Episode 27: Busting Myths About Natural Cleaning Products with Dianna Wacasey

Apurv :  In this episode of Product Life, we have a very special guest, Diana, founder of Momo Secret and creator of Simply Magic all-purpose cleaner and deodorizer. Dianna is a passionate advocate for natural, eco-friendly, and sustainable household cleaner products. Thank you so much for joining us, Dianna.

Dianna: Hi, thank you for having me. I'm excited.

Apurv : So, what inspired you to create Momo Secrets and Simply Magic all-purpose cleaner and deodorizer?

Dianna: Yeah, but the main reason was that my husband has always had issues with allergies and sensitivities to smells and lots of things. Then we had our first grandson be born, and he was born with allergies, eczema, all of that. That was probably the main reason for the allergies and all of that. I was frustrated with a gazillion years of things that don't work, all the chemicals in them, and products you have to have one for every single thing you do. It's a waste of money and time, and even when I started purchasing natural products, I found they weren't always what they claimed to be. Long story short, I was frustrated and needed a solution for me. I didn't create it in the beginning to set out and share it with the world. I created it because I had a problem and needed a solution. I spent a long time creating a formula, testing it, until it worked. Then, one thing led to another, and other people were like, "Let me try it," so I decided then after probably a year had gone by, "You know what? It's time that other folks have a shot at something that is good for their homes and good for their families."

Apurv : Got it. So, what are the natural ingredients in Simply Magic, and how do they work together to clean and disinfect?

Dianna: Perfect. I'm glad you asked because this is the biggie. There are only four ingredients, totally natural, doesn't even contain water, so no bacteria will grow. Witch hazel has been used for generations and has been used a lot in the cosmetic end of things for good reasons. It has antibacterial properties, tannins, and natural compounds that make it good for your skin. The next ingredient is tea tree oil, and it has been used medicinally and in cleaning for centuries. It has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Then we have eucalyptus, which smells amazing and is good for helping with stress just by its scent. But a lot of people don't know that it also has antifungal, antimicrobial, and antibacterial properties. When you combine all of that awesome sauce, number four, the fourth ingredient, is peppermint oil. It clears out your airways, has properties that naturally neutralize odors, doesn't mask them, and is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal. When I finally got my formula right with the four of those things, holy cannoli, it works.

Apurv : Incredibly interesting! Can you explain what the Leaping Bunny and USDA Bio-Preferred certifications mean and how did you obtain them?

Dianna: Sure, and a lot of people do. Leaping bunny means cruelty-free. They are so thorough, which is a good thing. They vet not only your business, the company, but also the product, meaning the people I purchase my ingredients from also needed to be vetted. This means that no one in my chain of events does any animal testing, so nothing is tested on animals. USDA is another awesome certification and another awesome program. My product is tested, and it goes through labs.

Apurv : What are some of the challenges you faced?

Dianna: So, one of the biggest challenges has been competing with the big-name brands that have been around for decades. They have a lot of money for advertising and shelf space. Another challenge has been educating consumers about the importance of natural and eco-friendly products. Many people are unaware of the harmful chemicals in traditional cleaning products. But I have overcome these challenges by staying true to my values and beliefs. I am passionate about the benefits of natural cleaning products, and I believe that there is a growing market for them. I have also been fortunate to have a loyal customer base who share my values and appreciate the effectiveness of my products.

Apurv : That's great to hear, and it's inspiring to see you overcome those challenges. So, what's next for Momo Secret and Simply Magic?

Dianna: Well, I'm always looking for ways to improve and expand my product line. I'm currently working on some new formulations that I'm really excited about. I also want to continue to educate consumers about the benefits of natural cleaning products and how they can make a positive impact on the environment and their health.

Apurv : That sounds exciting, and we look forward to seeing what you have in store. Thank you so much for joining us today, Diana, and sharing your insights with us.