This Mom Of Three Is Helping Women Make Self-Care A Priority

Busy moms know all too well the value of self-care — or maybe the lack of it! Work, children, and relationships can add up to the need for some serious “me time.” That’s why Tanisha Garrett created Avery Lucille’s, her own line of luxury self-care products.

[SEE ALSO: This Louisiana Native Is Using Her ‘Growing Hands’ To Grow Her Brand & Raise Up Other Black Women]

Avery Lucille’s offers up a wide range of handmade haircare, bath and body, and home products to encourage women to practice self-care. This includes hair cleansers and conditioners, hair growth oil, body butter, massage oil, lip balm, and scented candles.

Garrett named her brand after her grandmother, Lucille Bailey, and credits Bailey as one of the first examples of self-care and womanhood.

Now, as a mother of three and a registered pharmacist, Garrett has learned to better appreciate the “small things,” she tells us. “You must first take care of yourself to take care of others.”

Now halfway through her second year, Garrett has also learned how to be a more savvy businesswoman. She sat down with us to discuss self-care and the importance of having a business mindset.

-Lara Ashley

SADIAA: Tell us about your brand.
TANISHA GARRETT: Avery Lucille’s is a self-care company that started in New Orleans, Louisiana. Our company consists of haircare, bath and body, and home fragrance products. We strive to be a reminder that you must first take care of yourself to take care of others.

SADIAA: What inspired you to create it?
TANISHA: Motherhood! I was juggling two kids (under two years of age), working 40 hours a week, and trying to keep the spice alive in my relationship. Honestly, [I was] just feeling burnt out at the end of every single day. 

I would get so excited to comb my hair on wash days because I finally got some alone time. Taking long hot showers, cleaning my house, and then burning a candle became luxuries for me. These were small things I appreciated after having my children. I based my company on these self-care luxuries: hair care, bath and body, and home fragrance.

SADIAA: What is your most popular product?
TANISHA: Right now, it’s a tie between the Twist Butter and our Curl Custard. These two products continue to sell out. The customers say their curls are soft, defined, and moisturized after using our products.

SADIAA: What do you think makes your business stand out?
TANISHA: My business includes everything a woman needs to have glowing, moisturized skin and hair. While also containing products that’ll help your house smell amazing! Avery Lucille’s is truly a complete self-care line.

SADIAA: What are some challenges you had to face when starting your business?
TANISHA: I got ripped off, and it set me back six months from when I wanted to launch my company. So, the official logo that I have now was not my first logo. I linked up with a company, and they stole my logo and my website domain name. I was devastated that I had to start all over again from scratch, but it sharpened my “Don’t be stupid when doing business” skills. I can laugh about it now because it all worked out, but I was so naïve about starting a business.

SADIAA: What advice do you have for someone starting their own business?
TANISHA: It’s so cliché, but just do it! No one starts it all figured out. So, if you are waiting for the perfect moment to get created or launch, you’re already behind! The best way to learn how to swim is to jump in the water. Another thing, pay attention to details and make sure you, the business owner, own everything attached to your company.

SADIAA: As a busy mom, how did you find the time to get started? Who is part of your support system?
TANISHA: I would say my mom, my husband, and my children are my biggest supporters. I truly am blessed to have many others that genuinely wish me well too. There were moments when I wanted to give up. There were moments when I didn’t quite believe in myself or if I could truly make this happen, but they were there every step of the way—rooting me on and keeping me strong during the moments when I needed it the most.

SADIAA: Why do you think it is important to celebrate Black beauty brands?
TANISHA: Celebrating Black beauty brands sheds light on unknown companies. It also shows our community and the younger generations that positive things are happening in the Black community.

To learn more about the brand, visit averylucilles.com.

Click here to search Sadiaa’s directory of Black-owned salons and beauty brands.