Sacred Seeds

Sacred Seeds

Yonkers, New York

For more than two decades, Jennifer Ann Safara Perry has been committed to finding the best, plant-based ingredients and creating bath and body products that nurture, heal, and promote holistic wellness. In 2015, she launched Sacred Seeds Enterprise, as she transitioned her hobby into a business. Jennifer’s mission is to encourage people to take time for themselves—and to reframe the importance of self-care, especially now.

“Self-care is one of the most vital gifts you can give yourself. As each of us takes care of ourselves through healthy eating, exercise, hydration, and nourishing our skin, our largest organ, we come out stronger and healthier together,” says Jennifer. “You have to operate at optimum levels of health to keep your immune system well and prevent from keeping sick, and everything you put in or on your body contributes to your health.”

Jennifer’s conviction for holistic living began in her kitchen when she started making her soaps and butters after she experienced irritation from over-the-counter products. Made with natural ingredients such as Ethiopian Tenadam Oil, organic coconut oil, organic hemp seed oil, and vitamin E aids–like in her Whipped Hand and Body Butter, for example— every Sacred Seeds product is designed to nourish, protect, and heal the body. Jennifer knew she had developed an exceptional line of products when she could barely keep up with orders.

“The orders were coming in non-stop. Simultaneously, three of my friends passed, back to back. I knew I was in a pivotal moment of my life, so I took a big leap of faith, quit my job and started Sacred Seeds. From day one, I have never given myself the option to quit or fail. Failure is simply not on the table,” says Jennifer.

Success continues to be the only sentiment for which Jennifer holds vision. As soon as the impacts of COVID-19 began to close the doors of many businesses, Jennifer quickly pivoted from in-person markets to prioritize the growth of her e-commerce revenue streams. She joined the second cohort of a local small business, incubator program hosted by Element 46, and contacted her SCORE mentor for guidance. Branding, marketing, and updating her business growth plan for online sales became her focus. When she realized she needed working capital to help Sacred Seeds transition to e-commerce, her SCORE mentor referred her to us. Gratefully, we were already friendly.

“Community Capital New York is really interested in the success of your business. I met Julieta McPherson at a workshop she hosted, and I knew Kim Jacobs through my involvement with Element 46. I know they are committed to helping me make sure my business will thrive. Plus, the application process was seamless,” says Jennifer.

Not only has Jennifer shifted her business plan to meet the demands of the “new normal, but” she has also been generously using Sacred Seeds as a platform to give back. Sacred Seeds has donated dozens of care packages and self-care kits for homeless and domestic violence shelters to victims of human trafficking and front-line workers. Sacred Seeds Self-Care Kits also make great care packages for new moms, seniors, and people living alone.

“We’ve continued to receive gratitude from our customers for bringing the spa to them during a time when they can’t get a massage. But just because we can’t get to the spa, doesn’t mean we can’t have a spa-like experience in the comfort of our own home,” says Jennifer.

We are grateful to partner with Jennifer as she reshapes the future business plan of Sacred Seeds while holding to her mission for health and wellness for all people.

Bring the spa to your home or to the home of someone you love. Order a Sacred Seeds Self Care Kit. Look for new products and a subscription service coming soon. Read more of Jennifer’s story in Westchester Magazine. Learn about our Emergency Express Loan and how we can help you navigate these transitory times.