Our latest Beauty Boss is Sarah Belzer, President of Coconu—a line of 100% safe and organic personal care products that help couples lead healthier, happier lives. Launched in 2012, the brand introduced the first USDA certified organic coconut oil personal lubricant, followed by a coconut water-based lubricant. They use plant-based, non-GMO ingredients including organic coconut water and oil, organic beeswax, organic cocoa butter, organic sunflower oil, and organic shea butter.

Belzer, who is the sister to Coconu’s founder, Taylor Warnick, joined the company to help grow the company and expand its product line. Her sphere of influence extends beyond home and office to local political and social organizations focused on the environment and women’s health issues. She brings a wealth of sales and marketing experience to the company, as well as a personal vision of empowering women.

Coconu believes the way to make progress against ovarian cancer is through supporting research in this area, so the company gives back by donating 10% of all purchases of its organic personal lubricants to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.

We chatted with Belzer, who shared more about the origins of Coconu, beauty and wellness tips, best advice, and more. 

When was Coconu founded and what’s the meaning behind the name?

The company was founded in 2012. The name Coconu is derived from our primary ingredient, coconut.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

Coconu was founded by a couple committed to the health of their relationship and family. An active lifestyle, green living, and organic foods were always integral to their approach. So when they wanted to try personal lubricants after the birth of their second child, they looked for a product that met their standards for high-quality and certified organic ingredients. They were surprised to find that many companies were claiming “natural” and “organic” without certification, and that these products still contained harmful ingredients.

Determined to find a better solution, they established Coconu in 2012 to introduce the first USDA certified organic coconut oil personal lubricant. This was followed quickly by a coconut water-based lubricant. Both formulas have developed a loyal following of customers, who like the founders, appreciate a safe and effective personal lubricant that meets their standards for healthy living.

Does Coconu have a hero product?

Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant is the best personal lubricant money can buy. It’s both long-lasting and effective, designed to protect and moisturize sensitive tissues. It offers more moisturizing, less stickiness, and more lubricity than other formulas. What’s more, because the coconut oil is absorbed, there is no staining or clean-up. It’s great for skin-on-skin and doubles as massage oil. This product is hypoallergenic, 100% natural, cruelty-free, and edible. It’s free from GMOs, alcohol, petroleum, parabens, gluten, phylates, fragrances, and dyes. Organic ingredients include coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter, and sea buckthorn oil.

What are your favorite products from the brand?

Coconu Oil-Based Lubricant.

Where are Coconu products sold?

Online at www.coconu.com and on Amazon.

Who inspires you?

My mother Kathy Warnick was a woman who gave tirelessly to her family and community. Ovarian cancer took the life of my mother when she was just 58 and only one year after diagnosis. This was despite her commitment to personal health and her work in the medical field. I believe the way to make progress against ovarian cancer is through supporting research in this area, so Coconu chooses to give back by donating 10% from all purchases of its organic personal lubricants to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA).

Secret to success?

I continue to be driven by a quest for learning. Did you know that only 10% of adults are life-long learners? It’s something we stress in our house to our three sons and I’ve embraced it through a quest for self-improvement. I listen to several life coaching podcasts regularly, I have a voracious appetite for books of all sorts, and I focus on attending as many business seminars as possible. For me, success is really about never feeling “there.” It’s a continual search for something better—personally and professionally.

Beauty secrets?

My beauty secret is eight hours of sleep a night. I think beauty is as much about how I feel inside than it is about how others see me from the outside, so if I’m well-rested and ready for the day, I usually feel pretty good. A decent spa day doesn’t hurt!

Wellness tips?

For me it’s all about being active. I love hiking with my dog Cooper, and when I can drag them with me, my husband and three sons! I live in Salt Lake City, which is surrounded by beautiful mountains and incredible trails. Getting out in nature does so much for my mental health.

Best advice?

Put sex on the calendar. Many people hate the idea of scheduling sex, but for me I know that if you don’t plan and prioritize things that are important, they don’t happen. I know the movies make us think that the best sex is spontaneous, never planned, and that desire just happens organically. But the reality of married life with kids, busy schedules, and work is that finding the time to connect and be intimate is challenging. A little planning can go a long way.

Favorite way to relax?

Nothing makes me happier then having a big 1000-piece puzzle out on the table for a few days that I can tinker with. At night I tend to get restless, so I love having something I can sit down to and focus on.

For more information, visit coconu.com and follow them on Instagram: @coconu

[Images courtesy of Coconu]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk