Sam Sample, founder of Be Genki

30 March, 2009. Brand: Be Genki. Tags: Aromatherapy

Meet Sam Sample, author of e-book Be happy. Be healthy. Be Genki.. The book is available for purchase in the 'books' section of the site.

As Nine MSN's Pamper Guru, she shares tips on how to create a little balance and 'me' time in our busy lives.

Sam is also the founder and director of Be Genki, a line of Australian aromatherapy natural skin care products designed to help us restore what is lacking in our busy days, be that serenity, vitality, tranquility or sensuality. The range includes face mists, body creams, bath and shower oils to create those good feelings at various times throughout the day.

Sam is truly an inspiration to those of us struggling to balance work, play, family and relationships whilst maintaining a modicum of sanity! But what inspires Sam?

What inspired you to create your natural skin care and aromatherapy product line and what inspires you to keep going?

Sam: It’s quite a long story based around my best friend suffering from anxiety and taking pharmaceutical drugs. It really upset me that her lifestyle was not taken in to consideration, and that she wasn’t encouraged to explore other alternatives before committing to daily medication.

So I made her a blend of essential oils for use in the bath, and suggested that she dedicate some time at the end of each day which was just for her, shut the door of the bathroom, run a bath, pour the oil blend into the bath, and then sit back and relax for twenty minutes.

After about six weeks she came back to me and was so thankful for the advice that I had given her. She didn’t know whether it was the ritual of running the bath each night, watching the water flow into the bath tub or the oils that she was inhaling but something sparked confidence in her. She then worked towards exercising more and taking a look at her diet to make healthier choices. She even went off her medication, and to this day has not popped those pills again. You can only imagine how happy this made me feel.

Whatever it was that gave her the confidence to take control of her anxiety and depression and ultimately her life, was enough to inspire me to want to help more people.

Whether it’s reaching for that third cup of coffee during the day to get a burst of energy, tossing and turning in bed at night or relying on sleeping tablets to get to sleep, suffering from anxiety and depression, freaking out at the little things or losing your temper at those that you love most because you haven’t dealt with the issue appropriately, or simply beating yourself up and criticising yourself over something that really isn’t that big a deal in the scheme of things; that is not what life is all about! So, I developed the Be Genki natural skin care and aromatherapy range – to help inspire and bring about holistic happiness by focusing on four key areas of wellbeing.

When I get an email from a customer saying how Be Genki has inspired them to make a positive lifestyle change, that is what inspires me to keep going by reinforcing the very reason why I created the brand - to bring about holistic happiness.

What has been your proudest moment so far during the growth of Be Genki?

Sam: When we received delivery of our first natural skin care and aromatherapy products I was extremely proud. After so much hard work developing the product, fine-tuning the scents and endless editing of the lifestyle recommendations for the packaging it was such a joy to have a tangible product in my hands.

If you could wave a magic eco-wand and fix just one environmental problem, what would it be?

Sam: The devastating destruction of our ecosystems throughout the world.

What eco-friendly or holistic things do you and your family do in daily life?

Sam: I have learnt to become a conscious consumer. Before purchasing any product I consciously read the packaging to see if it is a brand that I want to support. Is the packaging recyclable? What is the product made of? Is it a local and ethical brand? I really wish that all consumers would become aware of how powerful their choices are, and what their dollar is actually supporting or encouraging.

What brings you the most peace?

Sam: Being surrounded by nature. Whether that be swimming in the surf, or in the lush green countryside lying on the grass.

If you could recommend just one change to our readers looking to make their life a little holistic, what would you suggest?

Sam: Make the conscious effort at least once a week to STOP and set aside some “me” time for yourself. If you’re anything like me, and run from one thing to the next, trying to squeeze as many things in to the day as possible then you might like to join me and do the ritual that I now indulge in once a week.

Set aside an hour at the end of the day just for you. Turn your mobile phone to silent mode, dim the lights of the bathroom, and shut the door behind you, to avoid any interruptions. Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil blend to an oil burner.

After watching the bath slowly fill with water, add a splash of Be Genki bath oil and then slip in. For the next 20 minutes focus on your breathing and let yourself go. With every breath you take, breathe in thoughts of relaxation, and breathe out your worries. Pat yourself dry and massage into your clean skin a generous slather of Be Genki body cream to rehydrate and soften the skin. Finish with a spritz of Be Genki face mist and curl up on the couch (or in bed) with a cup of Be Genki herbal tea.

When it comes to choosing a healthier skincare product what are the most important pitfalls to avoid?

Sam: Remember to read the ingredient list. Some brands may appear to be “natural” but on closer inspection they’re not.

Do you have a natural skin care or aromatherapy tip to share with readers?

Sam: Remember that your body requires tender loving care too! Most consumers think about skin care for their face and forget about the rest of their body. Creating relaxing or invigorating rituals in the comfort of your home to pamper your body is a very simple yet effective thing to get in the habit of doing, even if its only once a week. Not only will your skin be left feeling soft and glowing, but the benefits to your wellbeing (when using natural products that contain pure essential oils) may just be that little something that helps you to be the healthier and happier person you deserve to be.

What is your own favourite Be Genki product?

Sam: Oh, that’s a tough one! I go through phases of being OBSESSED with a couple of products at a time, and I think that all comes down to my body gravitating towards the range that I require at that given point in time. I have recently come out of a Sensuality phase, and if I look at my life... yes, my heart chakra really did need help as I was going through a very sad experience. Now, I’m loving the Tranquility range, in particular the Tranquility Face Mist and Oil Blend that I use at night to help prepare me for a peaceful night’s sleep. It’s like a tranquilizer. After using the products, I’m out like a light.

What’s next for Be Genki?

Sam: We’re just putting the finishing touches on our 100% natural candle range available in the four Be Genki scents – Vitality, Tranquility, Serenity and Sensuality. They are very exciting products as they will be kind to both you and the environment, being made from soy wax and pure essential oils only.

Downloads:

Book pages 1 - 10 (PDF 3.3 Mb)