Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Makupson, Ceo and Founder of Meraki.
Amber, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After becoming pregnant with my daughter Zaria in 2008 I started a complete lifestyle change which included not chemically processing my hair, a clean diet, meditating, studying spirituality, Yoga, and incorporating gemstones and crystals into my everyday life as a form of healing.
In 2009 after giving birth to my daughter I purchased a product that was intended to clear up acne scarring on my face, which was a result of my hormones during pregnancy. I distributed the product throughout my face at night before bed as the directions stated. The next day I woke up horrified to find that this product had given me second degree burns all over my face.
From that point, I started to research and study all the ingredients listed in my beauty products. From my research I found that dangerous, toxic, and sometimes fatal ingredients are typically used to formulate most skin, body and hair care products. I was also shocked to find there is little to no government regulation in the cosmetic industry.
While doing my research I also found that 85% of the hair products targeted for women and children of color contain “multiple chemicals” linked to cancer, weight gain, asthma, and fertility issues. There are also EDC’s (Endocrine disrupting chemicals that interfere with the way the body’s hormones work and are linked to early puberty in African American children. A particular study (Silent Springs Institute) also found that 84% of the detected toxic chemicals were not listed on the product label.
This was extremely disturbing to me. I didn’t want to put my health or my daughter’s health at risk or potentially subject us to fatal diseases while using skin and hair care products. I quickly began to search for clean products that were high performing for my hair and also my daughter’s hair without compromising my standards for ingredients and sustainability. To my discovery, I quickly realized there were little to none targeted to African American women with textured hair.
Leaving me with little to no options, I started to curate my own skin, body and hair care products at home using exotic butters, oils, and botanicals. I found great joy and passion in formulating products and studying different ayurvedic and holistic ingredients.
Back in 2017, I decided to leave the job I hated and also leave a five year relationship that was physically and mentally abusive. I decided it was time to turn my passions into an actual business. My daughter and I moved into a one bedroom apartment to cut down my overhead (bills) and I used my savings to start and bootstrap my business.
Meraki for me was created around the idea of self love, finding my passion for life and being fearless in the pursuit of the things that set your soul on fire. The word “MERAKI” is a Greek word that means to do something with love soul and creativity; to put the essence of yourself in your work. So essentially I was able to combine Beauty+Wellness+Spirituality to create high vibrational products that nourish your mind, body, hair and soul.
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?
So far I would say the road has had its challenges. However, just like most things in life you have to learn as you go. From sourcing ingredients to formulating products that are 100% plant based while being sustainable for retail are all things that I had to learn on my own. I have been able to learn by research, hiring specialists and of course by trial and error. Currently, my business is 100% self funded. I have been blessed to be able to use the income that I earn from my business and invest it directly back into my company which has provided consistent and stable growth.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
“At Meraki, we source the finest quality botanicals and ingredients from around the world. Our products are handcrafted in small batches then activated with Gemstones creating high vibrational, deeply nourishing, high performance hair Care Essentials. Our Gems restore and replenish the essence of Beautiful, Healthy, Luminous hair.”
At Meraki, we source fair trade ingredients that ensure fair wages for a day’s work in marginalized and often rural communities in developing countries all over the world. It affords families the chance to send their children to school, to make vital home repairs in the face of adverse weather conditions, or to build or buy infrastructure and supplies. Meraki also supports organic farmers all over the world. Organic farming restores the topsoil, preserves human and ecological health and minimizes bee colony disruption. All of this is critical to maintaining our food supply in the best possible way of creating and maintaining a stable environment.
At Meraki, we also believe a holistic approach to beauty elevates the essence of your pure authentic beauty. Making the switch to plant-based products as much as possible, is ultimately more environmentally sustainable, healthier and produces superior beauty results.
As a company, we are most proud to effectively create products that are high performance and sustainable without compromising the integrity and standards of our ingredients. We are also proud that we collectively combine Beauty+Wellness+Spirituality to create high vibrational products that nourish your mind, body, hair and soul.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe in Divine timing and when your passions and purpose to serve combine something magical happens. Everything in life and business will flow when you are in Divine alignment. However, extreme efforts of hard work, dedication, faith, prayer and discipline make this all possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ishopmeraki.com
- Email: hello@ishopmeraki.com
- Instagram: @merakiorganics_
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