After years of skin irritation from store-bought products, Bodhi Basics owner Kim Vorperian decided to take the problem into her own hands.
While crashing at her friend’s living room, she found time on the weekends to experiment, transforming the kitchen into what she called a “makeshift laboratory.”
But early obstacles didn’t stop Vorperian from using the “highest quality, organic, botanical ingredients – no junk, no artificial crap, no synthetic fragrance.”
In 2011 Vorperian started selling her products on Etsy, an online marketplace for handmade goods, allowing her business to go with her wherever she went.
As the business grew, she steadily increased production and expanded her selection, all while working a part-time serving job. After moving to St. Petersburg, Vorperian began selling her goods at the downtown St. Pete Indie Market along the 600 block on Central Avenue.
By collecting key ingredients such as animal fats and beer mash from local restaurants and breweries, Vorperian has managed to work environmental sustainability and cost effectiveness into her business.
“I think it’s kind of badass,” she said. “I primarily use organic extra virgin oil, coconut oil, palm oil (and) shea butter and mix that with fats and lye. I then use various herbs and spices for medical and essential plant oils and add my own touch in design and coloring before letting it sit for several weeks to let the lye dissipate.”
Vorperian also takes pride in maintaining a sense of environmental awareness.
“I’ve made facial scrub with dehydrated, left over beer mash,” she said. “I try to use things that other local businesses throw away but are really beneficial to your skin.”
After adopting a rescue dog she named Bodhi, Vorperian started to donate a percentage of the company’s profits annually to a local no-kill shelter.
As inventory and materials accumulated, Vorperian decided to lease her own store and coined the company’s name Bodhi Basics.
The term bodhi is a derivative of the Sanskrit word that describes the Buddhist understanding of enlightenment or awakening, while “basics” represents the company’s simple, honest products.
Though her items are still available online, she now has her own storefront with a full product line situated in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.
“It was a little tricky figuring out legal stuff, but other than that it wasn’t too difficult. A local sculptor, Shawn Pettersen, helped me with the interior woodwork, build out and shelving. It was actually pretty smooth, but time and labor intensive,” she said.
Dried beach wood shelves now line the walls in her shop, displaying products with printed labels on recycled paper.
Regardless of her success, Vorperian has no plans of ending her journey here.
“Slowly but surely I’d like to expand the business to include a sister company,” she said.
Visit Bodhi Basics at:
1239 First Ave. N
Wednesday – Friday # 12-7 p.m.
Saturday # 12-5 p.m.
Visit the booth at the St. Pete Indie Market:
Every first Saturday
2 – 6 p.m. # Central Ave. and Seventh Street
