We recently connected with Darrian Teams and have shared our conversation below.

Darrian, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Hazel Gem was born out of my personal journey with self-care. As a woman, life moves fast, we’re constantly pouring into others, whether it’s family, work, or responsibilities, and too often, we neglect ourselves. I began brainstorming the concept for Hazel Gem in 2014 because I wanted to create something that encouraged women to slow down and prioritize themselves. After years of research, trial, and refinement, I officially launched in November 2020, right after giving birth to my second child, an experience that further reinforced the importance of nurturing both body and mind.

Of course, skincare and haircare are important, but for me, they go beyond just looking good. They’re an act of self-love. Many beauty brands focus solely on the results, but I wanted Hazel Gem to emphasize the experience. The moment of pause, the ritual of applying a product with intention, and the mental uplift that comes from truly caring for yourself. In a world that constantly demands so much from us, I wanted to create a brand that gives something back. A reminder to pour into yourself first.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Darrian and I’m the founder of Hazel Gem, a brand dedicated to self-care through skin and hair care. My journey started in 2014 when I began researching and experimenting with natural ingredients to create effective products for my own hair and skin concerns. After years of perfecting my formulas, I officially launched Hazel Gem in November 2020. My personal experience of constantly giving, while neglecting myself made me realize how important it is for women to prioritize self-care. That realization became the heart of my brand.

Hazel Gem offers a range of hair, skin, and body care products designed to nourish, restore, and uplift. My hair care line focuses on restoring moisture and hydration to natural curly hair while promoting healthy hair growth. For skin and body care, I’ve created products that address concerns like dry skin, dark spots, and overall skin health. But beyond just the physical benefits, Hazel Gem products are meant to encourage self-care on a daily basis. Taking a moment for yourself, feeling good in your own skin, and embracing beauty in its most natural form.

What makes Hazel Gem different is the deep connection between self-care and beauty. It’s not just about great products, it’s about creating a moment for yourself in a world that constantly pulls you in different directions. Every product is made with intention, using high-quality ingredients that nourish both the body and the mind. It’s a reminder to pause, indulge, and pour back into yourself.

What I’m Most Proud Of:
I’m proud that Hazel Gem has helped women reclaim their self-care, whether it’s through a simple skincare routine or a deep-conditioning treatment that brings their curls back to life. Seeing my customers gain confidence and truly enjoy taking care of themselves is the most rewarding part of this journey.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I sell Hazel Gem products on my website www.hazelgem.com, Etsy, and social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok Shop). I’m also in the process of expanding to Amazon soon to make my products even more accessible to customers.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I stay connected with my customers in multiple ways to keep them engaged and build lasting relationships. I send daily newsletters and text messages to our subscribers, keeping them informed about updates, sales, new product launches, and educational content. Social media is also a big part of how I interact with my audience. I actively post and share on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and we recently launched a YouTube channel to provide even more value.

Beyond digital communication, I personally reach out to customers to thank them and answer any questions they may have. I believe in building genuine connections, and I love engaging with people at in-person events where I can share my passion for self-care and hear their experiences firsthand. Hazel Gem isn’t just about selling products, it’s about creating a community where self-care is prioritized and celebrated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hazelgem.com
• Instagram: @hazelgem