Meet Latoya Hinson | Chief Executive Officer/ Founder of Naturel Noire LLC

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

Hi Latoya, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my business Naturel Noire LLC was based on my passion for skincare and helping people. I’ve been in healthcare for over 20 years and I have always had a passion for helping others. Then one day I decided I wanted to help people outside of healthcare, so I enrolled myself in a school for esthetics.

I worked full time and was also a full-time mother at the time to 1 child while attending school part-time for 2 years to get a license in Esthetics. I loved every minute of it! I told myself then that I would create a natural skincare product.

I graduated in 2013 and did not create my product African Black Soap Cleanser until 2020. I worked in the industry for a bit to gain experience and knowledge of other products and see how things reacted to the skin. I also listened to the clients and what was concerning for them in their routines, as well as what I observed, and went from there.

I decided to start with an African Black Soap facial cleanser because there are so many products on the shelves causing more harm than good and people are uneducated on how bar soaps leave a film on our bodies. I wanted to provide something that not only has exfoliating agents but will hydrate the skin at the same time. I do advise all customers to use a moisturizer after cleansing their face and use their skin screen during the day.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Naturel Noire is made up of natural products from Africa. With plant-based ingredients such as Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter and Elaeis Guineensis (African Palm Oil), these products will leave your skin with an undeniable natural glow. Naturel Noire provides products that are not only beautifying and rejuvenating but are geared toward all skin types as well.

As a licensed Esthetician, I began creating natural skin care products driven by my clients’ skincare needs. I wanted to focus on products that heal and benefit our skin without adverse effects. Naturel Noire combines organic and sustainably harvested plants, herbs, and oils, from the earth, to make people look and feel great. Each product is made and tested by myself, to ensure my clients are experiencing the full benefit in their skincare regime.

Though this road has not been easy, I advise anyone wanting to start a business to never give up. You will be tested in more areas than one and it is up to you if you allow it to deter you away from your dreams or allow it to drive you closer. Stay focused, do research, and stay humble. Success doesn’t happen overnight.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a Flawda (Florida) girl and all of Florida has some beautiful sites but I do reside in the Tampa Bay area, Go Bucs. We would first take a trip to Clearwater Beach and have a nice relaxing day there. Visit a few restaurants along the beach such as Frenchy’s and end the night at Toucans Sports Bar for a few drinks.

Next, we can head over to St Petersburg and visit some historical museums, visit shops downtown, and make a quick stop at Dirty Laundry for a quick bite to eat. Tampa has some nice restaurants such as Bellos or La Teresita. We could also visit Splitsville for some adult bowling or Top Golf to test out our skills on the range.

Then to end our trip we have to visit Orlando. Orlando has so many things to do we will never get bored. I love The Hall On The Yard. They have multiple food vendors inside one location and with its upscale atmosphere, you will have to opportunity to enjoy live music and experience food from around the world. Visiting Disney’s themed parks is a must.

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?
God is my first love and without Him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. People look at all these success stories in starting a business but they never stop to think about what it takes to get there. Unless you have a team to back you and support you, this entire process can be very difficult.

Someone once told me, to not only put God first in life but put Him first in my business. That includes praying, paying tides, and studying the word. Don’t worry about what the pastor does with the money, just know you did what you were supposed to do with it and watch it prosper.

You will lose people along the way and know that not everyone is meant to go with you on every journey. Stay focused on your goal and weed out all the distractions.

Website: naturelnoire.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoya-c-hinson-96655066/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1ToyaCH

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067696256118

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkVEuG7NApWrD1ulqYc6Dwg

Other: Visit my Amazon shop at https://www.amazon.com/stores/NaturelNoire/page/A02FDF95-EA46-4CA5-BC35-886F1575F05D?ref_=ast_bln

Image Credits
photo credits are of real clients and customers, as well as myself.