Alright, Nadja & John thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
Naming anything, especially a business, is indeed a challenging task. The name “Born to Be Free” wasn’t just chosen; it was a deliberate and passionate declaration of the values that my husband John and I hold at the core of our lives and our business. We wanted a name that reflected our deep belief in the principles of freedom, self-sufficiency, and living in harmony with nature.
Our name is inspired by the timeless ideals that our founding fathers envisioned for America—life, liberty, preservation of private property and self-governance. These are values that we see as universal, transcending borders, and resonating with people worldwide who cherish the freedom to live authentically. “Born to Be Free” is more than just a brand name; it’s a statement of our commitment to these principles and our belief that everyone deserves to live a life that is free, healthy, and in tune with their values.
The American flag, embedded into our logo, serves as a powerful symbol of these ideals. It represents our dedication to the values that built this country—values that we strive to uphold and share with the world through our products. To us, Freedom is the ability to say “yes” to what you desire and “no” to what you don’t. Moreover, Freedom means living as a sovereign individual, making choices that promote holistic well-being, and embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes real, unprocessed foods, connection with nature, and personal responsibility. This, in turn, empowers individuals to live according to their values and desires. The name “Born to Be Free” encapsulates all of this—it’s about empowering individuals to take control of their lives and health, and to live in a way that is true to themselves and the world around them.
Nadja & John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do? For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry/business/discipline/craft, etc., what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients, and/or what you think sets you apart from others?
Our journey began during the COVID lockdowns when my husband, John, and I started going down a series of rabbit holes. To our surprise, we uncovered a range of problems, from the fundamental corruption in our governance system and the broader Western Civilization to the realization that money—the lifeblood of the economy—was completely broken and corrupt. We discovered that our food supply had been so debased that more than half of what is sold in grocery stores today wouldn’t have been considered edible a century ago. We also learned about the harmful chemicals hidden in our skincare products. It was overwhelming to realize how sick and disconnected people had become, and I knew I had to make changes in our lives and help others see the truth as well.
After extensive research, I decided to discard all our chemical-laden skincare and cleaning products and began making my own. The first step was finding the right base for our products, which led me to discover tallow. Tallow is incredibly compatible with human skin, and from there, I started developing our skincare line. Initially, I made the products just for John and myself, but when John fell in love with them, he encouraged me to share them with our friends and family. They loved the products too and insisted that I share them with the world.
Driven by our passion for natural living and a deep desire to create something better for ourselves, our family, and ultimately, our community, we committed to building a brand that is truly free of harmful chemicals, with products that we felt safe using on our own skin and sharing with our loved ones.
Our line of tallow-based skincare products is the result of years of research, experimentation, and a commitment to using only the purest, most effective ingredients. Going ‘back to the basics’ as I always like to say. Tallow, which is a key ingredient in all of our products, mirrors the natural fats found in human skin, making it incredibly nourishing and healing. We believe in the power of nature to provide everything our skin needs, and we’re proud to offer products that reflect this belief.
What makes us different is our dedication to quality and transparency. Every product we create is made with care, using ingredients that are sourced responsibly and crafted with love. We’re not just another skincare brand—we’re a movement towards embracing freedom in all aspects of life, starting with what we put on our skin.
Beyond our products, we are deeply committed to educating and empowering our community on broader aspects of health and wellness. Through our social media channels and email newsletters, we provide valuable insights on living a healthier, happier life. This includes discussions on the importance of knowing where your food comes from, clean eating, regular movement, and the mental and emotional benefits of a balanced lifestyle. Our followers and subscribers gain access to practical advice on avoiding harmful ingredients, making informed dietary choices, and incorporating routines that enhance overall well-being.
I’m most proud of the profound impact our products have had on our customers’ lives. The heartfelt stories we receive—like how our body butters have not only healed scars but also brought relief to those suffering from lifelong eczema, or how moms are overjoyed to finally have a sunblock they trust for its effectiveness and clean ingredients, safe enough to use on their children—mean everything to us. These moments are a powerful reminder that what we do truly matters. We’re not just creating products; we’re helping people reclaim their skin’s health and, in turn, enhancing their overall well-being.
What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work?
Born to Be Free is rooted in more than just skincare—it’s about living authentically and making choices that align with values we hold close. Our brand is built on the same principles that this country was founded on: freedom, integrity, and self-reliance. Many people are struggling both physically and mentally, and we’re committed to helping them change the course of their lives. Skincare is our entry point. Our hope is that they fall in love with our products, see a positive transformation in their skin, and become lifelong customers. Beyond skincare, we aim to make a broader impact by offering valuable, free content that can further improve their health and overall well-being. We want our customers to know that when they choose our products, they are choosing purity, quality, and a commitment to traditional values that prioritize natural, effective solutions.
Our mission is to empower our clients to take control of their health and well-being, beginning with the products they use on their skin. We believe in the freedom to live naturally, free from the constraints of harmful chemicals and toxins, and we’re dedicated to supporting our community in making those choices. Through our products and our ongoing engagement, we aim to inspire others to embrace freedom in their daily lives, staying true to the values that have always made this nation strong.
How’d you meet your business partner?
In January 2018, I was bartending at a local restaurant. It was the end of the night, and my last two customers were my parents. I had stepped away from the bar briefly, and when I returned, I noticed a familiar face from high school and another that immediately caught my eye—John. I felt something in that moment I had never felt before. It was like I already knew him, an unexplainable connection that I still feel every day. I even told my mom later that night that I knew he was going to be a part of my life in some way.
As we talked, John mentioned his birthday had just passed on January 11th. My parents and I shared our matching “11” tattoos and the significance of that number in our lives. The number 11 has always been special to me—it’s a sign that I’m on the right path, a kind of spiritual guidepost. Everything positive in my life seems to have some connection to that number, so meeting John felt like more than just a coincidence. I believe we were brought together intentionally by something bigger than us, at that exact time and place.
John is now my best friend, soulmate, love of my life, and my business partner. I feel so lucky to be on this journey with him, both personally and professionally. We’ve grown so much together through all our milestones, including getting married on 11.11.2022, of course! We celebrated with a magical wedding in Mexico, surrounded by 85 of our closest family and friends. This incredible journey we’re on just keeps getting better, and I’m forever grateful for the path that brought us together.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
Yes, it did! Before starting Born to Be Free, I was working as a hairstylist at a salon. The lightbulb moment came when I began receiving OVERWHELMINGLY positive feedback from friends and family after they tried my products. It was then that I knew I had something special and wanted to turn this into a business. What started as a little side hustle in January 2024 quickly grew into something much bigger. By mid-April, it became too much to juggle with my hairstyling job, so I made the leap to pursue Born to Be Free full-time.
Thankfully, the business is growing every month, and I’m having the time of my life building it with my best friend. We’ve found success through social media, especially Twitter and Instagram, where authenticity is key. I had built a following on Twitter before launching Born to Be Free, which gave us a strong foundation. Public Square has also been a game-changer, bringing in some of our best sales days.
We’re constantly looking for ways to improve and grow our business, focusing on marketing strategies and saying yes to as many opportunities as we can, whether online or in person. Networking is crucial, especially when you’re running an eCommerce store. It’s so important to make a strong impression through our messaging on social media. Email marketing has also been a big hit with our subscribers. People crave authenticity, and we make sure to keep it real in all our posts and interactions. It’s just us being us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://borntobefree.store/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_borntobefree_?igsh=b3NqM3EzeHc1N2Zx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borntobefree11/
- Twitter: https://x.com/BornTo_BeFree
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BornTo_BeFree
