{"id":4554,"date":"2020-07-13T19:27:56","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T23:27:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/the6rightest.com\/?p=4554"},"modified":"2021-09-20T18:15:07","modified_gmt":"2021-09-20T22:15:07","slug":"trusting-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/the6rightest.com\/en\/trusting-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Trusting Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mother Nature knows best. After all, everything we consume is, directly or indirectly, derived from one of her gifts. While the world is filled with a multitude of innovations that include the latest technologies, improved formulas, and new designs, the more complicated products do not necessarily yield the best results. Every so often we are reminded that Mother Nature offers us simple ingredients and endless possibilities for product ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Seventeen years ago, Naana Daniels was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases: Lupus and Scleroderma. Both diseases attack connective tissue, organs and the skin membrane. Neither disease has a cure, but symptoms can be alleviated. Over time Naana\u2019s condition got worse; and while she had tried many treatments, none seemed to soothe her skin. Then she remembered the staple of her everyday skincare routine growing up in Ghana \u2013 shea butter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Honam<\/a>
Photo by Pep Studios<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The health benefits of shea butter are well-known in Africa; it is widely used for cooking, daily moisturizing, alleviating pain and soothing skin conditions. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you try it?\u201d suggested Naana\u2019s mother. Trusting in Mother Nature\u2019s age-old remedy, and taking the advice of her own mom, Naana ordered some raw shea butter from Ghana and put it to the test. Her scars faded away and she saw a wonderful transformation in her skin. From that moment on, Naana started importing raw shea butter from Ghana and whipping up butters for herself. Family and friends took notice and quickly, the life-changing remedy Naana had made for her own skin turned into a business opportunity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI started [making the butters] for myself, and I didn\u2019t think I would get this far, so it was surprising for people to embrace it\u2026\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The elixir can help others affected by similar diseases, while serving as an all-around great moisturizer for anyone. \u201cI started [making the butters] for myself, and I didn\u2019t think I would get this far, so it was surprising for people to embrace it\u2026and to get a store downtown – that was very exciting!\u201d After discovering how high the demand was, Naana officially started her small business in 2017. Suitably, she called it Honam Naturals<\/a> (the word honam <\/em>means skin in Twi, a Ghanaian language).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naana\u2019s first product was the ultra-moisturizing shea butter that worked so well for her own skin. Later she researched other natural butters that can nourish sensitive skin, contain anti-aging properties and are non-comedogenic (meaning they don\u2019t clog pores). Today Honam Naturals features eight different butters that are wonderfully nourishing for the face, body, and hair. The butters all hydrate the skin to protect it from the elements and contain a sunscreen to protect it from the sun\u2019s bright rays. The brand offers other body and hair care products for anyone to use, including special product lines for dry skin, baby care, and men\u2019s grooming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Honam<\/a>
Photo by Pep Studios<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While still working in property management from 9 to 5, Naana creates her products in the evenings. She imports the shea and cocoa butters directly from Ghana and she sources the raw ingredients from a local wholesaler specializing in high quality organic products (olives from Italy, mangoes from India). Then, she just fluffs up the butters at home using only her Kitchen Aid mixer; \u201cI can make everything with it!\u201d she exclaims. To stay efficient, she keeps the production process simple and gets some help from her family. Her niece and her grandchild lend her a hand with the production sometimes, and her son creates the labels for the brand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not going to be easy; but if you are passionate and you love it, you\u2019ll definitely make it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Competing with the popularity of The Body Shop butters was a challenge at first, but Naana\u2019s formula is unique. Honam Naturals body butters have sunscreen built-in and contain a higher percentage of the raw butter and more natural ingredients. Naana does not have high production, marketing or venue costs, so she spends more on buying more raw material. \u201cI use it so I have to make sure that it\u2019s quite organic, because [otherwise] my skin would just break out,\u201d she explains. Applying her products to treat her own skin conditions places an even greater premium on quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Honam<\/a>
Photo by Pep Studios<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Naana also has the products tested by others with sensitive skin, including her grandchild with eczema. She often asks her friends and nieces what they need and then has them test new products for her. \u201cWhen they test it, and come back and they love it, then I go into production,\u201d Naana says. She wouldn\u2019t sell a product that she couldn\u2019t use herself or give to her loved ones. Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, Naana shares what she has learned: \u201cIt\u2019s not going to be easy; but if you are passionate and you love it, you\u2019ll definitely make it. \u2026There\u2019s a market for everybody and you shouldn\u2019t let people tell you that the product is already there and it\u2019s not needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to pitch, I\u2019ll be honest\u2026most people look at my skin and ask, \u2018What do you use?\u2019 Then I tell them I make my own products. So usually, my skin does the pitching.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to Honam Naturals\u2019 prudent quality control process, finding customers is not a problem. Naana doesn\u2019t need to advertise because Honam Naturals\u2019 products, especially the butters, sell themselves. Naana\u2019s skin is a testament to the quality of her products and her trustworthy and open nature speaks to their authenticity. People notice her radiant skin, or they see the difference in the before and after photos on her website. \u201cI don\u2019t have to pitch, I\u2019ll be honest\u2026most people look at my skin and ask, \u2018What do you use?\u2019 Then I tell them I make my own products. So usually, my skin does the pitching. \u2026I give them a sample and a card, and before I leave, they will have called me and ordered,\u201d she smiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Honam<\/a>
Photo by Pep Studios<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Honam Naturals products can be found throughout the GTA. Naana supplies her products to  the Arts Market<\/a> at 790 Queen St. E. in Toronto, Feelgood Natural Health Store<\/a> in Whitby, and a few hair beauty supply shops. If Naana can find some more help she will be able to increase production and expand her product lines into more stores. She is speaking to a manufacturing company in Toronto about expanding production in the next few years as well. Naana also sells her products in pop-up shops and markets around the city, as well as online,<\/a> where she receives many bulk orders (the butters make great party favours). She\u2019s also hosted pop-ups in England, Ghana and the United States and often plans events with friends to help her spread the word. When she\u2019s travelling, Naana asks whomever she is visiting: \u201cCan you get a few friends?\u201d They usually do and Naana runs a little pop-up where everyone has a great time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naana credits her resilience and resourcefulness to her mom: \u201cMy mum is very tough, and\u2026if she doesn\u2019t find something that she\u2019s looking for, she makes it. So I also learned that from her, and throughout this journey that is what has helped me.\u201d Like Naana, if you\u2019re faced with a problem that you cannot solve, look to those you trust, look to your roots, look to nature. Perhaps Mother Nature already has the answer you\u2019re searching for, you just have to open your mind to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Honam<\/a>
Photo by Pep Studios<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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