AT 34 years old, Aisha Morgan has left behind a well-loved job in the interest of becoming an entrepreneur, facing down the challenges to set up shop in the beauty industry.

Enter Nettle & Moss, a one-stop store for organic hair and skincare products — the doors to which were recently opened by the former project manager with GraceKennedy Remittance Services Ltd.

“I decided it was time to expand my career and fulfil my personal ambitions. I got to the point where I realised that I was not able to dedicate 100 per cent of my effort to my job as well as a new venture,” Morgan told Career & Education, explaining how she came to make the move to self-employment.

“I think that persons who make similar decisions get to a crossroads, and realise that in order for the venture to have the best chance of success, it needs your dedication and focus. It was clear to me when I approached that turning point that I have to do one or the other,” she added.

Morgan, nonetheless, pays homage to GraceKennedy — a company she admits it was “a little tough” to leave after close to a decade.

“I enjoyed my job immensely, and the learning was invaluable. Throughout my career at GraceKennedy, the projects were all vastly different, so I gained experience in many different areas. I have modeled my own business using the vision, experience and principles I learned at GraceKennedy,” said the woman, who holds a first degree in finance and a Master’s in business administration from Georgia State University.

While at GraceKennedy, Morgan worked primarily on expansion projects for both the local and international markets.

“Specifically, (the responsibilities included) determining the feasibility of the concept, participation in the research phase, creating the business plan, and managing the process all the way through to execution (set up) and handover,” she noted.

Still, Morgan had a hankering to enter the beauty business, noting that the provision of natural skin and haircare products to current and prospective customers is, quite simply, something she is “passionate about”.

Add to that the fact that she began operations to help meet her own needs and there is little wonder why — despite the difficulties involved with running a business — Morgan relishes every minute of it.

“I was looking for better haircare products for my hair and alternatives to what was currently available on the market locally. I did extensive research and discovered great haircare lines, and realised that others shared my need,” she told Career & Education.

“Quite simply, the natural ingredients are healthier for us, and I found that the results are superior. My hair is much healthier now, having substituted synthetic products for simple, natural ingredients, such as castor and coconut oil, and shea butter. No surprise then that these ingredients feature heavily in most of the products in the store,” Morgan added.

“I also wanted to make natural and organic hair and skincare more mainstream. I think people have become more health conscious and we are trying to make better choices, both for what we put in our bodies and what we put on it. After all, the skin is our largest organ,” she said further.

Now that she has began the roll out of the various lines of skin and haircare products — among them Naniki Naturals, Kinky Curly, Nubian Heritage Mango Butter, and Jane Carter’s Nourish & Shine — Morgan is committed to staying in the game.

“I work non-stop, every day of the week. When I finish working for the day, I work some more. But I love it. I hate to sound cliché, but it truly does not feel like work. Thankfully, I have a very supportive and understanding husband,” she said.

And Morgan’s efforts, from all indications, are beginning to reap rewards.

“Business has been going well. We are excited and encouraged by the response of our customers, both repeat and new customers. I have been thanked repeatedly by customers for opening this business, for exposing them to natural and organic options for hair and skincare regimen, and for making available to them their favourite brands, right here in Jamaica,” the Nettle & Moss managing director told Career & Education.

And her advice to people looking to make a career change?

“For the aspiring entrepreneur, a good friend of mine told me that I do not need money to start a business, I need a sound business plan. She was right. I would add to that statement, a sound business plan, grounded with equal parts solid research and passion. The second bit of advice would be that you have only one life to live. Grab that opportunity while that window is open, because if you don’t someone else will,” Morgan said.