Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Owens and Charles Nowell Jr.
Yolanda and Charles, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I Yolanda Owens was inspired by my Grandmother who was a Home-Remedy Queen! She never believed in buying anything from the store. She would make all of her products from the kitchen pantry. As a little girl, I was artsy! I loved dancing and drawing. My parents wanted me to go to college and major in science, law, and engineering. I have a Computer Science Engineering B.S Degree, where I worked in Corporate America for several Fortune 500 companies as a network engineer. I left Corporate America to pursue my love for remedy skin care. In 2009 I started iwi fresh… iwi stands for “it is what it is” meaning no chemicals, toxin in my products. Charles grew up in the Cosmetology industry, he was inspired by his Mother who has been in the industry for over 40 years.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, and Yes, Its been a learning road with some bumps! The bumps have been things like finding good staff. Creating too many products at the beginning trying to satisfy everyone’s needs. Not hiring a dedicated social media person. Not managing your money to a penny.
Please tell us about iwi fresh Farm-to-Skin Spa and Atlanta Hot Shave.
At iwi fresh we partner with local farms and handpick fresh fruits and veggies, we bring them back to the spa where we juice and mix to make skincare recipes. We are literally a Farm-to-Skin Spa! We make skincare, body care, foot & hand care, and men-care products with fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs. We do veggie facials, home-remedy mani-pedi, herbal massages, and traditional hot-shaves. iwi fresh Farm-to-Skin and Atlanta Hot Shave have a bar in Whole Foods in Atlanta Ga on Ponce De Leon.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Yolanda: Helping my Grandmother hand clothes on the clothesline. I remember the clothes smelling so fresh and clean. It was fun!
Charles: I remember hanging in the woods with my cousins in the country “Skinny Trails”
Pricing:
- 14 carrot glow face moisturizer $45.50/2oz
- Veggie Facial $99.00/1 hour
- Atlanta Hot Shave $25/35min
- Atlanta Hot Shave Beard Oil $25/1oz
Contact Info:
- Address: 341 Nelson St, Atlanta Ga 30313
- Website: www.iwifresh.com
- Phone: 6786989459
- Email: info@iwifresh.com
- Instagram: @iwifresh @atlantahotshave
- Facebook: iwi fresh Garden Day Spa / Atlanta Hot Shave
- Twitter: @iwifresh @atlantahotshave
- Yelp: iwi fresh Garden Day Spa / Atlanta Hot Shave
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
