As a visual artist, I love working in the artisanal field, and Laka Sharah allows me to infuse my passions of sculpting and aromatherapy, and express myself in a meaningful way. Laka Sharah soaps are not just ordinary soaps, but works of art. One of my other creative outlets is baking, so I try to make my soaps look like actual desserts, which make them even more luxurious. I add intricate details to each piece that makes them look ready to eat. For example, on the Jamboree Cake Slice soap, you’ll see that I carved icing into it, and it looks like a real cupcake.

Seeing how people react to each of my pieces, and the smile it puts on their faces really brings me a lot of joy. I completely understand how those few minutes of joy can transform one’s entire mindset and mood for the rest of the day. It’s all about the simple pleasures, and the intention to slow down and enjoy them.

I registered Laka Sharah as a business in 2021, but the procurement for the materials started in 2020. My cousin informed me of the Christmas in July event and I ended up being one of the lucky selectants for Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC). This was right in the middle of the pandemic, but I decided to give it a try anyway. It appealed to me because most of the application process was online, which was very convenient. The entire process went smoothly and JBDC really encouraged me to put my best foot forward and really think about how I wanted my brand to be perceived.