Meet the Maker: Heather of HUNA Skin

The skincare line that’s been glowing me up lately is not only Canadian, cruelty-free, and intelligently packaged for minimum waste, but it’s also run by an incredible soul, Heather Urquhart, who I’m pleased to introduce you to today. Heather’s education and experience, the upward trajectory of her business, and her genuine smile would never signal that she fought tooth and nail to make Huna Skin an apothecary skincare line with five-star reviews all over the internet. But like every strong woman who decidedly rises from adverse moments, Heather let the climb make her stronger.

Quickly I want to thank Green Tree Beauty for always, always curating the best ethical products on the market (if you’re a regular reader, you know that’s my heart talkin’) and for facilitating the connection between Heather and I. And without further ado, sink your teeth into this inspiring interview with CEO and Master Formulator, Heather Urquhart.

Me: You started your skincare career working with a major, multinational luxury brand. Making the leap into not only launching your own brand, but launching one based in botanical healing seems huge to me!  Why plants? Why independent? And why did you make that leap when you did?

Heather: I have always loved plants, from a very young age.  I spent my youth in the garden with my mom & grandmother. Then I went on to study Botany in University, supporting my way through University by working part-time for a luxury beauty brand, and working full-time in the summers as a tree planter to conserve and replant Winnipeg’s Riverbank Forest.  You could say that Beauty and Botany have always been my major passions and interests.

Why independent? Well, after graduating University I spent a couple years working for major global corporations. I worked all over the organizations so I was exposed to a huge amount of the business, and I was perplexed by immense corporate structures and systems that dampened and mitigated innovation, creativity, flexibility, adaptability and accountability.  I remember thinking to myself, ‘If I were to create a company, I would do it all so differently’.

I made the leap to leave the corporate world after going through a heavy personal tragedy. I had hit my personal rock bottom. I was feeling lost and needed to hit the pause button.  So I quit my career in marketing, registered for strategic management courses and at the same time, started playing with botanical skincare and plant ingredients as a hobby to address some skin issues I was having. It was the perfect storm at the perfect time— everything came together when I needed it to most. I turned that hobby into a business and it stemmed and grew from there.

Me: Your specializations seem like they were designed as a recipe for Huna: a Science degree from the University of Manitoba where you focused on dermal health, nutrition, and skin science, your diploma in Natural Cosmetic Formulating, plus your experience in the medical-pharmaceutical and beauty industries. What parts of your education and experience do you find you draw from most? Aaaaand which part did you enjoy most in the moment? (Feel free to tell me if one was a slog!) 

Heather: Totally. Looking back at my life, I’m amazed at how everything came together to form Huna. At the time, my life seemed disorganized, hectic, and all over the place. I didn’t realize I was building on those experiences, education, learnings, insights, challenges, and opportunities and had no idea that all these random things would come together into something that actually made sense. To me, it goes to show that the universe is putting you in exactly the right spot at exactly the right time. It’s putting you though all of the challenges and bullshit and headaches and heartaches to build you up to do something that you never thought you’d be capable of.   

I draw from all of my experiences and education. The science (botany, microbiology, chemistry, herbalism), I use on a daily basis with formulating, innovation, and Research & Development. The business (strategy, marketing, management, leadership, retail), I use in the day-to-day operations of running a company, brand and team. But I draw the most impact from my motivation and inspiration to create something that is intensely right, good and positive. During my time in the corporate world, I saw and experienced a lot of business aspects that had very real, negative impacts on the world and on people. That is what makes me want to do something more than to just be part of the system. And I think that’s why people try to drive change: because they are fundamentally frustrated with how things currently are, and they know they can create something better.  

We have so much opportunity to be better. So, I’m trying to create the best company that I can. I’m working hard to create a company that is uniquely structured to be sustainable, responsible, and ethical…one that is good for people and the planet. It’s more difficult than it sounds, because decisions usually need to be made between profit and responsibility, but that’s what will define the good companies from the not-so-good companies in the future. I think people will have less tolerance for the not-so-good companies moving forward, and that is a positive shift.

What did I enjoy the most?  I loved (and still do love) studying Herbalism. Learning and working with what plants can do for human health really blows my mind. I feel like Herbalism and Plant Medicine are largely untapped— there is so much potential for what plants can do to reinvent the products we rely on. And I’m enjoying living in the moment, more so than I ever have in the past. I feel like I’m exactly where I should be in my path, and I’m excited to live whatever comes next.

Pictured above: some of many wins.

Me: What challenges have you faced along the way? And, for anyone who might be reading this going through challenges on their own path, how did you persevere to achieve your goal?

Heather: SO. MANY. CHALLENGES.  No one said it would be easy…but no one said it would be this hard either!  Everyone faces struggle on their path.  It isn’t so much about what you go through, it’s about how you respond and handle it.  Once you decide that you want to do something that is worthwhile, to create something that has a purpose that is bigger than you, you just need to do it. No matter what it takes, how much you bleed, how much it hurts, or how difficult it is, follow your vision and see it through.  

