Meet Kellie Nogueira | Owner and Creative Designer

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

Hi Kellie, every day, we know how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was exhausted trying to find products that treated my skin as good as I needed. Everything you touch now has chemicals or plastics in it. Nothing is pure anymore. My skin was always dry and feeling irritated with any material I wore. I would itch constantly and the more I moisturized, the worse it got. I dug deep on research and discovered that learning how to create my own products would allow me to be very specific about what I was allowing on my skin. That way, I could customize it and take away all of the harmful parabens and sulfates. I have been making soap since Covid started so that part was easy for me but I need to educate myself on lotions, shampoos and Tallow products and how to use them properly. I also had to learn everything about essential oils from growing, cultivating and cold pressing oils. It all became such a labor of love. I started a hobby. I made great gifts for friends and helped them with any minor skin issues they may have utilizing herbs or flowers from our fields. So many friends and loved ones supported my adventure, I made it to local markets, then it was every weekend. I built a local following, then I built and launched our website last year which has been a very exciting project for me! Once that was up and running, I was just too busy for my full-time schedule and had to leave my career to throw all of my energy into Josie and Frey.

What should our readers know about your business?
What makes us unique is our handmade, natural products. Each one is carefully crafted using all-natural, locally sourced, or home-grown ingredients. We are committed to sustainability within our local farm communities, aiming to bring the essence of nature into every product.
I take great pride in the quality of our products and their pricing. We don’t believe in overcharging just because they’re all-natural or handmade. Our commitment is to keep them affordable, making them both practical and accessible. They’re a luxury, but one that anyone can afford.
I had a degree and decades of experience in retail and finance, along with being a creative district leader. Feeling stuck in the finance industry with no creative outlet, I started a hobby that was both meaningful and purposeful. My biggest challenge was balancing my career, (which had become just a job at that point). I discovered my passion and felt unstoppable! After a few years of juggling, I realized it was too important to put off any longer. Spending 45 hours a week working meant taking 45 hours away from growing this business. My husband and I made a plan, and together we executed it to make everything work.

You must have a partner when you start a business. Even if they are silent. There must be someone that can understand your struggles, even when they really don’t. They have to help you by listening, calming you, remembering your words, encouraging your fire, driving and motivating you. Most of all, remember that their support goes beyond the word. It is a constant embrace when you need it. Even when they aren’t around.

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.
Local markets during the day, lunch in downtown Cincinnati at Over the Rhind, Followed up with a trip to Findlay Market for fresh flowers I can’t grow myself. Possibly visit The Taste of Cincinnati so that we can try several restaurants around town all at once.
Visit the art museum or Botanical Garden. Go on the hidden Brewery tour. Go to Verona Vineyards for a tour of the grounds and a sample or two. Of course, a few lazy days at the pool…
Pretty tame week.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without my incredibly supportive husband, Andy, I would not have the courage to take the leap and leave the commercial world or believe in myself as much as he believes in me. Also, my running buddy and research testing partner, Joybelle who has literally tested every product I have come up with and given the most direct and honest feedback!

Website: https://www.josieandfrey.com

Instagram: Josie_and_frey