Eighty percent of Americans reportedly experience trouble with their skin concerns. Of that eighty percent, one in four is experiencing an even “more serious skin condition.”
Audra Benee’, founder of The Au’Ganics, is among that eighty percent. The entrepreneur developed environmental sensitivities to chemicals that hindered her from wearing perfume. Looking for an alternative to feed her passion for smelling good without harming her skin, she leveraged her passion for researching natural remedies to begin crafting her own fragrances, butter, and other tools.
Her desire to help others and herself materialized into The Au’Ganics, an organic skincare and remedy imprint driven to heal the community. On Sunday, October 20, Benee’ will bring her suite of healing products to Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., for Black On The Block. Before she sets up shop in the nation’s capital, Benee’ chopped it up with Def Pen‘s Culture Editor Ryan Shepard about her business, her inspirations, Black On The Block, and more.
Ryan Shepard (Culture Editor, Def Pen): It’s easy to see your business and start a conversation about where you are today, but I want to go back to the beginning. Your company, The Au’Ganics, offers holistic consultations, herbal teas, skincare, and solutions using various natural ingredients. Where does your passion for creating skincare experiences and crafting herbal teas originate?
Audra Benee’ (Founder, The Au’Ganics): My passion for creating skincare experiences began when I developed environmental sensitivities to chemicals that hindered me from wearing perfume. I love love love, to smell good. Well, I love to smell edible. I’ve always wanted to create my own perfume fragranced with flavors, flowers, and herbs, all doused with musk for sensuality. For me, everything has a purpose. Not only should you smell edible, but anything you apply to your skin should also provide some positive benefits. The Au’Ganics Body and Beard butter does just that. First, you’re hit with a sensory experience from the aroma. Then, the gratification of the velvety feel and the hydration it provides to both the skin and beard is fantastic.
As for herbal tea crafting, I am an herbalist and researcher by nature, with an avid healer’s spirit. Herbal teas are available in many forms and are used for acute to chronic health imbalances. In my experience of the body’s systems, issues require multiple herbs to address the root cause, and not many folks have that knowledge. Au’Ganics has crafted herbal teas for that very reason.
Having a talent and passion for something is one thing, but it’s something entirely different to turn it into a brand or business. When did you decide that you’d like to launch your business?
Around 2019, I noticed my skin and the skin of others nearby was unusually dry. Therefore, I began researching organic essential oils and non-comedogenic skincare ingredients. I began looking into and making body butter with citrus and gourmand fragranced body butter. I start giving it out to family, friends and community members. Then, the requests started to come in and the launch was shortly thereafter. I selected the name, created a logo and built a website in one day. I also purchased the supplies I needed for marketing and branding along with researching vending opportunities. Five years later, there you have it.
One thing about your business is that it’s very easy to find online and on social media because of its unique name. Where did the name The Au’Ganics originate, and what does it mean to you?
As I previously stated, everything has a purpose. The name, Au’Ganics, comes from a part of my name, Audra, as I am a healer. The sum of my products is an authentic representation of that purpose; that is what Au’Ganics means to me.
As you’ve gone further and further into the world of entrepreneurship, what has been the most fulfilling part of managing The Au’Ganics?
For me, the most fulfilling part of entrepreneurship is meeting new people and making an impact in their lives. It’s like leaving fingerprints on souls.
Benee’ will have the opportunity to leave an impact on the lives of many in Washington, D.C. when Black On The Block hits Nationals Park on Sunday, October 20 from 1-7 PM EST. Tickets, vendor information and more are available at their official website.