I could write a pretty fascinating book on our challenges, problems, threats, losses, wins, and overall roller-coaster ride of successes and failures over the years. From a lack of funding and having to personally fund the company, to legal challenges, international startup pitch competitions, competing against arch enemies, disgruntled ex-employees, deal negotiations with major multinational companies, University scandal, legal misconduct, copycat companies...the list goes on and on.  

We have seen our fair share of challenges and pains. And I know there is more coming our way. That’s okay. How does someone persevere to achieve their goal? I don’t really know, and I haven’t reached my goals for Huna quite yet. But I do know that there needs to be a certain amount of ‘fighter’ within a person to be an entrepreneur. I’ve heard people call it ‘grit’ before. Entrepreneurs are probably the most annoying people to be friends with, but they do get shit done, lol… you have to respect their focus.

Me: There is a healing garden whose harvest for Huna ingredients makes your products, um, "farm-to-face" you could say! I think (because you are retailed at Green Tree Beauty) that this is part of your mandate of being truly sustainable. Can you tell me about Huna's environmental considerations?

Heather: Absolutely.  The Huna Skin Nutrition Gardens are what makes Huna products truly unique and sustainable. Huna grows over 40 different plants, all of which are used traditionally in Herbal Medicine for skin health. We grow the plants organically under the prairie sunshine, and we harvest the plants by hand.  We incorporate the plants into three specific blends, which make up our active ingredient complexes for each Huna range (Revitalize, Clarify, and Nourish). Some of the plants we grow in the Huna Skin Nutrition Gardens include Calendula, Chamomile, Borage, Plantain, Yarrow, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Lavender, Chickweed, Cleavers, Rumex, and Peppermint…just to name a few!

That’s why Huna products delivers incredible results: because Huna uses ultra-fresh botanical ingredients and science-backed clinical data to develop the most effective botanical combinations for common skin conditions and concerns. And, because Huna only sources the highest-quality organic, fair-trade and sustainably-sourced ingredients for the plants that we cannot grow ourselves. I don’t know of any other beauty company in the world that goes to the efforts and extent that Huna does, to create high-performance and sustainable organic plant-based skincare and cosmetics. Huna is truly in a class of its own.

Huna products are Organic, 100% Natural, Vegan & Vegetarian, Certified Cruelty-free, GMO-free, Gluten-free, Biodegradable, and Sustainable.  Huna products are thoughtfully packaged in recyclable UV-protected frosted glass packaging, with post-consumer recycled outer boxes.

Once Huna’s plants are picked and processed at the Huna Gardens, we transport the plants to the Huna Labs & Offices which are located at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.  That’s where we formulate and professionally handcraft each Huna product, then pack and ship each Huna order with love and meticulous care.

Me: What's your personal absolute must-have Huna product?

Heather: Oh boy, it’s hard for me to pick just one! I religiously use only Huna and have a pretty detailed skin routine. I’m obsessed with Huna Revitalize Cleansing Crème. It is the best facial cleanser I’ve ever used and I cannot live without it. It removes every last bit of makeup, sunscreen and gunk on my face after a long sweaty day and my skin is so soft, smooth, balanced, clear, and happy afterward.

I also can’t live without the Huna Firming Eye Cream (I have an issue with dark undereye circles) and the Revitalize Age-Grace Face Serum which is my go-to daily moisturizer to protect my skin from free radical damage with a protective antioxidant barrier. I love the healthy-looking glow this product gives my skin thanks to rosehip, carrot, and sea buckthorn berry. It gives skin this gorgeous glowy sheen looks really natural, like you’re ‘glowing from within’.  

Me: Is there anything you're currently working on that's exciting you?

We are always working on new and exciting innovations, that challenge and reward is the part I love most about my job. I’m most excited about an upcoming Plant Cosmetics line that we’re launching later this year. We’ve spent a few years in research to extract pigments from plants to develop one of the world’s first plant-pigmented and plant-based colour cosmetics ranges. I can’t wait to share it!  We’re also launching some really cool herbal hyaluronic acid serums, and we have a Firming Face + Neck Lotion coming out later this year that is really effective.  

Huna is Site Licenced by Health Canada to manufacture sanitizers for COVID, so we are excited to launch an Organic Hand Sanitizer with soothing and hydrating goodies like panthenol, vegetable ceramides, hyaluronic acid, humectants and Calendula flower extract in July 2020. It’s the best hand sanitizer- 98.5% organic, 100% plant-based, hydrating and soothing high-performance plant extracts, and is authorized by Health Canada as an effective antiseptic and antibacterial hand sanitizer. I always carry a bottle with me, everywhere I go.

Me: Can you leave us with one thing you’ve learned along your journey?

Trust the universe, she always has your back. Trust your path, your journey is unique and it will take you exactly where you need to be. And trust the process. Life is tough and it feels like it will break you sometimes, but keep moving forward, keep changing and growing. You will get to where you need to be.   

Thanks to Heather for sharing her story and behind-the-scenes peeks of what’s to come with Huna. You can find the line stocked at Green Tree Beauty, and I’m with Heather in that yes, I love the whole Huna line, but the creme cleanser is a totally different product and has done wonders for my skin. Buy it and send me a thank-you note in two weeks.

xo