T
hink for a moment about the dizzying array of person-
my personal life so I don't have to fight my personality, I can just
al care products we use each day: the soaps, creams
go with it."
and deodorants for every part of the body, packaged
Behnke started her first company—which developed employee
in containers of every shape and size. We tolerate the
wellness programs—fresh out of college. By her late 30s she had
way they clutter our bathroom and weigh down our gym bags
sold it and was serving on the Board of Directors for 24 Hour Fit-
because they promise to keep us clean and soft and smelling de-
ness. The idea for Juice Beauty emerged around that time when,
licious.
at age 40 and expecting her first child, she starting reading labels
Marin-based Juice Beauty, Andalou Naturals and EO Products
fulfill this promise in ways that are good for people and for the
on makeup and moisturizers.
"I was shocked to see the names of chemicals banned from
planet. Meet their innovative founders, modern day alchemists
food on those labels," recalls Behnke. "I had spent almost two
who've discovered how to formulate true beauty—for the body
decades learning how to be healthy yet I hadn't thought about
and for business.
how that related to what I was putting on my body."
Behnke's ensuing research into the science of beauty sparked
Juice Beauty: Extending Wellness to Skincare
an idea. What if she used organic juices instead of commonly-
Karen Behnke is a woman in constant motion. She runs, bikes
used water or petroleum-based derivatives as a base for skincare
and swims daily. She's an involved mother of two teens. And
products? Her physician husband believed in her—but she met
she's the founder and CEO of San Rafael's Juice Beauty, a fast-
with resistance from those within the beauty industry.
growing beauty brand whose skincare, makeup and hair care
"Product formulators thought I was insane to go against the
products meet the most stringent organic regulations in North
tried and true," she explains. "One scientist finally took the leap
America.
with me on the condition I buy him a giant freezer to store juice
How does she do it all?
while he experimented."
"I have a passion for health and wellness, and I like to create
Her persistence paid off. Today, Juice Beauty is doubling in
things," says Behnke. "I weave the two together in my career and
sales and offers more than 100 products made from USDA organFALL 2013 • FLOURISH
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