Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009

Cary body care company starts up

It was a lesson in horticulture and international aid that inspired one of the Triangle's newest beauty companies. JustNeem, a family business based in Cary, creates body care products made with the oils and extracts of the neem tree. The tree, found in areas such as Southeast Asia and the African nation of Mauritania, is known for its medicinal properties.

"We were first introduced to and inspired by the neem tree through our friend Bill Stoffregen, founder of Homewood Nursery and Garden Center in North Raleigh," says Antje Radtke, whose parents founded the company. "As we learned about neem's amazing medical properties, we knew we had found a resource that could bring economic, ecological and health improvements to the people in Mauritania, while at the same time benefiting people right here at home."

The company began creating soaps, lotions, bath salts and other beauty products, designed to give back to the people of Mauritania. By buying their ingredients from locals at fair trade prices, and by financing the planting of neem orchards and nurseries, the company hopes to help the people of the struggling nation.

"The opportunity to give back to Africa inspired us to create JustNeem, and it remains the core of our business," Radtke says.

JustNeem holiday gift sets are available at Whole Foods stores in Raleigh, Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill. You can also find the line at www.justneem.com.