We had the good fortune of connecting with Maneke Martin-Snowden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maneke, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
From the very beginning, I knew that I wanted to create a brand that uplifted women and was also environmentally friendly. I stumbled upon the world of handcrafted artisan soap and was amazed by the stunning creations that I saw. As I started delving deeper and researching the ingredients used, I soon realized that not all handcrafted soaps were created with the same level of quality and consideration for the environment. It was then that I knew that Nourish + Soul had to be different. One can build a successful brand while staying true to their core values and without compromising on the quality of the products and how they are made.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Nourish + Soul is a marketplace that sells artisan-made products. We specialize in handcrafted, clean, and natural products that support wellness for bath, body, home, and soul. Our mission is to empower women (and girls) by promoting the intentional practice of self-care, self-love, and self-compassion. Because we champion women, we support other women in business by sourcing all our products from women-owned or co-owned brands.

Nourish + Soul was birthed after I attended a horticultural symposium at a local high school. I was there to support a dear friend’s daughter, and during the event, I had the opportunity to listen to several presentations. Two teenage girls presented on the process of how to make natural goat’s milk soap, and it blew my mind. That presentation sparked the interest and idea that would later ignite the Nourish + Soul brand.

Deciding to start Nourish + Soul back in 2017 was the easy part. I would soon learn about all the hard work that would come after that decision. In the early days, it was challenging to communicate the standard I was trying to set for the brand. But I knew I had a great idea, one that would serve women just like myself. I didn’t get into this business in the traditional way a soap business is started. I had no experience or knowledge in this area and had to put in a lot of work to bring the idea of Nourish + Soul to life.

It’s been a journey encompassing all the emotions that come with starting a business, including giving up. While it hasn’t necessarily gotten easier, I’m glad I didn’t quit and now have more confidence in my ability to tackle the things I don’t know. The process taught me so much about myself and helped me expand my purpose in life – encouraging other women. I have enjoyed learning about new artisans and products and have felt so motivated to do more with the brand. I now know just how capable I am and feel I can do anything I put my mind to.

The brand has more in store, and I’m working behind the scenes to bring it all to life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Raleigh and Cary are fantastic places that offer tons of things to do while visiting. I would suggest taking an afternoon to visit Fenton in Cary. This mixed-use space features excellent food, shops, a movie theatre, and an outdoor area that is perfect for enjoying a cool drink or chatting while waiting for your movie to start. For a similar experience, you can also check out the North Hills area in Raleigh.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To the women that have encouraged me along this journey. (Renee, Dina, Marquita, & Scyler) You’ve helped me believe in myself when I didn’t know it was possible. Thank you!

Website: www.ShopNourishandSoul.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopnourishandsoul/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NourishSoulLLC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopNourishandSoul/

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/ShopNourishandSoul/

Image Credits
Product Photos by Jessie Nichole Photography, Personal Photo by Sara Brennan @Whitebox Photo / Make up: Blushed By Natashia at Face Cafe Glam Bar

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