"Trust the stumble" with Kama Hagar

Kama Hagar is a holistic healer and entrepreneur who uses the magic of Hawaiian healing as the baseline for her custom wellbeing sessions and her eco-luxury skincare line, Mukama Botanica. Touring the globe with her father, a rock and roll hall of famer, she was exposed to a dynamic world at a young age. She took her early-life teachings and passionately set forth on her mission to help humanity and the planet through the practice she coined, “selfless self-care.™” 

Can you tell our readers about your background? 

My background is in fashion and beauty. I have a degree in Fashion Design, a minor in Beauty Industry Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I started in fashion and beauty because I loved the idea of enhancing and magnifying confidence through self-expression. I hit a wall when I realized what a detrimental industry fashion is to the planet. I had to ask myself how I could still instill confidence in people through self-expression without the body issues, slave labor, material waste and water pollution. I decided the solution was to work from the inside out, not the outside in.

That’s how I entered the world of wellness – for myself, for the planet, and for society. Complimenting my business and beauty background, I became certified in yoga, meditation, Hawaiian healing and Reiki and took my first steps in launching my healing business and my skincare business.

What inspired you to start your business? 

I started Mukama Botanica because I love self-care, but I also care immensely about the health of the earth. I have always made my own products to make sure I was only lathering my body in the cleanest, purest and most effective ingredients. I loved that brands were moving in a more natural direction, but felt that their practices and production were still wasteful and even unethical. Thus, paired with my desire to bring the elements of my jungle home to life, I found a way to make self-care, selfless.

Where is your business based?

We’re based out of California at the moment. 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

I started my business on a hiatus-reset from fashion. I’d just graduated with my degree in design and got hit with the real harsh truths about the industry. I wanted to change it, but I was feeling so uninspired about where to start. I bought a one-way ticket to my family’s home in the jungle of Maui and just lived. I hiked, made my own products, cooked, meditated and spent time in nature. 

I ended up with the first Mukama Botanica product: Skin Superfood Serum. That’s when it hit me: I could start an eco-luxury Hawaiian skincare line that actually did good for the planet. I returned back to school and completed my B.S. in Business Management. I applied every project I had to my line and launched it during my junior year of college. 

The first steps I took were more like stumbles. I found myself researching terms I’d never even heard of, reading endless books on the business of natural beauty, sourcing ingredients, bottles and working with a designer to really bring the brand to life. All the while, I started the Mukama Botanica Instagram to build a following (even without a product). The idea was to target and educate people who love self-care and natural beauty. Everyday I’d post a new ingredient with information on its benefits for the skin. I had a loyal following that loved to learn about healing botanicals, so when I launched the first product, everyone was genuinely so excited! 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business? 

The most effective way of raising awareness for my business was truly that pre-launch social media strategy. I made connections with people, created an honest, educational platform, supported them on their skin journeys and even sent out tons of free, custom skin kits for trial. All of it helped me help them. It created a loyalty I am endlessly grateful for. We have a retention rate of over 35% - I see names on orders that I’ve been seeing since the day we launched. It’s such a gift. 

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them? 

The biggest challenge I faced with Mukama was finding a manufacturer. When it came time to expand beyond the walls of my studio apartment in Marina Del Rey, the specifications for finding someone to craft my products were insane. Minimums were too large in some cases, while others didn’t handle organic ingredients or make products by hand. One of the funniest rejections I got was that my bottles were square and not circular.

I persisted, and after weeks of calling around, I accidentally (fatefully) called a dog salon. When I asked about manufacturing skincare she was confused, but replied, “I think you have the wrong number, but interestingly, there’s a woman in this building who does that.” I ended up with the most badass, loving, reliable and passionate manufacturer in the business. She creates every potion with almost more love than I do!

How do you stay focused?

I stay focused through my personal practices. Daily, I meditate, do yoga, sprinkle in some breath work and make sure to include nature somewhere in the mix. If anything, I am too focused and compulsive sometimes and those practices are what keep me centered and balanced!

How do you differentiate your business from the competition? 

Mukama Botanica is different from other beauty/skincare brands because we are not just high quality ingredients that are eco-friendly and natural – we’re 100% organic, vegan, cruelty-free, handmade in the USA, packaged and shipped in recycled packaging, filled in amber bottles to preserve the contents, and we donate 3% of proceeds to help restructure corporate programs to become more ethical and sustainable. Oh, and the ingredients are inspired by the Hawaiian jungle and La’au Lapa’au - Hawaiian plant medicine healing. What a mouthful! Sometimes it’s challenging to pick an angle, actually. We wanted it all, so we did it all. I am endlessly passionate about products that are beyond healthy and eco-friendly – the world needs eco-nurturing.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business? 

My most effective marketing strategy to grow my business has been a feature in Vogue. Sure, some sales increased, but mostly, we increased our reputability. This was one of my proudest moments and in all of our marketing emails, we can now proudly add “As Seen in Vogue,” which always gets a big “congratulations!”

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs? 

My best piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is to trust the stumble. If you have an idea that sparkles to you, explore it. If you don’t know where to start - none of us do. If you’re two years in and you’re still stumbling - same. Don’t be afraid of research, don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and look like an idiot. In fact, what you’re doing is admirable, brilliant, and brave. 

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app: Instagram. I know, it’s basic. I love it because it can be a mecca of inspiration from other brands, other business owners and really, creates a fun space to connect to customers. 

My favorite book: The Circle by Laura Day. This book was the first book I ever read on manifestation and the power we hold within. At eighteen, it rocked my world and literally changed my life. With the affirmation, “I am confident,” I became a manifestation queen.

My favorite blog: GOOP for exploring all new, crazy wellness trials and trends.

 What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

My favorite business tool or resource is Planoly, the social scheduling app. I love curating content and aesthetics (the fashion designer in me), and this tool makes it so fun, organized and easy.

Who is your business role model? Why? 

I have two business role models: my boyfriend and my dad. My boyfriend owns and operates multiple online media businesses as well as the natural deodorant line, Spruce Naturals. He’s a go-getter, but he is also the most even-keel human on the planet. He is so kind, gracious and steady, and his determined motto to himself is, “figure it out.” In our four years together, I’ve never heard him complain about his work once.

My dad on the other hand, is passionate and lively. He acts on gut, impulse, and inspiration. His creativity is endless and his actions are immediate. He’s not afraid to try anything new and truly makes everything seem possible.

 Both are feelers, lovers, and givers. 

How do you balance work and life? 

I balance work and life by being an avid-scheduler. I schedule in yoga, travel, work, walks, meditation, journaling, calls (work and personal) and social time. I really love organizing my life in this way, as it helps hold me accountable for important things that could otherwise slip through the cracks.

What’s your favorite way to decompress? 

My favorite way to decompress is by spending time in nature. I think this is truly the most healing medicine there is.

What do you have planned for the next six months? 

In the next six months, I plan to launch another product (eek!), create some awesome selfless self-care content, plant a garden, go slow, and grow. 

How can our readers connect with you?

Connect with Mukama Botanica on Instagram @mukamabotanica for tons of natural and holistic skin and body tips. We also have an amazing blog on our product site: www.mukamabotanica.com.

 Connect with me personally through my Instagram: @kamahagar, where I do live reiki and meditation sessions, share real mental health tips, fun travel pictures and tons of day-in-the-life videos of me breaking things and falling down the stairs. If you want a full 1:1 customized wellbeing session visit my website: www.kamahagar.com.