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Meet the fearless Shannon Vaughn–a mother, entrepreneur, and the founder of Pursoma. Pursoma is our newest addition to our clean beauty selection and aims to help others reclaim healthier lives by detoxifying, rejuvenating and soothing the body from the inside out. Take it from someone who took 325 baths just last year–the Pursoma ritual “bathtime to bedtime” is the ultimate way to cleanse, rest and recharge.

xoxo

Marysia 

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I am an aspiring millennial who is really Gen X and just envious of the tech skills of all millennials. I own a female-founded and operated beauty wellness brand, Pursoma. I took 325 baths last year which kept my anxiety at bay. If i don’t meditate daily, I probably should not be around the human race. I love homemade green juice, nature, being an entrepreneur, and finding solutions to live a healthy, happy life in a modern world and LOVE sharing that with others. I am curious to a point that it becomes dangerous, and I am willing to try any wellness trend that will help me avoid getting lines at rest (aka wrinkles). I want to age with ease, stay fully hydrated, and teach others how to do the same. 

What inspired you to start your brand?

I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that was affecting my reproductive system and was facing future failure to be able to have a healthy pregnancy. I really wanted to feel better and know that I could have the opportunity to be a birth mother. I felt that medication and the sad look from the doctor who just said that severe monthly cramps, cysts, and a host of other issues were normal were just not enough for me, so during a 45-day cleanse I discovered detox bathing. This was an important component of my physical healing, but it also calmed me, helped me relax, reduced my anxiety and gave me a full and deep night’s sleep. Bathing for me is the equivalent of soaking away the day’s problems – getting out of the tub gives me a feeling like I have been reborn. 

How does your company practice sustainability?

The first and primary focus for Pursoma’s sustainability program or as I have always referred to it – “our eco vision” – was to source our ingredients from natural sources so that when we grew we would not disrupt the ecosystem of that ingredients’ environment. Knowing we could harvest as much natural sea salt and clay as we needed and it would not hinder the natural production cycle of the material or the people that were harvesting it was a win-win. The goal was that it would improve the lives of everyone associated with our growth (e.g. provide jobs and not impact the farms, seabeds, or people negatively). I find so much green-washing around this topic and it’s disturbing that some brands focus a lot on one topic of sustainability but overlook the larger issues, like their supply chain. Additionally, we are moving to compostable packaging as well as a refill model over the next few years, taking each step in a thoughtful way so that we can make changes that we can adhere to even as we grow and expand. 

What is the Founder Sourced Ingredients Initiative? And what impact do you expect it to have on the beauty and wellness industry?

I want the owners of businesses to be in touch with their farmers and suppliers. Removing the middleman/middlewoman will 100% give the customer a better experience because if you don’t see and touch, smell and feel something it’s very hard to assure your customer that what is in your product is what you are actually selling them. Beauty is almost 0% regulated; it’s not like the food and drug industry, and there is no one actually checking regularly on your ingredients so it’s best if the founder is responsible for that. FSI was started by Pursoma to provide consumers with traceable, identifiable, and transparent beauty wellness products that represent social responsibility and originate from natural sources for the ultimate consumer experience. Here’s a link to the initiative overview.

FSI VERIFICATION GUARANTEES:

• All products are Founder Sourced.
• All product and packaging ingredients are safe, non-toxic, and free of toxic-processing and manufacturing.
• Business is done under the Fair Trade standards established by Fairtrade International FSI will bring light and resources to little known farmers, harvesters, their ancient practices around the world and their families and villages.
• Shipment, storage, and packaging of ingredients are sharply regulated to ensure the maintenance of product integrity during shipping.

What is your daily wellness routine? How do you plan on staying committed to it this summer?

I get off track just like anyone else whether it’s from the change of a season or a holiday. I try to keep a few core rituals: drinking 3 liters of water per day, exercising 45 minutes, taking a bath. The world around me often makes me drained and If I take a bath, rehydrate and rest, I can stay up later and have some spontaneity and fun but not feel run down by the end of summer or after a holiday. 

How do you recommend creating a relaxing space to rest and recharge in?

I love this question. I would like to start by saying that the size of your living space does not matter! I believe that the bathroom and bedroom are your sanctuary space. They are not for the public or random guests, and you should only use them for yourself, your family and someone you love. The energy in those spaces should be sacred. I feel the “bathtime to bedtime” ritual is a true Pursoma trademark. It is everything we stand for in claiming your own time and space in order to cleanse, rest and recharge.

What is your bath time ritual?

I fill the tub with super hot water (106 degrees to be exact) and I use a floating thermometer (they only cost around $4.00). I fill my water bottle, then go into the bathroom and turn off the notifications on my phone and turn on a Pursoma Spotify playlist. I dry brush my body for 3 minutes, soak in the tunes, then get in the tub and soak for 20 minutes. Afterwards, I wrap up in a robe for 10 minutes and lay down and continue to sweat while my body cools down and my heart rate goes back to normal. My last step is to apply body oil or body butter and go to sleep.

