Interviewed Alison McFalls, the founder of OSA NATURALS, a company that produces organic products handcrafted in the rainforest of Osa Peninsula.
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Our website: Hey there! Let's chat about OSA NATURAL, our passion, and your one-stop-shop for handcrafted natural skincare products.
Alison McFalls: Hey! I'm Alison, the brains behind OSA NATURAL. After graduating with a double major in Biochemistry and Spanish from the University of Virginia in 2005, I found myself on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, where I was captivated by the locals making coconut oil from fallen coconuts on the beach. Sparked by my newfound interest in chemistry, I began experimenting with body products using the locally hand-pressed coconut oil. Before you knew it, I was selling my homemade soaps, liquids, and creams at a local Friday night market. Word quickly spread among hotel owners and patrons, who began purchasing my eco-friendly products for their guests.
In 2009, I ventured to San Jose, Costa Rica, to establish OSA NATURAL as a licensed coop and kickstart the business. By 2012, we were legally selling our products across the Southern Pacific region of Costa Rica in hotels, green stores, and gift shops.
Our website: So, what's the plan for the future?
Alison McFalls: We've had a ten-year run in the Southern Pacific Zone, and now it's time to expand our reach. Our sights are set on conquering the Northern Pacific Zone and the Central Valley of Costa Rica within the next five years. We're not just thinking locally, either – we're also aiming to establish a manufacturing facility in the U.S. to cut down on shipping costs and better serve our American customers.
Our website: What sets OSA NATURAL apart from the competition?
Alison McFalls: OSA NATURAL prides itself on creating top-notch body products using only a handful of ingredients. We believe in the power of simplicity and stick to our motto: "Less is more." Our Castile soap, made with 100% coconut oil, produces an incredible lather that can be diluted four times to make an excellent hand and body soap. Every product we sell boasts minimal ingredients but delivers remarkable results. Compared to some products in the market, which require dozens of chemical ingredients to formulate a single product, OSA NATURAL products are a breath of fresh air.
Our website: Alright, let's talk about your journey. Tell us how you've navigated the highs and lows.
Alison McFalls: Living and working in a remote area like the Osa Peninsula has been no easy feat. Managing shipping and logistics, finding consistent coconut supplies, and marketing our products have been constant challenges. But with grit, resilience, and a heart full of determination, OSA NATURAL has persevered. Our commitment to partnering with local coconut oil producers and creating a unique product has paved the way for success.
Our website: What inspired the incredible OSA NATURAL adventure?
Alison McFalls: Well, remember the Children's story, "The Little Engine that Could" – "I think I can, I think I can"? That's been my mantra for OSA NATURAL. Transitioning from a medical school path to creating natural skincare products from coconut oil seemed like a crazy idea, but my love for concocting mixtures and transforming my bathroom routine into a personal spa experience made it impossible to resist. And here we are, still going strong a decade later!
Our website: What challenges have you faced as a leader and how have you overcome them?
Alison McFalls: Navigating a remote location for manufacturing, overcoming shipping and logistics hurdles, and marketing our products have been the biggest challenges we've faced. The unpredictable Osa Peninsula weather and fluctuations in coconut availability have also posed difficulties. But our drive to succeed has enabled us to push through every obstacle.
Our website: One word that defines you?
Alison McFalls: Industrious
Our website: What makes you proud of OSA NATURAL's vision?
Alison McFalls: At its core, OSA NATURAL is a family business that values sustainability and supporting local economies. Our mission is to promote natural living and wellness while empowering local communities. By prioritizing handmade coconut oil, we're able to create an incredible product and give back to the very people who make it possible.
Our website: What makes OSA NATURAL unique compared to other companies?
Alison McFalls: Our secret ingredient? Handmade coconut oil sourced directly from the pristine beaches of the Osa Peninsula. Our strategy is to craft high-quality products using the fewest possible ingredients. We're all about making a personal impact on our customers and the planet – and we're proud of it!
Our website: What core values have helped you overcome challenges and shape the OSA NATURAL experience?
Alison McFalls: Staying resilient and adaptable has been instrumental in our journey. We've learned to balance extreme lows and highs to keep our inventory and operations running smoothly. Our unwavering commitment to our customers and the environment has also been crucial in overcoming challenges and continuing to grow.
Our website: What's next for OSA NATURAL?
Alison McFalls: Expansion is key! We're seeking new opportunities to connect with communities in the Northern Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, as well as the Central Valley and San Jose GMO, to bring our handcrafted products to even more customers.
Our website: What benefits do your customers enjoy in this competitive market?
Alison McFalls: Our customers love that our products are safe, natural, and gentle. We use ingredients that are easy to understand and maintain a commitment to sustainability and excellent quality. In a world where reading simple ingredient lists can feel like a challenge, OSA NATURAL simplifies bath and body care.
Our website: Want to know more about our latest ventures?
Alison McFalls: My daughter and I have been experimenting with natural colorants and are excited to launch our first natural cosmetics line. We're also planning to open a botanical spa focused on self-care and eco-friendly treatments to help customers nurture their mind, body, and spirit.
Check out OSA NATURAL's products here.
- Alison McFalls, the founder of OSA NATURAL, graduated with a double major in Biochemistry and Spanish, and was inspired to create natural skincare products during a trip to Costa Rica.
- In 2009, Alison established OSA NATURAL as a licensed cooperative in San Jose, Costa Rica, and began selling her products in hotels, green stores, and gift shops across the Southern Pacific region.
- OSA NATURAL aims to expand its reach to the Northern Pacific Zone and the Central Valley of Costa Rica within the next five years, and is also planning to set up a manufacturing facility in the United States.
- OSA NATURAL prides itself on creating top-notch body products using only a handful of ingredients, sticking to the motto "Less is more."
- Alison McFalls navigated challenges on the remote Osa Peninsula, including managing shipping and logistics, finding consistent coconut supplies, and marketing products.
- The Little Engine that Could has been a source of inspiration for Alison and OSA NATURAL's journey from a bathroom spa experiment to a thriving business.
- Alison McFalls defines herself as industrious, driven, and resilient in the face of challenges.
- OSA NATURAL is a family business that values sustainability, natural living, and supporting local economies.
- OSA NATURAL's commitment to using handmade coconut oil sourced from the Osa Peninsula sets it apart from other companies in the skincare industry.
- OSA NATURAL's core values of resilience, adaptability, and commitment to customers and the environment have helped it overcome challenges and continue to grow.
- OSA NATURAL is currently working on a new cosmetics line and a botanical spa focused on self-care and eco-friendly treatments.
- OSA NATURAL's customers enjoy safe, natural, and gentle products, with easy-to-understand ingredients and a commitment to sustainability and quality.
- Check out OSA NATURAL's skincare and cosmetics products on their website.
