The skin she’s in

GAIA Skin Naturals founder Michelle Vogrinec often wonders “how the hell did this happen?”.
In 10 short years her Hallam company has grown from one employee to 14, and a $100,000 turnover to almost 50 times that.
She received a nomination for the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce Premier Regional Business Awards at a breakfast at Sandown Greyhounds, Springvale, on 12 December.
It all started with GAIA Natural Baby when she was searching for something to soothe her son’s eczema.
She and husband Simon weren’t comfortable with the treatments available and were living on and running an organic produce farm.
Concocting a range of herbal potions in their own kitchen seemed the logical option.
“It turned into something so much more,” Ms Vogrinec said.
Men’s range GAIA Made for Men followed an overwhelming response to the initial products.
“They’re the biggest babies of them all,” she laughed.
She said there wasn’t enough on the market to cater for men with sensitive skin and Simon complained he was “sick of using lavender-smelling stuff to shave with.”
GAIA Pure Pregnancy and GAIA Skin and Body Care weren’t far behind, and Ms Vogrinec is constantly searching for untapped markets and looking ahead another 10 years.
“My kids are already saying they want to be a part of this,” she said.
The company now exports to 32 countries and has claimed several awards, including this year’s Casey Business of the Year Award.
“I was gobsmacked,” she said.
The chamber nomination applauded GAIA’s corporate and social responsibility, which Ms Vogrinec said stemmed from watching a 13-year-old neighbour die waiting for a heart transplant.
The company supports HeartKids, Girls Night In, and programs for skilled migrants and workers with disabilities.
“You put out, you get back,” she said.
The Premier Regional Business Awards are designed to profile and highlight successful small and large businesses in the region. Winners will be announced and presented at the Gala Dinner in March next year.