Safésha

About Safésha

Black and woman-owned, small-scale and local Community Foods producer, Safésha—which means “to cleanse” in Swahili—creates moisturizing hand sanitizers using plant-based ingredients. Owner Sylvia Andrews was inspired to develop natural skincare products while running a commercial cleaning business. Leaning on her expertise and commitment to a healthy, environmentally-conscious lifestyle, Sylvia launched Safésha in 2014.

Today, both Seward Co-op’s stores carries Safésha hand sanitizers in sweet orange and lavender scents as well as unscented. The CDC recommends you should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to washing your hands. Safésha is a great option that satisfies CDC requirements for effectiveness against COVID-19.

Interview with Safésha’s Owner

Co-op staff connected with Sylvia Andrews to learn more about Safésha and the unique impacts faced due to COVID-19. Demand for hand sanitizers grew exponentially at the onset of the pandemic, which resulted in sales growth for Safésha. As a small-scale hand sanitizer producer, adapting to drastic shifts in the market can be a challenge. Sylvia shared that due to the high demand, reproduction and access to raw materials became a challenge. With time Safésha was able to relaunch to provide hand sanitizers to the market.

On Seward Co-op’s partnership with Safésha, Sylvia shared, “I am so appreciative to have a partner like you [Seward Co-op], because you take a risk in bringing on small vendors. You give entrepreneurs an opportunity to grow, to expand and to build their brand.” When we shop Community Foods products at Seward Co-op, we support not only our co-op; we also support a strong network of local Community Foods producers like Safésha.

Watch full interview with Sylvia Andrews below.