We love southern entreneur’s at Black Southern Belle. We also love anything that keeps us beautiful so the story of Shawanda Vickers hit close to home for us. This Alabama Belle is making waves in the beauty industry and we are honored to share her story told by her own words.
As Told By Shawanda Vickers
Being pregnant at the age of forty and trying to find beauty products that were trendy and fashionable, but yet safe, was challenging to say the least. One of my favorite pastimes to pamper myself during my pregnancy was going to the nail salon. During one particular visit the fumes made me very sick. After discovering the ingredients used in nail polish, I decided to combine my science (biology/chemistry) degree along with my love for fashion to start my nail polish company, SHOO, at www.shooinc.com
I launched the company in May, 2015, with my first line of USA made eco-chic collection of nail polish . The company’s goal is to produce a collection of quality products that will give women, including moms and moms-to-be, an opportunity to keep their nails healthy and chic by eliminating harsh chemicals such as Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), and Toluene.
SHOO nail polish collection was launched using vibrant and rich colors that have trendy names such as #SummerHustle, #FlawLess, #PinkLadyBoss, #Rubylicious and more. I decided to launch our products at an elementary school with the collaboration of Girls Inc. The first launch was a humbling moment for me, but more importantly, it was an exciting experience for beautiful girls to learn more about eco-friendly products and to be included in the start-up of a nail polish company that is planting its roots in the beauty and cosmetic industry.
Since the launch in May, SHOO is in 40 states and 5 countries , including Bahamas, with a goal to be in every state in the USA before the end of the year. In addition, SHOO was featured in Heart&Soul and OkHair Magazines, The Dothan Eagle Newspaper, The Avenue NYC online and was voted as a Favorite Christmas Gift by blogger Afrobella. SHOO is just as excited to be involved with the community – Girls Inc and Breast Cancer Awareness Programs. Our community outreach has become a blessing for women and girls and we look forward to do more in underrepresented communities.
The launch of SHOO has been a wonderful journey and having the opportunity to meet so many beautiful people from every profession, age group, ethnic background has made the launch of this company worthwhile in such a short period of time. This is just the beginning for us and we are excited to make SHOO a household beauty brand!
More about Shawands Harris-Vickers
Shawanda taught high school science (biology, chemistry, microbiology and more) for about fifteen years. Upon her retirement, she decided to start a beauty and cosmetic company, SHOO, which is based in New Jersey.
The company just launched in May in Dothan, Alabama at Grandview Elementary School with principal Mrs. Tamika Fleming and 60 fourth and fifth-grade students and their teachers. As a matter of fact, the fourth and fifth-grade girls had a chance to name two of the polishes, #EAGLEPINK AND #PINKROCK. Shawanda donates 50% of the sales of those two polishes to Grandview and Girls Inc. The company now has nineteen colors with the plan to release fifteen more in 2015.
Shawanda enjoys traveling, shopping, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She lShawanda resides in Fort Lee, New Jersey with her husband and their three children : Indee, Hanna and Guy Alex. She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from Troy State, now known as Troy University.
She encourages people to not be afraid to take chances when it comes their dreams because we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us to do our best daily. Shawanda believes everyday won’t always be our best day but everyday is an opportunity to stand up, shake it off and start over!
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Michiel is a Black Southern Belle living a lowcountry life. I love all things fashion, home decor and southern! When I am not running around doing fun stuff for Black Southern Belle, I live in antique stores and have a minor obsession with historic homes :)
