Meet The SHEeo: Candera Thompson Of The Herbal-Infused Hair & Skin Line Bask & Bloom Essentials
With the rise of more and more black women breaking away from traditional 9-5s to become their own bosses, the CEO is getting a revamp as the SHEeo. In the Meet The SHEeo series, we talk to melanated mavens leveling up and glowing up, all while redefining what it means to be a boss.
Candera Thompson launched Bask & Bloom Essentials as a remedy to postpartum hair breakage and shedding. Using high-quality ingredients free from harsh chemicals and toxins, Bask & Bloom offers a full hair care line, including herbal infusions that protect against breakage while providing intense moisture. Within four years, the company has built a loyal customer base thanks to their wide range of product bundles that cater to various hair textures for a more simplified hair regimen.
Meet Candera Thompson of Bask & Bloom Essentials.
Photo courtesy of Candera Thompson
Title:CEO of Bask & Bloom Essentials
Year Founded: 2015
Location: Saint Louis, MO
# of Employees: 3
30-Second Pitch: Bask & Bloom Essentials is a rapidly growing brand in the hair and skin care industry serving all members of a household. We offer a full hair care line that includes herbal infusions to protect against breakage while providing intense moisture and our skin care line promotes a basic, 3-step regimen to maintain a natural glow.
What inspired you to start your brand?
I was transitioning to natural after having my first daughter and experiencing lots of breaking and shedding. While some postpartum shedding is normal, I wanted to find a remedy once I got past that phase to strengthen my hair and give it a fuller look. A few ladies in a Natural Hair Facebook group I was in suggested black tea rinses and I started researching herbal teas that were beneficial for the hair. After trying and seeing some of the issues subside, I wanted to research further to add these ingredients into a line of hair care products.
What was your a-ha moment that brought your idea into reality?
My a-ha moment came while on a vendor's website where I purchased my herbs from. They updated with how-to videos and a few of them showed how to infuse herbs into an oil or liquid extract. A light bulb went off, this is how I would include them into my products. After research and testing for a few months, I was more confident it bringing a line to market.
Who is your ideal customer?
[My ideal customers are] 24-45-year-old ingredient-conscious women seeking to solve issues with dry, brittle hair and sensitive skin. They are college educated with an annual income ranging from $60-$80k. They prefer access to a unique, full line of products and love being educated on different natural remedies for beauty through demos and tutorials.
What makes your business different?
Seeing that we use unique herbs in our products, we spend a lot of time educating our audience on the multiple benefits of each ingredient. We create challenges that are unique to a group of customers to participate in that demonstrates overall healthier hair and skin and the end of that time period. We offer a range of bundles based on hair texture and solutions to make it easier for consumers to have a better regimen. This has allowed us to create a loyal base of customers who have shared our company to everyone they know, making them a believer in our brand also.
What obstacles did you have to overcome while launching and growing your brand? How were you able to overcome them?
Funding, resources to effectively launch a beauty brand and great recommendations for manufacturers, time management with working a full-time job and being a mother. I saved a lot of my paycheck to put into my business so I had to become very frugal in the beginning to create excitement around my products and launch. I incorporated the mindset that "done is better than perfect" and if I can at least get started, the business will eventually fund itself. I decided against working with a manufacturer in the beginning to mass produce and instead had everything tested by a lab to ensure all ingredient levels were ideal for launch. As far as time management, I just had to say no to a lot as there is no such thing as balance. I built my brand to the point where I could leave my full-time job, even though I got laid off before I could resign.
"I incorporated the mindset that 'done is better than perfect' and if I can at least get started, the business will eventually fund itself."
What was the defining moment in your entrepreneurial journey?
When I got laid off from my full-time job, I was three months pregnant with my second child, planning to not return after I had her. At three months pregnant, many would've have been afraid to not have a steady paycheck but I took it as a sign. I got what I asked for and was preparing for even if it was premature.
Where have you seen the biggest return on investment? (i.e. marketing, ads, vending, social media)
Social media and email marketing and Facebook/IG ads.
Where do you see your company in 5-10 years? (The ultimate goal?)
