Maternal experience gives birth to ZaNatural business venture
Published:Monday | April 22, 2024 | 12:07 AMOlivia Brown/Gleaner Writer
Clarendon native Chenee Morris-Thomas says she drew inspiration to launch her skincare line from her quest to find natural and effective products for her baby’s sensitive skin. She said that personal need sparked a passion to create a range of natural skincare products that would also benefit other families seeking gentle and nourishing solutions for their skin.
“ZaNatural Organics started after I became a mother. I’m a midwife by profession, and I’m always big on brand Jamaica, so, after I had my child, I wasn’t happy that most of the products I was finding were imported, or most of the things I saw on the labels, I just wasn’t happy with putting on my baby’s skin,” said Morris-Thomas, who operates out of Longville Park in Clarendon.
Morris-Thomas recently participated in the ‘Earn ‘N Share’ expo, held at Glenmuir High School, which provided a platform for local entrepreneurs, students, and teachers to display their diverse range of goods and products.
Quizzed on the name, she explained, “My middle name is Zana-Lee, and my daughter’s first name is Zana-Leah, so I always said that if I was going to launch a business, I would have some form of that name in it. It’s a derivative from Susanna. It means ‘God’s gift’, so I always wanted to add that to it, and it’s a natural product line, so [adding natural] was a no-brainer,” she explained.
As her baby grew into a toddler, Thomas’ dissatisfaction with available products only intensified, prompting her to expand the scope of ZaNatural beyond infant care.
“Initially we started out as a children’s brand, however, it has grown where the family loves it so much that most of my customers are the older people. The body oil is big for the men, it’s light, and has a mild fragrance. The butters are also very good, because a little goes a long way,” Morris-Thomas told The Gleaner.
The entrepreneur cited an overwhelmingly positive feedback to her products, which she attributes to a growing consumer trust in natural ingredient products, adding that more consumers are seeking chemical-free alternatives for their skincare needs.
“It’s the fact that it’s natural and they can trust what they’re putting on their skin. The shampoo and conditioner, persons who have had issues like eczema on their scalp, or itching, they were happy to get the shampoo and the conditioner,” she said.
According to Morris-Thomas, ZaNatural provides a diverse array of products, including a growth oil and body-care essentials. The growth oil, packaged in an eight-ounce bottle, boasts a castor oil-base infused with nourishing elements such as vitamin E oil, grape seed oil, peppermint oil for itch prevention, and tea tree oil for its anti-inflammatory properties. As for the body oil, it predominantly features olive oil and sunflower oil, with a touch of rosehip oil known for its skin-rejuvenating antioxidants. Their 12-ounce jar of body butter, crafted mainly from cocoa butter, promises enduring hydration without succumbing to heat.
“Our cocoa butter has a higher fat content, so it’s more for geared towards persons with dry skin, and just in case persons don’t want to commit to buying the larger sizes, we have the smaller sizes in our body oil, shea butter and our cocoa butter – pocket size, and really affordable,” she said.
Morris-Thomas noted a tendency for mothers to neglect their own self-care while prioritising their children’s needs. In response, ZaNatural launched the Naomi brand, a facial and skin-care line specifically designed for mothers, although its popularity has extended to a broader customer base.
ZaNatural’s sub-brand, the Naomi brand, features a neem-based product range, leveraging neem’s antioxidant-rich properties beneficial for the skin. The product lineup includes a facial wash, toner/astringent, moisturiser (suitable for both skin and facial use), and a turmeric body polish.
She shared that the Naomi line was named in honour of her best friend.
“In the Bible there’s Ruth and Naomi, so she’s my Naomi. She’s the person that I can lean on. She’s an excellent mommy, so when I thought about the line, I thought it would be good to pay homage to her by naming the line Naomi.”
Despite the glamour of a flourishing business, Morris-Thomas said entrepreneurship is no easy feat. One specific challenge she highlighted is the issue of storage and packaging in Jamaica, but she is actively working to address this challenge and find solutions to overcome it.
She said, however, that she finds motivation in the positive feedback from satisfied clients who express gratitude for her products’ impact on their skin, hair, and even their children’s well-being. That encouragement, she said, compels her to persevere despite the obstacles.
ZaNatural can be found on Instagram at zanatural_organics.