We had the good fortune of connecting with Colleen Trickett Founder/Cosmetic Formulator/Instructor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Colleen Trickett, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 1999 I saw a need for sustainable, cruelty free quality skin care products. Green Girl Basics is a new approach towards environmental and animal activism I promote the concept of voting with your dollar by offering safe natural skin care ingredients with carefully selected ingredients, in harmony with nature and do-no-harm ethics.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started Green Girl Basics in 1999 as an environmental and animal activist. I wanted to create cruelty-free and earth sustainable skin care products. As I realized how much waste I was reducing, skin problems were being solved, and no more need to figure out which companies are or are not testing on animals, I wanted to start teaching others how to make soap and herbal body care products. I realized that as I increased awareness of the issues I cared about, I increased people’s ability to make compassionate shopping choices. I have taught over a thousand individuals and hundreds of independent businesses how to make their own soaps, lotions, salves, scrubs, serums, balms, hair care products and so much more. I am in the process of launching an online classroom so I can reach even more people. I have a brick and mortar located in Roswell, Ga but I want to teach many more, increasing my reach with my digital online classes. More people knowing how to make their own home and body essentials means far less plastic waste, less reliance on corporations to create safe products, healthier plant based ingredients rather than chemicals going into our water ways and all around healthier humans, animals, and environment. Also, it is super fun to make your own body and home essentials! You pick the scents, colors, textures, and ingredients…it is all your own choice.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Me being a kid at heart, I would want to go to the Center for Puppetry Arts, Richards Variety Store, and then dinner at Desta Ethiopian.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shout out to Sandy Maine, founder of Sunfeather Soap Company and Adirondack Fragrance Co. Her story and books inspired me to launch my business in 1999. She was the first woman owned cottage industry of soap and herbal body care products founded in the 70s. She started with a 15.00 investment and created a highly successful business. Thank you Sandy Maine!

Website: www.GreenGirlBasics.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greengirlbasics/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greengirlbasics

Youtube: coming soon

Other: tiktok: @greengirlbasics

Image Credits
@whittiphotos

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.