NATURE AND COMMUNITY 💗

I’m currently reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Native American botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer. The book is a stunning exploration of the interconnected world of plants, which Kimmerer calls “our oldest teachers.”

In the book, Kimmerer also discusses Native American traditions of thanksgiving, which (I had no idea!) far predate the modern American thanksgiving tradition.

Original Native American thanksgiving traditions were rooted in appreciation for nature, particularly the harvest it provided. It was a celebration of what nature had given to them.

This inspired me to take a different approach in this year’s Thanksgiving message and reflect on three things that have been given to me through my work with BGLH Marketplace.

1. Shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter, and all the raw ingredients I get to work with.
Part of why Kimmerer’s book resonated with me so deeply is that I’ve seen firsthand how amazing plants are. Every BGLH product is entirely plant-derived. I didn’t “discover” any of these ingredients—they’ve existed and been used for centuries in cultures around the world. It’s truly a privilege to work with ancient ingredients every day.

2. Customers who value small, Black-owned, woman-owned, mother-owned, all-natural businesses.
Businesses are, at their core, about exchange, and exchange is about the people on either side. On one side, there’s me—a Black woman and mother who believes so deeply in the power of natural skincare that I built a business on it. On the other side is you—customers who value what I contribute and how my story informs that contribution. BGLH Marketplace wouldn’t exist without you. Each of you is a gift.

3. 10 years of doing this work.
This November marks 10 years of BGLH Marketplace. This journey hasn’t made me rich or successful in the traditional sense, but it has brought beauty and joy to my life. The ability to serve others and learn something new every day is truly a gift.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you’ll take a few moments to reflect on your own harvest, the gifts life has given you.

~Leila

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A few things;

1. Our Black Friday sale has begun. Click here for details.
2. We’ve added cinnamon bark essential oil to our Gingerbread Blended Butter and it really set it off, lol. It’s pure sweet and spice.

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