Page 52 - 2021 Westchester County Economic Development Guide
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                                Case Study
Leap of Faith
Jennifer Safara Perry launched her Yonkers-based skincare line, Sacred Seeds, to promote essential self-care. She faced the challenge of COVID-19 with grit and determination to capitalize on all the support the County has to offer.
 Westchester Forward
  © Damon Hall Booth
Sacred Seeds Founder Jennifer Safara Perry secured a wide range of grants, loans and assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.
What was the catalyst for the business?
The brand evolved out of series of life events, and a journey of self discovery. I lost a friend to cancer. Right before he passed, he made me promise to come off antiperspirants for my health. I was a product junkie, but when I started reading the labels, I realized they were not healthy for me. Since then, my feeling is, if you can’t eat it, you shouldn’t put it on your body.
Here, Jennifer shares the journey of launching the brand, and the support she received from the County to keep her entrepreneurial dream alive.
What’s the mission of Sacred Seeds?
The mission of Sacred Seeds is to promote the essential practice of self-care for individuals, communities, and the world.
How did the business start?
Being a lifelong learner, and having traveled to 25 countries, I wanted to make natural, healing spa treatments inspired by my travels, utilizing global beauty rituals and indigenous ingredients. I started making products 20 years ago for friends. I took an art of blending and soap making class and got a great response. I thought, “I must be on to something.”
When did you devote yourself exclusively to Sacred Seeds?
I was working full time and formed my LLC in 2015. In 2017, I lost four friends and realized the fragility of life. I knew I needed to focus full time on my business, and I quit my job in 2018. Not long after that, I was honored to win the Best of Yonkers Award in 2019 and Best of Westchester in 2020.
What was your experience in the second cohort of Element 46?
We met one time before lockdown and then – like everything else – went virtual. It offered a great combination of sharing best practices and lessons learned so as to not have to learn the hard way. We were mentored and got to hear from experts on marketing, social media and accounting. Deborah Novick is so knowledgeable and gave us specific feedback. We also had discussions with the first cohort and had the opportunity to collaborate with other businesses.
How did the pandemic impact you?
I was just at the point where my business was going to skyrocket. I was talking to an airline about partnering. Then everything just stopped. Events, festivals and stores all shut down. I had an
“I told myself, ‘figure it out, make it happen, make it work. Failure is not an option.’”
—Jennifer Safara Perry
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
  











































































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