Natural Skin Care
Enterprise, Oregon
Founded 2000
17 Employees
Wild Carrot Herbals’s Journey with OMEP
Wild Carrot Herbals, a woman-owned skincare company in Enterprise, Oregon, partnered with OMEP to address rapid growth and production bottlenecks. Initially considering relocation, the company worked with OMEP to conduct a SWOT analysis, clarify values and mission, and map production capacity against demand. The analysis revealed underutilized equipment, prompting a shift to a buffered stock model and improved production practices. These changes tripled production capacity within the existing facility, created and retained 20 jobs, and delivered $3–$5 million in cost savings and avoidance. By staying in Enterprise, Wild Carrot Herbals strengthened its local impact, expanded operations, and secured sustainable long-term growth.
20
Jobs Created/Jobs Retained
3X
Production Capacity Within Existing Facility
$3-$5 Million
Cost Savings/Cost Avoidance
Background
Wild Carrot Herbals, founded by Jody Berry in 2000, is an innovative, natural skincare products company based in Enterprise, Oregon. Since its inception, this woman-owned company has been crafting premium, organic, plant-based skincare products. Wild Carrot Herbals’ product line reflects the company’s dedication to purity and potency, often featuring locally sourced botanicals from the farms and prairies within the pristine Wallowa Mountain ecosystem.
The Situation
Wild Carrot Herbals has long been a cornerstone of Enterprise, Oregon’s business community. The company was experiencing rapid growth, with demand outpacing production capacity. Jody initially believed relocating from Enterprise to a larger facility in Central Oregon was the solution to scaling up operations and reducing lead times.
The Solution
In 2023, OMEP initiated a comprehensive analysis that included a SWOT analysis, articulation of the brand’s values, vision, and mission, performed an operational value stream map and an assessment of production capability against demand. OMEP’s analysis revealed that Wild Carrot Herbals was operating at only 25% machine utilization. This inefficiency was causing significant delays and inability for the company to keep up with consumer demand, thus limiting the company’s growth potential. A buffered stock model supported a viable forecasting process and a new production model increased machine utilization, without additional equipment or space.
The Results
As a result of keeping the business in Enterprise, Wild Carrot Herbals retained local jobs, avoided the purchase of new equipment and land and the cost of construction for a new facility. The company was able to triple production capacity within the existing facility and purchase new equipment, as well as acquiring an adjacent building, expanding the operation. Wild Carrot Herbals’ success story demonstrates how strategic operational changes can lead to substantial growth without the need for relocation. By staying in Enterprise, the company continues to be a vital part of the local economy, supporting the business community and providing stable employment and positioning Wild Carrot Herbals for sustainable, long-term growth in their hometown of Enterprise, Oregon.
“John Valachovic and OMEP came into my business life at a crucial time. Feeling some real capacity issues and so busy that I couldn’t rise above the day to day, John V helped me get the perspective that I needed to make grounded, well-researched decisions. OMEP has helped me feel more confident about our growth objectives and stay in our little corner of remote NE Oregon, providing some of the best smelling jobs in Wallowa County to some of the most amazing people.”
Jody Berry
Founder & Owner