STYLEMOM

Pooka Inc., is a handmade bath and body company based in New Jersey.  PookaPooka products are available online at: http://www.pookapureandsimple.com, and at Wholefoods grocery stores. Pure and Simple has been featured on The Today Show, and in numerous online and print publications.

I recently had the opportunity to sample the Pooka products, courtesy of Dawn Fitch, the founder and president of Pooka Pure and Simple.

The products are luscious! The Guava Juice shower gel gently cleansed, hydrated, and left my skin with the fresh scent of guava.  The heavenly smelling Coconut Crunch Sugar Body Polish utilizes a combination of organic cane sugar, and natural raw sugar, making this one of the best body exfoliators I’ve used.  The body polish, prepped my skin for the Fresh Sugah’ Whipped Cream body moisturizer.  I am in love with this product!  It’s light, rich and the smell is sweet but not overpowering.  I opted not to wear fragrance as this is enough on it’s own.  I like the fact that very little is needed and it left a nice healthy glow on my skin.   Can you tell that I like these products a bit?

Tayelor: Please tell us a little about yourself and how did the idea to start the eco~friendly line Pooka Pure & Simple come about?

Dawn: Pooka started after an illness, I was on a mission to feel better, I adopted a healthier lifestyle and started reading all of my food labels.   I loved body products and began reading the backs of my favorites, I was so surprised to read all of the chemicals and preservatives in them so I decided to make products that were good for me.

Tayelor: Where did the name “Pooka” come from?

Dawn: The name Pooka came from my mom, when we were little she used to call us her Pookalitas (even my brother LOL), I wanted to call the company Pookalita but it wouldn’t fit on the bottles so I just shortened it and called it Pooka!

Tayelor:  Do you have plans to develop a Pooka baby care line?

Dawn: We are working on our line for babies, we hope to introduce it in 2011.

Tayelor:  Which is your favorite/and best selling product?

Dawn: Our shea butter products are what flies off of the shelves. People love the rich shea butter consistency and the wonderful health benefits of shea butter.

Tayelor:  What new products are on the horizon for Pooka Pure & Simple? We are developing a natural deodorant right now and plan to launch it this fall.

Pooka Pure and Simple Whipped Shea Butter $14

Tayelor:  How do you balance your personal and business life?

Dawn: I’m still working on that, LOL!  When Pooka began I worked all day and at night I was on my computer.  Now in year 9, I’ve had to allow myself to take a break and make time for myself.  I try to give myself a daily cut-off and after that it’s just Dawn time, no Pooka.  Also, you have to take a vacation, it’s scary because you feel like the business will fold if you’re away for too long, but it is a must so that you can rejuvenate.

Tayelor: What advice would you give to aspiring women entrepreneurs that are interested in working in the beauty industry?

Dawn: Perseverance is the key. There are days when you just want to throw in the towel but keep going it will be worth it in the end.  Make sure to join beauty trade organizations, it’s great to be surrounded by people who are doing what you do and get your friends and family involved, they make a great resource and they’re trustworthy.

Tayelor: What lessons have you learned from running your business?

Dawn: Too many to name, LOL! Hindsight is something, but I’ve learned so much about the business side of the business. When I started I just wanted to stay in the kitchen and create, but I had to learn to step away from the stove and handle other aspects of the business and I have to say I’ve learned so much about running a business from the inside out.

Photos courtesy of Pooka Pure and Simple.

For more information and to order Pooka Pure and Simple  products, visit: http://pookapureandsimple.com

Thank you!