15 years ago, after serving in the peace corp, Kollette Stith and her husband bought an organic coffee farm in Hawaii that also had a bounty of organic macadamia nut orchards. Sue Mandini, a RISD graduate and homesteader relocated to Hawaii and connected with Kollette. "We tried fresh pressed oil in our daily beauty regimen, doing oil pulling, eating it, cooking with it and realized we had something special," Sue recalls. With its rich volcanic soil, their biodynamic, sustainable and natural farming techniques that produce fertile soils without herbicides or pesticides, these dynamic women creators and farmers developed this amazing line of pure, organic skincare oils. There's something for everyone. So excited to share this with you!
8 QUESTIONS
Describe the moment you realized art fed your soul.
Sue: When I would start drawing and painting between the hours of 9pm and 4am, after a full 8 hour work day, driving kids to activities, then making dinner and getting them to bed. Art is my meditation, pure joy, and relaxes my mind.
Kollette: Art has been the constant thread throughout my youth, married life, home-steading, raising children, being an entrepreneur. The moment I realized how deeply it fed my soul was when I wasn’t able to. The lesson has been learned and art will always be a part of my life.
What themes do you pursue in your manufacturing?
Sue: Our environmental commitments we have in our manufacturing are to offer refillable bottles, compostable and 100% recycled packaging, locally made linen reusable gift bags, ingredient transparency and sourcing from fair trade and ethical farms. We are also cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.
Kollette: “From our Soil to your Soul”® is our framework that we work from. Organically grown ingredients, locally sourced, made in micro batches on the Big Island of Hawaii, carefully chosen and recyclable violet glass bottles, crystalline powered elixirs, hand-made packaging…Integrity in every drop.
Tell us about what influences the direction for your brand expression.
Sue: As stewards of the land we cherish the earth and all it provides for us. We feel blessed to have a close relationship with the Aina (earth in Hawaiian) and hold sacred, ceremonial space to honor her gifts. Our children are the ambassadors of the Aina and we raise them to have a close connection with the earth. We teach them to be responsible and accountable for their choices that have a direct impact on their well-being and the future of life on our planet.
Kollette: We are a genderless brand. We have carefully chosen powerhouse ingredients that are great for all skin types with equality for men and women.
How has your entrepreneurial vision developed over time?
Sue: It began as a dream to share the bounty of what surrounds us and turn it into a “skin food” that we can share worldwide. Seeing that this vision is possible, unique, and on-trend as conscious consumerism rises, we can eventually help other local farmers cultivate and process the tropicals and botanicals that naturally grow in bounty on their land.
Kollette: As an entrepreneur, creativity is fluid. We are surrounded by the abundance of what is grown around us. We want to make sure that what we create and share with the world is eco-conscious, effective, and pure. “Green” and “Blue” beauty in a bottle, truth in skincare. Over time, this vision has become more refined and crystal clear.
What’s the most indispensable item on your farm?
Sue: Compost...it feeds everything, without it, weeds would take over and we would have nutrient depleted food.
Kollette: On the farm and in our lab, our organic Macadamia Nut Oil is our most indispensable item. It is our carrier oil that we use in our products. Grown, harvested, and pressed by us. This vertically integrated system birthed Pure Mana Hawaii. This nutrient rich oil is like none other and needed to be shared.
Do you collect anything?
Sue: Rocks I have found from traveling or adventures
Kollette: Heart shaped coral, masks, and if I could... scents :)))
What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen, read, watched or listened to recently?
Sue: Finding Joe : a film about Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey
Kollette: I love the movie “About Time”, a great reminder that every moment needs to be lived to its fullest.
What advice would you give to your younger self about your maker journey?
Sue: Give myself more credit and seriously trust my gut.
Kollette: The world is your oyster, an aphrodisiac.
Skin is our largest organ, why not take care of it with pure, potent ingredients that are as good for you as they are for the planet? Get glowing from the inside out with Pure Mana Hawaii. We can help you make a selection in store.
See you soon,
Bonnie & Jeffrey
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hello@poetandthebench.com | 415.569.4383 | 11 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941