Which bath soak can’t you live without and what makes it so special?

Resurrection it is the ultimate detox treatment – a full serving of detox, hydration and rest. It leaves you feeling resurrected from whatever has worn you down. It has French grey sea salt, French green clay, seaweed and algae. It is magical…

Any tips on keeping a healthy balance between work and personal life? 

This is a struggle for me. I would say… keeping a healthy balance with yourself is first. Maintaining healthy levels of sleep, exercise, nutrition and spiritual practice will help you work more efficiently and effectively and this will set you up for a more well rounded and balanced life between work and home.

Best piece of advice for fellow female entrepreneurs?

If you are raising a family, it’s always going to be harder for you. If you are raising money it’s always going to be harder for you. We are trying to balance the scales on how men run businesses versus women and it’s improving but there are some things that won’t change. For instance, I wanted to go back to work 8 days after I had my daughter but I also wanted to breastfeed. No equality law is going to fix that for me. It’s a choice and it’s important that you have support, both emotionally and logistically, because it’s very hard. I would say that you should never resist following your passion because you are a woman – just know that it’s important to have a strong support system.

               

Meet the female leaders behind Thatch Jewelry, Amy Olson Goin and Laura Laing. Based in San Diego, Thatch Jewelry is an attainable yet luxurious, made by hand collection of jewelry. A few months back we introduced their stunning pieces to our website and have been in love ever since. Get to know more about the women behind Thatch and their journey.

xoxo 

Marysia 

What inspired THATCH jewelry to come to life?

THATCH was created with the philosophy that a quality, made by hand collection should be accessible to more women. We like to think of ourselves as attainable luxury for the everyday girl.

Tell us a bit about how you got started with the brand & your roles at THATCH

 Laura was a part of THATCH from the very beginning, as the only trained metalsmith of the group – she could make anything our heart’s desired as the team set out to make a fresh jewelry collection. Amy came in later as an early consultant to the brand, having relocated from the busy NYC showroom scene to California. Together, they grew the small brand and were able to evolve and expand with it.

Does your company practice sustainability ? If so, how?

 Sustainability is a very important part of our company goals…we try to incorporate repurposed metals whenever we can, and in 2020 we were finally able to eliminate plastics in our shipments and created biodegradable, recyclable and re-usable packaging.

Tell us about your SPRING ’21 collection! What was the inspiration behind this collection?

 The brand launched with our signature constellation collection, and has since grown to encompass a strong assortment of pendants with meaning, guidance, luck and protection. We are always inspired by the stars and the energies the universe has to support us.

We also fell in love with these tiny freshwater seed pearls – and being beach girls, we created a tiny capsule highlighting these natural beauties.

What is your favorite THATCH jewelry piece at the moment ? How would you style it ?

Amy is in love with the GUIDING STAR link necklace…it looks amazing with a white t-shirt and jeans, or a beachy sundress – she has been wearing it since it launched !

Laura’s favorite piece is the Alchemy necklace, she loves the simple geometric design and the reminder that the universe is vast and how important it is to remain balanced with the powers of the planets. The lariat is perfect and you can wear it at different lengths which can be styled with virtually anything – from sleek summer tank tops, dresses and of course a simple t-shirt and jeans.

What is a typical day in San Diego like with the THATCH team?

 We all live in different parts of the city, but I would say we are all early birds, and walks on the beach with our dogs, or the hillside trails are a common way we start the day. We have a fluid work day and some come in early, while others stay late – but normally we all have at least one coffee break together in the studio where we catch up on all things, work related and otherwise. We are such a small team, and all very close…we also love food and where to grab lunch or talking about new favorite restaurants is a common topic of conversation.

How has working for a female-founded and female-led brand empowered you?

This is a great question – and it is easy to answer. We feel like we are in control of our days, and have the flexibility to work from home, care for our children or pets, practice self care and manage our days to work for us. We feel there is so much trust in us and love sort of infused in how we work together. There is a lot of room for personal freedom here – and we can’t help but think that comes from the feminine energy of our team x leadership.

Any tips on keeping a healthy balance between your work and personal life?

It’s all about balance.  Trying to prioritize our well being over success is one thing. Making time for ourselves, and being sure to leave the cell phone behind when we are out in nature. We make sure to shut down the entire operation for several weeks a year so we can all truly great a break. It’s a great thing when you know your entire team is resting, you can actually rest, too !

Best piece of advice you’ve ever received ?

Be authentic, lead with integrity, don’t take yourself too seriously….those are just a few of many ! Also, a dip in the sea cures just about anything….

                 

Meet the impressive Li Ming Geh–the founder and CEO of our latest clean beauty addition, Li Organics. Born and raised in Malaysia, Li spent years perfecting skincare solutions for herself to combat her sensitive, eczema prone skin. The end result became a nourishing combination of ancient traditions, healing, and botanicals that work for all skin types. Discover Li’s skincare regimen and more about her journey in the beauty industry. 

xoxo

Marysia

Tell us a bit about yourself..

