Growing up in an environment filled with lush jungle and marine resources our culture was accustomed to making efficient use of resources available around us. In the creole culture before all the imports came to Belize and the shelves where bear of cosmetics my grandmother and a host of other Belizean women would process the dried coconut to extra the milk for cooking and would use the bi-product to make skincare treatment.
In addition, home remedies from my mother’s kitchen thought me how to use traditional ingredients such as turmeric, aloe vera gel, sorosi plant and so on as an alternative remedy to store bought product. I use to wonder how I would use this knowledge to impact our women way of perceiving cosmetics. I wanted to expose them to traditional plant and ingredients they are familiar with while making them feel that what we have is of value. Amongst the many challenges that I faced one realization that was clear is that I was pioneering and industry that was void of Belizean participation let alone women. Nevertheless, I was determined to create and authentically crafted natural product which I envisioned to reach every Belizean household one day.
When I started Naturally Belize 7 years ago I did so against a lot of resistance and adversary in regards to the use of organic and natural beauty care products. As Belizean women and being of creole dissent culturally and through strong media influence we believe that imported products are superior to products made in Belize. Through much perserverance I was determined to change the mindset of consumers in Belize. In order to achieve this I had to do intensive research, survey and campaign to make consumers more knowledgeable about the plethora of benefits of sustainable and natural cosmetics with an emphasis on the impact on human and the earth. Branding has also played a key role in the success of the business as we had to position our business as the premier Belizean beauty care brand. To date we continue to campaign for eco-friendly beauty care products and sustainable packaging to educate our people and communities.
My business has grown into implementing sustainable practice where we source 78% recyclable, bio-degradable and composable packaging. By making an assessment in my community with farmers and food producers I have connected with suppliers and vendors creating a direct linkage from farmers to vendors to producer. Using ethically sourced ingredients and partnering with local suppliers has allowed us to cut production cost hence providing a quality and affordable product to the market. Starting from making small batches of products and marketing in my community we have now reached every district in Belize with our products in over thirty (30) supermarkets and gift shops and are now impacting our tourism sector.
I have seen the potential and demand for local made personal and beauty care products that are made using down to earth processes with no harmful ingredients while offering Belizean an alternative that is safe for them and the environment. This beckons the need for research advancement and development of this industry. In Belize current industries includes food processing, construction, tourism and garments.
In my past several years of operation I have studied the need for the development of new industries in the country. This would impact economic development with increased national income and better living standard for the population. In addition, I have seen the significance of green manufacturing industries as it relates to climate change and other environmental issues. To date my business continues to campaign for eco-friendly beauty care products and sustainable packaging so that we may educate our people and communities.