( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Empowering Women Through Skincare and Self-Love
Have you ever dreamed of turning your passion into a purpose-driven business? Reshona Jessamy, the founder of Novara Skincare, did just that. After overcoming a personal battle with depression, Reshona discovered a profound connection between skincare and mental well-being. This realization led her to create Novara, a brand dedicated to uplifting and empowering women.
More than just a skincare company, Novara is a beacon of hope and support. Through its carefully crafted products and unwavering commitment to mental health awareness, Reshona aims to inspire women to embrace self-love, embrace their unique beauty, and find strength within themselves. Join us as we delve into Reshona’s inspiring journey and discover how Novara is positively impacting women’s lives worldwide.
We spoke with Reshona for an exclusive interview to learn more about her inspiring journey and the philosophy behind Novara Skincare.
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind Novara and how it intertwines with Reshona Jessamy’s journey?
I was inspired to start Novara after a long battle with depression. After I was unjustly fired from my first dream job, without warning, it caused depression to resurface, and I spiraled into a dark place. I had worked my entire life to land my dream job, and once it was taken away, my whole world crumbled. I got to a dark place, and seeing no way out, I attempted suicide. After my suicide attempt, I went to therapy for the first time, leaned into my faith, and went back to an old hobby of formulating to help me combat stress-related breakouts. I started mixing formulas regularly in my kitchen, which became therapeutic and gave me newfound happiness.
After I got to the other side of depression, I decided that I wanted to turn my pain into purpose. One day, I was reflecting on the lessons I learned during my battle with depression, and I mentioned to my boyfriend -now my husband- that what led me to my suicide attempt was feeling unloved, not enough, and unworthy. I told him that I wanted to help other women on their mental health journey. I wish they knew they were loved and that their lives matter. He said they need to hear it; someone has to tell them, “You are loved, adored, and enough.” Hearing this, I thought I could be the one to say to them, and I could do it through skincare. I found my happy place while mixing formulas in my kitchen. So, I decided that I would use skincare as a vehicle to uplift and inspire women. The idea for the skincare brand was born out of this conversation.
In what ways does Novara differentiate itself from other skincare brands on the market?
Three distinct pillars differentiate Novara and set us apart from all the other brands. First, our difference truly lies in our purpose. Novara is dedicated to uplifting and empowering women everywhere to become the best version of themselves. At the same time, most brands are talking about self-care. It’s bigger than just selling products to me. It’s about the millions of women across the world whom I hope to uplift and motivate to become the best version of themselves. Second, we donate 20% of the profits to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to support this organization’s fantastic work in communities. Finally, our global approach to skincare brings a new, unique perspective to product formulation. Every culture has unique skincare rituals, and combining skincare rituals from around the globe allowed us to combine history’s wisdom with modern science’s innovation.
How does Novara incorporate clean, safe, and highly productive ingredients into its products?
We source the highest quality ingredients from around the globe. This ensures that our manufacturing partners only source ingredients from companies that provide certified clean ingredients not tested on animals. We also formulated our products without over 2000 harmful ingredients to your health and skin.
You mentioned that Novara fosters a genuine understanding and compassion for our emotional journeys. Could you elaborate on how the brand achieves this?
Something compelled me to create the brand out of a strong desire to help other women. I was happy to get out of a state of depression, and as I reflected on my journey, I wanted to help women on their mental health journey so that at the end of that journey, they would become the best version of themselves. I learned about the power of affirmations for the first time in therapy, and after seeing the impact they made on my life, I wanted to share. So, I worked with creatives to create thousands of unique affirmation messages and placed one in each box. These messages are designed to uplift women with the power of words.
Can you share some examples of the skincare rituals from around the globe that inspired you during your recovery process?
We source the highest-quality and most potent ingredients worldwide to formulate our products. I traveled to various countries in Central and South America, Egypt, South Africa, Southeast Europe, and Asia. With a process rooted in “source wisdom,” I spoke with the eldest in villages and communities to learn about natural ingredients they relied on to treat skin conditions and improve skin health. These international ingredients became the foundation for our inaugural line, the Waterfall Collection.
For example, during my travels to China, some elders spoke to me about using the Centella Asiatica plant in their skincare routine- to create face masks or mix the plant with other ingredients to make a face cream. This plant is just miraculous! It has been used for over 2000 years in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. In China, it is hailed as the “miracle elixir of life” due to its ability to heal and restore the skin and improve blood circulation. It also encourages the production of ceramides, enhances collagen production, and promotes hydration. I was so inspired by the time-test benefits of this plant that I made sure to include it as one of the hero ingredients in all our products.
Remarkably, Novara dedicates 20% of its profits to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. What motivated you to choose this cause, and how does the brand support mental health awareness?
As a suicide attempt survivor, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention holds a special place in my heart. It is important to me to help those affected by thoughts or threats of suicide because suicide is preventable. This organization’s work is not only limited to suicide prevention. AFSP provides services to help people on their mental health journey, offers resources to help loved ones cope with loss, and helps people advocate for mental health and suicide prevention services locally and internationally. We are proud to support this organization and look forward to partnerships with other organizations supporting women.
What challenges did you face when starting Novara, and how did you overcome them?
During the developmental process of the Waterfall Collection- our first line- I made over a hundred adjustments. I assumed the manufacturer kept tracking these changes, but I was wrong. I requested the final samples before the full production run. The samples I received did not reflect the numerous refinements I had worked on with the manufacturer. The primary lesson learned is maintaining a robust internal record-keeping system to document and track every change for quality control and consistency. We now have such a system, and I would recommend the same to any brand.
As a brand that values purpose and innovation, what plans or initiatives does Novara have in store?
As I imagine the future of Novara, I envision it not solely as a skincare brand but as a profound force for positive change in the lives of women. My dedication lies in establishing Novara as an iconic presence in the United States and globally, with a focus on supporting women through their intricate paths toward mental well-being.
My vision for Novara is to adopt a multifaceted strategy. I aim to extend our reach into all high-end retail outlets, including Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf. Moreover, I aim for Novara to be a guiding light of support, providing women with transformative opportunities. These initiatives encompass wellness retreats, grants to ease the financial burdens of therapy services, and Novara Cares – a platform hosting insightful videos from therapists and counselors addressing various mental health topics. Through education and accessible resources, I aim to empower women to conquer mental health challenges and help them show up confidently, feeling loved.
How does Novara ensure its products suit all skin types and concerns?
First, our products underwent rigorous testing in the lab to ensure they were safe and suitable for all skin types. Our chemist and dermatologist tested our products to ensure efficacy and client safety.
What is the significance behind the name “Novara,” and what does it represent to Reshona and the brand?
The name “Novara” holds a profound meaning. It’s a fusion of “Nova,” a Latin word signifying ‘new,’ and “Ra,” which is the first phonetic of my own name. This combination beautifully encapsulates the essence of our brand, representing transformation and renewal, both in the products we offer and in the profound personal journey that led to the creation of Novara.
Reshona Jessamy’s journey to creating Novara Skincare is a testament to the power of resilience, purpose, and innovation. Through her experience with mental health, she has built a brand that offers exceptional skincare products and inspires and supports women on their journeys. Novara’s commitment to clean ingredients, mental health awareness, and global skincare rituals sets it apart in the beauty industry. As the brand grows, its impact on empowering women and fostering a more compassionate world will surely be felt far and wide.
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