Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheena Mohammed.
Hi Sheena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Heera Cosmetics started during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when we noticed a need for self-care products. The market was in need of hair care and skin care products that made sense scientifically, were accessible to all people and were easy to use on all hair and skin types. With our South Asian background and careers in healthcare, we decided to formulate hair care products that we felt the market was lacking but were so familiar to our South Asian haircare and skincare rituals. Currently, many products that claim to promote hair growth don’t include ingredients that stimulate hair follicles and the ingredients that are used are known to clog pores on the scalp, for example. The ingredients in each product were specifically formulated to not only address common hair health concerns, like growth and overall hair health but also to provide benefits that have been scientifically proven. We use lightweight, unique, and inherently non-greasy oils that have great benefits in addition to being moisturizing. Our star ingredient, peppermint oil, is scientifically proven to stimulate the scalp to promote hair growth. Additionally, one of the unique ingredients we use to prevent UVA/UVB damage to the hair is carrot seed oil. Representation is important in society. Products on the market should be accessible and user-friendly for anyone interested in attaining healthy, luxurious hair. Our products do just that and it is our goal to continue to provide products that help people of all backgrounds attain their hair and skin goals.
It has now been a few months into the second year of Heera Cosmetics being an official brand. Since its beginnings, we have not only sold out in our first storefront in our home city of St. Louis, we have expanded sales across the United States in addition to being involved in networking events in both St. Louis and Atlanta. We are so thrilled that our products are being loved by so many people and we can’t wait to see where 2022 will take us!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Coming from a pharmacy and medical background, it was very difficult to understand how to start a business. In fact, we are still learning a lot as Heera Cosmetics grows about how to run and grow a small business. In the beginning, we faced many challenges. For example, it was very difficult for us to get our Heera Hair Elixir formula perfected and produced. Aside from the product itself, we did not realize how much work and effort goes into designing a brand logo, website, and keeping up with social media for marketing. As Heera Cosmetics is funded completely by us, the founders, we constantly have to make smart but difficult decisions to ensure that we are able to afford the things we prioritize with our brand. For instance, we take pride in knowing that our formula is scientifically backed but also embodies our South Asian background. Therefore, we’ve prioritized perfecting our product formula, packaging, and our brand style.
Aside from these struggles, we are learning about the art of marketing and how to reach our target audience with social media and other avenues. When it comes to growing brand awareness and our brand overall, we’ve understood that being skilled in marketing is a valuable asset. Although these are struggles that come with being new business owners, we are excited about these challenges as they help Heera Cosmetics grow in uniqueness and awareness.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My name is Sheena Mohammed, I am one of the founders of Heera Cosmetics. In addition to Heera, I am an Osteopathic medical student and also a model. I take pride in being able to pursue many of my passions at the same time although they are all different from each other. I believe that individuals are capable of being known for more than one role or passion and I live my life as such. In fact, it seems to me as though societies are becoming more open to this concept as well. For many, people’s “side businesses” are just as important as their 9-5 careers. For me, Heera Cosmetics is just as important to me as my future career as a doctor.
I believe my background as a Muslim, first-generation South Indian woman in addition to my roles as a business owner, medical student, and model sets me apart from others. I am, at my core, a people person. I love to connect with others in addition to helping others. Learning about people’s stories, what makes them unique, and supporting them is one common theme within all of the roles that I play. I find myself feeling grateful and fortunate that I have and continue to partake in opportunities that allow me to not only let my creativity and skills flourish but to use them for to help others in many different ways.
How do you think about happiness?
Spending time doing things I am passionate about and spending time with loved ones are a few things that make me happy. I love to know that my life is purposeful because of who I am and the skills I can provide to others. Being able to utilize my skills in both medicine and Heera Cosmetics to help others gives my life great purpose and I find immense joy through these avenues. Making new memories with people that I love has become one of my favorite things simply because life is too short to not make the most of the time we have. Being able to reflect on a day filled with good memories with those that I cherish are the greatest days that I can have.
Contact Info:
- Website: heeracosmetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heeracosmetics/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/heera.doc/
Image Credits
Blue Burst Photography (IG: @blueburstphotography) Shelby Rowe Photography (IG: @sprphotography)
