Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina-Marie D’Meza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Gina-Marie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I am an elementary school teacher (I just officially resigned after 17 years), wife, small business owner and mom to three beautiful little girls. When my first daughter was born, I began a journey to rid our family of as many harsh chemicals as possible. Along this journey I began making my family’s soaps, lotions and other beauty products with the highest quality natural ingredients that I could find. My goal was to minimize our exposure to as many harmful ingredients as I could. As I was making products for my immediate family, other family members and friends became interested in the why behind me making my own products. When I shared with the the information about the potential harmful ingredients that they were exposed to in commercial products they became interested in using our products. The more I shared our story to more people became interested in using our products. Along our journey we began sharing our products with our local community at markets and then eventually at local co-ops and stores across NC and beyond.
All of our products are made using Non-Gmo oils (never vegetable or soybean oil). Our soaps are colored naturally with herbs, clays and botanicals. We scent our soaps with essential oils or phthalate free fragrance oils. Everything is made by hand in small batches in our Durham, NC studio/retail store.
In addition to being selective about the ingredients that we choose, we strive to contribute to the health of our environment by choosing reusable, recyclable packaging. We want what you purchase to be good for you and for our Earth.
Owning our own business and retail location was never a dream that I had as I loved working with my students in the the classroom. It has been a long, naturally occurring journey of over 10 years that has brought us to opening our first retail location. I am passionate about my family’s health and Little Homestead Farms products and love that I am able to share them with our North Carolina community and beyond!
Gina-Marie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As mentioned previously I was a public schools teacher who created natural products on the side for my family and friends as a hobby. As more people learned about our mission and products Little Homestead Farm began to naturally grow and expand to the point we were able to open our first retail space less than a year ago.
In addition to growing as an artisan myself I am also so proud to share this journey with my 3 girls. They have grown up since they were born hanging out with me in the studio. As they grew up they were able to help and eventually work along side me. After so much time working with my products they came up with the idea to create their own products geared towards kids and the J&A+R kids line was born. They create their own ideas, source the materials and make the products with my support. I am hopeful that through J&A+R they will spark their entrepreneurial spirit and learn many lessons along the way.
Although I have left the “school classroom” I am still able to continue my passion of teaching in our new space. In addition to making and selling the products in the store, our space doubles as a classroom where I am able to teach children and adults about making a creating natural products through classes and events.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
It sometimes sounds cheesy saying it aloud but my business partner in all things life and Little Homestead Farm is my husband Alan. From the very first time I mentioned wanting to make our family bars of soap until the day I started sending him pictures of retail locations he has wholeheartedly supported me. He has been the one who built me my first soap molds, soap cutters and soap dishes to recently building out our current store and display furniture. Every event and local market I have done in the past 10+ years he has attended with me. When I had thousand bar soap orders he was in the studio with me making and preparing product.
During the exhausting days of being a new mom and tired teacher Alan has been my biggest supporter and cheerleader. He had visions of Little Homestead Farm being a store when I still thought I would never be able to leave the classroom. Although he has his own full time career he always manages to make the time to support my ideas and dreams.
I am truly grateful to have such an amazing partner as we continue to grow and expand.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
As a business owner I have learned that there is no fast way to building your reputation within your market. Little Homestead Farm has slowly grown its customer base and reputation over the past 10 years. We have done it by being open and honest with our customers and not only selling products but sharing, educating and having open discussions about them. When customers use our products I want them to understand why I chose certain ingredients and what those ingredients in the products they are using do.
There have been countless instances where I learn from my customers and other amazing business owners. I am only human and am always willing to learn new information and make changes when necessary. I have come across so many amazing individuals who have shared their expertise with me and have helped me adapt and grow.
Growing a business and reputation takes time, trial and error and a willingness to make mistakes and learn. 
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LittleHomesteadFarm.com
- Instagram: @littlehomesteadfarm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlehomesteadfarmsoaps/
- Other: Google https://www.google.com/maps/place/Little+Homestead+Farm+Natural+Bath+%26+Body/@35.9821171,-78.8781765,15z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x89ace54268beb851:0x4e6d7823f1ec692f!8m2!3d35.9821171!4d-78.8781765!16s%2Fg%2F11jsntw5vr?entry=ttu
Image Credits
Hidden Moments Photography by Suzanne Goodall