To Order

“It's different when you see it firsthand, young girls in my community just having to stay home,” Rahama says. “And so the number one thing women in our cooperatives do when they have increased income is send both their kids to school.”

___ Since formally transitioning to a social enterprise model and launching Shea Yeleen as a product in 2012, Rahama has secured capital from venture funds, launched pop-ups in locations like Washington National Airport, and landed deals with the likes of Whole Foods and MGM Resorts. More recently, Shea Yeleen was invited to join Macy’s last year as part of the 15 Percent Pledge initiative. You can now find the company’s shea products online at macys.com, with tentative plans to launch in-store in early 2022. A brand-new $640,000 government grant will also keep Rahama busy over the next 18 months, with a project from the economic development office to build a beauty makerspace in D.C. Prior to COVID-19, Rahama had reached 14 communities in Ghana. She had approximately 800 women working across a completely redesigned supply chain in which Shea Yeleen purchases directly from Ghanaian producers at a fair price — five times the local minimum wage. She has also worked tirelessly to educate U.S. consumers about natural beauty care products and fair trade. “How can I get someone… to care about how that lotion and cream is made?” she recalls asking herself. “And wanting to find and support a brand that's ethically sourcing and developing living wage jobs.” It came down to two things: offering a quality shea product, whether that’s Shea Yeleen’s lip balm, body cream, body balm or soap, and bringing customers into the journey and process of making each item. Sometimes it’s as simple as sharing a photo or video on social media. But Rahama is incredibly proud of a program she launched pre-pandemic, which brings women from cooperatives to the United States for several weeks to observe business operations. They participate in everything from touring Whole Foods with buyers to supporting company pop-ups with live production demonstrations. The experience offers perspective for everyone involved. The women can see their work on the shelf and gain a fuller understanding of their direct impact on the industry. And for customers, it supports Rahama’s efforts to bring a real face to the shea products. “We're here for that customer who understands that in order to take care of yourself, you have to also think about caring for others,” she says. “… They're invested in our product because of the quality, but they also feel the connection to the work that we're doing.” Of all the accolades Rahama has earned in her career — and there have been plenty, including appointment to the inaugural Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa — it’s these trips for Ghanaian women that she considers irreplaceable successes. Because ultimately, she’s not trying to create shea producers forever. Instead, Rahama hopes to bolster a new wave of entrepreneurs, who take the skills learned from Shea Yeleen to create bigger and better opportunities. “We want them to be able to save their money, and invest in other income-generating activities,” she says, mentioning that Gladys eventually opened up a food cafe and employed her neighbor. “Those are the types of ripple effect benefits that we seek with our business model.” She offers a few words of advice for these aspiring entrepreneurs: cultivate real, authentic relationships, and don’t be afraid to invest in your own care. “Being an entrepreneur, especially an entrepreneur of color, especially a woman, there are so many ‘-isms’ that you have to overcome to even just get to the table or just get to a place where you're going to be taken seriously,” she says. “The amount of fortitude, persistence and resilience is heavy mentally. … Be incredibly mindful of your stress triggers when you're feeling burnt out. Take care of yourself. I certainly need to take this advice more!” sheayeleen.com | IG: @sheayeleen

GETAWAY

PALM SPRINGS

By Elisabeth Abrahamson

The greater Palm Springs area is a beautiful destination year-round, but there’s something magical about visiting in winter. Whether you’re looking to rest and refresh or get out and be active (hello, new year, new you!), Palm Springs has something for everyone.

SLEEP

Miramonte Indian Wells, which recently underwent a $9 million renovation, is an excellent choice for a desert stay. With its Mediterranean style, the resort offers 215 guest rooms and villas surrounded by olive trees, citrus groves, and flower gardens. Guests can take a dip in one of three pools, as well as play bocce ball, experience a treatment at the spa, and lounge around the fire pits at night with a hot cup of cocoa (or a glass of wine!). miramonteresort.com | IG: @miramonteresort 45000 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells

“Alice in Wonderland meets Brigitte Bardot” is how founder Corey St. John describes the brand-new Fleur Noire Hôtel. He enlisted his longtime friend, designer Chris Pardo, to help guide the vision for the property. “We wanted to create more than just a place to rest your head,” says Corey. “We wanted to create an immersive experience.” Corey and Chris worked together to bring new and vibrant life to the old hotel, or “beige box” as they called it. With 21 rooms, the intimate property is an excellent choice for recharging after in the new year. Fleur’s Champagne bar, La Boisson, opens this month with dozens of rosé varieties, Champagne, wines, beer, and signature cocktails. fleurnoirehotel.com | IG: @fleur_noire_hotel 1555 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

SHOP

Desert travelers looking for a curated gift selection should pop into new boutique Rancho Relaxo in Rancho Mirage. “Rancho Relaxo is a celebration of beautiful items created by very talented artists, artisans, and craftspeople,” shop owner Stella Adena says. After having two kids and leaving a career in investment banking, Stella wanted a change. Growing up in Ohio, she fantasized about a life in California because she felt at home in the desert. “The desert is my home and I wanted to share that with the local community and amazing flow of travelers who pass through.” There’s something for everyone here: clothing for men and women, home decor, accessories, gift items, and so much more. “Rancho Relaxo is living your best life,” she says. And that’s exactly how you’ll feel in her boutique. ranchorelaxoca.com | IG: @ranchorelaxoca | 69930 Highway 111, Suite 116, Rancho Mirage

In 2018, James Anthony Morelos opened Mojave Flea as a nomadic, pop-up marketplace in Palm Springs. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he decided to turn the pop-up into a brick-and-mortar store that would be open daily to support all the local makers’ goods. “We created a business model where the majority of the revenue goes directly to the makers and merchants,” James says. “It’s had a positive impact on their small businesses.” The Palm Springs location was such a success that James was able to open a second shop in Yucca Valley. The two shops carry handmade and sustainable brands from the low and high deserts. Shoppers will find everything from apothecary goods to home and apparel to a wine and beer shop (Palm Springs location only). shoptradingpost.com | IG: @mojaveflea | 383 N. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs and 55727 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley