For the holiday’s I was gifted a basket of small business items from the Hudson Valley in New York. If you know me, you know this gift was completely up my alley. In the basket I received skin care products including lip balm, room spray and soap. I was impressed with all of the items and immediately knew I had to learn more about the company and the other products they sell. From this blossomed the opportunity for you to all learn more about this awesome small business, their natural and organic products and the founder behind them. So let’s meet and learn more about Hudson Valley Skin Care and the talented owner behind the brand, Cathie Arpino!
Business Name: Hudson Valley Skin Care
Owners: Cathie Arpino
Established Year: 2011
Location: Pleasant Valley, NY
Facebook: @hudsonvalleyskincare
Instagram: @hvskincare
Website: hudsonvalleyskincare.com
Tell us about your business and the story behind its creation!
Cathie Arpino worked as a cosmetic chemist for over 10 years before having children. When she moved upstate, she took a break from her passion and attended college to become a nurse. While Cathie was doing that, her husband, Glenn Arpino, started Dutchess County’s first compounding pharmacy, Dermasave Labs in 2001. People started asking him for natural skincare, and that’s when Cathie decided to find her passion once again and start Hudson Valley Skin Care.
What products and services do you offer? What makes them unique?
Hudson Valley Skin Care is a skincare line that uses natural, organic ingredients and ingredients sourced from the Hudson Valley. Located in Pleasant Valley, NY, Hudson Valley Skin Care has been providing the community with high quality, affordable skincare since 2011. Our top three local ingredients include Wild Hive Farm Organic Oats, Hudson Valley Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil, and Madava Farm Raw Honey. Everything is made fresh and in-house at our lab facility located in Pleasant Valley, NY. When you buy Hudson Valley Skin Care, you are truly buying skincare powered by our community.
What do you love most about running your own business and being a business owner?
Cathie’s purpose is to deliver affordable, high quality skincare using the magic of the Hudson Valley.
What has been one of the most memorable experiences or opportunities that you’ve experienced since opening your business?
A recent memorable experience was during the beginning of the pandemic.
We put a halt on manufacturing products and switched into high gear making over 10,000 hand sanitizers to be distributed throughout our community. We were able to help countless families and organizations like Dutchess Outreach and Red Cross, Sparrow’s Nest and more. We even taught some of the local brewers how to make it! It was such a joy to be able to give back and provide something essential when there was no hand sanitizer available.
What advice would you give to aspiring business owners?
Starting a business can be the most rewarding thing you ever do if you’re passionate about it. You have to be able to wear many hats and stay motivated, push through obstacles and continue to work even if sales are slow. Every day isn’t going to be great, but with consistency, anything is possible that you put your mind to.
Michella Hand 