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Natural Awakenings Twin Cities

Organic Aah: Eco-Friendly Never Looked So Good

Dec 27, 2012 01:04PM ● By By Beth Davis

Four years ago, Shannon Anderson was having trouble with her skin. Her physician wanted to put her on antibiotics, but Anderson was hesitant, believing that there must be a better, more natural way. Shortly after her doctor’s visit, Anderson met an esthetician at a networking event who offered to help her clear up her skin problem. After making the switch to natural products, Anderson’s skin healed without the need for medication, and she inadvertently found herself on a new career path.

The same esthetician who had helped her with her skin offered Anderson a position as a sales representative for an organic skin-care line, and, after seeing the results for herself, Anderson jumped at the chance. “I had seen the difference these products made in my own skin and body, so I was anxious to give others the opportunity to experience what I had,” she says. However, it wasn’t as easy as she expected. Anderson found it difficult to convince salons and spas to purchase products from small, unknown manufacturers. “I knew these products were amazing, the customer service was impeccable and the ingredients they used were wonderful, but many retail shops wanted products with a well-known name.”

Determined to provide an affordable natural and organic product, Anderson and a business partner developed the Organic Aah skin-care line—products formulated with ingredients such as aloe, grape seed oil and Vitamin E. The products were a hit, especially with friends and family. “Everybody loved what we were doing and encouraged me to continue on my journey,” says Anderson. After having spent 15 years as a construction manager and then many years as an interior designer, she says she felt as if she had finally found something she loved and was passionate about.

After dissolving the business partnership, Anderson was left with boxes full of products, unsure how to move forward. Her desire to provide natural options for skin and body had not waned; it had only increased over the years as she had learned more about the benefits of using products that were free of harmful chemicals. She knew she needed an outlet to share her knowledge and help others on their path to wellness.

In 2011, she launched Organic Aah, LLC, an online retail store designed to bring affordable, natural, organic and gluten-free body- and skin-care products to its customers. Small organic companies from around the United States were hand-selected by Anderson to provide a variety of options for skin and body care.

“It is important to me to choose companies that I love and use myself,” she says. “I want vendors that share my passion for delivering the finest in organic beauty, makeup and skin care at a reasonable price.” Currently, the product lines she works with include Lotus, Priti Nails and Solay Wellness, as well as Organic Aah.

Lotus cosmetics offers a complete line of 100-percent organic bio-mineral cosmetics, which Anderson’s customers love. The cosmetics feature plant extracts and are exclusively produced without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or harmful chemicals of any kind. The line is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals to restore, rejuvenate and balance the skin.

Priti offers a line of non-toxic nail polish and biodegradable soy nail polish remover. The complete product line is non-toxic and derived from organically grown products. Polishes are fast-drying, durable, glossy, chip-resistant and non-yellowing, and they contain a UV inhibitor.

The Solay Wellness line was developed around Himalayan salt that is harvested from ancient, pollution-free sea beds and is rich in minerals. Exquisite salt crystal lamps that are not only works of art but also natural ionizers are hand-sculpted by artisan partners overseas. Solay’s unique products, such as bath salts, are freshly hand-crafted in small batches, energetically enhanced, vegan, natural and organic, fair-trade and eco-friendly. The company’s manufacturing is sustainable as well, from formulation to recyclable and reusable packaging.

Organic Aah offers skin care for the body (lotion, cellulite-reduction gel, moisture cream and wellness gel) and for the face (eye cream, argan oil and moisturizer). Anderson is planning to add hair-care products, such as shampoo, conditioner and styling products, and offer more brands.

Anderson says a big part of what she offers is education. “It’s important for people to know what’s in the products they are buying,” she explains. “I have done so much research and I know what works and what doesn’t. I can help individuals choose the right products for them and let them know which chemicals to avoid.”

Problem-solving is another crucial component of Organic Aah’s business. “People come to me with issues and we work on them one problem at a time,” Anderson says. “I recommend removing old products and then introducing new products slowly to determine what may be causing an issue.”

Although Anderson’s products are purchased online, she is committed to personalized attention and welcomes phone calls and interaction with customers. “I love helping people and making it convenient for them to find high-quality, organic products that are affordable,” she says. “Making them happy makes me happy.”

For more information, call 763-360-4642 or visit OrganicAah.com.