We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shannida Letellier-Ramsey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shannida below.
Alright, Shannida thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
We hope 2nd Gen Herbal’s legacy will be defined by an unwavering commitment to quality and integrity. We will be remembered not just for the herbal products we created, but for the meticulous care and scientific rigor that went into every capsule, tincture, and tea. Our success will be measured by the trust we built with our customers, ensuring they always received a safe, potent, and genuine product that supported their health journey.
We hope to leave a legacy of deep respect for the planet and the plants that provide our livelihood. This means leaving the land better than we found it by upholding ethical and sustainable practices throughout our supply chain. Our legacy is a thriving ecosystem, responsibly sourced botanicals, and a transparent manufacturing process that honors the earth and its resources.
We hope to leave behind a legacy that has empowered individuals to take control of their health through knowledge and community. Our work has helped revive traditional herbalism and made it accessible to a modern audience. We’ve built more than a brand; we’ve cultivated a community of informed consumers who understand the power of plant-based wellness.
We hope our legacy will inspire future generations of herbalists and entrepreneurs to create products with purpose and to think big while acting small. We want to be remembered as pioneers who pushed the boundaries of natural wellness through innovation, proving that business success and ethical principles are not mutually exclusive but rather the key to a lasting impact.
Ultimately, we hope our legacy is a healthier world. A world where wellness is holistic, natural, and accessible. A world where our name is synonymous with genuine care—for our customers, our planet, and the future of herbal medicine. We hope that our story will inspire a collective love for nature and its healing powers for years to come.
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.
2nd Gen Herbal is a Black- and women-owned health and beauty company that specializes in natural, herbal products. The company, which is an LLC, operates out of Raleigh, North Carolina, and offers online sales with local delivery options. 2nd Gen Herbal’s mission is to accelerate the hair growing process, strengthen hair, decrease acne, educate, and inspire all people to LIVE NATURALLY!
2nd Gen Herbal was started by Shannida Letellier-Ramsey, the third oldest of thirteen children from Brooklyn, NY. Her mother and father raised and taught her the herbal way of life. Cleansing every three months and fasting is a regular way of life. Her mother specifically taught her many herbs that she uses in the manufacturing of 2nd Gen Herbal products. After completing her master’s degree in public health in 2018 and working in Public Health professionally since 2009, she decided to merge her Public Health experience and expertise with herbal product manufacturing. With over 30 years of experience with herbs, she created 2nd Gen Herbal in September of 2020.
2nd Gen Herbal is where “Public Health meets beauty”. 2nd Gen Herbal focuses on manufacturing products without the use of fragrances, harmful chemicals, and infusing herbs. 2nd Gen Herbal’s hopes to manufacture products that would replace the harmful products we buy today.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
2nd Gen Herbal started manufacturing products for the public in September 2020 because all the “natural products brands” sold their companies, and the products changed. The owner, Shannida Letellier-Ramsey, could tell they were watering down the products and using harmful chemicals. The products that she used to use were now causing breakouts, dryness, and included chemicals that the companies say they would never use.
In January of 2018, the owner conducted a study through her practical internship for her master’s degree. The goal of the study was to collect beauty products from all major retailers so they could be tested for 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-Dioxane is a manufactured liquid solvent and chemical stabilizer found in many products, including paints, adhesives, and cosmetics, and is also a byproduct of manufacturing certain cleaning agents. It’s a potential human carcinogen and can cause liver and kidney damage after long-term exposure. When the results came back, it was staggering how high the levels were in all of the products being tested. So the journey began in September 2020 to develop and replace all of the products that were tested.
The owner’s son was suffering from eczema after using baby products that were labeled “natural”. After the development of 2nd Gen’s Herbal Coco-Hemp soap, shampoos, conditioners, and laundry detergent, the eczema went away.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
2nd Gen Herbal built a strong brand identity by creating an educational content marketing approach, leveraging community and social media, and expanding distribution through partnerships and diverse sales channels like pop-up shops, and providing local delivery. We keep our products consistent and introduce new ones based on the season’s needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://2ndgenherbal.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2ndgenherbal/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndgenherbal/#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/69445265/admin/dashboard/
- Twitter: https://x.com/2ndGenHerbal
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2cVkwO-VT5W6MzlKirMTQ
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/2ndgenherbal/
Image Credits
Images by 2nd Gen Herbal LLC