Today we’d like to introduce you to Smita and Aman Kishore.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Smita and Aman. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was a Speech-Language Pathologist who specialized in adult neurological disorders (e.g.., Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke and Brain Injury). I knew that I wanted to do good and for that good to be reflected in the work that I did every day. Over the years, however, I slowly became disenfranchised with the medical field, especially in regards to the treatment of the geriatric population. I saw that in order to help people I was constantly confronted with ethical and moral problems that I seemed to always be fighting someone to uphold.
While practicing, I had started seeing younger and younger patients in my office with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia, and I knew this couldn’t be normal. I felt that it was not only because of the added chemicals we were putting into our bodies but also because of the chemicals that we are putting ON our bodies (our skin is our largest organ after all). That is how I began making my own natural deodorant paste.
Additionally, because I also suffered from skin sensitivities from a young age, I quickly realized that I couldn’t find anything on the market that worked for me or that was completely pure ingredient wise while still costing a small fortune; and therein, was the start of making my own skincare products over the next 5 years.When I finally quit my job (and the industry), at the time, I didn’t know what “occupation” was going to make me happy, but I knew for sure that no matter what I would be true to myself.
Aman, being the entrepreneur that he is, had been encouraging me to create a company based around our ideas of how businesses should and could be run. It took a few years, and some serious conversations, for me to realize that our organic products were the perfect vehicle to deliver our message of Love. By making every decision a conscious one, from where we purchase our ingredients, to the packaging we use, to the ways we partner with local charities, I realized that we could create a business that’s ethical and environmentally conscious, while also establishing a sustainable stream of support for charity work and causes that are close to our hearts.
By sharing our products and message with others, we could create the vision I’d been searching for: a career that allows me to be good, do good and make a difference while we do it. Simply Smita is us. Simply Smita is our difference.
Has it been a smooth road?
We’d say one of the biggest struggles and best learning experiences (which we are still learning every day) is trying to find balance. Finding the balance between work and life especially because we are not only businesses partners but also married, has been a challenge.
When do you unplug? When do you stop and spend time with each other or even on ourselves instead of creating a new graphic, writing a blog post or taking and editing a social media picture? There is equilibrium to be found, however, the challenge sometimes lies in putting the effort into finding it and working towards it.
One of the best solutions we have found to finding that balance is communication. Easier said than done we know, but our best ideas and deepest fears have all come to the surface through trusting and talking. We believe that that is one of the secret ingredients to making it work.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are an organic skincare and wellness company and our mission is to spread wellness through Love. All of our products are handmade in small batches with 5 or fewer organic, consciously sourced ingredients that are effective and good for you. Our packaging is recyclable and/or reusable, and we aim to use as much post-consumer recycled materials as possible and to have zero waste.
We are a mission-driven company and we intend to make the world a brighter place through Love-centered thought, service, and action. 5% of our profits directly support causes and charities that are committed to loving people and the environment. We also partner with local charities to create limited edition products for which a larger portion of profits are donated throughout the year. In just our first quarter, we planted 70 trees in California with Cal Fire through our biodegradable holiday ornament sales, raised over $100 for Green Star Movement’s art programs in Chicago through our special edition lip balms, and donated 5% of our profits to Mikva Challenge to inspire our youth to be future leaders and advocates for a just society.
We also strive to educate and inspire our customers to live more consciously through our wellness blog and weekly mindfulness newsletter, as well as community pop-ups where we teach consumers about the importance of clean skincare, detoxing your underarms, toxic ingredients to watch out for, educated consumerism, etc.
Simply Smita is an expression of who we are and what we believe. And we believe that the choices we make can help impact the world and the people around us in positive ways. Our deepest hope is to bring more Love into this world and to pay it forward to those in need. Through our choices, positive advertising, donations, and community partnerships, we strive to deliver a message of Love and Positive Intent in all that we do.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! There is a need for locally produced products that are not only organic but also socially and environmentally conscious, which Chicagoans are all about! We have been exceptionally supported by our city, by both the local businesses and of course the amazing residents! We are thrilled to be a growing company in our community.
Pricing:
- All of our products and sets are available from $3-$30.
- 5% of all profits support local charities
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SimplySmita.com
- Email: smita@simplysmita.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/simplysmitaco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/simplysmitaco
Image Credit:
A.K. Agarwal
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