Q: Can you tell us a little bit about who you are and your business?

A: I’m Aicha Kaba, an artistic entrepreneur from Boston with a passion for design and skincare; I started my all-natural clean beauty brand, Really Just Shae (RJS). Developed during the heart of the Covid-19 pandemic, RJS spanned from a personal jar of shea butter to a full-fledged skincare and home care brand, with products that include oils, handmade soaps, room sprays, and more.

Q: What inspired you to start your business, and how did it get its name?

A: Really Just Shae started in my apartment during the pandemic. I was making my own skin care from a personal jar of Shea Butter. After some time, I decided to start selling my creations to friends on Instagram in small jars I purchased from Dollar Tree.

Shortly after, I decided to sell my skincare products at a local pop up and nearly sold out of everything. Since then, it has been an upward journey. My love for skincare and particularity in quality ingredients transformed into my business, RJS. So essentially the name really just came from a single jar of shea butter.

Q: Are there any businesses, brands, or mentors that inspired you in the creation of your business?

A: I am really inspired by my customers and their comments; the love they show me and how badly they want me to win.

I never knew starting a business would be this way. It’s almost like my customers helped me with the product list, quality control, packaging, and more; all through their words.
A majority of ladies and a handful of gentlemen, trust me with their personal skincare business. That’s huge! My long-time mentor and supporter; not sure if she would want to be mentioned by name, has been rooting for me for so long!

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to other young entrepreneurs, what would that be?

A: If I could give one piece of advice to young entrepreneurs, I would say do good business. There is no cheating longevity and genuine business relationships. Being a good person and having integrity has taken me further than any skill I have, hands down.

Q: Are there any moments, milestones, or victories related to your business that you are particularly proud of?

A: I am so proud of our Clean Home Collection that includes an array of home refreshening items, like room sprays, potpourri, and more.

Another thing I am proud of is going on tour this year, which we are currently
fundraising and solidifying corporate sponsorships for! Going to pop ups across the country is going to be an experience. I can’t wait to meet more #Shaebaes (that’s what we call our customers) along the way.

Clean beauty and home are a new way of life that is slowly catching on, and I look forward to sharing Really Just Shae’s mission.

Q: Why did you choose to work with The Trustees?

A: I chose to work with The Trustees through a connection bridged by a friend who previously worked at The Trustees. Working with Staci, the Trustees’ Senior Retail Operations Manager made it a breeze to solidify the connection, and I look forward to working with more property directors in the new year.

Interested in purchasing Aicha’s products? Visit shopthetrustees.org to snag some of her best products before Valentine’s Day!