Meet Mildred Agbana of Mimaami Organics

Dry skin and eczema are not the easiest conditions to treat. Take it from Mildred Agbana whose daughter had been suffering with these conditions for years. Her mother sent her a tub of shea butter from Ghana, and within days of using it, she realized it was the magic ingredient she was been looking for. What followed was the creation of Mimaami Organics, a brand that offers simple yet effective natural and organic skincare products that are clean, nourishing, affordable, vegan-friendly, and ethically-sourced from female cooperatives in Sub-Saharan Africa to provide them with economic empowerment. Read on to learn more about Mildred, the line, and her partnerships with women in Africa.

Westchester Family: How did the idea for Mimaami Organics come about?

Mildred Agbana: Ten years ago, my daughter was born with severe dry skin and eczema. I searched tirelessly for an effective moisturizer to keep her skin hydrated. As a nurse, I knew moisturizing is key to maintaining the skin moisture barrier and preventing further breakdown; however, from the most expensive to prescribed moisturizers, nothing worked, and she was up all-night scratching and crying. It was one of those frustrating nights that I reached out to my mother in Ghana who reminded me of the power of the shea nut.

My mother sent a tub of shea butter to a relative traveling to the United States, and within days of trying shea butter on my body, I realized it was the magic ingredient I have been searching for all this while. It kept my daughter’s skin protected and moisturized, and she went from crying to sleeping throughout the night and became a baby in matter of days. I wanted to share this healing balm with mothers all over the world who may be experiencing something similar or close to that.

When I learned that women made shea butter in the Sub-Saharan Region of Africa and it’s their primary source of income, I became more empowered to use the business to support them.

Westchester Family: What was your background before Mimaami Organics?

Mildred Agbana: Before Mimaami, I was working full-time as a nurse case manager and had to communicate back and forth to the office. Prior to starting Mimaami Organics, I knew very little about the shea butter supply chain; it all changed after my daughter was born, and learning about shea butter as the” women’s gold” due to the economic opportunities it brought women there gave me the drive I needed to launch Mimaami.

Westchester Family: Tell us more about the line and what you offer?

Mildred Agbana: Mimaami Organics creates simple yet effective natural and organic skincare products that are clean, nourishing, affordable, vegan-friendly, and ethically-sourced from female cooperatives in Sub-Saharan Africa to provide them with economic empowerment. Our products are inspired by traditional skincare secrets from Sub-Saharan Africa that are passed on and shared with mothers worldwide.

Mimaami Organics has a rich and bold brand identity and products that pay homage to African culture, heritage, and legacy. “Mimaami” means my mother in the Twi language of Ghana. Adinkra symbols and patterns are beautifully illustrated in the logo and packaging, conveying the essence of mother earth: natural, sustainable, with healing properties using the power of shea nut.

Our product lines includes imported nutrient-rich body oils, such as argan oil, baobab oil, moringa oil, marula oil, whipped shea body butters, belly butter, and African black soap face wash and body wash. The new line will provide hydration and nourishment for customers in new forms and build brand awareness with expecting and new mom segments. Our products are ideal for dry and sensitive skin but suitable for all skin types.

Westchester Family: Tell us more about your partnership with African artisans.

Mildred Agbana: Mimaami Organics sources our products directly from Pansung Cooperative in Northern Ghana. We pay fair trade for our services providing women with economic empowerment. We organized training to ensure quality improvement and sustainable farming practices. Overall, we donate 5% of all profits towards maternal and child health initiatives in the region.

Westchester Family: How is Mimaami Organics different from what’s out there?

Mildred Agbana: We prioritize quality over quantity and agree that you don’t need 20 steps to a skincare routine. We provide you with simple, quality, natural and organic ingredients that are clean, safe, never tested on animals, and happily tested on our family.

Our close collaboration with the female producers in our supply chain provides them with economic empowerment, and by having a perfect and long-standing relationship with them, we are able to pass these benefits to you at affordable prices

We also have eco-friendly packaging, clean, cruelty free, and responsibly-sourced ingredients. We use our business as a vehicle to do good and make the world a better place for future generations.

Westchester Family: What are some of your favorite things to do in Westchester/the Hudson Valley?

Mildred Agbana: In Westchester, I love taking the kids to Croton Gorge Park. They love it and never want to leave. Within the Hudson Valley, we spend family time in Cold Spring, and enjoy the walkway Over the Hudson in the summer. We also enjoy movies and having family dinners at local restaurants.

Westchester Family: Anything else to add?

Mildred Agbana: Mimaami Organics is passionate about women’s health. As a registered nurse, I have dedicated 5% of all profits towards maternal and child health initiatives in Lingbinsi in Northern Ghana. Maternal and child health mortality rates are high in the area, and the Sub-Saharan region as a whole, which is why Mimaami Organics’ mission is to our part by making an impact by reducing the rates in the region.