Roberta Perry has built her career by solving a simple problem that many people face – dry and damaged skin. As the President of ScrubzBody Skin Care Products, she has transformed a small kitchen experiment into a trusted skincare business that has served loyal customers for more than two decades. Since opening her retail store in 2011, she has remained deeply involved in every part of the company, from product creation and production to customer service and marketing. Her journey shows that a successful business can be built through passion, honesty, and a genuine desire to help people. We at CIO Global, are proud to introduce Roberta Perry as one of the 10 Distinguished Leaders Making an Impact in USA, 2026.
The idea for ScrubzBody came from Roberta’s personal experience. She struggled with dry and chapped skin and could not find products that met her expectations. Instead of settling for what was available, she decided to create her own skincare solution. Working in her kitchen with large containers and carefully mixed ingredients, she experimented until she developed products she truly believed in. She often describes those early days as feeling like both a baker and a scientist, testing ideas with excitement and determination. What started as a personal solution soon became a business that has touched the lives of thousands of customers.
For Roberta, leadership is not about titles or recognition. She believes that being a distinguished leader means staying true to her word, sharing knowledge with others, and accepting responsibility when mistakes happen. Rather than simply apologizing, she believes leaders should focus on finding solutions. This practical and honest approach has earned the trust of customers, employees, and aspiring entrepreneurs who look to her for guidance and inspiration.
When passion reflects your values, business becomes a meaningful journey.
Among all her accomplishments, Roberta considers customer loyalty to be her greatest achievement. While reaching the milestone of twenty years in business is something she is proud of, she believes lasting success comes from customers who return again and again. Every repeat purchase is proof that the products and the service have met expectations. Seeing familiar faces walk into the store or receiving online orders from long-time customers reminds her why she started the business in the first place. Their continued support motivates her to maintain the highest standards every day.
Like every small business owner, Roberta has faced many challenges throughout her journey. Managing operations, marketing, staffing, and customer relationships requires constant attention. Economic uncertainty, including the business shutdowns of 2020 and the difficult years that followed, tested the strength of the company. Instead of changing her values, she focused even more on providing excellent products and exceptional customer service. She believes loyalty is built through consistency, and customers continue to return because they know they can trust the ScrubzBody experience.
Beyond selling skincare products, Roberta believes her company makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. She understands that self-care is about more than appearance. Taking time to care for oneself builds confidence, reduces stress, and encourages self-respect. Every day, she watches customers leave the store feeling happier and more confident than when they arrived. Those moments remind her that small acts of self-care can have a positive impact on overall well-being. Through her products and personal interactions, she encourages customers to value themselves and recognize that they deserve moments of care and relaxation.
Roberta’s leadership style reflects her hands-on approach to business. She never sees herself as someone who simply gives instructions. Instead, she works alongside her team whenever needed. Whether she is helping with production, filling in for her production manager, or packing customer orders during busy seasons, she believes every task deserves equal importance. Staying involved in the daily operations keeps her connected to the business and helps her better understand the needs of both employees and customers. This approach also creates a culture of teamwork where everyone contributes toward shared success.
Great leadership is built through humility, teamwork, and keeping your promises.
One of the most difficult moments in Roberta’s life was the passing of her sister Michelle, who had helped her build ScrubzBody from its early years. Losing both a business partner and a loved one was deeply painful. During that challenging time, her lifelong friend Wendy stepped in to help continue the business. Wendy had already been familiar with the company and its values, making the transition much easier. Today, the two continue working together with the same commitment to quality and customer care. Roberta believes that after overcoming such a personal loss, every other business challenge becomes a problem that can be solved with patience, calm thinking, and determination.
Although many of ScrubzBody’s products are still handcrafted in small batches using traditional methods, Roberta also embraces innovation where it adds value. Her background in graphic design has allowed her to create the company’s marketing materials and website. More recently, she has adopted artificial intelligence tools to improve written content and create product images for different marketing campaigns. These technologies save valuable time while allowing her to maintain the creative vision and personal identity of the brand.
Building a strong team has never been about hiring large numbers of employees. ScrubzBody remains a close-knit business with one full-time team member, several part-time employees, and interns who gain valuable experience while learning about entrepreneurship. Roberta enjoys mentoring young people and introducing them to different aspects of running a business. She believes every member of the team should understand how each part of the company works, creating an environment where everyone supports one another.
Looking ahead, Roberta sees exciting changes in the skincare industry. While advanced skincare technologies and biohacking continue to gain popularity, she also believes customers are returning to trusted natural ingredients like shea butter, with traditional ingredients such as tallow becoming popular once again. Rather than chasing every trend, she plans to continue producing high-quality products with proven ingredients and the personal attention that has defined ScrubzBody from the beginning.
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance has also played an important role in her success. Inspired by advice from her business mentor, she has always believed that a business should support life instead of controlling it. Flexible scheduling allows her to care for her aging mother, attend personal appointments, and avoid burnout while also giving her team the same flexibility when they need it. This balance has helped create a workplace built on trust and mutual respect.
For aspiring leaders, Roberta offers practical advice based on experience. She encourages people to stay committed, remain humble, continue learning, and understand every aspect of their chosen business. She also believes experienced professionals should always help those who are beginning their own journeys.
Success begins with solving a real problem and serving people with honesty.
As she looks toward the future, Roberta’s vision remains simple. She wants ScrubzBody to continue growing naturally while staying true to its original values. Rather than chasing rapid expansion, she wants to keep creating products that genuinely improve people’s lives. Her story proves that lasting success comes from authenticity, dedication, and building meaningful relationships one customer at a time.