Tell us about your background and how you got started in the health and beauty industry.

I grew up in Georgia and graduated from the Savannah College of Art & Design. After receiving my degree, I moved to New York City to pursue a career in fashion and trend forecasting.

I met Fabian (my husband and business partner) at his New York City hair salon. We instantly became best friends and traveled together to see the Amazon Rainforest. While there, I found myself inspired by the Amazon, with its untouched forest, culture, and overall beauty. This coincided with Fabian's discovery of Rahua oil - which he sourced from the Amazon Rainforest - and how potent and highly effective it was in his hair treatments. As our love for the environment grew, so did our knowledge of Rahua, causing the idea for our product line to be born.

How is Rahua different from other hair care and wellness brands?

Our brand is different from other hair care & wellness brands because we transcend clean beauty; we create our products with environmentalism in mind. rahua was born as part of our mission to protect and preserve the Amazon Rainforest. We knew that the Indigenous People of the Amazon were the guardians and key to preserving the Rainforest; it was crucial that the message of ancestral wisdom was at the forefront of our brand.

In addition to our mission driven principles, rahua is unique because it has been a plant-based line since its inception. Our goal has always been to showcase the power of Rahua oil alongside pure plant ingredients that are good for you and the environment.

What are your favorite Rahua products at the moment that you use regularly?

It is so hard to pick a favorite product... I really do love them all! However, as the seasons change, I l take care of my scalp health with our Scalp Exfoliating Shampoo. It is perfectly formulated to gently exfoliate the scalp while doubling as a nurturing shampoo. The key ingredient - crushed star anise - exfoliates the scalp, removes any buildup or dead skin cells, and boosts circulation. I also use our new Hydration Hair Mask when my hair is in need of a moisture boost. I gently rinse it out so that it acts as a leave-in treatment post-shower. I’m all about eco-minimalism!

What goals do you want to accomplish within the next 5 years? Personal and professional.

My goal is to expand Rahua's environmental mission by protecting more veteran trees (which clean our planet and create oxygen). Currently, we preserve 150,000 acres of biodiverse jungle per year, preventing the emission 750,000 tons of CO2 annually!

What are the three most important lessons you have learned building your brand?

1. Create with purpose.

2. Simplify and edit every day.

3. Look to nature and learn from the source. □

Article Credits

Anna Instagram: @annarahua

Anna LinkedIn: Anna Ayers

Rahua Instagram: @rahuabeauty

Rahua Website: rahua.com