Natural cosmetics producer from Flüeli-Ranft wins European Natural Beauty Award
The story of Ursula Anderhalden and her label “Echt Natur” is a story of daring and believing in yourself. Son Elias Rohrer played a key role in the success.
Ursula Anderhalden and her small business were in our newspaper two years ago. The trained nurse had long since overcome hobby status with the production of ointments, shower gels, shampoos and creams from medicinal herbs and sold her products in shops in Sachseln and the surrounding area. She also offered aroma and foot reflexology massages in her own practice and gave further training and courses on the use of wild herbs as medicine and food.
Ursula Anderhalden won the European Excellence Award with her body lotion.
Image: Marion Wannemacher (Flüeli-Ranft, November 5, 2024)
Since then, she has had less and less time for massages and courses because the production of handmade natural products is taking up more and more space. In October, one of their products, the body lotion “Velvet-Soft Body Feeling,” was awarded the “European Excellence Award” at the European Natural Beauty Awards in Stockholm. From 700 products submitted, experts from the natural cosmetics industry selected their lotion from 125 others.
The excellent body lotion and the award.
Image: Marion Wannemacher (Flüeli-Ranft, November 5, 2024)
“For me it is a personal recognition for my work and my passion,” says the phytotherapist. For her son Elias Rohrer, who flew to Stockholm for the award ceremony without knowing whether his mother’s company would even receive an award, the award was a real surprise. «I was a little overwhelmed at the beginning. At the same time, I was proud to receive this award on behalf of my mother,” he says, describing his feelings.
Ursula Anderhalden in her massage practice in front of the wall with her own products.
Image: Marion Wannemacher (Flüeli-Ranft, November 5, 2024)
The 21-year-old has been supporting his mother in the business for a long time. The trained polygrapher designs labels and designs advertising, advertisements, flyers and posters for them. He was also the one who saved her from giving up everything two years ago. “In order to continue to sell my cosmetics, every product needed safety data sheets with a laboratory report,” she explains. “These should cost 600 to 2,000 francs per product, just so that they can be sold in the store, a costly undertaking with 10 products.”
Restart instead of total surrender
Ursula Anderhalden almost capitulated. “Elias accused me of simply giving up ten years of passion and told me: ‘If you stop, I’ll continue.'” The now 50-year-old was convinced and founded a GmbH together with him in February 2023.
Elias Rohrer is now a permanent employee with a variable workload of between 10 and 70 percent. He takes over marketing and advertises on social media. The label “Soothing Herbs” has now become “Really Nature”. The new branding was released in May with a new, even more professional appearance. A stylized flower now advertises natural cosmetics from the heart of Switzerland. The packaging looks elegant and luxurious.
Ursula Anderhalden.
Image: Marion Wannemacher (Flüeli-Ranft, November 5, 2024)
Since then the company has been growing steadily. Ursula Anderhalden produces around 700 body lotions, 800 shower products and shampoos and, among other things, between 700 and 1000 hand creams every year. She has larger bottles filled at Alpinacos in Kägiswil, and she still produces the rest in the production rooms in-house. She works 50 percent of the time in her practice and between 60 and 80 percent of her time working on natural cosmetics. She sells her products online throughout Switzerland and in smaller shops in the region.
Elias Rohrer, who is now completing his vocational school leaving certificate, has a clear goal in mind: “We want to expand our network throughout Switzerland.” His mother has concerns: “We are too big to do this alone and too small to employ people.”
First comes the Christmas business. “Echt Natur” produces on demand until shortly before Christmas Eve. “We celebrate Christmas with the family and after the 26th there are days of rest. Then I’ll go into myself and ask myself what do I want next year,” says Ursula Anderhalden.
More articles from these communities
