By JOE HIGGINS Messenger editor Apr 5, 2015
Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble …
Ok, so it’s not that Shakespearean but Danielle Young does at least consider herself a mad scientist at times. Young is the creator and proprietor of Nature’s Magic and what she does could be considered in some circles as magic — although, again, not the three witches kind.
About six and a half years ago, Young started a cleaning business with the idea of using green, environmentally friendly products. She researched commercially green products already on the market and, quite frankly, found them wanting.
She decided to make her own.
Taking to her own version of a cauldron, Young researched and began mixing oils and soaps.
“I just started to tinker around,” Young said. “Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil are antibacterial and anti germicidal and if I can mix that … I was just going with it. A little more of this and a little more of that … and they work!”
What makes Young’s products different is there are no chemicals harmful to the environment included. She does not use surfactants — which keeps oils mixed and usually petroleum-based. Major companies use surfactants because it reduces time and production costs, makes products faster to produce and enhances shelf life. For Young, shelf stability is the most time consuming issue to not using surfactants. Nonetheless, she is steadfast in her dedication to create green and natural cleaning products.
Young joined forces with the Appalachian Center for Economic Networks and the business has transformed itself into a thriving venture.
ACEnet, in its partnership with The Messenger to celebrate the organization’s 30th anniversary, recognizes Nature’s Magic’s Deep Clean product as the April Product of the Month. The product is sponsored by the Ohio University Credit Union — one of the three major sponsors of the anniversary celebration along with Kroger and O’Nail Hartman Insurance.
Deep Clean is made up of a mix of water, soap, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, other oils and grapefruit seed extract. It headlines Young’s current product line that also features Glass Cleaner, Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Wood Polish.
Backed by support from her family and friends, Young is on the verge of taking that next step in the business — mass distribution. She’s preparing to move her operation into ACEnet’s bottling room and credits ACEnet for helping her overcome the barriers to business entry.
“It’s tough to get started. No one is there to hold our hand but then with ACEnet … they have the resources, shipping … things I didn’t know a whole lot about when I started,” said Young. “I just had this dream, this passion.”
Financially, the Ohio University Credit Union has been there to help streamline and maintain accounts, giving Young time to devote to other aspects of the business.
Eva Bloom, membership development specialist for the credit union, said of Young, “It’s clear she’s dedicated to providing quality products that not only clean well but also protect the planet and the people who use them. Her passion and excitement for eco-friendly cleaning is contagious! We’re very excited to have the opportunity to sponsor her product of the month spot.”
That passion has fueled Young every step of the way. Her products are sold locally in Kroger of Athens but many other businesses are using her line for their own cleaning needs including Stuart’s Opera House, Jackie O’s, Avalanche Pizza and Village Bakery. The most recent development includes a partnership with two different distribution companies and the possibility of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams both carrying and using her cleaning supplies.
Currently, Young is poring over her beakers in her lab and working on two new products. Once she solves the shelf life issue for the products, they’ll hit the stores as well.
Nature’s Magic is available in more than 20 stores and can be ordered online through www.naturesmagicclean.com.
