Ben Whalen, Owner of Clean Slate Botanicals, sits down with Jeffrey Goodman, Director of Marketing and Development for the YMCA of Northwest Louisiana, to answer the following questions:

0:32 1. Like many of our local entrepreneurs, you first made a name for yourself at the Shreveport Farmer’s Market.

You have intentionally and patiently grown a community around your brand and your products. Talk to me about how you view building community and some words of wisdom you would give other entrepreneurs about creating a demand around your product.

10:28 2. You once said, “A lot of people are struggling with skin care issues - eczema, psoriasis, rosacea. So our natural skin care products, like our body butter and our face care products are really popular.”

Tell me about the different products you offer.

13:54 3. Clean Slate Botanicals opened in the Andress Artist & Entrepreneur Center in September 2022. It’s an incredible space you have and I encourage everyone listening to go visit you there. You are open at 717 Crockett Street Mondays through Saturdays from 10AM to 6PM.

You also manage a great website and sell at other venues around the community. Where else in town can people find your products? Can they order online? What else should I tell people who are wanting to know more about your products and services?

22:04 4. Talk to me about interactive retail, as well as the candle pouring experience.

27:32 5. As someone who has been in the trenches, what can this community do better to support entrepreneurs?

31:26 6. Lastly, as you look around the community, what makes you optimistic that we are headed in a positive direction?