AT&T engineer and her webmaster.

or ATM/Debit cards, too!