“Being on the beaches all day, it didn’t take long to realize that the salt water healed our cuts and scrapes quickly, showing us the therapeutic and rejuvenating affects of the ocean’s salts,” says Mary Sue.
“We also would sit on the beach and rub the sand mixed with water on our feet and heels to make them feel smoother and softer,” explains Theresa. Nine years ago, Theresa used that idea as the basis for her own sea salt hand and foot scrub. As owner of the salon Cady & Co. in Portland, Theresa “would solicit her clients’ input and make changes to the product over time. Eventually she added body lotions, mists and a gift set,” Mary Sue explains. Theresa began selling the line in her salon and it has garnered a loyal following for nine years.
The sisters use all natural ingredients with an emphasis on quality. The famous sea salt scrub is made “with cranberries, rosehips, sweet orange, cinnamon and balsam,” as well as “the most hydrating, quality oils of jojoba, grape seed and coconut,” says Mary Sue. The scrub sounds like it could be on the dessert menu of one of Portland’s new restaurants, but despite it being “yummy,” as Mary Sue says, don’t be tempted to eat it.
According to the sisters, the name The Formulaah, comes from that “aah” feeling one gets when first trying the scrub. Mary Sue says that she loves “seeing the look and reaction people have when they try The Formulaah scrub. Most times, they are in disbelief of the feeling they have. That is when we know we have a repeat customer.”
But starting the business was not as carefree as a day at the salon. There have been a few stumbles and road blocks, like the challenges that most businesses face. The sisters remained positive throughout those blunders, like when the wrong phone number was printed on 12,000 labels. “Yeah, that was an oopsie,” says Theresa, “but we worked it out.”
The encouragement of family, friends and colleagues has had a significant role in their success. “There are so many people willing to offer advice and help, even competitors; it is amazing,” says Mary Sue. “The Maine Small Business Development has been a huge resource for us as well.”
Ultimately, however, the sisters find support in each other. “Since we’re sisters, we can talk at all hours of the day, bounce ideas around — my salon chair time is working time — and keep things in perspective. We are so much alike, we often finish each other’s sentences and we are perfectionists to the point of being anal about it,” says Theresa. “It is more fun and more work than I expected but the high times far outweigh the low.”
You can find The Formulaah products at Cady & Co. Hair and Bodyworx at 121 Montrose Avenue in Portland. Visit www.theformulaah.com for more information.
— Jamie Thompson