San Wellness
Nomshado Michelle Baca
In the wellness industry, Black women are often treated as dark-skinned white women and that’s a very dangerous approach because it erases our unique needs. I wanted to offer high-quality African botanical-based remedies for Black women living in the UK, because there is no multivitamin supplement out there, natural or otherwise, that addresses the multiple deficiencies we have.
It can be difficult to create something when you don’t see someone else like you doing it – but I didn’t have that challenge. My early childhood was spent in South Africa, and unlike some of my Black British friends, I was used to seeing Black people in charge.
I have also seen luxury in Africa and I felt it was natural for me to exist within those types of spaces where Black brands are very underrepresented. Luxury belongs to us too. Luxury to me means placing a higher value on unique African botanicals and the labour, knowledge and craft of farmers who produce them. I don’t want to create a company where I undercut and dishonour my own people.
Image courtesy Nomshado Michelle Baca
