The natural beauty industry has been on the rise for the last few years, with consumers wanting “clean,” “green,” and all-natural beauty products free of dyes, sulfate, gluten, parabens, and other potentially harmful ingredients. According to Nielsen, in 2017, natural beauty products have garnered over $1.5 billion in sales in the U.S. Another report showed that over 60% of black women buy natural products. The global care industry itself is projected to reach $25.11 billion by 2025.
Ty Jenkins first entered into the beauty industry by crafting handmade, all-natural, organic soaps through her house brand Oliveberry. Her soaps are packed full of nutrient-rich oils such as Hemp seed oil, apricot oil, Cabinda oil, and other healing oils.
Prior to, Ty noticed differentiations in beauty products, searching far and wide for quality products that were actually good for you health-wise. Her soaps became so highly requested from friends and family that she went from opening an online boutique store to now owning the newest storefront in Downtown Decatur.
Olive Branch Wellness Boutique is the greenest one stop shop for all of your clean, green, all-natural, organic, and vegan beauty, cosmetic and personal products. Now you no longer have to go to Ulta, Sephora or purchase countless products from various online vendors and brands because everything you need is right here. Their hand selected collection of beauty products include Aloe Vera based moisturizers and soaps to treat eczema, psoriasis or other skin conditions. Other products include candles, diffusers, teas and Organic Bamboo Washcloths from brands like Nash & Jones, Maui, and in-house brand Oliveberry.
“I get the opportunity to live my dream and give other people an opportunity to live their dream and have their products in the store. The online store was great but this was my calling,” Ty Jenkins says. “I always tell people God gave me this store.”
Jenkins handles everything within the business from sending newsletters and social media to inventory and keeping the store in its best-kept shape, all while finding unique ways to cater to her family as a mompreneur. She also gets her hands dirty when it came to production, pulling up the flooring with her husband, and painting.
“Being the sole owner, everything is on you and it doesn’t stop. I try to be there as much as possible, especially for my daughter.” On Mondays, Jenkins closes up shop and designates the entire day to mother-daughter day. A chance for them to talk and connect while indulging in various activities like going to lunch or making soaps together. Try Twilight Sparkle soap named after her daughter’s favorite My Little Pony character.
With her boutique and Oliveberry product line, Jenkins plans to become a staple shopping center in the green beauty world. She attributes much of her success to her determination and the support of her family, friends, and locals in the community through daily visits, compliments, and hugs.
“That the thing I hold on to, that fact that they tell me how inspiring and motivating it is, especially in our community,” she says. “Even the woman, I get approached by so many black women who want to shop at a black-owned business in the community.”
The storefront is located on 123 E Ponce De Leon Ave in Decatur.
Check out the Olive Branch A Green Beauty Boutique on Facebook for info about giveaways, sales, product demos, and weekly featured products.