Meet Latasha Steele | Natural Cosmetic Chemist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Latasha Steele and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Latasha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting one’s own business is the best decision anyone could ever make especially if it is something you are passionate about. Yes there are other businesses just like the one you want to start out there already but you are your own individual which means that there will be a certain level of authenticity with your business resulting in customers or clients out there just for you.

Our culture raised us to go through a system; school for 20+ years then a 9-5. I that’s okay because I did exactly that and still have a 9-5 that is helping me to finance my business but if I could do things differently I would and break the norms of society. There are no limits to what we can achieve (this interview for example). all business owners have a story so my advice, start yours I have no regrets and this is just the beginning

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?
The name of my business is “Yafah by Taeja” and the word Yafah means worthy in Hebrew.

Now Society makes an individual class themselves base on how they look believe it or not.
Granny would say “Jack ass seh di worl’ nuh level” and that’s ok. I struggled with a low selfesteem because of how I viewed myself so this was personal for me and having a healthy hair and clean glowing skin was and still is my confidence booster. I remember spending summers with my Aunty in rural Jamaica and having to visit the pharmacy to get creams for skin after obtaining the nickname “spots”. I am most excited about my journey, how my skin has changed over the years and to know that God keeps giving me these ideas to not only make my business successful but to make others feel worthy as well.

It wasn’t easy getting here that’s for sure. As u might be able to tell I was born and raised in Jamaica something that I am most grateful about. I was very “DIY” with my hair and skin. Thinking back now I have to laugh about all the things I use to laugh about all the things I use to mix together. I went ahead and pursed a Bsc. In Natural and applied Sciences majoring in Analytical chemistry. At that point I still wasn’t confident about starting my own business because I didn’t have capital to do so and social media was never my niche. Life happened, I migrated to the US and my skin stated to break out and it was my push to “DIY” with a little push from my first actual customer and to date my social media manager Kerone.

Lessons I have learnt are to be consistent, Have a good support system, learn how to reset and ignore negative people. Your journey is yours and it’s your story to tell so keep positive there is room out there for everyone to be successful.

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?
Hmmm, let’s see my favorite place is The Bella goose cafe on the river, it quiet, good food and coffee definitely a place to catch up with my best friend for sure

We would visit the Devil’s lake, go for a hike and site scene because pictures are a must

Dinner at the Dell Bar is also a must best food in the area for sure

Drinks at the Brew pub most exotic shakes and alcohol they take so much pride in making sure the drinks at the bar are perfect

The grateful shed truck stop, so many things to do and different food truck to try

And finally couldn’t come to the world largest waterpark city and not visit the Noah’s ark. For a non swimmer u would think I’d stay away but I can’t stop going, so much fun

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh wow! Kerry whew this young lady is a fighter and currently my social media manager. She cooks, manages social media pages, Creates personal planners, journals and kids books, makes candles and also have a business with her partner. I am sure I am missing other things but she was my first ever client and my daily motivation. Talk about moving from strangers to two beautiful black women supporting each other’s goal.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yafah__/profilecard/?igsh=YnQ2eW9xZjVlcXN4

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yafahbytaeja?_t=8pLlSQBNJB0&_r=1