Today we’d like to introduce you to Adanna Ade´.
Adanna, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am an artist, healer, and practitioner who has two companies that are very close to my heart. Nsombi Conscious Wear and We Are Charu. Nsombi means “abundant joy” and Charu means “beautiful. These companies have been my activators.
I grew up on an island and went to nature for everything. I have very vivid memories of my great grandparents, my grandmother, my aunt, and uncle in our yard full of trees, they were always taking care of the trees or harvesting. Food and herbs are always in abundance in my home. I remember watching my uncle washing his hair with Prickly Pear cactus leaves which we call ”Rachet.” He got his knife, sliced it, scooped the inside and rubbed it all over his hair and I ran to have him do the same to my hair. Growing up with the freedom to be outdoors has been my greatest teacher and blessing. I have always created my skincare. I starting at 13 yrs old, I just knew that was what I needed to do, nobody told me to do it. I created a weekly self-care ritual doing face steams and exploring herbs. Coconut oil was my go-to because it was homemade.
Coming to the United States I had no access to my backyard in Trinidad. Although America allowed me to explore fashion, music, food, art, and love I need nature and healing. There is no place like home, city life was cool, but I am a nomad at heart! I nurture that energy in Trinidad and Tobago traveling and sailing up and down the Caribbean paying attention and learning from tribes everywhere I landed. In 2013 I moved back to Trinidad, where Nsombi and Charu were conceived, I gave birth to them on US soil in 2014, in 2015 I returned to Trinidad giving birth to my Pop Up spa, my goal was to give back to the land that had taught me so much. I took entrepreneurship on a test drive, Oh Trinidad my first love! In 2017 I planned a vacation visit to Houston right before Harvey with plans to return to Trinidad to revisit my businesses, 2+ yrs later, I have not left. With a mirror and open arms Houston TX has grabbed me, you can find me in Third Ward Houston, a community with a lot of history, culture is ripe just the way I like it. This feeds my creativity.
I created Charu with my vegan skincare line called 360 Glow after experiencing adult acne. My first step was becoming a qualified and licensed esthetician, I then gathered knowledge in botany, which came from me studying and living an Ayurvedic lifestyle which I have now lived for over seven years. I hope to touch many through the energy of Reiki and Ayurveda which I infuse into all that I give birth too. I gather hand-picked herbs, sustainable fabric from my travels, and print and package sustainably bringing my products to life. Nsombi came to life after my Godmother who adopted me and did a wonderful job raising me, she transitioned in 2013. Nsombi is her middle name this is me paying homage to her “I love you “Ayanna Nsombi Ade”. This t-shirt line is made with 100% cotton, water-based ink with a small global footprint. This is my way of looking after my community by providing medicine through self-care and sustainable clothing. I nurtured this energy growing up in Trinidad and Tobago for over 16+ years, traveling and sailing up and down the Caribbean paying attention and learning from tribes everywhere I touch the soil. I am a firm believer in manifesting and intentions and very active in many spiritual practices. It is important to me to support all the healers in my community and seek to join forces to do the bigger things: heal the masses!
I am so grateful for my ancestors leading me here and I am willing and happy to grow and learn from my new nest and tribe bringing all the knowledge I have gathered to heal me and my communities.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road and I do not wish for it to be. Success comes from those abundant encounters and with that, you transform morphing and evolving.
I wish to not use the word struggles. I am learning and accessing financial cushion to build (of all my travels) sourcing and understanding. Doing all of this while I tell a story I have held private for a very long time.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Nsombi Conscious Wear is a all green clothing, created with all things green in mind. It was very important to have a small global footprint. This feel-good t-shirt line is created by collaborations with me and another artist bringing awareness through the collaboration. Charu Spa/360 GLOW is my facial spa and the vegan skincare line was created to heal all skin types. For deeper work, I customize masks and create facial routines. Teaching those around me that self-care is medicine. For information about my services and goods/products email or DM me. You can also find me at different popup markets or track me on my social media. Who am I? I am a designer, curator, practitioner, and esthetician. I specialize in designing sustainable t-shirts, healing skin, and handmade skin products. I am most proud of how people respond to wearing or feeling my products.
The blend of spiritual, plant medicine and herb blending sets my skincare and facial spa apart. The sourcing of my materials and ethical workspaces to create Nsombi Conscious Wear t-shirts sets it apart. You can find and follow me at @nsombi__way and @wearecharu at @mystick_market
What were you like growing up?
The younger version of me, very active explored a lot, love to dance and sing and play instruments. Talkative, jokester always climbing trees. I also carried a very nurturing side always taking care of those around me. I have a strong interest in instruments, animals, learning, nature, independence, design, fashion, healing/spiritual work, cooking, and travel.
Pricing:
- Regular Facials $44 – Fresh herb steam, tone, light extractions, mask, massage, moisturize – 1 hr 15 mins
- Deep Cleanse $55 – Fresh herb steam, tone, deep extractions, 2 masks, head + crystal face massage, moisturize – 1hr 30 mins
- Face + Head Massage – $22 Fresh Herbs, hot towel, rose water spray, love oil massage – 45 mins
- Nsombi Conscious Wear T-Shirts $25
- 360 GLOW Skincare line:
- Chikista oatmeal face and body wash – $12
- Chikista coffee scrub – $12
- Chikista light face toner + aura spray – $12
- Chikista Rosemary hair oil – $15
- Chikista Love Oil – body + massage oil $25
Ask about my recycling program discounts when you return your bottles!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8324133677
- Email: wearecharu@gmail.com
- Instagram: @wearecharu
Image Credit:
Latifah AlBokhari, Danielle Mason
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