On the shelves of big retail stores, international pop up shops to meet and greet customers, a few boutiques where customers can test products and get one-on-one recommendations and shop, launching a nonprofit program for teenage girls interested in entrepreneurship, making it to eight figures in revenue and investing into other black-owned beauty brands.
Biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
Do it afraid and unsure, everyone else is and are making fear look good.
For more of Candera and Bask & Bloom, follow her on social: Instagram.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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If you’re like many other people who are prioritizing wellness these days, then attending a wellness retreat might be something to consider. Wellness retreats are a cool way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. I descended upon my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat, a couple of weeks ago at the Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoëtry Agua is part of the Inclusive Collection for the World of Hyatt. It is nestled on a secluded part of Uvero Alto beach, which has crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with its thatched roofs and lazy rivers that make you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and it also featured other wellness practitioners who combined provided the ultimate gift of relaxation and getting back to oneself.
The first night was a Welcome Dinner that featured a five-course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next three days. The food was impeccable and the only downside was that I wasn’t able to finish it all. The next day, however, was the official start of the classes, and I was ready to dive in.
Aura and Chakra Reading
Aura and chakra reading
Photo courtesy
My first class was an aura and chakra reading led by Laura McCann and James Levinson, an Asheville, NC couple. I’ve had chakra readings before, but never like this. There was a computer, a camera, and a scanner, which I placed my hand on for the reading. After two minutes, I received a 15-page report explaining my aura and chakra reading.
It breaks down what the colors of your aura are and what your chakras say. My main colors were green and yellow, which were defined by a variety of things. The top of my aura was green, meaning I have a social mental state and I’m a natural healer. My aura on my left side was yellow meaning my energy flowing is optimistic and light and so on.
After James discussed the findings with me, I then met with Laura, who gave me aromatherapy oils from their ADORAtherapy line that represented each chakra. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil can assist. Chakras are the energy centers in our body, and there is a total of seven: root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown. All of my chakras were high except for my heart chakra, which I have since been working on. I may follow up about that in another article.
Sound Bath
Sound bath class
Photo courtesy
Next was the sound bath class. It was located in the spa, which was indoor/ outdoor and the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were the co-pilots in transporting attendees into a place of tranquility. I laid down, closed my eyes, and allowed the sounds around me to bring me into a relaxing state. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I even fell asleep and got some of the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a beautiful experience. However, remember when I noted it was an indoor/ outdoor venue? I forgot to put on bug spray and woke up pretty itchy. But it didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
Tea Party
Art of Tea Ritual Tea Party
Photo courtesy
The last event of the day was the Art of Tea Ritual located in the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want in a tea party. Delectable treats such as cookies, cakes, and white chocolate-covered strawberries, which are my fave. And, of course, tea. While I got to sip tea, I also got to make my own tea blend. There were many different teas to choose from, like hibiscus to your regular black tea. I decided to mix rose and mint and I called it RoseMint. I didn’t get to try my tea blend until I got home, and I’ll be honest, it’s probably the best tea I ever had. The tea herbs taste so fresh, and I love how fragrant it smells.
Breathwork
Breathwork Class
Photo Courtesy
The next morning was all about breathwork. If you exercise regularly, then you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it besides remembering to breathe during your workout. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve wellness by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing pattern for energy as well as for relaxation. While I know that breathing is a relaxation tool, I was blown away to learn that it can also energize you. Because it was a different breathing pattern, I was also able to stay present and keep a steady pace.
Yoga
Koya Webb's yoga class
Photo courtesy
The final class of the retreat was evening yoga with Koya Webb, who, as I mentioned earlier, was the host. Her class was held beside the beautiful Uvero Alto beach, which made for a stunning backdrop and the perfect way to end the retreat. It was important for me to get back into my body after not doing yoga for a few weeks, so I was really focused on nailing the moves. However, Koya kept the energy light and fun, evening cracking a few jokes throughout, which made it easy for me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended the class with a dance break and hugs from our classmates.
The Mind, Body, + Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love on myself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and get reacquainted with oneself in the most loving way. Being surrounded by individuals who encouraged my journey was what I needed, and I am so honored to have had this experience.
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