Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Madden.
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Why goat? The why behind Goattastic Skin.
Legacy, I wanted to turn a dream into reality. To know how I got into this business to best starts with a GoatTastic lady named Linda Faith. Linda is my mother-in-law and she started this with the idea of owning a farm. She purchased some property and not long after found out that they were going to need some help keeping up with the land. She looked into what animals would be best for helping keep the farms grounds down and then also for other resources. After looking into different animals, she decided Nigerian dwarf goats were going to be best for the farm. She purchased a couple of goats (herd) and not long after the farm’s 1st litter (baby goats) was born. After some time, she started accumulating milk and using it for daily consumption. Replacement for anything dairy. She started making cheeses, yogurts, and ice cream and just used them for things that we would make around the house. After a while, Linda started looking into other resources to use the milk and how good goat milk was not just for consumption but she also discovered that it was good for absorption (Topicals, lotions, soaps,) for skin and hair. She started looking into different recipes and ways to make different products and after a while of trial and error she developed and mastered her every 1st product, Goat milk lotions, and soaps. Linda, my wife Holly, and a few other family members started traveling to local fairs and state festivals in Texas and surrounding states setting up pop-up markets. where she quickly developed a unique outreach and following for our goat milk skincare products. This continued and after a while, I came in and asked if she could teach me the process because I was using the products and I enjoyed the way the products were making my skin feel. I didn’t feel right here making my products for me all the time and she would never let me purchase them. She would just give them to me or my friends. So, I asked her if she would teach me how to make the products so that I could make mine and also, I could help out Preparing for festivals and events. She got so excited and thought that was such a great idea that literally the next day she had the family making cold press soaps. “It was one of the best days that I still remember”. Mom had her way with not just teaching you the ingredients and how to make something, but she taught you the meaning and the process and why the process and why the importance of it. It wasn’t just making the product it was why you were making a product.
After a couple of years of learning the processes of how to make products and helping on the farm with raising the goats, Grounds keeping, milking the goats, and getting the milk ready for products. it was clear why mom did this. it’s just pure love. Goats are amazing animals. Goats’ personalities are just fantastic. Each goat is an individual, and they have its own personality. Milk has so many benefits for the skin. Goat milk contains lipids, proteins, antitoxins, vitamins, minerals, and more. All food for the skin and hair. After a while, I added an e-commerce store which then allowed our customers to purchase our products from anywhere directly from our farm to their doors. We opened up in 2015 and it was taking off. We were innovating and releasing new products, having fun traveling to fairs, setting up pop booths and selling our products online, raising goats, and making skincare products. All while bringing awareness to the benefits of goat milk for the Skin and hair. Then Sadly in 2018, mom got sick with cancer and passed away. After some time passes my wife Holly and I started discussing the future of goat milk for us or if there was one. So, we sat down and put our heads together and decided that we were going to keep going with making the products and keep moms legacy going. However, we were not going to just do fairs and travel. Instead, we had the idea of our 1st brick and Mortar store GOATTASTIC SKIN.
Offering our skincare products, apparel, and a DIY fragrance bar adventure. This was such a risk for us, but risks have rewards. Just as we open our storefront in 2020, we also entered and continue to ship to customers (“HERD MEMBERS “) in all 50 state’s USA. We continue to learn and create and release new products as we teach our family’s next generation the why behind Goattastic Skin. You ask yourself why we do this, and I could give you many reasons why but truly what is Goattastic, is seeing someone happy and comfortable in the skin they are in. Whether you have eczema, psoriasis, Dry, flaky skin, or skin that just wants to stay soft and happy. Goattastic skin is the product for you. Be comfortable in the skin you’re in and start living Today. Remember if it’s not fantastic it’s not GOATTASTIC for you.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
If you asked me my opinion about obstacles and challenges. I would say that the first obstacle you’re going to run into is going to be number one. Know your worth and trust yourself. You will always be fighting with yourself about every move. You’ve got to learn to do the homework and to trust yourself. You’ve got to learn to make fast decisions and you’ve got to learn to be consistent no matter what. Things are going to go wrong; things are going to go right.
And they’re always going to change. So, you have to make sure that you learn to adapt, keep learning, and stay motivated. learn something new every day. Then you have to keep consistent and stay visible. Social media, advertising/marketing, local events, etc. The population gets bored quickly. So, you need to innovate, motivate, and implement new ideas, events, products, marketing strategies, and services continuously. Sometimes it’s frustrating, sometimes it’s a blessing. But always it’s Goattastic.
Don’t let anyone or anything get in your way but don’t tune out ideas or comments learn what did work or what didn’t work by having an open mind. see your competitors as guidance. See what strategies they use. what works for them may or may not work for you.
Don’t compare yourself and NEVER blend in, be your own Goat. Your uniqueness is what sets you apart from others. Last, always take care of your customers and your customers will take care of you. Your dreams were given to you and only you can wake yourself Up to chase them. As I say, 54321 go.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I and my HERD do is make and create goat milk skincare products from our very own goat milk.
Why goat’s milk? Goat milk contains lipids, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins, alpha hydroxy acids, omegas, and more. All food for the skin. We offer a wide variety of Soaps, Lotions, Beard care products, Facial care products, Bath care, Apparel, and more. Remember if it’s not fantastic, it’s not GOATTASTIC for you. Got GOAT?
We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Defining success how would I define success? success can be defined in many ways. some people may say because we have repeat customers in all 50 states that make us successful. Some people may say our business is profitable so that makes us successful. Some people may say we are very knowledgeable and informative about our products and industry so that makes us successful. Some people may say that all three make us successful. To me, success isn’t defined by money, popularity, or quantities.
To me, success is knowing that we have created products that someone can use to help them be more comfortable in the skin they are in. Knowing that someone who has sensitive skin like eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, acne, and more.
Finally have products they can turn to that are light on the skin with No harsh chemicals and Packed full of moisturizing benefits. All while being Handmade and made here in the USA from all-natural ingredients. To me, success is measured by hearing and seeing how we help others start and live a Goattastic life.
Got goat?
Contact Info:
- Website: goattasticskin.com
- Instagram: @goattastic_skin
- Facebook: goattasticskin4u
- Youtube: goattasticskin4u
Image Credits
Chris Madden and Steve Faith
