Meet Sheba Augustine | Creative Entrepreneur and Self-Care Advocate

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

Hi Sheba, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I honestly did not think it through too much in terms of logistics- I feel like with each stage of business growth I am learning as I go. Starting and running OMI- my all natural skincare brand my has been an exercise in trusting my intuition and taking action on ideas. I saw that there was a lack of truly all natural skincare on my home island of Grenada and so I started using single ingredients like local coconut oil or blocks of cocoa fat to moisturise my skin and that of my newborn daughter.

Becoming a mother made me hyper sensitive about skincare ingredients because I only wanted to use safe and non toxic things on my daughter’s skin. Motherhood also showed me how important consistent self-care practices are in order to show up as our most centred and full selves. I think the desire to be an advocate for self-care coupled with my passion for all natural skincare ultimately propelled me to start OMI.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
OMI is an all natural skin-care brand based on the Caribbean Island of Grenada. All the ingredients used in OMI’s skin loving formulas are truly natural and most are grown and processed in Grenada. OMI’s formulas have truly made a difference in the lives of its customers and the health of their skin- from helping them to retain moisture, helping with them with issues like hyperpigmentation from scarring and stretch marks and soothing skin irritation caused by eczema to giving them that effortless glow.

It is really important to me for OMI to be a sustainable skincare line. In addition to using all natural and organic ingrdeints- about 95% of my packaging is either reusable, made from recycled materials or can easily break down in the environment without causing any pollution. Having achieved this makes me very proud.

My business has grown quite organically. I am always curious about skin soothing ingredients from herbs to essential oils. My curiosity and love for researching ingredients has allowed me to grown my skincare line with success.

My biggest challenge is imposter syndrome, often times my own thoughts of self-doubt and procrastination are what slow me down. I have had to really confront my self-limiting beliefs throughout this entrepreneurial journey. I have learned that the only one who is holding me back or slowing me down is me.

Running OMI has been nothing short of a calling. Sometimes I reflect and wonder how I even ended up here but at the same time every offering that I create comes from my heart.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh my goodness, I love this question

I would take her on my favourite hike up a trail called Mt. Qua Qua that overlooks a crater lake and the lush green and untouched mountainous rainforest interior of Grenada.

Claboney Sulfur Springs for a relaxing afternoon in a natural warm pool in the middle of the rainforest.

Mt Carmel natural water slides

I would take her to eat a vegetarian Buss Up Shot at Andy’s on a Wednesday or Friday. Buss up Shot is a tasty Indo-Caribbean curry dish that includes small portions of assorted curried veggies and fruits like pumpkin, eggplant and mango- it is served with a torn roti like dough.

A wall yoga class taught by my friend Malaika at her family run yoga studio, Spice Harmony Yoga.

I would want her to meet my closest friends on the island for a pot lock brunch that lasts all day

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?
My daughter Namaste- for being my inspiration and motivation

My mother,Sabine, for always being proud and supportive. She gets more emotional than me for every inch of progress I make with OMI. She has also been the person who has showed me that food can easily become skincare and is always willing to test out a new product formula.

My father, Peter, for always offering mr sound advice and encouragement.

My daughter’s father, Mustafa, for coming up with this amazing and meaningful business name-OMI

My ancestors- especially my great grandmother Veronica Duncan, for  showing me by example that working with plants to support health and wellbeing was a way of life, and, my Grandmother, who I called Omi, for always taking me on nature walks and encouraging my relationship with nature from a young age.

My friend Adele who encouraged me to take an idea and birth it into this world- she gave be practical actionable steps.

My friends who always support my business by buying products, gifting it to their loved ones and always giving me shoutouts online and in person.

Ayisha- for being the best support at Pop Ups

Renee Stewart, founder of Cotton & Co Grenada, for always being open to collaborating and growing our brands side by side.

My customers, without them OMI would not be where it is today.

Instagram: @omigrenada

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OMIGrenada

Other: omigrenada@gmail.com

Image Credits
Floyd Robinson Sheba Augustine