We were lucky to catch up with Amaria Webster recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amaria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Yes—Esse serves men, a community that has long been underserved in the areas of self-care and wellness. For generations, men have been told to “man up,” leaving little space to care for their skin, emotions, or overall well-being. Esse changes that narrative by offering more than body care—we provide high-quality products designed specifically for men and a brotherhood where they can connect, heal, and grow. At its core, Esse is about making men feel seen, cared for, and empowered to build confidence and a lasting legacy.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Amaria, the founder of Esse. As a woman, I’ve always had endless options when it came to skincare and wellness. But when I looked at the men in my life—my fathers, brothers, and friends—I saw a gap. Men were expected to be strong, to “push through,” but rarely encouraged to take care of themselves. Even in something as simple as shopping, the difference was clear: aisles overflowing with products for women, while men were left with a handful of generic, harsh, forest-scented options. That contrast stuck with me, and I knew men deserved more.

That’s why I created Esse—to give men a brand that goes beyond the surface. Yes, we offer premium products like our 24-hour hydrating body butter, but Esse is about more than skincare. It’s about whole care: building a safe space for men to connect, heal, and grow through community, brotherhood, and eventually events and faith-based guidance. What sets us apart is that we’re not just selling body care—we’re building a movement that empowers men to embrace wellness in every part of their lives.

What I’m most proud of are the moments when men tell me, “This makes me feel like someone finally thought of us.” That’s the heart of Esse: reminding men that they are seen, they matter, and they deserve care—body, mind, and soul.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I first started building Esse, I had almost no resources. I remember sitting at my kitchen table with just $7 to my name, wondering how I could create something bigger than myself. Quitting would’ve been the easy choice, but I leaned into the vision instead. I started small—one product, one conversation, one post at a time—and trusted that consistency and faith would carry me through.
The lesson I had to unlearn was believing I needed to have everything figured out before I could start. That season taught me that resilience isn’t about perfection or certainty—it’s about showing up, even when it feels easier to stop.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was that strength means doing everything on your own. For a long time, I carried the weight of trying to prove I could handle it all — every task, every setback, every doubt. But that mindset left me drained and disconnected. Through Esse, and honestly through my own faith, I had to unlearn the belief that asking for help was weakness. I realized that real strength is found in community, in leaning on others, and in allowing yourself to be supported. That shift not only shaped how I lead my brand but also why I built Esse as a brotherhood — because no one is meant to carry life alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://esseformen.myshopify.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esseformenn/
• Other: Tiktok- https://www.tiktok.com/@esseformen