Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Shah.
Sara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Journ was born through my journey as a South Asian woman with cystic acne. My multi-step regimen aimed at improving my acne (using skincare) and then concealing it (with cosmetics) left me with layers that looked cakey and unnatural.
Why was it that in an industry saturated with products, I could not achieve natural-looking skin?
After months of research and surveying hundreds of people, my co-founder (and husband) and I realized that the skin concerns of people of color were just not a focus for brands. We noticed similar trends in the health and wellness industries as well.
This is the beginning of Journ.
We started to think about the commonalities in the health, beauty and wellness concerns of people of color that remain unaddressed because they are simply not top of mind for brands. We were unable to identify a single company that was holistically addressing the distinct needs of people of color which make up 82% of the world. From undereye dark circles to discoloration in the underarms to supplements designed specifically for populations most susceptible to heart health, hair loss concerns, etc.
So, Journ’s mission is to become the company that is solving for and simplifying the beauty, health and wellness needs of people of color through innovative and efficacious products and services.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We are just now starting to see South Asian-founded brands make it mainstream. We still have ways to go in terms of representation and product categories that address our needs. The challenge is to finding investors, partners and retailers that understand that our needs are more than a niche market.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Journ?
We’re a beauty, health and wellness company and our mission is to become the company solving and simplifying the beauty, health and wellness needs of people of color through innovative and efficacious products and services.
We launched with products that are skincare-focused-cosmetics called Journ Correct & Perfect: a suite of 5 color correctors with active skincare ingredients at efficacious levels to help skin concerns i.e., dullness, dark circles & spots, hyperpigmentation, dryness, acne scars, etc.
During the pandemic, we created Journ ALSO: a first-of-its-kind shea butter-based hand moisturizer that *also* sanitizes to CDC’s guidelines providing unparalleled hand care and eliminating the unpleasant sanitizing experience.
In the near future, we’re gearing up to launch 13 new products and our goal is to continue to increase POC representation in health & beauty and popular American culture.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Our goal is to continue to increase POC (especially South Asian) representation in health & beauty and popular American culture. We’d love to connect with people who can help further our mission. We’re also in the middle of raising our seed round so would love to connect with angels/investors as well!
Pricing:
- Correct & Perfect – $39
- Journ ALSO – $22
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ourjourn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journbeauty/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/journbeauty/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/journbeauty
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtBBHQ4FceMhtydaf1mpccg