I was born and raised in beautiful, tropical Malaysia and ever since I was little and for as long as I can remember, I’ve suffered from wildly sensitive and eczema prone skin. I moved to Canada after high school to pursue my degree in Psychology and Neuromechanics thinking I’d be a research scientist. However, while I was in graduate school, I was unexpectedly scouted to be a double for a television show, and that eventually led to a contract with a top modeling agency in New York. All throughout my modeling career, I continued my battle with sensitive skin and eventually decided to create skincare solutions for myself. It took a long time with a lot of experimenting and trying different things. What I finally arrived at was a nourishing combination of ancient traditions, healing, nourishing botanicals, confirmed by modern science.

What inspired you to start your brand?

Having battled with sensitive skin all my life, I know too well the stress and toll it can take on someone’s confidence and self esteem. However, I feel this doesn’t have to be the reality for us all and I want to help turn the tide and be a part of the movement that creates lasting positive change in the beauty industry.  So, what inspires me most is the idea that beauty is far more than skin deep and sharing the message that we are all created beautifully, regardless of what shape, skin challenges, or skin color we are. My mission is to love others well by sharing our deeply nourishing and transformative skincare with the world.

 How does your brand practice sustainability? 

Sustainability has been woven into our brand from day one because we believe it’s the only way to live on an earth that has given so much of itself to us. So, from the sourcing of our raw ingredients- choosing to work with farmers that practice organic farming methods, and distillers and farms that pay fair wages, to our small batch manufacturing- focusing on delivering on quality and results rather than volume, to our glass packaging, recycled corn husk labels, and FSC certified paper for all our cartons- we make sure to be as self aware as possible as to how we can play our part at every step in preserving and nurturing our environment and planet that we love and appreciate so deeply.

What is your morning skincare regimen? 

The first thing I do when I wake up is exfoliate. I start with opening up my pores with a warm water rinse over my face. Then, I take a small almond sized amount of the Li Organics Obsidian Renewal Scrub and lather it with a tiny amount of water onto my face, massaging it in circular motions. Gentle, regular exfoliation is so important as it removes dead skin cells and continuously allows for skin cell renewal to take place. I look forward to this morning massage and detox as it encourages blood circulation and feels incredibly relaxing. After about 30 seconds, I rinse my face with warm water, followed by icy cool water to close my pores.

Then I spritz 3-4 pumps of our Palmarosa Revival Face Mist over my face and neck. This mist is wonderful as it doubles as an antioxidant filled drink for our skin, keeping it hydrated all day. 

Then, I apply two pumps of our Liquid Amber Serum and massage it in circular motions into my skin, while rubbing the access into my cuticles as it often feels dry. It’s the only thing that helps my cuticles stay healthy.

Finally, I apply a sunblock even on rainy, cloudy days. It’s just a habit I have. I’m alternating between Supergoop’s SPF 40 Unseen Sunscreen and Organic Pharmacy’s Cellular Protection Sun Cream SPF 30.

Do you have a favorite Li Organics product? If so, what makes it so special?

There’s that saying less is more but I think there’s a better idea, and that is that less of what is excellent and essential is more than a myriad of the unessential. We have a super tight collection of 4 products, so it’s been hard to choose a single favorite because our line has already been so distilled down to just what is essential and excellent. But, if i had to live with just two for a month- then i would choose the Obsidian Renewal Charcoal Scrub and the Liquid Amber Concentrated Serum.

Are your skincare products recommended for all skin types?

It certainly is. We tested our products with so many different skin types from dry, to ultra sensitive, to oily, and breakout prone and with people from an age range of 18 to 70. Our goal when we formulate is to nourish the skin deeply and bring balance back to it so that it can be its very best- regardless of your skin type or challenge.

Where do you draw creative inspiration from? 

Nature. It has an uncanny ability to breathe life into my soul and I always feel so refreshed and renewed after just taking a walk in the park and observing the tiny details of nature that we so often miss- like the veins on a flower petal, or the markings on tree trunks. Or going on a mountain hike and reaching the top, and feeling so tiny amidst the vast space and magnificent mountains. It does my soul a lot of good in a way that is hard to describe.

Any tips on balancing your work and personal life? 

I’m super anti being a workaholic and a huge believer in taking time for yourself to rest, be creative, think, and get enough sleep. Protecting your asset, ie. yourself is so important and I feel no one should ever feel pressured to push themselves to unhealthy limits.

Best piece of advice for fellow female entrepreneurs?

Focus on the one or two things you’re good at, and be unapologetically passionate about your vision. Realize that it is also so important and absolutely okay to seek help and ask questions when we don’t know the answers. Finally, don’t ever give up- it’s about the journey not the destination.