For homeopath and mum of three Steph Wright, it was a passion for natural living that sparked the idea for Stella Naturals. Seeing a gap in the market for natural oral care products, she set out to create some herself. What began at home with research, product development and plenty of trial and error has grown into a New Zealand-made oral care business that she now runs full-time. Along the way, positive customer feedback and stories of renewed confidence in their smiles continue to fuel her passion. Here, Steph shares the inspiration behind Stella Naturals, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
As a homeopath and mum of three, I’ve always been passionate about living as naturally as possible. When I started looking into conventional oral care products, I realised there weren’t many natural options available that I felt truly confident using myself or with my family. I wanted to create products that were not only natural, but also effective. Seeing people regain confidence in their smiles and hearing how our products have made a difference is what continues to inspire me every day.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Stella Naturals started as a very small business with a simple goal: to create natural oral care products that people could trust. Like many small businesses, it began at home with plenty of research, product development and countless hours of trial and error. I’ve continued to refine the products, expand the range and grow the brand while manufacturing everything here in New Zealand.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
One of the biggest breakthroughs has been developing our Mineral Tooth Putty using 20% non-nano hydroxyapatite. It has become our signature product, with many customers sharing incredible before-and-after photos and testimonials. Seeing genuine improvements in their oral health has reinforced that we’re creating products that people truly value.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Running a business while raising three children definitely keeps me on my toes! There are plenty of late nights and early mornings. Balance for me is being organised, prioritising what’s important and making sure I still spend quality time with my family. My children have also loved watching Stella Naturals grow and being the taste testers of the flavour creations.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Like many small business owners, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. Learning new skills in manufacturing, marketing, e-commerce and social media has been a steep learning curve, but every challenge has helped make the business stronger. More recently, Stella Naturals has grown to the point where I’ve been able to leave my casual job and focus on the business full-time, which has been a huge milestone.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The biggest advantage is the flexibility to build something I’m genuinely passionate about, along with knowing that the effort I put in really helps people have naturally healthy teeth. I also love connecting with customers and hearing their success stories.
The downside is that you’re never really “off duty”. There is always something that needs doing, whether it’s making products, packing orders, answering customer emails or creating marketing content. It can be demanding, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My goal is to continue growing Stella Naturals throughout New Zealand and eventually into international markets. I’m excited to expand our range with more innovative natural oral care products while continuing to educate people about ingredients like non-nano hydroxyapatite. Most importantly, I want Stella Naturals to become a trusted household name for families looking for effective, natural oral care.
Visit the Stella Naturals website to find out more, and connect with them on Facebook and Instagram.
