We recently connected with Tamara Dingwell and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tamara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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.

The inspiration behind starting Teepow Natural Cosmetics came from my growing concern about the harmful toxins present in commercial skincare products and their impact on my children’s well-being. My daughter, Vada, was born with eczema, and I struggled to find natural products that could effectively soothe her sensitive skin.

​We found ourselves trapped in an endless cycle of using prescribed creams such as diprobase, zerobase, and hydrocortisone steroids. Our medicine cabinet was overflowing, yet Vada’s skin remained unstable. Every time we stopped using the creams, her skin would flare up, causing severe cracks and discomfort. It seemed like the more we relied on the prescribed creams, the more her skin needed them.

​Making the decision to go against the doctor’s advice and refrain from using medicated creams was incredibly difficult. I never wanted to see my daughter suffer, but we knew we had to find an alternative solution.

​Transitioning from medicated creams to natural alternatives involved a process called Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), where the skin becomes dependent on the medication and takes time to adjust. It took us several months to complete this transition successfully.

​Throughout this challenging journey, I was always intrigued by natural remedies, such as herbal poultices, tinctures, and teas. I began researching body butters and experimented with countless ingredients and watched numerous YouTube tutorials. There were many failed attempts and sleepless nights as I explored both water-based and oil-based creams. However, after much perseverance, I finally had a breakthrough in 2018, two years after my daughter’s birth.

I developed a simple yet highly effective recipe that has significantly reduced inflammation and provided relief for my daughter’s eczema. While I cannot claim that my daughter is cured, her skin condition is now well-managed, and we have had no angry, bloody, or cracked breakouts since then.

​The key ingredients in our products are avocado oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. These ingredients work wonders in moisturizing the skin. Avocado oil and shea butter are rich in nourishing fatty acids and vitamins that promote cell regeneration and improve skin elasticity.

​In January 2020, Tee Pow Natural Cosmetics was officially incorporated. Since then, we have expanded our range to include hair care products as well. We are a small, family-owned business, and our utmost priority is to assist our customers in any way we can.

Our main goal is to embrace the power of all-natural ingredients and promote a message of natural skincare, positivity, and self-love. We believe that taking care of your skin should be a holistic and enjoyable experience.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those of you who may not have read about me before, let me share my story and introduce you to TeePow Cosmetics. I’m a soon-to-be 40-year-old mother of three, with the added joy of being a stepmom to two boys, creating a beautifully blended family. My background lies in social work, and I’ve even attained a master’s level of education, but that feels like a different lifetime now.

In my younger days, I was quite the rebel, sporting outrageous makeup that could rival the tattoo on the side of Mike Tyson’s face. People had low expectations for me, with many assuming I would end up in jail. Leaving school with nothing, I spent my youth immersed in a world of smoking weed and indulging in alcohol. Education was far from my mind at the time. Instead, I considered myself a creative and imaginative soul, yearning for something more hands-on in the world of arts. Additionally, I developed a deep fascination with herbal remedies, experimenting with poultices and creating my own tinctures. I found immense joy in connecting with and learning from the resources available to us.

However, everything changed when I became a mother 15 years ago. The need for financial stability pushed me to pursue college and university education. Amidst the chaos of motherhood and studies, I found solace in the captivating realm of science fiction. Shows like “Star Trek: Voyager” and beloved characters like Batman, along with my enduring love for anime such as “Attack on Titan,” and my very first obsession, Pokémon, all fueled my imagination. Little did I know that these fictional worlds and animated characters would inspire the birth of TeePow Cosmetics, embodied in a stunning logo featuring a beautiful black anime character.

What sets TeePow Cosmetics apart from other brands is our unique approach to branding. We refuse to conform to society’s expectations of a beauty brand. Instead of pretending to be a luxuriously perfect product that claims to solve all your problems in an overpriced container, we embrace a different perspective. TeePow Cosmetics is playful and conscientious, representing those of us who don’t fit into boxes but share a similar way of thinking.

