HappyDragonSkincare

Hello!

I'm Audra! =) Thank you for visiting my shop. All products are photographed, made, packaged, and shipped - by me. It has been a long journey to get where I am, today. Just like you, I have a story to tell. Enjoy, as I share with you, some of the most commonly asked questions.

What is your focus?
To make simple, powerful, high-quality skin care that changes the lives of women of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. My customers are amazing women from all over the world. We are all connected. Nature is our Mother - She provides us with everything we need.

What is your mission?
I live my mission everyday. To make everything by hand and see, smell, feel - the final product. It's a wonderful sense of accomplishment and I love to share that with my customers.

What is the most important thing you tell people?
Read labels! Know what you are putting in and on your body. Research the companies you're buying from and what they stand for. Research, awareness and knowledge - will empower you.

What inspires you?
Faith, family and nature. Mother Earth truly inspires me to be creative with my products and photos, and is reflected in my shop. When I'm photographing with nature; my products come to life. Music is also my muse; it connects me to an amazing energy source. I love to listen to World music from Africa, Cuba, Spain, Caribbean, etc. It feeds my soul.

When did you open your shop and start making skin care?
I started Happy Dragon Skincare in 2014 when I was 42 years old, working full-time and had a two-year-old daughter. I left my job to pursue my dream of owning my own business. When I started making skin care, I knew I found my calling in life. I am so proud to help empower women look and feel beautiful, inside and out.

Who inspired you to create?
My interest in skin care began when I was a little girl. My mom and I made our face and hair mask out of natural ingredients like active yeast, eggs, beer, and mayonnaise. My grandma always gave me natural "beauty" tips and encouraged dance to keep me healthy. At an early age, I learned the importance of taking care of mind, body and spirit. Interestingly, I also believe that watching Julia Child, when I was a child, also inspired me to create with a "zest for life." =)

What is your background?
I was raised in a small town in Oklahoma. I spent many days driving to our family farm to work with my grandfather. I had the freedom to roam in wide open spaces and learn the importance of hard work, and, most importantly, family.

Eventually, my family and I moved to the city, where I graduated from the university with a BA degree. While going to school, I worked at a local jazz radio station. Little did I know, that being a DJ, would change the direction of my life - and jump-start my career.

My dream was to move to California and enjoy the sun and surf. After graduating, I moved to San Diego, CA, where I worked at a popular radio station. Shortly, I was offered a job in Los Angeles, at an entertainment marketing agency for major TV networks and film industry. I left San Diego to follow my dream to live in LA. I didn't know anyone, but quickly adapted and enjoyed the LA scene.

At some point, I was ready for a change. Without a job, or a place to live, I picked up and moved to Phoenix, AZ. My luck was about to change. One day, I opened the local magazine and knew my next journey, was right in front of me. I called Todd McFarlane Productions and got the job to spearhead The McFarlane Collection of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa home run baseballs; along with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig memorabilia. Keep in mind, at the time, I knew nothing about baseball. =)

Family wanted us to live closer, so we moved to Little Rock; where I worked for 13 years at the local ABC TV affiliate, as a digital marketing manager. I left the job when I was 42, and my daughter was two, to pursue my dream of starting my own business; which later became Happy Dragon Skincare.

It has been an amazing journey, but no matter where I go or what I do, my roots will always be planted in our family farm. That's where my grandparents, and great-grandparents, raised us to be mindful, and proud of who we are.

Why did you start making skin care?
I read labels like it's a sport. My Aha! moment was when I looked at the ingredients listed on a tube of "natural" toothpaste and saw questionable ingredients. That piqued my interest, so I did the same on all of our personal-care products like lotion, shampoo, face and body wash, hand soap, and deodorant. After researching the ingredients, it became crystal clear that I needed to make our products. It was a pivotal moment in my life that started me on a new path, and a mission to make a better life for us.

What is the meaning of your shop name?
My shop is named after our daughter's plush dragon. She asked Santa for a "happy dragon" for Christmas. As you can imagine, not many dragons are "happy." Luckily, we found one and that not only became the name of my shop, but also designed the logo to resemble it. Plus, the dragon is also a symbol of fortitude, courage and strength. So the name truly fits who we are, and what is important to us. Plus, we love dragons. =)

Is it a family business?
Yes, my husband and daughter are the backbone of my business and their support is endless.

What is your motivation?
When my daughter told me she was proud of me for making skin care products that make people "happy," I knew I was doing the right thing and making a difference. My customers also inspire me to create new and exciting products. When I receive heartwarming messages and reviews, it keeps me focused and determined to keep my shop open.

Thank you for stopping by and learning more about Happy Dragon Skincare; and my journey to make products that make you, and your skin, happy!

Enjoy today!

Audra