Celebrating Sunscreen Protection Day With KID LIFE Founder, Shante James
Sunscreen Protection Day is celebrated every year on May 27th. This day raises awareness for sunscreen products and their valuable benefits to our skin and overall well-being. Meet this Houston-based business providing vegan and cruelty, free skin, care for kids, including a Sunscreen launching soon.
Founder Shante James is a wife, mother of three, and entrepreneur. When the pandemic pushed everyone indoors and altered work schedules, Shante and her family turned their hobby into a passion and a business, KID LIFE. Because their family suffers from allergies and sensitive skin, they were always experimenting with natural ingredients already found in their kitchen.
They began making deodorant and lip balms for their oldest daughter, who was 6 at the time. What started out as kitchen-made products turned into the brand working with major U.S. labs, which now manufactures their product line. Today, you can find the products at easily accessible places like Amazon, Walmart online, and many other e-commerce sites.
What founder Shante has to say is, “Unlike many other brands, we care about our customer’s children, just as we care about ours. We are selective about the choice of ingredients in our products. Our Products are made in the USA and created by a Mom of 3 who worked hard to find a solution to our children’s Sensitive Skin and Allergies issues. Most of our products are convenient for parents because they can be used for all skin types and hair.”
Please tell us a little about yourself.
Shante: I grew up in Flint, Michigan and graduated from Oakland University, and received my MSA from the University of Phoenix. I worked for a big-box retailer for 14 years holding various positions from a cashier and quickly moving to higher positions in administration and management. I also worked for our local school district in accounting. I became a stay-at-home mom after the birth of our second child. In 2019, I opened a local Beauty Supply Boutique with a family member.
What inspired you to launch KID LIFE?
Shante: Due to schedule changes, Covid-19, and personal events, we pivoted to e-commerce and a mobile store in the summer of 2020. During my time at home, I turned my hobby of making natural skincare products for my kids from a hobby to a business. I was inspired by kids and the suppliers of hair companies that our beauty supply store carries. Our first product was our Kids Natural deodorant, which was made for our oldest daughter, who started puberty at 6. I felt that if I could sell hair care, I could also sell my own skincare. I have been a serial entrepreneur since 2010, I started as a travel agent and ventured into other opportunities. As of now, I am married with three children under the age of 10. Entrepreneurship is what works best for our family lifestyle. Being an entrepreneur also helps my family build generational wealth and a legacy.
As a mother and entrepreneur, how do you define success?
Shante: I define success as achieving anything that you have a plan, goal, or vision to accomplish. Even if it’s easy for you, remember others are watching and your success is motivation and success to others.
Do you believe in work-life balance? If so how do you maintain it?
Shante: I do believe in work-life balance. I understand that it can be hard to achieve. I am personally thankful for my husband, who works full time to support our household, while I do the other full-time work at home and build a business to work on extending work-life balance for us all.
Thank you for finding a solution to children’s Sensitive Skin and Allergies issues. What do you have planned for the next six months?
Shante: In the next 6 months, we plan to focus on building relationships with our current customers and marketing our brand to make KIDLIFE, a well-known trusted house brand when it comes to kids’ daily essentials. We are also working on launching two new products to the market that we know the customers we love along with getting our products into the storefront for easier convenience for our customers.
“At Kidlife, we are working hard on developing a sunscreen product that will be safe and gentle for all kiddos and protect them from unwanted UV rays. We hope to have this product in your homes soon! Until then, use your favorite, safe sunscreen to keep your skin protected.”-Shante James
Follow on Instagram: @kidlifeklub
