Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane and Sophie Gee.
Jane, Sophie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My business began ten years ago at a very difficult juncture in my life. I found myself single, living in a foreign country with a daughter to raise and resources at all. It all began in my kitchen and in our makeshift lab in my garage.
I have a strong background in natural skin care, herbs, plant spirit medicine and aromatherapy. The first product I made was a lip balm designed for a client who suffered with constant blistering lips. It was a huge success and is still today our best selling item.
We love sweet stick because it can be used on just about anything. We all laugh here at janegee when someone cuts themselves or bruises themselves because we all say go grab the sweet stick! I was fortunate enough to have two friends who sent me some funds to get started in a retail store.
I am forever grateful for the faith they had in me. I went from my kitchen to a downtown store in a small alley way-a little off the beaten track. It served me well but it was long hard days and a few late nights before things Egan to change for me.
My daughter Sophie a business major form UNH joined the company and away we went. Four years ago we moved into a bigger space on the Main Street in down town Portsmouth. We were a little overwhelmed at first but over the past few years we have figured out who we are as a brand and it has made all the difference to our success.
Our store is a week-being store, we are a botanical apothecary making and selling 100% pure natural skin, bath and body products. we carry our line of organic linen bed, bath and table linen. And a line of well curated gifts all coming from makers who are doing good things for the planet.
As well as all of these goodies, we have an all natural nail service, skin lab, body work and custom formulas. I worded for tow years in my garage with Jennifer, she was the ex chief scientist from Toms of Maine. Together we developed a way to preserve our lotions and cremes without chemicals!
It was quite the breakthrough and it is one of the reasons our products are so special. janegee continues to thrive, we are bursting at the seams, have a new factory space and looking to expand. Our store continues to bring joy and hope to the community. We are very big on offering free workshops and evenings of inspired chats to empower and enlighten.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I don’t know anyone in business who has a smooth road. I think when you are ‘boot strapping’ a business it brings a whole different level of stress and concerns to the table. Whenever the going gets tuff I just see it a energy shifting, I take a breath and wait it is neither good or bad it just is.
Please tell us about janegee.
janegee has a reputation for supplying good quality products, well made at reasonable prices. We specialize in natural skin care treatments, bodywork and nail services. We do not use any chemicals in any of our products. janegee is a trusted band supplying our community with clean environmentally sound products.
Entering the janegee store is quite the experience. It is a gentle sensory calm. Many say they feel as though they have been hugged when the step through the door. We treat everyone as though guests in our home. We listen, we educate and encourage empowerment.
Our skin care philosophy goes against traditional thinking. We believe that nature gave us a blueprint of health and all we have to do is go back to that when things go awry. We promise to make your skin healthy and a healthy skin glows from within and is absolutely beautiful.
I always say we are the watering well in the village a place to gather, to talk, to experience and learn. We have the philosophy, the product and the protocol to get you where you need to be back into balance.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Making perfume with my grandmother from flowers in the garden. The ritual of gathering them, smelling them and then turning them into something long-lasting.
Contact Info:
- Address: 107 Congress street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
- Website: janegee.com
- Phone: 6034310335
- Email: info@janegee.com
- Instagram: @janegee. & @nails_naturally
- Facebook: /janegeellc
- Twitter: @janegeellc
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
