Nettle&Moss - New solution for hair, skin
Published:Monday | March 21, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Latoya Grindley, Gleaner Writer
It was from her own desires and needs that Aisha Morgan successfully found a niche market and subsequently created what seems to be a winning formula that speaks to maintaining good hair and skincare practices.
"I started maintaining my hair myself and I realised that I wanted more than what I could get here. I wanted better products, ones that were more natural. And there were so many brands that I just could not get locally," said Morgan.
Realising that the only option that persons who were in a similar situation would have was to wait until they travelled or to purchase and then ship from overseas, she started to do her own research and was convinced that she could tap into a potentially good retail market.
After a year of doing mostly anecdotal research, Morgan gave birth to Nettle & Moss last December. This she has done along with the collaborative efforts of family member Peter Donegal, who handles the shipping and logistics side of the business. And the reception to this new venture, so far, has been excellent. "It has been pretty good. People are excited to know that their brands are here. They don't have to wait until they travel," she says.
Carrying natural and organic lines at the beauty retail house, Aisha Morgan is looking forward to expanding her operations and services.
Morgan says the selection of lines was made based on suggestions as well as her personal liking. "I selected lines that I love and, of course, from recommendations. I also listen to customer's requests, and outside of my own needs I try products on different hair types to see results, as well, and that helps in my selection."
The name Nettle & Moss may sound a a bit abstract, and that was exactly what the entrepreneur wanted. "I wanted a name that was abstract and meaningful. So in about an hour I came up with the name, which is really the names of two ingredients that you find in a few hair care products."
Retailing products for all hair types, processed or natural, Morgan says the best sellers now are Kinky Curly, Jane Carter, Jessie Curl and Too Shea Conditioner.
Other than hair-care products, clients will also be privy to skincare lines Nubian Heritage and Dr Bronner's.
There are also plans in progress to add additional hair-care and skincare lines.
Excited about her beauty house's prospects, Morgan is already thinking of business expansion. "We plan to start consultations and so there will be a space for this. Right now we mostly do strand tests or just give samples to client."
Another plan in the making is to retail raw products in bulk quantity. This, she says, is a common request of clients.
Even though Nettle & Moss is three months old, it has been taking long strides. Other than its retail side, there is also the distribution side of the business.
"There are some lines that we distribute and then there are some that we only sell at Nettle & Moss. We have a partnership with Fontana and so at there locations in Savanna-la-Mar, Montego Bay and Mandeville they will have brands like Jane Carter, Kinky Curly and Nubian Heritage. We also supply salons and beauty shops with some of our products."
Becoming a distributor has allowed for the expansion, visibility and promotion of the lines Nettle & Moss carries, but Morgan says there are some that she prefers to sell exclusively at the retail house. "Some of the lines are specific to use. They come with very specific application," she notes.
Having no prior experience in the beauty industry, Morgan resigned from her full-time duties at Grace Kennedy Remittance Services as project manager. She had been there since 2003 after returning from Atlanta where she lived for nine years. Still doing part-time stints with the company, she juggles full-time employment at her own venture.
She admits that the decision to make the transition from the corporate world was made easier by the support she got from family and friends. She has also entrusted her confidence in her business' advisory board. "I have a board of directors, whom I selected carefully, and they have expertise in different areas."
Married to Aswad Morgan, the warm-spirited entrepreneur jokingly says her business, Nettle & Moss, is her fourth baby following her three dogs, whom she considers her babies.
Outside of her new venture, she enjoys travelling and enjoying good food. She also enjoys going to the beach and hanging with friends and family.
Nettle & Moss is located at 44 Lady Musgrave, Kingston 10, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Telephone:978-9889