Meet Terrae Ward: CEO & Coffee Brown Boss

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

Hi Terrae, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Every business idea I have is always about helping and adding value to people’s lives. So with Coffee Brown Face Care, it was easy since I already make and use my own facial products that I have been using for years. I am constantly mistaken for a much younger woman, and when people find out that I will be 50 in a couple years, they’re shocked! It only seems natural for me to share with people what I’ve been doing for my skin and what’s behind the research that I’ve done when I worked at the Cancer Institute at the University of Pittsburgh.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Coffee Brown Face Care’s mission is to teach women of color how to age well, by showing them the healthiest ways to care for and protect their face, and provide chemical-free products for their skin. My focus is helping women to find ways to heal, soften, protect and moisturize their skin safely, without toxic chemicals or harsh additives, by educating them about the dangers of product ingredients and habits that cause skin problems and premature aging. My passion for skin care and wealth of knowledge comes from cancer research, as I am the former assistant director for outreach at the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh (PITT) Cancer Institute. There, my position required me to work directly with doctors and scientists, go into communities and cities, and teach on cancer risks, regarding: hair care, skin care, foods, air, and more. I worked with epidemiologist, Dr. Devra Davis, and I assisted with research for her book titled, ‘The Secret History of The War On Cancer’. Many skincare products may claim to be ‘natural’ or organic, but not consider the ‘other’ chemicals and/or toxic or non-toxic ingredients included that may have a long-term effect on the face. My products have basic, natural ingredients, without fillers, additives, or fragrances, and that’s what I’m most proud of. Getting to this point was a lot of trial and error. I am an entrepreneur by nature, and I have a lot of skills and talents I can market and sell. In 2015, I was on the Steve Harvey show for opening a dance school after being a disabled single mother for a number of years, since I’m trained in ballet and tap dance. Then after having to close my dance school, I became a licensed insurance agent in order to pay off the debt from the lease agreement from the dance school. That’s how I met my husband. I sold his mother an insurance policy!! After finishing my bachelor’s degree in 2018, I wrote and published a book about overcoming so many of life’s obstacles. It’s on Amazon, titled: ‘In Transition’. Since then, I spoke to a number of women regarding the contents of my book, so I thought that I should go into coaching. I attempted to create a coaching business, but that just didn’t seem right for me. Finally, I settled into face care, which really IS my passion, and I feel like I finally found my niche. The biggest thing people should know, is that sometimes it’s not easy to know what you want to do, or even like to do until you do it. Also, it takes time to figure out what you want. This process taught me that my true passion is in what I have been doing all along, everyday…..taking good care of my face. AND, I can use my knowledge from the Cancer Institute and coaching skills to coach women on the best ways to care for their face and age well.

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?
Assuming there was no COVID situation happening, I would LOVE to plan a trip for my girlfriend from my hometown, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to come to Atlanta to visit me for a week this spring!! She still has yet to visit me and I would try to cram all of my favorite places into this visit…. Day 1= The Georgia Aquarium & Soho Restaurant for dinner Day2= Stone Mountain Park & dinner at the park at The Commons Restaurant Day 3= Massages, mani’s & pedi’s at ‘Natural Body Spa’ & Rays On The River for dinner Day 4= Atlanta History Center & Sundial restaurant for dinner Day 5= A day at Chateau Elan Winery, wine tour and dinner Day 6= Ponce City Market and Concert and dinner at City Winery Day 7= Bike riding or scooters on Atlanta Beltline and a visit to Piedmont Park, dinner at Pappasitos Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
God comes first! I never would have made it to this point without Him. He’s truly brought me a mighty long way. My husband David is my rock! He’s a gift from God!! David is the most supportive person I know. What’s most important is that he believe’s in me. There’s nothing better than that! Especially when things change, I have new ideas and when I present things that don’t make sense to him. He trusts me enough to support me anyway, and that’s how he proves his amazing love toward me. The Traffic, Sales and Profit community, lead by Lamar & Ronnie Tyler. This husband and wife team has taught me more about business than my bachelor’s degree in business!! Without them coaching me, I wouldn’t have a successful business.

Website: https://coffeebrownface.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeebrwnface/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrae-ward-8bb8273/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WardTerrae
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeebrn
Youtube: UCwERdyd0UHjRnKqO3s7ZFYg
Other: https://www.terraeward.com/

Image Credits
Vernon Brown Photography