As seen in CaryCitizen:

Business Meets Beauty: Just Neem

Cary, NC – Sometimes a business starts with just a seed. An idea to create a quality product and at the same time make a positive change in the world.

That is what Peter and Magda Radtke have done with their Cary-based company JustNeem.

The Seed

Peter, a biochemist by profession and Magda, a teacher, wanted to do more and put their passion to work in a meaningful way. After traveling with a Disaster Relief Organization doing work in Africa, Peter met with folks from Mauritania. This area of Africa is 90% desert and the people there suffer with extreme drought and poverty.

Looking for a way to help and researching the scarce resources that existed there, the indigenous desert trees were explored. The mahogany-like tree, the Neem, was growing well in this part of Africa. In India, the Neem tree was well known as the “village pharmacy” because of it’s healing properties and had been used in medicinal practices there for over 4000 years.

Peter then turned to his many colleagues in biochemistry to do further research into Neem’s healing properties. At the same time, Magda had been busy with her hobby of soap making. The concept of bringing all of these activities, ideas and products together was then rooted.

JustNeem Grows

All parts of the tree have been studied extensively in Neem research. The fruit, and in particular the kernel, contains oil with very high amounts of active bio-molecules. These bio-molecules hold a variety of beneficial compounds. Well-documented properties of Neem include its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral effects, as well as its role in accelerated wound healing.

It is with these healing oils that JustNeem makes their products. All soaps and lotions are made with the finest cosmetic grade raw materials and contain Neem and other natural ingredients.

Beginning with small craft and art shows like Cary’s Lazy Daze Festival, JustNeem sprouted. Soon, their products were picked up by Whole Foods Market and now appear in the Southeast region and New York Whole Foods stores as well as small local shops around the country.

JustNeem Blooms

On a visit to their soap kitchen in Cary, I got a first hand look into how they make their amazing soaps. The smells of florals, tropical fruits and spices wafted through the air.

I saw how all the products were handmade in small batches and wrapped and labeled individually. Here is a list of the bath and body products now being produced there with Neem oil:

• Soaps -20 different scents, all made with natural ingredients including lavender, shea butter, cranberries, Aloe Vera, ginger, vitamin E, coconut & sunflower oils
• Body Lotions – 9 different scents and all contain the valuable properties of Neem and act as a natural skin protector and soothing agent.
• Outdoor Body Spray – Neem oils combined with herbal extracts provide a deterrent to biting insects without the use of chemicals. Also used to disinfect minor cuts and sooth itching skin.
• Men’s Shaving Soap & After Shave – Contain the antiseptic and healing properties of Neem and soothes the skin after shaving.
• Bath Salts & Tub Tea – Soothing to the skin.
• Lip Balm – Protects and moisturizes.
• Neem Cure Oil – Neem oil has been known for centuries to help treat topical wounds, skin blemishes, burns, and infections.

JustNeem body products can be purchased locally at all Whole Foods Markets, A Southern Season, at small boutiques or at JustNeem.com.

What I do know first-hand is that the soaps have been fabulous for my teenage children’s’ skin. It has dramatically reduced acne breakouts for both of them. I have also been using the body lotion (Green Tea Scent) and love the smell and moisture it brings to my skin.

These products containing the Neem oils are said to also treat:

• topical wounds
• skin blemishes
• burns
• infections
• eczema and psoriasis
• athletes foot
• bug bites
• diaper rash

This stuff really is amazing!

Returning to its Roots

Peter and Magda have been collaborating with humanitarian organizations in Mauritania, West Africa to help create jobs centered around this tree. The Neem tree can be used to generate income for families simply by planting the tree and selling its leaves and fruit.

Magda and Peter travel to Mauritania on a regular basis to visit their partners there. They purchase all their Neem raw material from Mauritania, using existing Neem trees and paying a fair market price for labor and goods. This helps create jobs and generates income for families living with few resources.

With proceeds from soap sales, JustNeem is now funding the planting of Neem trees in neighborhoods surrounding the city of Nouakchott and have established a Neem tree orchard. The goal: to create a self sustaining industry in Mauritania with Neem, providing it’s people with jobs, a fair income and a richer life.

