BY SIMONE J. SMITH
“What do you mean my candles are toxic? I burn candles all day, everyday.”
“Yes,” Jakara shared with me. “A lot of people burn candles, but if they knew what they were burning, I am sure they wouldn’t do it so much. Bath and Body Works smell good, but they are not good for you.”
It is interesting what you learn when you take the time to speak to people and listen to the knowledge that they have acquired. It was how I started my Sunday rising when I had the opportunity to speak to two very passionate women about a product line that they launched during the pandemic. After speaking with the auntie, and niece business partners, I had to take a look around my house. What else was I using that was causing me harm.
I want you all to take a little mental tour around, through the living room, the kitchen, the laundry room, the bathrooms and bedrooms of your home. Look in the cupboards, open the drawers, and check out the furniture and the knick-knacks. Your home is both the heart and the headquarters of your lives. You fill it with the essentials, and also the entertaining things that make life worth living. Sadly, a lot of the stuff we fill our homes with is toxic.
I know, your next thought is “Wait, what? Isn’t the government protecting us by regulating the products we buy?” Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but no, not to the extent we think they are. Regulations for chemicals used in our household products sold in Canada (mostly imported from China) have a lot (and I mean a lot!) of room for improvement. What does this mean? Well, it means our beloved homes where we: eat, sleep and raise our families, are filled with products that could be harming our health.
I had an amazingly informative dialogue with Denée Rudder, and Jakara Bels, the founders of Centerpeace (https://mycentrepeace.ca/). Denée is twenty-one years old, and in her last year of journalism, with a minor in Public Relations (digital marketing, and communication). She currently resides in Brampton, and her mom is from Nova Scotia, while her dad hails from the beautiful Barbados.
Her aunt Jakara Bels was born and raised in Nova Scotia. She is the mother of a beautiful two-year-old (who keeps her busy). She currently works with special needs children and has lived in Ontario for over ten years.
During the pandemic, their focus was on taking care of themselves as well as taking care of their families. “When I went to the stores to buy certain products,” Denée told me, “I was wondering, what does this ingredient do? Are the products that I am using helping me or hurting me?” They began thinking about different ways that they could assist people find healthy ways to take care of themselves. Last Christmas during family time together in Nova Scotia, they started getting into organic herbs.
They began to educate themselves on the potential toxins that are found in our homes, and together developed products that were safer options to what exists. One of their goals is to make people conscious consumers, who demand the need for safer, natural products.
“The pandemic helped,” Jakara shared with me. “People were very supportive and were drawn to our products. We were really blessed. I saw some businesses closing down, and I think the best thing we could have done is go online. It didn’t hurt us. What was amazing was that we had our family, who were very supportive.”
“The first thing we made was our herbs,” Denée told me, “Then it shifted over to other things. From the beginning, we looked into products, took courses, and of course, we made mistakes.”
They both shared with me a mistake they made that was a huge learning lesson for them.
“When we were finding products for our Yoni steaming, we first bought a whole batch of plastic steam bowls, only to find out that they were not good to use for steaming. It was after that mistake that we learned to do extensive research on the products that we are providing for our clients.”
Their product list includes handmade soaps (turmeric, lavender, charcoal, and oatmeal), each of them has beneficial and therapeutic properties to target skin and body wishes. They also sell raw organic Shea butter, and their self-care products include unique candles that can be customized with herbs, crystals, and motivational stones to help when you want to wind down. They also carry bath salts infused with herbs and of course, their line of organic yoni steam herbs.
“Our soap bars are our best sellers,” Denée tells me. “They come packaged in (Sisal Fibre) to protect the soap and keep it neat.”
I was really interested in their candle line, especially after they told me about the fact that the candles we find are made with paraffin, and when we burn them, it can be really toxic. I also found out that the synthetic oils used are not safe.
“Our hand-poured candles are made with 100% soy wax, and we only use essential oils, so that when you burn it, you can enjoy the aromatherapy properties,” Jakara shares.
We have our Paradise Candle, which is topped off with seashells and other beach-themed elements to give you paradise vibes! There is our Intention Candle that is topped off with organic herbs and unique natural crystals. You may customize your candle by choosing; the herbs, and/or glitter that you wish to add. Finally, there is our Motivation Candle that is uniquely topped off with organic herbs and a unique stone with a motivational and inspiring word for you. Again, you can customize your candle by choosing the herbs, and/or glitter that you wish to add.”
“What about those people who want to relax by taking a soothing, relaxing bath,” I questioned?
“There is our Mint Mojito Bath Soak,” Denée tells me excitedly. “You can soak and indulge your skin and senses with our Mojito inspired bath soak. This bath salt blend is made from salts high in magnesium and potassium, with properties to help relax your body and draw out toxins. Pour contents into a warm tub of water to dissolve the bath salts, and you will be left with the beautiful aroma of lime and mint.
Mint leaves are great for the skin as they are filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Using mint in your bath will help to refresh and wake up your skin and senses, as well as relieve sore muscles, headaches and sinus congestions. The lime helps to promote mental clarity, disinfect the air, and nourish your skin thanks to the Vitamin C.”
I asked them what their aspirations were for the business.
“We would love to have a storefront, and definitely do some more pop-up shops. It would be great to have our own space that women could come to and do their Yoni steaming.”
What I love is the fact that throughout this pandemic, people have been launching their business ideas, and becoming successful despite the circumstances. Let’s be sure to support these young entrepreneurs by following them on Instagram @mycentrepeace and find the product of your choice at their website https://mycentrepeace.ca/.
