When Scott and Jennifer Meharey learned that some of their favourite local skincare products would no longer be available, they took matters into their own hands — literally.
The Sarnia couple had been faithful customers of Come Clean, a conscious, plant-based skincare line made locally by founders Stacey and Tara Kindel, who recently announced they were stepping away from the business to focus on their family.
“We had a couple [products] from their lineup that we couldn’t see our lives without,” Scott Meharey said, pointing to their whipped facial moisturizer, made with oils, butters and a touch of arrowroot. “So, when we heard that these products were not going to be on the market anymore…it just felt like something that we should explore.”
Meharey, who has always dreamed of opening his own business, had already been experimenting with his own natural, homemade products — pulling from curiosity, an entrepreneurial drive, and experience working at Great Lakes Refill Co., a local zero-waste grocery store with bulk food and household items.
The Mehareys approached the Kindels and the two couples sat down to come up with a plan: Scott and Jennifer would acquire the business — with a commitment to keep the same high-quality products and ingredients — and re-brand under a new name, R&R Self Care.
“Dealing with Stacey and Tara — they were just so lovely,” Meharey explained. “It was so organic and kind, the way the recipes were transferred over… and we already have some exciting loyal customers and followers from Come Clean.
“Although it’s new branding, we don’t feel like we’re starting a ‘new’ business,” Meharey continued. “The support we’ve received from [Stacey and Tara] has made this so easy, and we’re so excited to take this next step.”
R&R Self Care will celebrate its official launch Aug. 2 at the Downtown Market (140 Christina Street N.) from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of this month’s First Friday cultural walkabout in Sarnia. Their website (www.rrselfcare.ca) is now live.
A second launch event will be held Aug. 14 at Great Lakes Refill Co., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Both locations have been loyal carriers of Come Clean — and now, R&R Self Care — products.
“Seeing the support from them, and other local, small businesses — everybody wants to see us succeed — and that’s been such a lovely part of this community,” Meharey said.
“It’s actually quite overwhelming and humbling to have that support,” Jennifer Meharey added.
The launch events will also include the debut of Meharey’s first original product: Moon Time Balm, a handcrafted combination of skin-friendly oils and healing essential oils to help soothe menstrual cramps. The formula includes wintergreen for pain relief; Yarrow for its anti-spasmodic properties; mugwort, which calms both cramps and feelings of anxiety; and warming spices to help with additional anti-inflammatory effects.
Meharey even renovated the couples’ basement to add a maker-space, where they’re now infusing everything from calendula flowers and rose petals, to kombucha vinegar and arnica, to be used for hand balms, facial toners and more.
“Every drop that’s there is there for a reason — it’s doing something,” he explained. “There’s no extras, no fillers, no water.”
As for the future, the Mehareys say they’re taking it one day at a time with their new business — even bypassing the social media aspect, with intention to foster real, human interaction, the ‘old school’ way.
“We’re going door to door and dropping off baskets,” Meharey said. “We’re not rushing for an online store; we will get there eventually but for right now, I would rather people come find me here and talk to me about the product.”
In the meantime, they’re planning to be on hand at local vendor and market events — including the popular Big Brothers Big Sisters Show and Sale in November.
“Growing up, that used to be a tradition for my family,” Jennifer Meharey said. “Now, we’re going to be there as vendors, so, there is that nostalgia for me — it’s an essential Sarnia tradition.”
Going slow, and working together as a team, has been key for the couple.
“We are so focused on getting this right, and trusting that, if we get it right, everything else will take care of itself,” Scott Meharey said. “Our customers will tell other people about it, people will find our website, and we just need to make sure that what’s in the jar, in the package, is exactly as good as it can be.”
“We trust that Sarnia and Lambton County will take care of us.”