Perspective

There are few people you meet in life that want to make the world a better place and then actually act on that desire. After doing my own research into the benefits of the Neem tree, and what it’s fruits might mean for those in an impoverished country, I know that Peter and Magda have found their future.

Their dedication to providing wonderful quality products in a family company and  improving living conditions in Mauritania is steadfast. It was no accident that Peter and Magda made the therapeutic Neem tree the base of their business.

Just like the tree itself, JustNeem has shown it has healing powers.

Cary, NC – All of us at JustNeem are wishing all of you and your families a very Happy and Thankful Thanksgiving.  We certainly are thankful to our many loyal customers!

JustNeem Asks You to Pledge to Shop Small

JustNeem wants to help fuel a vibrant economy and invigorate communities across the country. So, we’re proud to announce that we are supporting Small Business Saturday and encouraging everyone to pledge their support and shop small at their favorite local businesses this Saturday, November 26.

It’s a day dedicated to supporting small businesses, the heartbeat of our communities. Local businesses need more shoppers visiting their stores and making purchases.

We are a small, family owned and operated business just like many in your community. Like Us on Facebook, tell your freinds about us. We want to hear from you.

Free Shipping On November 26th!

In honor of Small Business Saturday, JustNeem is offering free shipping on all purchases made on this Saturday, November 26th at JustNeem.com . And we thank you for your business!

Cary Chamber Ribbon-Cutting Celebrates Woman Power

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Story and photo by Leslie Huffman

Cary, NC – The Historic Heater House, at 120 Dry Avenue, was built in 1918 by the Heater family. Years later it was used as a dormitory for students and then owned by several other families. But in the early 2000′s the property was purchased, restored and renovated into an executive suites office building, now named The Historic Heater Center.

Last week, The Cary Chamber of Commerce celebrated the seven businesses that occupy the Historic Heater Center with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony. All of the seven businesses are women-owned and operated.

Delancy Carroll, Vice President of Member Business Services, presided over the occasion.

“This business center is a wonderful example of what we are trying to accomplish here in downtown Cary,” said Carroll. “I am especially proud that these are all women owned businesses that reside in this beautifully renovated historic home.”

The Residents Of The Heater Center

Heather Swanner Photography Studio, Inc is a boutique photo studio focusing on weddings, family portraits and customized products for the home. Owner Heather Swanner says that she believes that family photos should be displayed in our homes as prominently as any other piece of fine art. Heather has 18 years of experience working with families.

Next Step Massage & Yoga is committed to helping you reduce your stress and enhance your health. Owner Jennifer Prevost uses a combination of techniques in her massage therapy tailored for the individual. She also offers private and semi-private yoga sessions.

Rouge et Noir skin care studio specialize in facials for all skin types, relaxing and nourishing body treatments, healthy sunless tanning and all types of body waxing. Owner Lena Vorontsova was born and raised in the Ukraine and has studied in France and Spain at the Guinot Institute as a esthetician and has 20 years of experience.

JustNeem produces all natural skin care products made with the healing power of Neem. All natural Neem has been used in India for thousands of years to help restore healthy skin. Owner Magda Radtke travels to West Africa to bring Neem to the U.S. through fair trade practices with impoverished communities in West Africa. Neem is very effective in soothing the effects of dry skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis, or other skin irritations.

Maria Scheel Invitations & More specializes in high end custom wedding invitations. Owner Maria Scheel will assist you in selecting unique, custom invitations, tiaras, favors, and seating scrolls for your wedding, Bar / Bat Mitzvah, Sweet Sixteen, or other special occasion. Maria also carries birth announcements, holiday cards and baby/bridal shower invitations.

Seven Generations Massage & Birth specializes in massage and bodywork therapies to promote and maintain optimum wellness for women of all ages. Owner Donna Zubrod, is a nationally certified and state licensed massage and bodywork therapist who has achieved advanced training and certification in a variety of specialized medical massage modalities. She also offers pre and peri-natal massage, as well as birth Doula services.

