Interviews
‘My CAS coordinator pushed me to create something truly my own’
A budding entrepreneur of Apeejay’s IB School shares how her passion led to purpose
Meet Vaanya Saund, a dynamic DP-1 student of Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, and Founder, Bare Butter. What began as a childhood fascination with skincare has blossomed into a meaningful entrepreneurial venture. From dreaming about creating her lip balms to successfully launching her brand, Vaanya has transformed passion into purpose. Seeing her product come to life has been a proud and fulfilling milestone in her inspiring journey, she shared in a candid interview, among other things.
Who inspired you to begin this journey?
Kylie Jenner and her entrepreneurial journey have always inspired me. Watching her build a global beauty brand motivated me to believe that young girls can turn their passions into successful ventures.
How is this project connected to your CAS experience?
We focus on Creativity, Activity, and Service. Bare Butter mainly falls under the Service component. My CAS coordinator encouraged me to create something personal, something that feels like my creation. Lip balms are special to me, so I chose to combine my passion with service by offering quality, natural products and sharing samples within the school community.
What ingredients have you used in your lip balms?
The lip balms are made using beeswax, jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, and a blend of other lip-care oils. We have clearly mentioned that no preservatives are added because vitamin E itself acts as a natural preservative. Beeswax also helps in maintaining the product’s stability.
How do you ensure the product lasts long?
Beeswax is the key binding ingredient. It helps amalgamate all the oils together while ensuring a smooth texture. Since both beeswax and vitamin E have preservative qualities, the lip balm has a shelf life of about six months. At present, we are offering three flavours: Strawberry, watermelon, and vanilla. Strawberry has been a popular choice among customers.
What challenges did you face while starting this venture?
Managing everything independently was challenging. At home, I handled the product-making process myself. However, one of my friends helped me understand the technical aspects of running a business. I have also consulted a marketing agency for guidance on promotion and branding.
Do you plan to expand?
Yes, definitely. I plan to introduce body butters in the coming months. However, I aim to expand on a larger scale after completion of my DP-2. For that, I’ll need certifications and a proper website, which requires time. But with the Board exams approaching, it will take some time.
