Port People: Week 10 – Beverly Buccheri of BC Essentials

By Alli Breighner, Marketing Intern

Recently I visited Beverly Buccheri in her shop, BC Essentials, located at 55 Pleasant Street in Newburyport, MA. Below is the interview for the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce’s #portpeople campaign which is a weekly profile of members of the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce & Industry!

Alli: How long has BC Essentials been open?

Beverly: BC Essentials has been open for about eight years. This current location has been open for three and a half years, and the previous location down the street was open for five years.

Alli: What is your favorite thing that you do here?

Beverly: Everything! I love the customers, the new merchandise, displaying our merchandise, and meeting new people everyday.

Alli: What inspired you to open this store? Has this always been a dream of yours?

Beverly: Yes. I was selling the product for about ten years out of my home, and it grew tremendously so I really needed a storefront for people to be able to come in. It was just really great when the storefront became open on Pleasant Street.

Alli: What do you sell?

Beverly: We make all of our own aromatherapy products, and we have organic soaps, lotions, sugar scrubs, bubble baths, candles, womens clothing, accessories, and a baby section as well. A little bit of everything!

Alli: What do people tend to buy most? Why is that?

Beverly: People really love the all-natural products because they do not contain any fragrances, dyes, or sulfates. A lot of people have allergies to things and our products are very hypoallergenic so people are not allergic.

Alli: Is there anything that you would change about your store? If so, what would you do differently?

Beverly: Of course, a bigger store would definitely be better! But I feel that what we have now is a good size and it is definitely bigger than the last store. We’re very content and I feel very lucky to be where we are right now.

Alli: Where was your last store located?

Beverly: My last store was located a few doors down from our current location, also on Pleasant Street.

Alli: What do you think makes your shop so successful? Are there any challenges that you never expected?

Beverly: Our employees are really knowledgeable and always welcoming. Customer service is very important; I think that’s key. I like to think my shop is warm and inviting as well.

Yes, there are challenges… some consist of doing the marketing, social media, packaging, redesigning all of our labels, and realizing you need external help with those type of things. We’re really lucky to have a graphic designer, she’s fabulous! Also, having an amazing photographer to take a photoshoot for all of our new photography. All of this is just very important to have people in the community to help.

Alli: What drew you to Newburyport and what is it like having a store downtown?

Beverly: Well, I live in the next town over, so it’s close by, and I knew Newburyport was a very welcoming, exciting town to be in. There are lots of tourists, especially in the summer. Overall, it has a good, steady flow of customers. We love all of our customers and feel very blessed to have such a wonderful outpouring of support! Our local customers are really what keep us going all year long.