Blue Sky Pilates offers private, semi-private and small group mat and Pilates equipment sessions for all fitness levels. Whether you are new to Pilates, looking to advance your current practice, or recovering from an injury or illness, Owner Kellie Loomis will design safe, challenging, and personalized sessions to meet your individual fitness or therapeutic goals.

“Anytime we have the opportunity to educate people on all the wonderful benefits of neem we get excited”, said Magda. “We don’t just make soap and lotion, we make all kinds quality products that possess the healing properties that come from neem and we love to tell people about it.”

You can see some of our products here on “My Carolina Today”, a show about what’s going on in Central Carolina. Here Valonda talks with Magda and Jeffrey about JustNeem.

Come try one of our wonderful products! Soaps, lotions, lip balm, outdoor spray, bath salts, shaving soaps, and our most popular “Neem Cure” are all available at our on-line store, and in all the Southeastern Whole Foods Stores. JustNeem is all natural and healthy for your body.

Turn yourself on to the benefits of neem!

Melting oils and mixing ingredients

Pouring soap blend into molds

Cutting soaps

Wrapping and labeling comes last. Done!

You can find many of our products at these Whole Foods Locations: Chapel Hill, Cary, Durham, and Raleigh.

Whole Foods in Cary is offering our products with a significant discount.

What is Extraordinary Ventures, you might ask? Here is a quote from their website that describes them very well:

Extraordinary Ventures is a non-profit organization that provides “employment and social opportunities for people with developmental disabilities 15 years of age and above.”

We at JustNeem have found an extraordinary young man at Extraordinary Ventures, who has taken on the task of professionally wrapping and labeling our soaps! Sam is his name, and I wish I had a picture of him to show you. I will have to ask him for one next time I swap soaps for wrapping . . . We are thrilled to collaborate with this awesome organization! With that we not only help create jobs in far away Africa, but also here in our own neighborhood!

Check out their website, and make sure to watch the video about Matt, another young man like Sam! It’s an extraordinary experience to say the least !

http://www.extraordinaryventures.org

JustNeem has begun another exciting journey! This time it’s a partnership with the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC – Chapel Hill, together with the Center for Sustainable Enterprise. 

We have been accepted to participate in the BASE Program, the Business Accelerator for Sustainable Entrepreneurship, organized by the Business School. It focuses on bringing together local North Carolina businesses with environmental and social objectives in order to connect them with development resources in the community.

On Wed., January 28, we attended the first BASE reception and had a chance to meet the other participants, such as the Green Fountain Group, an organization that focuses on providing information, education and training about ‘green’ living to low wealth communities, along with a host of advisors and mentors that will guide the program. 

Next we’ll all be meeting with folks from the Hutchison Law Group and SJF Advisory Serivices to learn more about growing a business in a challenging economy. This should be good! 

We are excited to get to know other social entrepreneurs in the North Carolina area with similar visions of making a difference, and we feel privileged to network and learn from the business development folks that have offered their time to the BASE program. You can read more about BASE on the Kenan-Flagler Web site.

Here's the evidence...Whole Foods at Waverly Place sells JustNeem Soaps! (picture take by Matt in Cary, NC.)

Whole Foods now sells our Neem Soap! After much hard work and intense preparation, JustNeem is proud to present a brand new line of Neem soaps made especially for Whole Foods. Our friend Matt just sent us this photo: the soaps are officially on the shelves of the Whole Foods at Waverly Place in Cary, NC. Definitely, one giant leap for JustNeem!

These soaps are made with organic oils and can be found in the Whole Body Premium Line. The scents available are: Lavender Shea, Lemongrass Aloe, Rosemary Eucalyptus, Chamomile Grapefruit, and Orange Mint. We also offer a scent-free soap.

For those of you live in the Cary area, let us know which one you bring home! We love to hear which ones become your favorites.

See our newest Blog Post about JustNeem & Whole Foods HERE.

Our first purchase of Mauritanian Neem has arrived!

These are the leaves we received from Mauritania. See how Ben and his wife processed the leaves in the video below!

We also received some Neem Seeds from Mauritania

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