We recently connected with Tamykah Anthony and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tamykah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

The products I create are usually based on customer requests, so I would say that aside from randomly surprising customers with extra products in their orders, the way I show appreciation to customers is by creating products that they ask for. When I started Xanthines All Natural Products, it was my goal and vision to provide non toxic and safe alternatives to products that families used daily by combining my expertise as a toxicologist with my holistic side. I started with aluminum free natural deodorant because deodorant/antiperspirant is a product that is used daily and stays on the body for a very long time throughout the day. In addition, the statistics showing how breast cancer was disproportionately affecting Black and Brown women were alarming and new research started to suggest that the ingredients in these products may be linked to breast cancer. After introducing deodorant and also educating on potential toxicities in personal care products, customers started asking about other products like toothpaste and household cleaners and more. They had developed a trust for me and my brand and so they wanted to replace their current products with Xanthines products. So, to show my appreciation for their loyalty and trust, I created every product I could to satisfy the needs of my customers and the brand grew from there. It was, and continues to be, an incredible feeling to read an email or text from a customer saying thank you for listening to them and making them feel “heard”.

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 was trained as a Forensic Toxicologist. While obtaining my degree in forensics, my coursework included many different science disciplines including organic chemistry and biochemistry. These classes made me pay closer attention to the ingredients in the products I was using, since I could now understand them. I realized that some of the products had potentially toxic ingredients and started to educate others about it, but I was always met with the same response, “What products should I use instead?”. I did not have a brand that I trusted enough to refer others to. One day, I had a sort of epiphany and said to myself, “You are a toxicologist. Who better to create non-toxic products”. I used my expertise in the lab and my scientific background and combined that with my holistic “hat” and created Xanthines All Natural Products. What sets me apart is just that-being an actual scientist qualified to formulate the products. I love my customers. I love surprising them with extra products to show my appreciation. I love seeing them post about the products. I love when they refer their friends and family. Mostly, I love the trust they have for me and ultimately my brand.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation was built through my engagement with customers and potential customers, and also my willingness to educate even if they were not purchasing. My biggest passion is educating consumers about potential toxicities in the personal care products they use, so whether a customer purchases my product or another more natural alternative, I have done my job. Customers love my honesty and transparency and I believe this has helped build my reputation the most. Customers like that they can have a real scientist answer their questions about what they are using on their bodies and for their families.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has always been referrals and this source is the most affirming. People tend to share bad experiences more than good ones, so when a customer is so moved by a product that they decide to share it with others, that is a big deal, and it is also an affirmation and confirmation that I am operating in my purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.xanthines.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/xanthinesallnaturalproducts
• Facebook: facebook.com/xanthinesallnaturalproducts

Image Credits
Photos By Kai Tyquane Bates