Meet Nosha Harwell of Pureneed in West End

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nosha Harwell.

Nosha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since 2013 I marketed/promoted for many major companies as a Brand Ambassador. Those roles were very fulfilling, definitely got me out of my comforted zone. But something was missing. In 2017 got pregnant with my second, became ill with high pressure/borderline diabetes. I was real swollen and sleepy all the time, could not keep a job and lost everything that I had work for, even my confidence. I fell into a deep depression. When hurricane Ima came through Florida, son and I packed up and relocated to Atlanta.  In hopes I could live with my family. Things did not work out, became homeless stay in a shelter, then upgraded to a three bedroom roomy house that I shared with 18 people. A room is all I had to bring my newborn baby too. I tried to apply for a marketing position only to realize ATL is a college state. Unlike Florida, In Atl entry, marketing positions require a degree of some sort. All I Knew I had to get myself out of this situation so I grab a job at the airport for $8 per hour. I haven’t made that rate since high school.

After a few months, I was fired for accepting a package from an Asian passenger on the Hartford international. It’s was a gift; however, I breached the security policy by bringing the package in a prohibited area. When I went through security employee-only entrance to clock out, I was alert to find. The bag filled with Contraband items, a box cutter, hammer, apparently it had been home improvement expo that week. Thank Goodness it was a bomb. Because I have always been in a friendly marketing position, I didn’t think why the customer did not want to take it on the airplane. I tried hard to save my job, went home crying. Nevertheless the less I was blessed with my own place when my daughter was four months through a haven program that works closing with Atlanta Housing Section Program. Got a job at an insurance company selling life insurance but I was not fulfilled. Not wanting to cry anymore when a job let me go, my passion for marketing, and the goal to live a healthy lifestyle came together, March of 2019 I formed Pureneed!

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?
I have not been a smooth road I used showing up at events promoting products that were already known. I did not have knowledge of the back office of a business and how to build a business from the ground up. so I went to the first we all do YouTube and search and search and search. I started Pureneed with under $1000 and began to offer Tea Tree Peppermint Wash. Never knew a year later how valuable an antiviral antifungal antibacterial body wash would be. March 2020 Went back to school back to help the business grow.

Currently obtaining a bachelor in science concertation marketing degree. Since the Panmedic, we have innovated hand sanitizer to our product line. Because I have a passion for community service we are giving away hand sanitizer to the community. Our biggest challenge is funding to continue to give away free Hand Sanitizer. Our recent challenge was discovered when we applied for funding and was told to provide our business license, I sent over the state business formation had no clue they were two different documents. Saddened with the truth, I immediately applied for a business license. When you think you have it all together you learn something new.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Pureneed story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a natural household/personal care line Here at Pureneed we specialize in Natural Products and sanitation services, Our number 1 seller is our tea tree peppermint wash. We also offer lime ginger body butter. Since COVID19 we have innovated Hand Sanitizer (lemon and unscented) giving it away for free to the community and pressure washing services (with our natural cleaning solution). Our goal is to continue to offer HS to the public via sanitation stations throughout the city. We are in business planning to offer Community Showers to the homeless (of with our products ). We would like to have a wellness spa in the near future.

This program will stop the spread of COVID19 until there is a cure, our focus is Public health thereafter. We will provide hope, Pure Essential NEEDS to the homeless community so they will have a Fresh start in life. This project will create more jobs and bring Good hygiene/sanitation practices to the less fortunate (when one is effected we all are affected), our Wellness Spa would add to the new developing historic Westend (zone 1) area. Theses services would welcome new and old residents.

Recently volunteered our services at a festival in a box community event with the Atlanta beltline and Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall office. We also donated Hand Sanitizer to the 100 Black Men organization back school drive.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Becoming an entrepreneur is a faith-driven position, we set out with a vision. However, we run into challenges that may distort the purpose with toggling a full-time job, running a business, going to school, and being a single parent I could use some luck.

One of out biggest invoices was for 50 Hand Sanitizer to a well known nonprofit organization Westside Future fund that is actively helping to rebuild our neighborhood, which they made the purchase for commissioner Able Mable to give to the homeless. I knew then God, Luck and the universe supported us. Recently volunteered our services at a festival in a box community event with the Atlanta beltline and Fulton County Commissioner Natalie Hall office.

Pricing:

• Tea Tree Peppermint WASH $10
• Hand Sanitizer $5
• Body butter $5
• Towel Robes $20
• Towels $10
• Spa in a Basket $50 – $80

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pureneed.shop
• Phone: 4047216769
• Email: support@pureneed.shop
• Instagram: @pureneedpersonalcare
• Facebook: Pureneed
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Pureneed/

Image Credit:
New York Lens Atlanta
www.newyorklens.com

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