Oshin Love Founder Marilyn Schlossbach is a serial entrepreneur. As a nationally recognized chef, author, restauranteur, philanthropist and sustainability champion, Marilyn has launched multiple businesses over the last 30 years: from beachfront eateries to local non-for-profits, all rooted in sustainability, community, and giving back. We asked Marilyn what inspired her to go from restaurants to beauty, and a few of the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Q: Tell us what inspired you to create Oshin Oil.
Marilyn: This all began during a surf trip with my family through Nicaragua, where I met a local farmer who had founded a a moringa-based supplement company, who taught me all about the incredible benefits and medicinal properties of Moringa Oil. Inspired by the farmer’s story, I came back to the U.S. to start a similar brand, Wave of Balance, and soon discovered the restorative benefits of Moringa seed oil. My daughter had been experiencing severe skin irritation, and after trying everything under the sun, had found nothing that worked, until I used this.
Experiencing the healing properties of the moringa seed oil firsthand led to the creation of Oshin Oil, a natural, sustainable formula designed to preserve the non-comedogenic properties of Moringa that allow the skin to breathe.
Q: Was there anything you learned as a chef that helped you in your new role as a beauty founder?
Marilyn: I’ve always been passionate about surfing, traveling and environmentalism which have all been huge influences in my career as a chef. I’m always on the lookout for local, sustainably farmed ingredients and new recipes that are designed to nourish the body, senses and soul. When I was developing the formula for Oshin Oil, I chose the 8 ingredients as carefully as I would one of my recipes, based on their ability to nourish the face, body and hair in the cleanest, most natural way. That meant choosing certified organic ingredients with no animal testing, and going through dozens of versions of the formula until I got to that perfect, light, scent that reminded me of being on a beach in the northeast (which as an Asbury, New Jersey resident, felt like home to me). Like the dishes in my restaurant, I wanted Oshin Oil to make your senses dance: from the sea glass blue bottle to the fresh scent and light, fast absorbing feel.
Q: You are known locally as a champion of sustainable living in your community and were actually one of the first restaurants to ban plastic straws in New Jersey. How have these values translated into your new beauty venture?
Marilyn: I can’t do anything that doesn’t have sustainability at its core. The values around living sustainably are part of me and translate into everything I do. I don’t really think about sustainable living as something I need to be. I think of it as something I need to be better at. It is so hard to live a sustainable life and sell things. It is so hard to live a sustainable life when you are so immersed in all the things around you. There are so many messages being thrown at us through so many channels. We have become such a consumption-based society and I know I am part of that, so my struggle is to always look for ways to balance that out in other areas for myself and my family.
Q: What’s the one thing you’ve learned in your journey that you can share with others who might be considering a radical move from what they’re doing now?
Marilyn: I have had so many physical and financial challenges over the past few years. Becoming a beauty entrepreneur was not something I was actively looking for. Oshin Love just kind of happened. As a business owner and Type A personality, my biggest challenge has been to sit back and just let the universe take me on this journey. To be kinder to myself and others while trying to grow a business in such a difficult time has been at times overwhelming but also so rewarding.
There is so much support through, books, podcasts, networking, coaching, masterminds, etc. I never had this type of access to information or peer support in my early years but what I have always had is a strong moral compass, patience, and tenacity. I have learned to trust my intuition more. Connect to people I admire who can help me grow. Not beat myself up when I hit some bumpy roads. If I stay true to my values and stay prepared to learn from my wins and losses, I can keep going. I also am lucky enough to have a great partner who supports my entrepreneurial spirit and is always a sounding board for not only my ideas but also my creative wantitis!