Now, let’s talk about how I ventured into the skincare industry. It all started with a personal need—to find a solution for my daughter’s eczema. The prescribed products seemed to worsen her condition, and the alarming levels of toxins in those creams concerned me deeply. The more I delved into researching the ingredients, the more worried I became for my entire family, not just my youngest child. I felt compelled to find a way to care for our skin without exposing us to harmful substances like formaldehyde, parabens, and complex preservatives.

That’s when I stumbled upon the world of natural skincare and handmade products. YouTube, social media, and countless Google searches connected me with like-minded individuals who shared the same concerns and provided invaluable information on creating your own creams. I became particularly drawn to the oil-based approach, and one ingredient stood out among many creators—shea butter. From there, my obsession grew, leading me to research various oils, butters, herbal ingredients, and factors such as shelf life, solubility, stability, oxidation, and microbial contamination—everything that impacts a product’s safety and longevity. It was crucial to me that the products I used on my children were thoroughly researched and safe.

Starting a business wasn’t initially part of my plan. I had no business training or experience. The idea to share my creations and establish a brand came from the encouragement of friends and family who witnessed my passion. Stepping into the world of business meant I had to learn, and there was so much to

learn. I found myself navigating a complex landscape, grappling with unfamiliar terminology and approaches. Phrases like “know your ordinance” initially left me scratching my head, wondering what on earth it meant. All I wanted was to create non-toxic products that could soothe eczema and delight the senses. My aim was to address those specific concerns that resonated with my target audience, while staying true to my brand’s message.

In the first year, I must admit, I struggled to find my footing. The overwhelming popularity of TeePow Cosmetics took me by surprise, and in the midst of it all, I lost sight of my purpose. My initial goal was to enlighten, educate, and spread positivity—the very essence of who I am and what TeePow Cosmetics represents. But as the demands grew, I became anxious and started questioning my path. Balancing the demands of my steady-paying day job with my newfound entrepreneurial dream became increasingly challenging. Unfortunately, after just one year, I made the difficult decision to close TeePow Cosmetics in October 2021. I felt overwhelmed and realized I had taken on more than I could handle.

That break, however, proved to be a turning point. It made me realize just how much I loved TeePow Cosmetics and how deeply it resonated with my true self. It taught me the importance of taking chances and pursuing what truly makes me happy. So, with renewed determination and drive, I made the bold decision to reopen TeePow Cosmetics in October 2022. And let me tell you, it has been the best thing I’ve ever done.

Starting from scratch was no easy feat, but I am more motivated than ever to succeed. I know I still have much to learn on this journey. The long nights and 80-hour workweeks may be challenging, but they remind me of my unwavering commitment to TeePow Cosmetics. Yes, the infamous “mum guilt” still tugs at my heartstrings, but I have learned to prioritize my passion alongside my responsibilities. TeePow Cosmetics is my way of making a positive impact, not only on my own life but also on the lives of others.

With every step forward, I strive to enlighten and educate, spreading awareness about the importance of safe, natural skincare. I want to empower individuals to embrace their uniqueness, their rebellious spirit, and their own personal journeys. TeePow Cosmetics is not just about the products; it’s about embracing a different perspective, celebrating diversity, and encouraging self-expression.

So, as I embark on this revitalized chapter of TeePow Cosmetics, I invite you all to join me. Together, let’s challenge the norms, break free from societal expectations, and create a world where beauty is not confined to a narrow definition. Let’s embrace the playfulness and conscientiousness that TeePow Cosmetics embodies. Together, we can redefine the skincare industry and make a lasting impact.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I funded the business myself..I do all the manufacturing on my property so I have no overheads. I was in a well paid job when I started so it helped to get me started; however it was not expensive to start up.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Ye my side hustle because in my main hustle I hit a mile stone when I realised I could not fully engage in TeePow cosmetics If I wasn’t compelled too. My safety net needed to go so that I could grow

Contact Info:

• Website: Teepowcosmetics.com
• Instagram: Teepow Cosmetics
• Facebook: Teepow cosmetics

Image Credits
I took the photos