Olivü 426, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Sheboygan, Wisconsin is known as the “Spirit on the Lake” and this spirit is best seen in its people, like Caitlin Brotz, who emerged from a tragedy to reach for the stars. After her boyfriend, Adam, a semi-professional snowmobile racer, was burned in an accident she helped him recover by making homemade lip balm according to his therapist’s recommendations. His need for something to sooth and heal his grafted skin led to her whipped lotion. An online search for lip balm tubes so she could give the surplus to friends prompted more ideas about handmade cosmetics.
Adam recovered but died in a car accident in 2005. Earning an entrepreneurship certificate to add to her business degree helped Caitlyn overcome her grief and sparked more ideas. She began thinking about colors,fragrances, essences, and herbs and developed her concept for make-it-yourself personal care products.
Caitlyn began with home parties then opened a shop on Main Street that now has over 120 freshly-prepared preservative-free personal care products made entirely of natural ingredients that heal, protect, and enhance the face, body, lips, and hair. Some are created especially for men or children. It is called Olivü 426, a name derived from a major ingredient, olive oil, the sound of “I love you”, and Adam’s snowmobile number. Customers can customize a purchase by mixing in their choice of colors and fragrances like Polynesian Red and Oatmeal Milk and Honey at the shop or order online. A 50% off sale is held online twice a year.
The lip balm and whipped lotion are top sellers among the over 120 products. They were included along with with her anti-aging serum, another popular product, in the 2014 Emmy Awards and 2015 Golden Globe Awards swag bags.
Caitlyn is now married with children who cherish Adam’s mother, Sandra Muesegades, as a grandmother. Mrs. Muesegades works in the shop and beams with pride at Caitlyn, a “gift from her son.”
