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Tammie Umbel, Shea Terra OrganicsFounder and CEOWoman on a Mission
There is no doubt that Shea Terra Organics' founder, Tammie Umbel, is a woman on a mission. A thirty minute sit down with her can change a person's perspective on life forever. "For as long as I can remember I have wanted to change the world" save the animals, create jobs for the disadvantaged, preserve the environment. When I created Shea Terra Organics, I could have never imagined how successful it would become, but our most important goal from the start has always been to support Africa through self-empowerment and environmental programs, and bring awareness about the continent's diversity and beauty."
At the age of eighteen Tammie started a textile company receiving her first hands-on business experience. It fulfilled some of her creative needs but not her desire to reach out to others and improve the world we share. After she closed her textile company, Tammie discovered the amazing healing abilities of shea butter. She was sold not only on the fact that shea butter could heal eczema, psoriasis and burns, but that shea is sustainable and provides income for thousands of women in Africa. She researched the few shea butter products that were available at the time and decided to create a superior shea butter line that was affordable and natural, without sulfates, parabens, fillers and artificial fragrances or colors. To compliment the shea butter Tammie decided to incorporate rare, indigenous, healing herbs and oils well known to natives for their anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties.
While researching Africa's ancient healing resources, Tammie experienced the extreme poverty and destruction of Africa. Profoundly affected, she vowed that Shea Terra Organics would offer significant long-term assistance to effective programs that provide African families with employment and education. A portion of the proceeds for each Shea Terra Organics' product are donated to self-empowerment and environmental programs. She purchases many rare ingredients from communities throughout Africa with Fair Trade practices, providing significant income and employment to these areas.
Tammie has also pioneered a successful program in the Miombo Rainforest. Shea Terra Organics pays inhabitants fair trade wages for sustainable resources, as opposed to selling lots of trees for a one time fee, which contributes to deforestation and economic devastation. This successful program has helped preserve the forest as well as the culture of local villages and families.
Tammie lives in Fairfax, VA, with her husband and 11 children, and enjoys working on the family farm that includes organic orchards and animals of all kinds.
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