Local Nurse Turns Passion for Caring for Others into a Thriving New Skincare Business
Williamsville, NY– For 15 years Jill Miller proudly spent her days taking care of others as a nurse, which she said was where God put her, until he set her on another path by way of her infant daughter who was born with infant eczema.
As a mom, Jill was intent on finding a solution that didn’t involve steroids or antibiotics.
“I was just being a mom, doing research and trying to help her naturally.” But that research, consultation with doctors, and skin care classes lead Jill to the line of thinking that if this can help her child, why not help others? It didn’t dawn on her at first that the product she had created to care for her child would one day evolve into a thriving business. It was simply a solution. Today its better known as Skincare Essentials by Jill.
Once she mastered the formula using all natural ingredients like shea butter and oils, she took that product from her kitchen to the public.
“People like knowing what they’re putting on their skin. I think because it was simple and contains very effective ingredients people liked it. It’s made to help improve your skin because it’s supposed to help heal versus using chemicals. When you’re working with natural ingredients it’s just easier,” Miller said.
Jill’s products are 100% organic, small-batch, hand crafted, high-quality skincare that she takes tremendous pride in. She prides herself on providing products that are relevant to all skin types, races, and genders.
“A lot of times women of color want to stick to specific products – but I’ve made a product for everyone. Skin is skin at the end of the day,” Miller said.
When the business started to take off Jill knew she needed to expand from her kitchen to a bigger space, so her business took over the other half of her house to run a storefront to keep up with demand. Then Tops called, launching her product line first at Tops on Jefferson Avenue last summer, and soon expanded to three additional Tops locations.
“Tops has been a blessing. When I was meeting with Kristen Hanson (Tops Vice President of Center Store, Our Brands & Pharmacy), my mission was to help people with dry skin, acne, dark spots, and eczema. I wanted to offer people chemical free, not water based products – just quality skin products. Tops took a chance on me and I’m so grateful,” Miller said. “She values her partnerships [and] her team, which is a strong but mighty team of three, and those who believe in her. I won’t change the quality of my product just to get to the next level. Whatever is coming to you will come. I just have to pace myself. One step at a time – one foot in front of the other.”
Today her line has expanded from her shea body butters and oils to thirteen products, and is not only sold on Tops shelves, but now a store front at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls which she opened in December of 2022. She even has a vending machine; a concept she had successfully debuted in the mall – going into the Buffalo Niagara Airport set for Spring 2023.
When asked if she ever thought this would be what she would be doing she responded, “Not in my wildest dreams. This wasn’t even a dream. I love being a nurse. I love helping people and I take pride in that. If it wasn’t for my daughter, I would have never started doing this and I love what I do. I know I’m just touching the surface!”
She said the most eye opening part of the journey was seeing what a need there was for her product and seeing how it helps people.
“It is so rewarding to see how my line has helped people and to see my own growth. Knowing that this is my purpose – my calling – what I am supposed to be doing in life and being of better service to people allows me to go to bed satisfied and excited to start the day,” Miller said.
To learn more about Jill’s products stop by select Tops locations or visit her website at Home | Skincare Essentials By Jill.
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