To gear up for our Summit21 Conference this year in Atlanta, 21Ninety has scored exclusive interviews with some of this year's participants.
Veronica Smith, the founder of Alchemy Body Shop (ABS), says she launched her shop in 2016 with both inner and outer wellness in mind. She prides herself in using only natural, fair trade, and organic ingredients to make all the #BossBabes out there look AND feel good, without the hefty price tag. Key elements in her products include plant-based ingredients straight from the Earth: herbs, clays, salts. If it's natural and organic, Smith uses it in her products.
Read 21Ninety's exclusive interview below:
Photo: Alchemy Body Shop
21N: Can you give us a little of your background? What inspired you to create Alchemy Body Shop products? What was the vision behind the name?
Veronica Smith: I've always been a creator since I was young, but what made me turn to create products was seeing that there wasn't anything natural and organic that was affordable. I was determined to change my lifestyle and wanted to take a more holistic approach, but the prices and lack of selection were making it almost impossible for me to do so at that moment in time.
Alchemy Body Shop was birthed through not only my passion but through knowing that there were other like-minded WOC out there who needed to see themselves represented and be able to have access to luxury items without the overpriced fluff and nonsense. I believe that we are all a part of the process of alchemy. In fact, I think that we are the very definition of it: from forming in the wombs of our mothers to then voyaging into our own being and journeying throughout this walk of life.
The name "Alchemy Body Shop" came to me organically. I had just finished reading The Alchemist for probably the fourth time (a classic that never gets old for me), and I was still on an inspirational kick from it. That book moved me to press into my intuition more and follow my heart, and that's precisely how the name came to be. It was God-breathed into me.
Photo: Alchemy Body Shop
21N: How long have you been creating these body/skincare products?
VS: I've been creating these products for three years now!
21N: What kind of work goes into the process of creating them? What ingredients are used?
So much work goes into creating each product. It's truly the process of alchemy itself. Each offering takes time to produce, cure, and package. So even the simplest one takes at least a total of 2-3 hours to create. Each ingredient that we use is plant-based/straight from the Earth, such as herbs, clays, salts, etc. And we always make sure that everything is all-natural/organic and ethically sourced. Each offering is created with the purest intention.
Photo: Alchemy Body Shop
21N: Which ones were the most fun to create? Any customer favorites?
VS: Oh, I love this question! I'd have to say my favorites to create are probably The Balm and our candle collection. The Balm is the O.G. of everything we offer here, so naturally, she has a special place in my heart.
The Balm is also a top seller/customer favorite, which makes her that much easier to love. The candles come in second, and I love that I can create a vibe by changing up the customer's atmosphere and I'd have to say my favorite part of the process is adorning the candles with flowers and herbs. That's our signature mark!
21N: What do you think makes your business/platform unique over others like it?
VS: Everything. We notice a lot of brands playing it safe and sticking to the norm. We are branching out of that and have a few things in line that we are cooking up, so stay tuned! I'm currently enrolled in herbalism courses to become a certified herbalist, so this takes my intention with ABS to the next level.
Photo: Alchemy Body Shop
21N: What do you hope to gain from Summit21 this year?
VS: Connection. I'm going there intending to create lasting friendships that will flourish. I'm looking forward to meeting so many like-minded women. It's tough to come across that and the fact that they will surround me for two whole days makes my heart flutter! So if you are reading this, I can't wait to see you, sis!
21N: Is there anything you wish to teach/inform the Summit 21 audience about?
VS: Definitely mindfulness in what our body and spirit consume. It's so vital to know what you are sowing into yourself and to do it with intention. In the words of Omi Lola, "do nothing without intention."
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