Today we’d like to introduce you to Adamma Ibe.
Adamma, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my business this past May, but I’ve been making body butters since 2016. I started off making the product for myself, then for my family, then friends… then friends of friends found out about it and wanted it as well. It all really began with a problem. I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia for a little over two years, and while I was there, I got a lot of bug bites that left me with many scars – I mean, my back, legs, and arms were just covered in them. My self-confidence had decreased at the state of my skin and it felt like there was nothing I could do. I tried using Mederma, but it’s a spot treatment. What do you do when the “spot” is your whole body, you know? Beyond the practical use, it was pricey and I couldn’t afford to buy a tub of it. That led me to look for alternatives. What I found were fade creams and bleaching creams. I wanted a natural product that would heal my skin not just bleach the scars away. I couldn’t find what I wanted, so I figured I’d make it myself. I started by looking up different ingredients, the beneficial properties, and the various ways they can be used. Honestly, when I first started, I didn’t think it would work. My first batch was pretty moisturizing, my skin felt great, but I wanted it to look great as well. Within a few weeks, I noticed the texture of my skin improving and the marks getting lighter. Within months, there was a stark difference from when I began applying the body butter. Today, those marks are long gone! I attribute the success of my body butter to hours and hours of research. Over the years, I have literally sat in front of the computer and googled various kinds of butter and oils paying particular attention to beauty practices from other cultures to integrate.
The beauty industry is saturated with products packed full of chemicals that do not moisturize or meet the various needs of an individual’s skin. I want people to walk around in radiant, healthy, and glowing skin, and Adamma Naturals products can help do that.
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’s been an interesting journey so far I must say. I have always liked the idea of working for myself, but I never knew what my “business” would be, what I would do, or if people would be receptive to it. It took me over two years to finally take the plunge and officially start my business. I think the biggest struggle was getting past the fear and moving forward. I have had immense support from various people, but I think the most impactful support any entrepreneur can have is the one from within. No matter who supports you, if you don’t believe in yourself, none of it really matters.
Building a business isn’t easy! I definitely didn’t get things right the first time through whether it be packaging, labeling, branding, scaling up, etc.
So many lessons cost me figuratively and literally. I try to look at everything as a learning experience though. The biggest thing I’ve learned is to keep it pushing no matter what.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Adamma Naturals story. Tell us more about the business.
Adamma Naturals is a skincare line that caters to both women and men. All our products are all-natural and handmade. Our mission is to create products that heal and nourish skin holistically so that people can feel confident in their natural beauty. We currently have one product on the market; Adamma Naturals Skin Deep Luxury Body Butter, and we will be expanding soon to provide other moisturizers, cleansers, toners, body scrubs, face masks, and lip balms. Moisturized skin is healthy skin, and healthy skin is something everyone needs.
Most all-natural body butters have about 4-5 ingredients. The Adamma Naturals Skin Deep Luxury Body Butter has over 15 ingredients, jam-packed with essential properties that are targeted at rejuvenating the skin. It does wonders for those suffering from dry skin, eczema, stretch marks, scarring, and uneven skin tone due to dark spots. It’s great for sensitive skin and safe to use all over! I think what sets Adamma Naturals apart from other brands is the quality, texture, and the results. The Adamma Naturals Skin Deep Luxury Body Butter has a creamy, non-greasy feel that instantly penetrates the skin to leave it moisturized all day. I am super proud of the growth and all of the feedback that has been received. The reviews, the testimonials, the pictures, it’s all reaffirming and encouraging to keep everything going.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure I think I would call it luck, I consider it more of divine alignment. I really believe that when one door closes, another one opens. People are in your life for a reason, season, or a lifetime. I have learned a tremendous amount of things from various people that I have come into my life that I could never have predicted. Good luck is when you find some money on the ground, or when you make it to the store right before it closes, or even catching yourself before you trip and fall. I think it’s a blessing when you have friends that support you and help you with branding and marketing advice because they believe in you, it’s a blessing when someone suggests a business seminar and has an extra ticket for you to go, it’s a blessing to be able to learn from previous mistakes and grow even further than before. One can’t rely on pure luck to be successful in life or business. It takes hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AdammaNaturals
- Email: adammanaturals@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/adammanaturals/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adammanaturals
- Other: We’re working on building our own website, when it’s up and running it will be: adammanaturals.com
Image Credit:
S.D Frost, Adamma I., Bethlehem B., OMX Productions
Suggest a story: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
