Who is Joy Cavins
I am the the owner and founder of “Essential Joy Natural Products,” which began in 2009.
I am a wife, mother and grandmother. In the working world, I was a school teacher and school Librarian. At church, I am a pianist, Food Pantry Director, and teacher for children’s Bible study.
Some things I enjoy doing are creating, family time, walking in nature, gardening, camping, reading and writing.
Before I quit working in 2005, I’d spent a few years studying herbs and natural remedies. Because of what I learned, I became more concerned about my diet and what I put on my skin. I have used different herbs and treatments on myself and seen them help to heal or improve various health problems.
I love sharing through teaching, making and selling.
How Essential Joy Natural Products Began
From 1999 – 2005 I attended classes on living a healthy lifestyle change, using herbs and wild edible plants as natural remedies, hydrotherapy, etc.
Because of what I learned, I became more concerned about my diet and what I put on my skin. I have used different herbs and treatments on myself and seen them help to heal or improve various health problems.
My goal became to make skin-care products without chemicals. That meant no preservatives, nothing artificial. All ingredients would be plant-based and animal-free.
First Product
The first product I made was a salve with cayenne in it for pain. After giving a 90-year-old lady a foot bath, and massaging her feet and legs, I decided to also rub them with my pain salve. She said ‘You should sell this salve!’ I told her, ‘It’s not my recipe.’ ‘But God gave it to you! You should sell this salve.’ I couldn’t argue with that.
About that time, I also began making my own shampoo. My perm-damaged hair began to grow. So, I started giving away and selling different shampoos. I continued to research for other products to make and found an excellent book, “Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair”, by Dina Falconi.
Business Name
At my grandson’s 3rd birthday party, my son-in-law suggested a name for the business and gave me many other ideas. One son researched business names. As a result, we chose the name, Essential Joy Natural Products. My family has been very supportive from the beginning – finances, marketing, graphic designing, etc.
Newest Product
After that, I wanted to learn how to make soap. But, my husband had safety concerns. In 2016, with no prompting from me, he offered to buy supplies for me to get started. I have enjoyed this new experience There are so many variations that can be made from just one recipe – ingredients, shapes, sizes, colors, etc. This is a practical craft! More than enjoying making soap, their smell, and shape, they can be used!
Over the months and years, God has encouraged me, sending new ideas, new customers, larger orders, etc.
To sum up, the journey continues…