Your Name: Kathy Hobbs
Business Name: Virtuous Woman Lifestyle, a maker of perfume for women
Type of Business: Health & Beauty
Business Location: Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Website www.nhimco.com
Twitter @vwperfume
Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/virtuous-woman-perfume
Reason for starting
It was easy to make a memory of my mom. You just had to lie in her arms and inhale deeply. My mom always wanted to smell “nice”, and she did. Whenever we asked her about gifts she wanted, she would always just say, “Get me something to make me smell nice.” Her dresser was an array of fine fragrances. Even when her illness limited her mobility, Momma still wanted to smell “nice” when company came to see her. I lost my mom in 1993 after a long battle with cancer. The loss of her presence, guidance, hugs and love was overwhelming. I needed a way to remember and honor my mom for the woman she was as well as the woman she molded me to be. I remembered how much my mom loved to smell “nice”, and so I crafted a fragrance that would exemplify her spirit, character, and courage. My mom was a woman of integrity, strength, fully committed to God and her family. Thinking about her attributes, (an entreprenuer,
How do you define success?
Success to me is being able to do what you love and see how it has touched and changed lives for the better.
Biggest Success
My biggest success story had to be when I presented my business before several banks and loan agencies after completing the ETI program. I received three offers to fund my business.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
My top challenge is time management. I often find myself being pulled in many directions trying to fulfill the goals and needs set before me. I am becoming better at scheduling my time, by using my mobile calendar and setting deadlines for myself.
Who is your most important role model?
Of course my mom was and still is my most important role model. If anyone has to take second place it would be Michelle Obama.