Princess Dominique Interviews j. blossom
April 8, 2008 – 7:16 amPosted Under: products
What is your name and what inspired the wonderful products of j. blossom?
My name is Jamila White and I’m the Chief Joy Officer for j.blossom and co. I launched j.blossom in 2006 after three years of research, planning and testing. The products were inspired by all the wonderful little brown girls around me and all the little brown girls who never get to see themselves featured on any products.
Little girls are a routinely overlooked segment, what led you to cater a line of products directly to them?
I started making natural bath and body products for myself and family members several years ago, just for fun. Around the same time I was out looking for gifts for my goddaughter and other girls and was just shocked that I couldn’t find positive, healthy, fun products that weren’t boring or that only had little blonde girls on everything. A few rare product had brown girls, but the ingredients were just junk — stuff you wouldn’t want to put on a child’s skin. So I made my own natural lip balms for my goddaughter’s fifth birthday party and it was a huge hit. I’m a serial entrepreneur and I’ve been in business for myself full time since 1997 — I know a business opportunity when I see one!
When I was a little girl there weren’t products like this for us, who or what inspires you to understand the needs of little girls in the new millennium?
Everybody — man, woman, boy, girl, black, white, purple, or green — wants to see themselves reflected in the products they buy and use. Little brown girls are no different. I didn’t like the options that were out there for girls’ products — only blonde girls, or brown girls that were only sidekicks to blonde girls, or tan-skinned girls that looked kind of skanky and weren’t age appropriate. I didn’t like the message that was sending, that brown girls aren’t worthy to be on products, and that if they were on a product it was as someone’s sidekick, or that seven year olds are supposed to look “sexy.” What message does that send to girls? Not just to brown girls, but what does it say to white girls about who brown girls are? Every girl, no matter what shade of skin, wants cute, fun things! And every girl deserves to have them. I’m thrilled to be able to provide that. And by the way, j.blossom customers are of all races and ethnicities.
You have positive affirmations on every bottle, what has the feedback been from little girls and their parents?
The feedback has been wonderful! Everyone loves the packaging, and many little girls truly believe the girl on the label is a picture specifically of them — “Look Mommy! That’s me!” I hear that a lot. The parents really love the positive affirmations. And the girls do, too. I get the most amazing emails from kids. It’s great to hear in their own words what they think about j.blossom.
The Strawberry Banana Smoothie smells divine and I had to fight not to use it myself. You also have a scent called Great Big Grape. Are you currently creating additional scents as well?
Actually I’m working on a bunch of new products, including new scents and flavors. But mums the word until it’s ready to be released!
What is your favorite product in your line and do you use them yourself?
I’m just a big kid at heart. I use everything myself, create everything myself. If I don’t absolutely love it, then it doesn’t get sold, period. I use the lip balm the most, both flavors. They’re just so yummy smelling and they really moisturize and condition your lips without making them feel greasy. I have lip balm tubes stashed everywhere — in each purse, in my car, in coat pockets, in a kitchen drawer, everywhere. And I know grown men who use the lip balms too and love them (especially the Great Big Grape) but they won’t admit it in public!
I’m a t-shirt fanatic, so, I’d love to see j. blossom t-shirts. Are there any plans to add other items to your inventory?
Absolutely. I’m working on new products now and hope to make a big announcement this summer. Actually, I have about a thousand ideas about how I want to expand j.blossom, but I just have to do one thing at a time. That’s the biggest challenge, not being able to implement all my ideas for fun new stuff. I have a hard time choosing!
Where can those interested in your products purchase them?
There’s a list of stores and salons that carry j.blossom on our web site in the “Where to Buy” section. We also now have distributors in London as well. And of course, everything is also available for direct purchase from our web site, www.jblossom.
What is one thing that you’ve always kept in mind when looking to set out on the venture to create j. blossom?
The most important thing is that j.blossom is all about love. Love yourself, love each other, share the love and the joy. I think of my products as little bottles and tubes of love and happiness. Actually, “love” is listed as an ingredient, right on the label next to shea butter and all the other good stuff. So is “laughter” and “music”. If love, laughter and happy music aren’t present when I’m making the products, they just don’t come out right. Seriously.
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2 Responses to “Princess Dominique Interviews j. blossom”
Great interview. I wish this was around when I was a little girl too.
By Shelia on Apr 8, 2008
Girl I love this stuff so much I’m going to have to buy me some! If fighting not to use the giveaway prize.
By Miss Princess Dominique on Apr 9, 2008