Meet Shela Adams | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shela Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shela, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started Cosh in 2019 with my best friend, Cody, we didn’t set out to start a small business. In fact, that wasn’t even a thought at the time. We watched a documentary on Netflix called “Stink” which dove into the very real and often overlooked issue of products containing the term “fragrance” on ingredient lists. We learned that the term fragrance was code for hundreds and hundreds of chemicals that do not need to be disclosed. It was a shocking discovery. Furthermore, I had just come back from a yearlong trip around the world with my husband where we saw so much plastic waste floating in the otherwise gorgeous waterways. This, along with my newfound understanding of the harsh reality of chemicals, is where it all began. Shortly after watching that documentary Cody and I began making lip balm, lotion, & body scrub for ourselves, using only 100% pure essential oils and remaining free from plastic. We began to pass our products along to friends and family and soon enough, they suggested making a business name and a logo, and opening up social media platforms. We pulled together a business name, Cosh, which stands for Clean Options for Self & Home, as well as a logo designed by our dear friend, and we opened our business officially in 2020. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind! I am so glad we watched that documentary that day, and were so inspired to follow our passion. It’s led us down incredible roads we’ve only ever dreamt of!

What should our readers know about your business?
There are so many lessons- both personally and professionally- that I have learned from starting a small business. I always admire the people that really took a chance on us and our products, especially at the very beginning of our journey. The owner of our favorite local shop, Bona Fide in downtown Concord, NH, took a complete chance on us in early 2020 and started selling our products. Through our relationship with them, I have realized that showing your faith in someone and their ideas is one of the most incredible things you can do. Had they not trusted us and had faith in us, we might not have continued to pursue Cosh in the same way we do now.

Starting a small business is not easy, but if it’s something you want to pursue, you just have to do it. It is the most rewarding choice I have ever made. You have to lean on that circle of people who support you, because it is not possible to do it completely alone. You need feedback and advice from those who surround you, because that is how you ultimately find out what you want to do and how that looks for you.

My small business is based on a few foundational principles that haven’t changed- remaining plastic-free, using only 100% pure essential oils, and creating handmade, small batch skincare & home products. Although we have added new products & scents, moved to a new location, and are producing at a much higher volume than we once were, our core values have remained the same. Know your values and stand by those, and that’s how it all comes together!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, there are so many wonderful things to do in New Hampshire. We’d spend a day checking out all the amazing local shops and small businesses around here. First off, we’d get some loose leaf tea from 27 Teas, in Manchester, NH. We’d head to Bona Fide & Lilise Designer Resale in downtown Concord, NH for some eco-friendly goods and sustainable fashion pieces. While in Concord, we’d visit the Concord Farmer’s Market & get scones from Table NH. Then we’d head over to Hopkinton, NH and check out Witching Hour Provisions to fill our bulk jars and grab some coffee. And we could end our day with massages at Crystal Clear Essentials in Bedford, NH. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a pretty great day to me!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In 2021, we moved the business into dad’s old woodworking shop. At the time, my dad was living with ALS and it was a wonderful way to give his shop a new purpose and have the freedom to head right upstairs at any moment to visit with him. Cosh would not have been able to grow and thrive as much as it has without the care that my dad put into that space, along with his persistence that I create spreadsheets to track everything I do!

Another shoutout goes to my family- my husband, mom and sister for spending countless hours helping me package and fulfill orders. My “Coshkateers”, as my mom likes to say, are so loving, supportive and always make sure I eat even when I am busy at work and forget to do so.

A small business has a unique design where the owners are truly wearing all the hats a company needs. There are many hats I love to wear, but when there is a job that is challenging, I lean on my husband for support and advice. There is a circle of people in my life who really make Cosh what it is and all of this wouldn’t be possible without each of them!

Website: coshfactory.com

Instagram: instagram.com/coshfactory

Facebook: facebook.com/coshfactory

Other: tiktok: @coshfactory