Teaming with e3 to Start an Essential Oil Business

By Caryn Gehlmann

e3 was recently asked by students from the Lacy School of Business at Butler University to help them start an essential oil business for a school project. We have enjoyed private labeling partnerships with small to medium businesses for years, but this was the first time we worked with students and we really enjoyed it! I interviewed one of the students, Madison Burgett, to get her perspective on starting an essential oil business.

Give us a little background on your class and this particular project.

We are all in the Lacy School of Business at Butler University, and all business students are required to take a class called Real Business Experience (RBE). We spend the first half of the semester developing the business with our group and spend the last half actually selling our product. We receive a loan (usually up to $1000, but ours was $1300) from Butler to purchase inventory and then after paying back the loan, we get to keep the profit. There are many specific requirements we have to undergo before ordering inventory (receiving proof of insurance from suppliers, meeting with risk management), but it’s completely up to us what we choose to produce and sell.

Why did you choose essential oils as your product? When and how were you introduced to essential oils?

Our CEO, Sophia, is an avid user of essential oil diffusers. She had never seen essential oils in roller bottles before, and she wanted a way to use oils on the go and wanted to apply them directly to the skin. She uses perfume in roller bottles, so she thought, “Why couldn’t we put essential oils in roller bottles?” Our business, Roll-On Remedies, took off from there.

What has been the response from students on using essential oils?

Many of our buyers have said they currently use diffusers, but that they’re excited to be able to take the roller bottles on the go. Buyers seem to love the blends we’re selling. The names like “Sleeptime” and “Pick Me Up” are particularly convenient for buyers that do not regularly use essential oils. Buyers don’t have to know the specific functions of oils to buy from us; the names give it away!

Which of the roll-ons have been most popular?

So far, we’ve found that the “Cold & Sinus” and “Revitalize” have been the most popular.

How did you connect with Essential Three?

We actually originally planned on buying bulk oils and bottles and then filling the bottles ourselves, but when the Risk Management professor said we could not do that, we had to search for private label oils. Essential Three was the first one we found online and after speaking to Caryn once, we could already tell that e3 was going to be extremely helpful.

How have Caryn and her team supported your project?

Caryn and her team have constantly responded quickly, and they truly make an effort to help us with our project. When we were cutting our deadline close, Caryn express shipped the oils to us so that we’d have them in time for our first selling event. When we needed proof of insurance and material safety data sheets, Caryn sent them over as soon as possible. We’ve been extremely lucky to work with such a helpful team. It has absolutely improved our RBE experience.

Thanks, Madison for sharing your experience. It was great to see a whole new generation learn more about essential oils and how to start an essential oil business. We collaborate with small to medium-size businesses that want to sell their own line of essential oils and other natural products. If you’re a business owner, we are happy to offer customized private label consultation to help you get started. You can rely on our help to identify which essential oils or blends will best meet the needs of your clients.