Conversations with Veronica Vela

Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Vela.  

Veronica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For a long time, I’d google or Pinterest DIY recipes for face masks or any concoction that I could forge scuffling through my kitchen cabinets. An effortless brew with three ingredients matcha, honey, and hydrosol of your choice. I thought, “wooooooow, I could eat this, and it would be okay.” Why don’t enough people know about this? In that moment, I knew I wanted to be the change in this community, to reeducate my people. The cool thing is I’m not the only small business that wants the same thing for our city. We work hard together to make our community great. We’re united under one roof to bring our community greener and cleaner home. My grandma raised my mom here, I grew up here, and my daughter is growing up here. You don’t see organic or eco-friendly products at my local convenient store; At Nature’s Compliments, we empower divinity through self-love by creating herbal products while reducing landfill waste. Southwest Detroit’s very first refill station, you’ll find everything from household cleansers to upcycled material turned into grocery totes. Bring your own vessels and try our simple herbal infusions! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not every milestone was explicit, but worth the experiences. Each milestone brought me where I am today. Re-educating the community about goods they deserve has been the number one issue. They are used to one kind of lifestyle, and breaking that habit is unyielding. Reading labels or simply saying the word organic threw people off. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a mom, daughter, sister, facilitator, and business owner and I specialize in simple herbal concoctions. I infuse the oil and fats that are used in my soap-making practice. I’m passionate about creating a greener ghetto. I’ve lived in southwest Detroit my entire life, and I’ve never seen a business even try to do something like this. 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Have compassion and trust that everything you’re doing is exactly what you are meant to be doing. Patience is a virtue. 

Pricing:

• $5-$8 organic cold press soap
• .35¢/oz-$2.50/oz refills(shampoo, body wash…)
• $10-$15 beauty products

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Naturescompliments.com
• Instagram: Natures.compliments
• Facebook: Natures compliments

Image Credits
Veronica Vela
Connie Arreola
j.Lindsey