Jennifer Robinson
The minute she set foot on the farm on Tibbits Hill, she knew this was where she wanted to put down roots. For her family. Her business. And, roots for her peonies. In fact, 1500 peony plants already in the ground, with another 7500 plants going in this year.
Meet Jennifer Brodeur, the creator of JB Skin Sävvi, a globally acclaimed skin care business whose natural products are endorsed by big-league celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, former US first-lady Michele Obama and a long list of renowned models and personalities who are also Brodeur’s private clients. Brodeur’s signature product line, called PEONI as it is made from white peony root extracts, is on Oprah’s ‘favorite things’ list.
“I wanted to set down roots, settle, and grow my business – from the roots to the face,” Brodeur says, laughing, Knowlton seems like the perfect place to do it, she says. The decision to move in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, was as much about family and wellness as it was a strategic business move. She wanted a rural home-base to showcase and expand her business globally. At the same time, she wanted to be closer to family and more grounded to balance her demanding schedule.
Her parents (Mom is Finnish and Dad a Quebecer) relocated with her and her family are loving their new home.
Brodeur’s success story is one of innovation and tenacity. A chemist and teacher by training, she launched her first business with her husband in 2003 when they developed Max+, a led light skin therapy device. Max+’s healing benefits caught the attention of leading aestheticians, including some in Beverley Hills. It was there that Brodeur’s path crossed with the likes of Oprah and that her expertise in skin analysis, nutritional medicine and skin care formulation became widely recognized.
In 2016, Brodeur decided to launch her own product lines. PEONI immediately became a global hit when it appeared on Oprah’s favorite things list and also on Obama’s Christmas gift list. Her other product lines are the Lumi collection and Le Masque.
While she won’t grow all her products’ ingredients on the farm, Brodeur has big plans for the peony field. Her plants will be used to experiment and develop limited edition and specialty products. Brodeur also dreams of organizing and hosting special events such as garden parties. She grew up admiring the business acumen and exquisite taste of Martha Stewart.
Brodeur’s ambitions don’t stop there. She’s opening a flagship boutique in Knowlton, and hopes to attract visitors from elsewhere. With determination and ingenuity, like Brodeur’s, even the boldest dreams can blossom into reality.
Brodeur’s new boutique, called l’Atelier, is opening soon at 37 Lakeside. The shop will serve as the company head office. https://jbskinsavvi.com/ The philosophy behind Brodeur’s work is captured in her book La Peau et Ses Secrets (2020) on the benefits of healthy eating and balanced lifestyle.
You must be logged in to post a comment.