Welcome to Money Making Story,

Today, we’re thrilled to share the story of Sarah Cloes, who turned her kitchen experiments into Flora Flora Co., a $180,000 eco-friendly hair care brand using TikTok without spending on marketing.

In this discussion, we’ll discuss her:

• Top Advice

• Meet Sarah Cloes: The Founder on a Mission

• The Idea Sparked by Sustainability

• Bootstrapping and Growth

• Make Money Using Canva & ChatGPT

• TikTok: A Catalyst for Success

• Breaking into Retail

• From Struggle to Stability

• The Vision for Flora Flora Co.

• Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• A Story Worth Reading

Top Advice:

"Sometimes, the best business ideas are born from personal passion and a commitment to make the world better."

Receive Honest News Today

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!

In a world increasingly concerned with sustainability, Sarah Cloes, a 27-year-old entrepreneur based near San Diego, has made a name for herself with Flora Flora Co., her eco-conscious hair care brand. Starting with a desire to reduce plastic use, Sarah has grown her company into a thriving business, generating $180,000 in revenue in 2024 and redefining the way we think about personal care.

Meet Sarah Cloes: The Founder on a Mission

At just 27, Sarah Cloes has turned her passion for sustainable living into a thriving business. Based outside San Diego, she’s the founder of Flora Flora Co., a personal care brand offering eco-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars that replicate the luxurious feel of liquid alternatives—minus the environmental cost.

In 2024, Flora Flora Co. brought in $180,000 in revenue, proving that small steps can lead to significant impact.

2x conversions by pre-testing your ads? Yes, it's possible!

Get immediate feedback & optimize your ads with AI recommendations.

With Neurons, you can:

• Improve content performance.

• Make branding more memorable.

• Run ad A/B tests pre-launch.

Neurons AI helps marketers get 73% CTR lift and 20% brand awareness boost.

Book a Neurons Session Today

The Idea Sparked by Sustainability

Flora Flora Co. began as a personal quest for Sarah, who wanted to reduce her plastic use. Dissatisfied with existing products, she started experimenting in her kitchen:

• Initial formulations: Created on her stove using ingredients bought online.

• First testers: Friends who gave enthusiastic feedback, validating her concept.

• Humble beginnings: Launched at a local farmers market with handmade labels and minimal ingredients.

Bootstrapping and Growth

Sarah’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t glamorous. With her husband, Bret, also earning a modest income as an associate therapist and part-time barista, the couple embraced extreme frugality to build the business:

• Personal sacrifices: Avoiding new purchases, skipping vacations, and eating out rarely.

• Initial marketing strategy: Posting on TikTok, which became a game-changer for sales and exposure.

• Revenue split: 80% of sales came from direct-to-consumer online orders.

Make Money Using Canva & ChatGPT

TikTok: A Catalyst for Success

From the very first day of launching her website, Sarah used TikTok as her primary marketing tool. Through engaging, relatable content, she quickly built a loyal customer base. Despite having no marketing budget, her brand's authenticity resonated with a growing audience.

Breaking into Retail

While online sales drove the majority of revenue, Flora Flora Co. has expanded into Whole Foods and independent retailers nationwide. The brand also ships internationally, showcasing its universal appeal.

Now, Sarah is exploring how investing in marketing and manufacturing can accelerate growth:

• Marketing: Using savings to experiment with paid campaigns for broader exposure.

• Manufacturing: Scaling production by upgrading machinery, as everything is still handmade in-house.

From Struggle to Stability

Sarah and Bret’s journey has transitioned from financial stress to newfound stability. With her husband now contributing more to their household expenses, they’ve eased the frugality that defined their early years.

The Vision for Flora Flora Co.

Sarah envisions Flora Flora Co. becoming a mainstream personal care brand, combining sustainability with luxury. She remains committed to her eco-friendly mission while scaling her operations to reach more customers.

• Long-term goal: To compete with major personal care brands while maintaining environmental integrity.

• Next steps: Expanding marketing efforts, improving manufacturing efficiency, and exploring new product lines.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Sarah’s experience offers valuable takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs:

1. Start Small, Think Big: Sarah’s kitchen experiments laid the groundwork for a national brand.

2. Use Free Platforms Wisely: TikTok provided massive exposure without any upfront cost.

3. Reinvest in Your Business: By sacrificing short-term comforts, Sarah ensured long-term growth.

4. Be Resourceful: From handmade labels to testing products on friends, creativity helped Flora Flora Co. thrive.

5. Stay True to Your Values: Sustainability remains at the heart of Sarah’s brand, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.

Learn More About Sarah Cloes

Sarah Cloes’ story is a testament to how personal passion, combined with resilience and resourcefulness, can lead to significant success. From her modest beginnings to running a six-figure business, Sarah has shown that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

With her determination and clear vision, the future of Flora Flora Co. looks brighter than ever.

A Story Worth Reading

We Value Your Feedback

Was this featured story helpful? Rate it, and let us know how we can improve.