Meet Wacera Kamawe | Registered Respiratory Therapist and Founder of Kastone Natural Beauty
We had the good fortune of connecting with Wacera Kamawe and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Wacera, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my business was definitely a very informal journey it I can call it that. I was creating natural skincare products for as long as I can remember for myself and my family. I never ever expected or planned to be in business because I never considered myself to be business minded. But the idea to start selling my products was initially mostly from on lookers who enjoyed my products and thought they were worth paying for. I can honestly say I just gave it a shot because I was doing it anyway and I truly enjoyed it but I also couldn’t keep sharing these products for free. I had a hard time finding natural, natural products that worked for my skin without side effects because I have very sensitive skin and also with time I had become more conscious about what I put in and on my body and I was making conscious efforts to do better and all these things formed the genesis of my business venture.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I studied Respiratory Therapy with a minor in Polysomnography from the University of Alabama Birmingham. When I graduated from college I landed a job immediately as a Respiratory Therapist and I joyfully dedicated myself to the profession through the years until my last position as a Respiratory Therapist Supervisor.
I had worked in the profession for about 14 years but I had also cultivated other interests and talents on the side along with that.
My love for holistic healing, natural remedies and such was always a huge part of me and that is why I always curated my own natural skincare products.
Before the pandemic I had been urged severally by family, friends and coworkers to commercialize my products but I had not pursued the idea much. However with time I gave it more thought and decided to give it a shot after all I told myself that if the products didn’t sell, I would use them myself anyway.
To my surprise the feedback was really good and word started spreading around me about my products. More and more people were buying them and referring me to their loved ones. It’s like a small family was birthed (Kastone Beauties) and I have been blessed with many return customers which gives me the push to keep growing and perfecting my products.
So I realized that it was time to get really serious about this and give it my best because it had become apparent to me that God really was answering several prayers of mine by opening doors I never imagined before. That included quitting my job last year to fully put in the work my business needed from me.
I can definitely say that my entire life up until this point has been preparing me for the future. Being born and raised in Africa, Kenya to be exact, my parents and grandparents educated me a lot on natural remedies and plant medicine and I didn’t even realize until not so long ago that I was in a sense prepared to take this journey. I also never knew that all my clinical knowledge and experience as a respiratory therapist would one day be an added benefit in me creating a skincare brand. Someway, somehow things eventually make sense in life if we just keep pushing.
I have keep meeting very skilled business men and women especially in local Atlanta artisan markets. All this new relationships have been so helpful in this unknown journey. People have shared very helpful information with me and I am improving daily. I have also been blessed since I quit my job with the opportunity to go back home to my country Kenya and study the market there as well as introduce my products to my people. This was truly a blessing and I’m grateful to all the beautiful Kenyans back home who welcomed me so well, purchased my products, shared helpful information, gave me opportunities and now support me and my brand.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live for a cultural experience. It doesn’t matter the culture, but anything that ties in people, food, good music and the outdoors. I love cultural festivals, food fairs, outdoor events, beaches, pools, waterfalls….all things water. Anything that sounds close to this is a good time to me.
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?
My family, friends and former coworkers
Website: kastonebeauty.etsy.com
Instagram: @kastonebeauty
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wacera
Twitter: @wacerak
Facebook: @kastonebeauty
Image Credits
Everlyne Kabaya
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
