Hi and welcome to MaaShea! The online natural skincare platform for everyone. We strive for pure quality natural skin care products from Ghana, whilst giving back to the communities we source from. MaaShea was created on the belief that, via business, a positive impact on society should be made.
So why did we start MaaShea?
Us sisters have loved and will always love skincare. Not only because it improves the skin, but it helps build skin confidence. Moreover, it’s a form of self-care that helps you improve your (mental) health, because it’s closely tied with routine and control. There is just something fulfilling about starting and ending your day with skincare. In the Ghanaian culture and upbringing, it is customary to be taught from infancy to take good care of your body, particularly your skin. And rightfully so, because the skin is the biggest organ humans carry. So taking care of your skin is a big part of good health and personal care.
What is the meaning behind the name ‘MaaShea’?
Throughout our upbringing, we have been surrounded by a community of strong and ambitious women. A prime example would be our grandmother. As a single parent, she had to raise six girls all by herself, whilst having little to no help. She always had to make sure she could provide by her family, by for example working her regular job whilst having her own (side) businesses. Our grandmother, and other women, have set an example for us throughout our lives. Moreover, over the years, it has become very clear that development efforts should also focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as these are a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. So the meaning of MaaShea stems from the strong women that have set examples in our lives. From our grandmother, our mother and all our aunties, to all the women in the world that continue the fight against injustices such as inequality. In Ghana, when you call someone ‘Maa’ you refer to your biological mother, but it is also used to call a woman you respect. For instance, I may call my friend’s mother Maa. And as women are forces to be reckoned with in our world, and drving forces for the shea butter a force in the skin care industry, we combined the two for our company’s name. MaaShea.
So what makes us different from other small skincare businesses?
We have a high strive for giving back. Looking at where we come from, we are fortunate and blessed to have the privileges we have now. And whenever we do go back to Ghana, we are awkwardly reminded of the privileges we have. So the urge of doing something intentional and meaningful to help the development of Ghana has only been more pressing as we grew older. And so, for us, through Maa Shea, it is only right to give back and contribute to the development of where we come from.