Meet La Shonda Tyree: Natural Soap and Skincare Manufacturer

We had the good fortune of connecting with La Shonda Tyree and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi La Shonda, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, as well as a thirst for creativity. My business transitioned from a hobby for creative therapy from my banking job. When an opportunity came to leave my job I decided to give my business a try full time. I wanted to be my own boss and control my own destiny.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business started out of a need to be creative. That need has always been apart of me but never thought it would become a business let alone it be making soap.

I love educating people about the benefits of using natural skincare versus mass market products which contain many synthetic ingredients.

It wasn’t a quick journey to where I am today. It actually took several years. Sometime having to go back to work to make money for my personal expenses.

I was actually at a crossroads with my business in 2012 trying to determine if I should throw in the towel and go back to a corporate position.

After completing a twelve week community business class through a local non profit my business took a turn for the better. The basic business concepts every business should learn help me to see where I was going wrong. For me it was pricing. I was not changing enough to realistically break even.

I want the world to know that skincare doesn’t have to be complex. We offer simplicity. Natural plant based ingredients to care for your skin.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, first I would take them to visit The Great Falls of Paterson, New Jersey. It’s the second largest waterfall on the east coast.

This is the town I live in and it is the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Yes, Alexander Hamilton utilized the power of the falls to power the mills built all along the river.

We would then venture to the big city, New York City where there is a plethora of places to see and eat. Since I love seafood I would take to The Boil which has the best seafood boil. For dessert we would venture for some rice pudding at Rice to Riches where you can sample a variety of flavors before you make your purchase.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow, I have a few people but the main person is Donna Maria Coles Johnson. She is the owner of Indie Business Network, a trade association for indie maker businesses.

Connecting with her organization and her personal cheerleading help me during what would have been lonely times as an entrepreneur. Not everyone understands why you would want to start a business of your own when you have a college degree in accounting.

Through the years she has offered guidance, encouragement and has been a sounding board for my ideas. She also created a community for others like me to support each other virtually and in person at her live events.

Website: https://NyahBeauty.com

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/nyah_beauty

Twitter: https://Twitter.com/nyah_beauty

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/NyahBeauty

Image Credits
NA