Q: What’s your name, title, business?

A: I’m Kimberly George, Owner of Bear Balm Inc.

Q: What does your business do?

A: We Make Your Skin Bearable, of course!  Bear Balm is an all-natural, all-season, all-in-one balm for your skin and lips.  

Q: Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey.

A: I think I was an accidental entrepreneur!  

I started out simply making all-natural products for my family.  I shared them with friends who started to buy them for other friends.  Then I began selling my products alongside the produce I was growing at farmers markets.  Eventually, I stopped selling the produce and just sold what I made.  

After the 416 Fire, I rebranded my Orchard House Farm Healing Balm as Bear Balm and Baby Bear Balm to sell in shops, while continuing to make and sell all my other items.  At the end of 2019, I finally took a leap of faith and closed down Orchard House Farm to focus on just the Bear Balms.    

It truly is the one product I never want to be without. 

Q: What was the most powerful lesson you’ve learned on this journey?

A: I think for me, it’s been making something that truly helps people.  When someone calls or emails me to tell me their story of how Bear Balm has specifically helped them, I am so overcome with joy.  It’s powerful that something I made has made a positive difference for others.  It makes the hard work and crazy hours all worth it!

Q: Why did you apply for the SCAPE Program?

A: I want to do more than just sell tins of balm here in Durango.  I want to learn how to scale Bear Balm as a company in a smart, manageable way so that it can be a success, not just in sales, but in everything that makes a company great.

Q: What companies inspire you the most (local, national, worldwide)?

A: I find my best inspiration locally!  Why look farther away than Tailwinds, Ska and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory?   These are local businesses that started with one or two dedicated people in industries crowded with competitors.  Now look at them:  nationwide and worldwide brands known for passion, quality, & innovation.  Durango brands stand out among the competition.

Q: What do you love most about Southwest Colorado?

A: I love so many things about Southwest Colorado it’s hard to pick just one!  I guess I would say the natural beauty that surrounds us every day here in this magical place.  Just spending time outside enveloped in it, renews and inspires me like no other place.