Interview with Shea Moisture! Part 2

For part 1, click here!
JAS: How often, if at all, do you read blogs/watch reviews on your products?  Not as much as I am going to now that I know what they are :) 

JAS: What do you do if you hear bad things about one of your products?  As a village market retailer like my Grand Mother or a street vendor like myself, you have a direct and personal relationship with your customers.  If you sell them stuff that doesn't cut it, you hear about it immediately so our only objective is to make the best possible product.  The great thing about us is that we make our own products and do not use third party developers or manufacturers.  This way we are in absolute control of our quality.  If something docent live up to our customers standards we fix it.  Having said that, in over 20 years I cannot remember an issue where a product wasn't effective.  Mostly the issues are people can't find the products, the retailer is out of stock or their shipment was delayed.

JAS: Do you find the rise of social media helpful or hurtful to your company?  I think social media is just an upgrade to what we've always done.  Word of mouth marketing.  It's just easier to spread the word now.

JAS: What are the future plans for expansion of Shea Moisture RE products, retail locations, etc.?  Our Mission is to "democratize natural and organic skin care and hair care"  We want to make great products accessible to all at affordable prices.  We want you to spend $10.00 on SheaMoisture and get the quality of a $50.00 product.  We partner with retailers that respect our community as individual people and not some monolithic box.  We have been working with Walgreens for several months now and SheaMoisture Hair will be on shelf with them in March 2011.  How exciting is that!

JAS: What advice would you give entrepreneurs or those that are looking to start a business? 
1.  Believe in what you are doing before you do it. 
2.  Do it for the customer and only for the customer.  Not the retailer.  Not to get rich. Not to be famous.  Only for the customer. 
3.  Don't use lack of resources as a hindrance.  If you ever feel like you can't do it think of my Grand Mother.

source

It was great having the opportunity to interview the CEO of Shea Moisture! Continue to check their products/site out, LIKE them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, etc.! You won't be disappointed- scouts honor! 


img source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SheaMoisture/108628512522126#!/album.php?id=108628512522126&aid=8145