Hidden Gems: Meet Manny Addo of Natural Shea Care

Today we’d like to introduce you to Manny Addo.

Manny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
In 2001, I embarked on a journey from Ghana to the United States, fueled by the notion that “New York is one mile away from heaven.” Little did I anticipate the myriad challenges that awaited me in this new land? Despite the trials, I founded Natural Shea Care (NSC) and introduced True Shea, an exquisite, all-natural shea butter product, to the market. Beginning humbly in my basement, I diligently marketed my products at local stores, churches, and flea markets. Today, True Shea graces the shelves of 1,500 Kroger stores and is available online through retail giants like Amazon, Target, and Walmart.  

The journey from basement entrepreneur to CEO and founder of a flourishing enterprise has been transformative. In 2023 alone, I had the privilege of sharing my entrepreneurial journey at approximately fifty prestigious events, including the esteemed 2023 Growth Summit in Las Vegas, where I crossed paths with none other than Chris Gardner, the real-life inspiration behind the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness.” These speaking engagements have not only allowed me to reflect on my own path but also to inspire others to pursue their dreams with unwavering determination. Today, as I share my story with audiences around the country, I am reminded that every challenge I faced was a steppingstone toward realizing my dreams.  

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect? 
I arrived in Cincinnati from Ghana about 20 years ago with $600 to get my MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. This lack of funds led me to overcome many challenges, like sleeping on the floor for my first year here, wearing the same 2 pairs of pants for 2 years, and working the 3rd shift at a warehouse while going to school during the day. I’m thankful for those that seek to help immigrants like myself, such as a catholic priest at Xavier that gave me a $5,000 loan to continue my education. I graduated from Xavier and went on to work as a financial analyst for various Fortune 500 companies, including General Electric (GE).  

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Natural Shea Care, LLC? 
Natural Shea Care is a black-owned natural beauty care company headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. Our mission is to support and empower the women of Ghana, where we source our shea butter. We produce finished skin and hair care products in the US, which are currently available nationwide at Kroger Stores and online at Walmart, Target, and Amazon. In a highly competitive skin care industry, our marketing strategy emphasizes expanding our product range and enhancing visibility to drive growth.  

Our shea butter consumer packaged goods are sourced from high-quality shea nuts harvested in West Africa. Our shea butter is natural, organic, whipped, and sustainably produced. Our main product, True Shea Butter, contains a higher concentration of shea in comparison to other products on the market. This allows for the user to experience all the health benefits that shea butter has to offer, such as its moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and collagen-producing attributes.  

Product Differentiation:  

Unrefined Shea Butter: Our shea butter is unrefined (all natural), making it chemical-free compared to other products on the market i.e. P&G Olay shea butter. Our unrefined shea butter appeals to the all-natural consumer which is an increasing market segment.  

Higher Shea Concentration: Our products have a higher concentration of shea butter, making it a great moisture, especially for the cold season.  

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us? 
I am an avid bike rider. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.naturalsheacare.com
• Instagram: true.shea.butter
• Facebook: true.shea.butter
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/natural-shea-care-true-shea