Maker of skincare products proud of community role

Natcha, who has been working in marketing and sales of skincare products for more than 17 years, said she especially loved such products made from natural ingredients.
“Every time I am shopping or have free time on a business trip, I go directly to the skincare counters or shops first to fulfil my interest in checking out new items and buying them back home. “My passion turned into a hobby. I also started my own business after the film company that I had worked with closed down last year because of a technology change from film to digital. The unexpected job loss never got me down. Positive thinking has inspired me to start a new business journey,” she said.
After evaluating business opportunities, Natcha turned her passion and hobby into a full-time job. She tested the products for almost a year before launching the business.
Prana is a brand name of products that represent the breath of life, which unifies body and mind. It’s a healthy skincare product formulated from university research into Thai traditional medicine, mainly applying pure herbal and natural ingredients free of parabens and harsh chemicals.
Besides, the products are eco-friendly, produced in environmentally friendly ways.
The products are offered in an inexpensive price range of Bt100-Bt300 targeted at medium-income people. They have been available since the end of September in health-food stores, pharmacies, and cosmetic retailers.
So far, the market is small but the initial outcomes have made Natcha happy, since she has received positive feedback from many customers. They love her products and her business was expanded by word of mouth.
Some customers have also become her distributors.
For now, her customers are companies buying healthy New Year gift sets for their customers and individual buyers such as office workers, health-conscious people, nurses, pharmacists and hospital workers.
She expects to expand the business in Greater Bangkok next year and, because of her 10 years of experience in export and international sales, she plans to offer her products to foreign buyers as well.
“For me, doing business requires a lot of hard work and skill.  “Every day is challenging for me. So I decided to work at what I love.
 “Working with passion is about more than just making money, but adding meaning to my life. I’m happy every day and every time I come to work. The other key factors in my success are being creative, always finding an opportunity, making an effort, and never giving up on myself,” Natcha said.
She said she was proud of her business as it is giving back to the local community. She works with farmer communities around the country, sharing some income to support bio-resources and environmental rehabilitation and conservation.
“I’m so proud that our products are made by local people in order to help farmers and rural communities to get jobs and earn wages. They can also stay close to their home and have time to take care of their families instead of coming to work in Bangkok or other big cities.”