TAMPA, Fla. — Most people start a business from home, but taking the next step into the community can be difficult. Sheila Haq proves it is possible.
Haque started selling dozens of zero-waste products out of her kitchen in 2020 and now sells more than 2,000 products within her store, Life Essentials Refillery.
“The great thing about Life Essentials is that you can bring your own jars. You can buy as little or as little as you need,” Haq said. “At traditional grocery stores, it costs twice as much because you pay for the packaging. You use it, throw it away, and do the same thing the next month, but here you don't have to. Just come and pack it, and there will be no waste.”
Haq said what has been really special about the growth of his business is that his three daughters have grown up with it.
“They did all the labels for me, helped me organize the shelves, helped build the shelves, and came here and helped me paste all the greenery,” Haq said. I did.
From cosmetics to deodorant to dental products, everything Haque sells is eco-friendly.
“So we don't sell traditional toothpaste in tubes. We have something called Happy. It's a toothpaste tablet, and a lot of people have never heard of a toothpaste tablet,” says Haku. he said.
Haku tries to stock her shelves with as many local brands as possible.
“We're doing our best. It's not easy, but we're trying. We're trying to partner with as many businesses as possible, highlight it on social media, and work with as many women's businesses as possible. '' said Haq.
Anne Hammer is one of the small business owners who has partnered with Haque. Her family owns HammerTime Hollow.
“We sell raw milk. We started this initiative in October 2019 and are currently in about 24 different markets around the world. [Tampa] It’s the Bay Area,” Hammer said. “It's so important that we support each other because without each other I wouldn't be able to do what I do.”
Haque also takes requests and is always trying to add new food to the bin.
“So we want our customers to come in, tell us what they like, put it in the bin, and just be their store. This store cares about the community.” Mr. Haku said.
She is proud of how far she has come in a few years and wants to be an advocate in the community for other small business owners looking to pursue their dreams.
“This is something that helps everyone. It's a way of life. If you like being on a boat and looking at trash, this will help minimize the trash that's in our waterways. We can all do the little things. That will make a big difference,” Haq said.
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