KC Essentials: How Katie Centrella Turned a Challenge into a Business

When faced with hardships, we all look forward to the day when we finally get past them. Things would be so much better if << insert challenge here>> was behind me. But the truth is, these are the moments when we better ourselves. Nothing builds character like rising to the occasion.

Katie Centrella rose to the occasion when she learned that her infant son, Marco had allergies. Not just one or two – but a long list of them. And while altering his diet to help, she discovered more allergies. It was quickly becoming a full-time job. Katie had to change the way she shopped, the way she did laundry, and cleaned the house.

And out of this hardship, KC Essentials was born. Katie tells the story better than I can.

How did KC Essentials get its start?

It all started back when my son, Marco, was a newborn. He had really bad eczema. He was baby number 3, and I didn’t experience this with my other two, so I knew something was out of the ordinary. The first time he had milk, he had an anaphylactic reaction. We took him to the doctor and found out he had multiple allergies – peanut, tree nut, dairy, egg, sesame, fish, sunflower – all the top 8 and then some. It was really overwhelming. I didn’t know much about food allergies. I really had to take the bull by the horns and educate myself. I had to look at everything that went into our house. I started reading every food label. Going to the grocery store was a big hurdle. I realized that everything we put into our bodies – a lot of the ingredients were unnatural and even harmful.

I started making skincare products for him when a friend of mine who had a son with eczema told me about these lotion bars she made. She suggested I make them for him. They were just a few ingredients like lavender and essential oils. I was like, ‘what are essential oils?’ So, I got a starter kit of essential oils, and I challenged myself to try and make things before I went and bought the product. I made our laundry detergent. I made body lotion for him and lip balm and things of that nature.

Sounds like the challenge paid off.

I started these Make-and-Take parties with my friends. They would come over, and I’d say, what do you guys want to make, and we’ll make it together. We did that a couple of times. People really liked it, and many of them could relate to what was going on with Marco. Either their kids had allergies too, or they were just looking for cleaner products.

When was this?

Marco was born in February of 2014. Within the first year of when I started making products for him, I started making them for others. I was doing the Make-and-Take parties every couple of months, and then some people started asking me if they could buy the products. Finally, a friend of mine who owns her own store in Georgia asked if I’ve ever considered selling this and making a business out of this.

A couple of friends encouraged me to set up a vendor table at the mushroom fair in my hometown of Kennett Square (outside of Philly). I found a friend of a friend who made a label for me. I made my lotion bars and deodorant, and lip balm. I put a label on it, and it went really well, and that’s when KC Essentials began.

It must be rewarding to run a business that also helps people.

Thank you. It’s the teacher in me. I like having the Make-and-Takes and explaining things, and helping others. I enjoy working with kids – I have three of my own. And I like experimenting and learning. So it does feel pretty good.

I’ll do little pop-ups in local stores in town with my kids, where we’ll do fairy-themed and Harry Potter-themed events.

Do you still do the Make-and-Takes?

Not as much since the pandemic hit. But I started doing the pop-ups. We make gifts like body sprays and essential oil rollers. Sometimes my kids will do them with me, and we’ll do a fairy theme or Harry Potter. But things are getting busier, and it’s hard to find the time.

How many stores carry KC Essentials?

I’m in over 20 stores in the Tri-State area. I just got on Faire, which is a website that brings wholesalers and retailers together. With Faire, I’m now in Baltimore, and I’ve got orders going to Florida and Nevada.

Tell me about the products.

I have seven product lines. My women’s line is called Queen Bee. The body lotions and body scrubs are very popular. I have a men’s line, Bee Smooth. Our popular products for that are beard oil and hair pomade, and aftershave. I make a deodorizing lotion called Between the Bees, which will be great for Father’s Day coming up. I have a home line where I sell candles and body soap. Those have been huge; they’re my best sellers. I have a tween line Bee’s Knees. I named that for my girls who love magic and Harry Potter. They think my essential oils are like potions. And then I have a baby line, Bay Bee, which were most of the products I made for my son. And then I have a pet line, Bee My Pet. And a yoga line, Just Bee.

Do you make everything on your own?

Oh yeah, I make it all on my own in my home right now. One of my goals is to get a storefront or a site to make everything.

Any unexpected hurdles?

Well, I do everything from making my own products to sales to social media. But I’m also a mom, and I have my kids to take care of. Up until two weeks ago, they were homeschooled most of the time because of the pandemic, so that was a challenge.

I was doing really well in January of last year, and then the pandemic hit, and everything went flat. The majority of my sales were wholesale and at craft shows and fairs, and all that went to a halt, so I had to focus on online sales.

 Now that the kids are back in school, I’ve gotten so much done.

Any advice for entrepreneurs?

It’s huge to connect with people in your community. I have so much support from local businesses and the people in my town. I feel like, with the pandemic, people are rooting for small businesses. I had no idea so many people want to learn how to make a lotion bar.

And take it one day at a time. When things get overwhelming, stay focused to accomplish the task on hand. Small accomplishments are rewarding too. 

Any advice for parents?

Follow your instincts. If there is something wrong, go with that. I’ve heard so many doctors say, ‘oh no, he’s not sensitive. Don’t worry about it.’ But I felt it in my gut. And you don’t have to do what everyone else does. Do what feels right to you because you’re developing your family, and you’ve got one shot at it, so do what’s most important to you. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re having issues, chances are other people are having the same issue.

Check out other conversations in our Interview Series.