Happy Saturday everyone! Today we are welcoming Kema - creator of a wonderful business called Mother Napture! We had the lovely pleasure of meeting this wonderful family at a local vendor market back in April.
Building Bridges: Tell us a little bit about you, your
family, and what you like to do for fun!
Kema Ward: My name is Kema Ward. I am the owner
and creator of Mother Napture. My partner is Nicholas Hopper and we have a 5
year old daughter named Aaralyn. We enjoy dancing; Aaralyn is currently taking
ballet and Nicholas and I teach Bachata classes at Studio Mio in the Galleria.
We also love exercise and being active. We all love being outdoors.
Kema Ward:I decided to open my online shop at www.mothernapture.com to reach a wide variety of people that may be seeking
natural products and/or information.
Building Bridges: Do you mind sharing the origin of how
Mother Napture came to be?
Kema Ward: I started making products for myself
and my daughter after my Aunt passed away very young. She'd lost her battle
with breast cancer. She was a very well established beautician and I was
convinced that the chemicals she was exposed to on a daily basis for pretty
much all of her adult life, contributed to her demise. So I started with hair
products, then later as I did more research and learned more, I added skin
care. Somewhere in this journey, I became vegan and overall a more healthy
person. We started with just 2 products today, I have 9 products and we are
preparing to launch item #10 This summer and #11 late in the summer. We are
always growing and thinking of new, innovative ways to replace chemicals in our
homes and lives. We do after all live in a chemically saturated age. I'm so
grateful to get back to the earth, back to nature...back to God(love).
Building Bridges: Did someone encourage you to start a
business?
Kema Ward: Yes. My friends and family encourage me
to sell my products.
Building Bridges: When did your shop officially open?
Kema Ward:Mothernapture.com launched in April of
2013
Building Bridges: Do you remember your first product
that sold, what was it?
Kema Ward: Yes, randomly I do. It was the first
version of what is now our Hair and Body Butter.
Building Bridges: Any current shop promo discounts, if
so when do they end?
Kema Ward: Right now if you like us on Facebook
you can get a code to get 20% off of your next purchase that is over $25.00,
this is an ongoing promotion?
Building Bridges: Do you take custom orders?
Kema Ward: We make flax seed gel and Mother's mud
to order and only for local clients because of their shelf life. They are heat
sensitive.
Building Bridges: Why make handmade products? If
applicable
Kema Ward: We make our products by hand from
quality, raw ingredients to add a personal touch. And by making the products
myself, I can be sure of all of the ingredients and with confidence say that my
products are chemical and alcohol free.
Building Bridges: What do you love or hate about
selling?
Kema Ward: I love being able to offer people
something that is good for them and made with love. I hate the
"selling" aspect of it. A lot of times I will barter other goods and
services. Other market venders are usually up for a fair trade.
Building Bridges: What is your favorite part about
owning your own business?
Kema Ward: I can try all types of things owning
my own business. Set my own schedule. There is a freedom that makes me less
stressed that people are in traditional work environments. My personality can
shine through in the end.
Building Bridges: Do you have a product that you prefer
to design/create over others?
Kema Ward: No not really. I love making all of my
products. The least fun is the lip balms. That process can get a bit mess. But
at the end of the day, I love what I do. If I didn't I would not have made it
my business...my baby.
Building Bridges: Do you have any advice for other
crafters who would like to start selling their creations?
Kema Ward: Be patient with yourself and your
business. Don't expect to make massive amounts of money the first year, no
matter how great your product is. Work on building good customer relationships
and the rest will fall into place.
Building Bridges: Best advice you received when you
went into business for yourself?
Kema Ward: My aunt told me not to borrow any
money. Start small and build with what you earn. It was the best advice EVER. I
don't owe any money and my business is much bigger than it was a year
ago.
Building Bridges: We love to attend craft and vendor
markets - do you?
Kema Ward: Craft and vendor markets are where we
meet most of our customers. It is a chance to really showcase the products to
people by allowing them to sample. I love markets.
Building Bridges: Do you ever get nervous the night
before a big event?
Kema Ward: Sometimes, I am always a little scared
of rejection by the masses.
Building Bridges: Did you always see yourself becoming
an entrepreneur?
Kema Ward: No way. 5 years ago, I was in such a
different place. If you told me that I would start my own business in a few
years, I would have told you that you were crazy.
Building Bridges: Do you use your own products?
Kema Ward: Absolutely! The entire reason Mother
Napture got started was because I was making product for myself, close family
and friends.
Building Bridges: What is your most popular product on
the market right now?
Kema Ward: It would be a toss-up between the
Facial System and the Body Butter
Building Bridges: What is the favorite item you make
and why?
Kema Ward: The butter. I love watching the hard
shea become fluffy, whipped goodness right before my eyes
Building Bridges: Thank you Kema for a great look into
your business! Feel free to visit her business pages at: MotherNapture, Facebook, Twitter - @mothernapture, Tumber –
Mothernapture, & Instagram - @mothernapture. Kema resides in Texas
with her lovely family.
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