Seven sisters glowing through business venture

Sanya Ford-Parker and her six sisters have formed a small vegan-cosmetics business, Vegan Glow, which was born out of experimentation on their own bodies.

"It's seven sisters of us that come up with this idea of promoting skincare and haircare. All seven of us have natural hair, so we explored with ourselves first, and we saw it had good results. So we just said, why not?" Ford-Parker said.

She explained that she and her sisters started experimenting with turmeric and charcoal for their line of face and body soaps, and then papaya and cucumber.

"We wanted to ensure that everything we have and sell is natural. Normally, synthesised products seep into the skin and affect the body differently. But when it is natural, your body responds to it in a more healthy way."

FULL PACKAGE

The business woman was able to tell us all the chemical components of Vegan Glow, thanks to her background in biochemistry, which she uses at the Enid Bennett High School, where she serves as a science teacher.

When she's not teaching, Parker serves as the chemist in her business, while her sisters serve other roles based on their strengths.

"I have two sisters who did hospitality, I have two others doing accounting, and one at Edna Manley doing art. My youngest sister is interested in doing computer science, so we have the full package to fit every role needed in the business," she said.

While some persons may have difficulties living and working with such a large family, Ford-Parker explains that they are a humble set and have no fights or quarrels.

"If there is something we want to launch, we normally discuss it together and come to a conclusion. We were raised very loving by mommy, who raised all seven of us, no brothers. So we are a very humble set," she said.

With their unity as a team, and the various skills they possess, Vegan Glow continues to grow at rates the sisters themselves never expected, with products being sent to various parts of the globe to be used by a wide range of consumers.

With this is mind, Ford-Parker and her sisters are encouraging young women in entrepreneurship to "just start".

"You will never get to where you want to be if you don't start. And be consistent. We have started this business over two years now, and if we had stopped in the middle, you wouldn't hear about Vegan Glow today. Just push forward and you will eventually get to where you want to be," she said.