Meet the Maker: Shatiqua B. Jamerson of It's Plush - Natural Body Care Products
Shatiqua Jamerson (SJ) is the owner and maker of It's Plush! She is originally from Columbia, TN, but currently resides in Nashville. It's Plush! started almost 10 years ago as SJ was dealing with her own skin issues. She was teaching a girls STEM class on cosmetic chemistry and decided to see if she could use some of her science background coupled with information from her dermatologist to help herself. Now, It's Plush! has grown into a line of products and has introduced others to better, cleaner, less toxic products.
Make sure you follow @ITSPLUSHSKIN for her latest product launches and all things skincare.
Read on to find out why SJ started creating her own beauty care products, her favorite scent, and how she learned to let her community help her succeed.
What is It's Plush and long has it been around?
It's Plush is a Natural Bodycare Business that focuses on non-toxic living by providing natural and non-toxic skin, bath and bodycare products as well as wellness initiatives. We have been in business for almost 7 years (8 years if you count the year before we registered the business).
What is your beauty philosophy?
I LOVE all things beauty but struggled to find brands that served me. After years of battling skin sensitivities and being let down by over-the-counter products, I embarked on a journey to create less toxic, natural skincare solutions that met my needs without compromising my wants. Health-conscious did not have to mean lacking plushness!
The journey was as organic as my products. Layer upon layer of personal experiences paved the way for It’s Plush. From managing the beauty care area of a major fashion and beauty company to teaching a course on cosmetic chemistry to having a background in public health and fitness - the sum total of these pieces yielded a brand that serves humanity by encouraging hope, healing and non-toxic living.
What advice helped you when you were beginning your business?
The best advice I received in the beginning and something I am reminded about frequently is to allow your community to help you. I tend to try and do everything myself, but as my business has grown I had to learn to take the advice of friends and family and ask for help. It took me a while to allow them to really be involved but I am so glad they are. They have helped me in so many ways from designing my booth setups for large events and store booths, staffing markets, to packaging and labeling products. My community is a major reason why I have been so successful.
What do you like to do when you are not working on your business?
This is going to sound bad but - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! My husband and I stay on the go so much that when I get a chance to just veg out on the couch and watch TV I jump on it.
Do you have top tip for people who are trying to improve their skin care routine?
Remember that everything doesn't work for everybody. When looking for a regimen read the instructions and give the product(s) time to work. Also, seek advice from a professional and keep trying until you find good products. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither are good skincare habits so find a regimen that works for you and then be consistent.
What is your favorite part of creating a new product?
My favorite part of creating new products is thinking about how much the product can improve someone's quality of life. For example, our herbal bath teas look and smell amazing but each one serves a purpose from nourishing and detoxing the skin to relaxing and reducing inflammation in your muscles.
Tell people a few things about It's Plush to give a better idea of what makes your products unique?
All of our products are handmade, small-batch and formulated in Nashville, Tennessee by a black female. Beyond that, I truly believe believe in our mission - to serve Love and Life, naturally. We don't just exist to sell bath and body products, we exist to push people towards wellness/wholeness and we do that through providing quality products and wellness focused events.
What local makers do you support or local products do you seek out?
I love the maker community in Nashville! It's hard to narrow it down but here are a few - Nashville Craft Beverage (Juice Spot), Ash from Nash and Sammi Jean Clay (earrings), Oily Mantra and Match Made (Candles), Vine and Branch Collective (Plants) Bite Club Baked Goods and Chambray Apron (Baked Goods), It's Flavourful (Salt-Free Seasonings) and Leather and Cord (leather goods). These are just a few that I support. They make great stuff and the customer service is amazing.
If you could only smell one scent for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I am a scent junkie and my favorite scents are sweet and musky. If I could only choose one scent I would go with our new artisan perfume, "Bloom." Bloom is a mixture of Mandarin and Jasmine Essential Oils. It's sweet, citrusy and light enough to not overwhelm anyone.
We are a gift company so we always ask: what is your favorite gift to give or receive?
I try to pay attention the people around me and take note of their favorites so that I can try to give them gifts that they might actually like and enjoy but when in doubt candy/treat bags and candles are always a winner.
Any future plans you'd like to share with us?
April is our birthday/anniversary month and we will be releasing a new line of soaps, scrubs and other Spring/Summer items throughout the month.