Guava, seaweed, African black soap, banana extract, pumice stone, mango extract. Take these and other such unique ingredients, add in mood-boosting scents, then ensure multi-use, and you get Unforgivingly Pur. A natural body care solutions company started by sisters Cola and Rochelle Bennett, Unforgivingly Pur aims to challenge beauty and wellness standards. Just as unique as the company’s products is Centennial College’s connection to this ever-evolving Black-owned business.
“Self-care is about more than putting products on your skin — it’s about wellness,” says Cola. “Sometimes, when people don’t feel great or are going through something such as depression, it disrupts daily habits. Self-care is often the first thing to go. In those moments, you don’t want an overcomplicated routine. We wanted to simplify it and yet enhance it, by adding in aroma therapy to boost people’s mood every single day.”
It was Cola’s personal experience with grief and depression after the loss of her eight-year-old-son, Kayshaun, to chronic illness that inspired Unforgivingly Pur. When Kayshaun passed in 2014, Cola, in searching for a way to channel the grief, began to recognize that what she put on her body mattered as much as what she put into it. She found joy in researching natural body care solutions and started to formulate her business idea. With Kayshaun’s memory as a driving force for both Cola and Rochelle, they partnered up — and, shortly after, reached out to the Accelerator for Centennial College Entrepreneurs and Leaders (ACCEL).
“I went to university for classical piano and my sister went to university for nursing, so ACCEL helped us put together a foundation for how to go about doing business,” says Cola of Centennial’s one-stop resource that supports small- to medium-sized enterprises to start or grow their businesses. “It was also a great way to get mentorship and flush out ideas. One of the mentors even helped us put together a formula to figure out what it would cost to make the products. Our business was so specific that we couldn’t find that kind of information online. It was really helpful that he broke it down.”
Even after they completed their program at ACCEL, the Bennet sisters’ relationship with the resource has continued. That’s because ACCEL maintains a strong network of alumni. It’s resulted in Unforgivingly Pur’s invite to and participation in various events, including The Black Business Showcase. Organized by ACCEL and Solv. and the Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Inclusion, the Showcase features more than 40 local Black-owned businesses.
“There are a lot of challenges for Black-owned businesses, such as funding,” says Cola. “We started with $800, and we’ve always been self-funded. I eventually looked into grants, but it wasn’t a lot. Another challenge is standing out among Black-owned businesses. We’d often be called “the shea butter company” when we don’t even use shea butter! That’s why you have to understand your “why” and what makes you unique. Our product quality speaks for itself. We find ingredients people may not know about and highlight them. Then we take what people may consider basic ingredients and elevate them.”
Unforgivingly Pur’s mission to simplify people’s daily body care routine includes multi-use products such as a hair-and-body wash, a hair-and-body butter cream, a two-in-one foot and body scrub as well as a natural deodorant.
As the company heads into a temporary corporate restructuring period to connect even more impactfully with customers, Cola says she’s looking forward to realigning Unforgivingly Pur’s purpose.
“We want to teach people about ways self-care can change their lives — and how our products can be transformative,” she says.
Until the end of February, Unforgivingly Pur will be available in Black Owned Toronto at Scarborough Town Centre.
Check out all the amazing vendors taking part in our Black Business Showcase.