Jameka: We have many new readers since we last interviewed you. Can you tell our “newbies” a little about you?
A few years ago, I saw an episode of Oprah where one of the guests was talking about the importance of using earth friendly household cleaning products. That show really made a big impact on me. I decided that I wanted to reduce the amount of chemicals I was exposing myself and my family to. I got rid of all the harsh chemical cleaning products first, which was easy. Finding natural bath and beauty products proved to be quite challenging. My son has had a mild case of recurring eczema since he was a toddler and we both had super, dry skin. I also had adult onset acne and a bad case of post acne scarring. I was unable to find any chemical free products that performed the way I needed and wanted them to, so the quest to create my own products began.
I majored in biology in college, so I already knew a bit about the science behind various skin conditions. I bought books and went on-line to research and learn about organic ingredients and natural skin care. Then I began experimenting with various recipes.
In 2007, I created my own line of natural, plant based skin care products. About a year after that, I started making hair care products as well. I’m happy to say that my son’s eczema is in remission and he no longer suffers from dry skin. My dry skin is also a thing of the past, as is my acne and post acne scarring… AND, my hair has never been healthier!
Jameka: The last time we interviewed you was last July! What have you been up to since then?
We went through a “cleansing process” over the last year. We discontinued products that weren’t popular and added larger sizes of products that were very popular. The biggest and most exciting changes have been the look and content of our website. My husband is the co-owner and webmaster for Brendita’s Body Works. He’s constantly “tweaking” our website to make it easier for our customers to find exactly what they’re looking for.
Jameka: What do you find most exciting about being a business owner?
I learn new things pretty much every day. When we first started, we thought all we’d need was a website and a Pay Pal account! We had to learn nearly everything through experience. It can’t be taught. It’s also a great feeling to watch our very own business grow and mature. I never imagined I’d be doing ANYTHING like this!
Jameka: Do you ever have days of frustration with your business? What do you do to get over it?
I can’t say that I have days of frustration, but I definitely do have some pretty, shall we say…challenging moments. When we first started our on-line store, I used to really beat myself up over the small stuff. I’d sometimes wake up worried about the last batch of body butter I’d made…”Did I that recipe call for 2 ounces or .2 ounces?!?”
I remember receiving an email from a happy and satisfied customer. She loved everything but was not a huge fan of the scent I used in one of the free samples I’d sent her. She expressed this to me in the nicest way possible. I completely ignored all the wonderful things she’d said and beat myself up for having sent such a “stinky sample”.
These days, I try to grab hold & embrace the good stuff and let go of the bad stuff. It makes life so much more pleasant, you know? Jameka: Something that’s unique to the Brendita’s Body Works community is the Global Community Forum. Tell us a little about that.
Brendita’s Body Works was sort of “born” on an online community I used to belong to. A group of us used to spend hours on there, talking about makeup, books, movies, clothes, social issues, gossip… everything from job stress to public bathroom etiquette. Actually, these women are the ones who encouraged me to create our online store.
This online community still exists, but it was completely taken over by SPAMMERS, so the old gang kind of broke up. We were looking for a new spam free place to meet up again, so my husband created the Global Community for us. The membership is building slowly but surely. I enjoy it immensely. You should stop by!
Jameka: What new items do you have in the store? What are your bestsellers?
We just received the new Hair Therapy Heat Wrap. It’s a cordless heat cap that you can use anywhere. It has new lighter gel packs that hold heat longer and won’t leak. It’s truly fantastic!
We’re also adding some new sunscreens to our online store. I’d like to get the message out to Black women of all ages about the importance of sunscreen. It’s something everyone should use, 365 days a year, rain or shine.
Our best selling item is my Sunshine Squalane Serum and Silk Sheets Body Butter. I’ve been making both of these items since we first opened shop.
I’m working on some new hair care products for children: A leave-in moisturizer, a crème rinse and 2 detangling sprays.
Jameka: The natural hair community and industry of natural hair care is blowing up! Do you think this is a good thing or bad thing?
It’s all good! I am THRILLED to see more and more models with Afro textured and tightly coiled hair in print ads and commercials. It wasn’t that long ago when we had to shop for all of our hair care products in the tiny “Ethnic Section” of drugstores and supermarkets.
Jameka: Anything else?
I am grateful and honoured that you asked to interview me. I admire what the Pretty Natural Divas are doing. I wish you lots of luck and continued success with all of your endeavours. Don’t forget to drop in on our Global Community, OK?
Website: http://www.brenditasbodyworks.com
Global Community:
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