Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in hair and skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rasheeda Wright, founder of ImoNatural, located in Ottawa, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our brand started nearly 9 years ago while walking down the aisles of my local drug store. Our family was becoming more conscious about the ingredients in our food. Our motto was, “if we can’t pronounce it, we can’t consume it.” We applied that principle to what we put on our bodies. I began reading more and more labels of my hair and skincare products and was alarmed by what I found. I took it back to basic and started to use some of the amazing ingredients inspired by nature. I didn’t set out to start a business, I set out to make safer more effective products for myself and my family. We are proud to share the amazing products made for our home with you. From our home to yours!
Tell us about yourself
ImoNatural (pronounced I’m O’Natural) is lovingly named after my grandmother Imogene affectionately known as Miss Imo. One of my fondest and first childhood memories of handcrafting is with my grandmother. We would make chocolate tea from scratch. We picked, dried, roasted, pounded, and rolled each cocoa ball by hand. The love we put into making our cocoa balls made enjoying our hot cup of cocoa tea from our enamel mugs each morning that much sweeter. This was the start of my deep passionate love affair with all-natural handmade products.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
2019 ByBlacks.com People's Choice Award for Hair and Skin Care. This is an amazing accomplishment because customers who love our products chose us. We are eternally grateful that the products that were originally made for our family are love by other familes.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
You begin your business based on a passion but there's always the challenge of learning the business end from e-mail marketing to social media to copywriting.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Invest in yourself and your business.
Take courses where possible and receive coaching and support.
Try to create a network of other entrepreneurs that you can talk to about the unique struggles in your niche. If you're a product-based business, learn about site optimization.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Running a business is as challenging as it is rewarding. Enjoy the journey.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/imonatural/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/imo-natural-250570224
https://www.facebook.com/imonaturalhairandskin/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.