An Interview with Tina from Studio Bee

I met Tina on a Friday morning at a mothers’ coffee group. We quickly connected over our shared love of natural skincare and the joys and challenges of running small businesses. As we chatted, we shared our struggles, celebrated our victories, and exchanged tips and tricks for creating beautiful products that others can enjoy.

What stood out to me most was Tina’s perseverance and her genuine commitment to sourcing the very best ingredients for her products. I wanted to feature Tina as the first creator in this series because I believe she represents so many creative mums who want to share their talents, hard work with the world.

No matter the challenges of running a small business, raising a family, and the responsibilities of everyday life, there remains a deep desire to create. Tina embodies that creative spirit, and I’m delighted to introduce her and her business to the Natura Emporium community.

Tell me about your business what do you create and what inspired you to start?
I’m the founder of Studio Bee, where I create natural lip balms, moisturising balms and deodorants in plastic-free packaging. The products are made with simple, nourishing ingredients and are designed to be practical, effective alternatives to conventional skincare. The inspiration came from my own journey of wanting to reduce plastic in everyday life. When I started looking closely at the products I used every day, I realised there weren’t many options that combined beautiful, effective skincare with low-waste packaging. I started making products for myself and my family, and over time Studio Bee grew from there.

Was there a moment when you realised this could become a business?
I think it happened gradually. What started as curiosity and experimentation became something more when friends and family kept asking for more products and encouraging me to sell them. Seeing people genuinely enjoy and repurchase what I’d made gave me the confidence to believe there could be a place for Studio Bee beyond my own home.

What do you love most about the creative process?
I love the problem-solving side of it. Whether it’s refining a formula, choosing ingredients or working out packaging solutions, I enjoy finding ways to make products better. There’s something really satisfying about starting with an idea and slowly turning it into something tangible that people can use every day.

When you get a new idea, what is your step-by-step process from idea to finished product?
Usually it starts with a problem I want to solve or a gap I think exists. I’ll research ingredients, develop a rough formula and begin testing. Then comes the longest part, refining. I make adjustments, test again, get feedback and keep improving until I’m happy with both the performance and the user experience. Once the formula is finalised, I focus on packaging, labelling and making sure everything aligns with the Studio Bee brand before launching.

What do you want people to feel or experience when they use your products?
I want people to feel cared for. Life is busy, and most of us move through our routines without thinking much about the products we use. I hope Studio Bee products create a small moment of comfort and simplicity in someone’s day. I also want people to feel confident that they’re using something effective, made with intention and packaged thoughtfully.

What have been some of the biggest challenges in running your business?
Like many small business owners, balancing all the different roles can be challenging. One day you’re the maker, the marketer, the photographer, the bookkeeper and the customer service team all at once. Learning how to grow sustainably without losing the heart behind the business has probably been one of the biggest ongoing challenges.

What does a good creative day look like for you?
I usually wake up with a thousand ideas buzzing around in my head, alongside a few clear priorities that need to get done. A creative day might involve making products, testing a new formula, taking photos, creating content, or simply getting out for a walk and giving myself space to think. I’ve found some of my best ideas come when I’m not forcing them. The best days are the ones where I can balance creativity with progress and have enough room to create without feeling rushed.

Is there something new you’d love to create in the future?
I’d love to continue expanding the range with products that fit naturally within the Studio Bee philosophy—simple, effective products that people genuinely enjoy using every day. I’m always collecting ideas, so there are plenty of possibilities for the future.

Thankyou Tina for your time! I’m sure there are many people interested in natural skincare and wanting to find a gentle alternative to chemically laden lip balms and deodorants. If you are interested in browsing Studio Bees you can find it here: https://studiobeegoods.com.au Follow along on Tinas Instagram Here.