Meet Ariane Noji | Brand Founder of Contemplation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariane Noji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariane, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve worked in the beauty industry for over 15 years, doing product development for all sort of brands. I’ve helped bring skincare, haircare, color cosmetics and fragrances to life from concept to on shelf, so I know how to make a good beauty product. The problem that I was seeing though, is that the beauty products can often be extremely unsustainable. People don’t always realize the eco footprint a beauty product has, but everything from ingredients, packaging and end of use for the product makes an impact. Unfortunatley there’s a negative side of the beauty industry that is often overlooked – including things like unethical sourcing, overuse of natural resources, unwanted waste, pollution and overconsumption. I decided to start my own business because I wanted to create a brand that combined my passion of environmental care with self care. I set out to create a product that could be as sustainable as possible. The idea was to start with one product that could be used all over your face, body and hair. It would have minimal, ethically sourced & upcycled ingredients, come in recyclable glass bottle and last a long time. It was a low waste, effortless solution that could be easy on people & the planet. I started Contemplation because I wanted people to know they could take care of themselves with a minimal alternative to using multiple products and that they could do it in a way that was mindful and eco-conscious.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets my business apart from other brands is that I want to make sustainability the forefront of the brand – not just an afterthought. I want to help people & the planet – not just sell a product. I sell just one thing – an all over oil that can be used from head to toe on all skin types & hair types, all ages, and all genders. We all need to keep our skin and hair moisturized so it’s something everyone can use in an easy, effortless way. We’re trying to show that you don’t need a ten step routine to take care of yourself.

Our oil is 100% plant based and uses upcycled ingredients which means we’re helping to reduce plant waste. With every bottle sold we donate to 1% for the planet, to help do our part for our environment. Last year we partnered with & donated a portion of our sales a nonprofit called RiseBySundara which helped women who were working towards clean water initiatives in their underserved communities. Our goal is to partner with similar nonprofits and keep working towards sharing our profits with people who are making our world better.

My journey as a business owner has definitely had it’s challenges. As a solo entrepreneur, its been hard navigating the best ways to build brand awareness. I’ve reached out to mentors and have leaned into other female founders that have given me some great advice.

My ultimate goal with this brand is to show that when we take care of ourselves and our planet, we are supporting humanity together. We don’t need a ton of materialistic products in our lives – we can have fewer, better products that make a positive impact on everyone.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve lived on the east side and west side of LA so I have favorite spots all around the city. First off, there are so many great museums in LA so that would definitely be on my list of things to do. LACMA, MOCA and THE BROAD are all wonderful options. If your looking for some great food options, go to Olvera street for some delicious taquitos and Mexican food and Grand Central Market for a variety of delicious savory and sweet choices. There’s also little Tokyo in downtown which is always a great choice for dining & exploring. On Sundays in LA, the best place to go is Smorgasburg where they have tons of food trucks and vendors to choose from. You could spend hours there tasting different foods and shopping local. For a fun dinner with friends, check out De La Nonna in downtown LA – they have some delicious pizza and a really cool vibe. For the best sweet treat, you have to try Sidecar Doughnuts or Salt & Straw Ice Cream (both have multiple locations in LA). And you can’t go wrong with just laying out on the beach in Venice or Santa Monica if watching the waves and soaking up the sun is more your vibe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people in my life that have been supportive of me but I have to say it all starts with my parents. Ever since I was young, they encouraged me to live in a way that felt good to me. I’ve always been a creative person and they really embraced that part of me, giving me the freedom to be artistic in all forms of life. Every idea that I have had, they have always supported me and just made me feel like the most important thing in life was to do what makes you happy. That type of support is what led me to feel confident enough to start my own business. My husband also has been a major support system in so many ways. He has always listened to my ideas and goals and has encouraged me when I feel anxious or stressed (which happens a lot as an entrepreneur). My closest friends have been by my side as well – showing up and emotionally supporting me when I really need them. Without these people in my life, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: https://mycontemplation.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplation.official/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arieterese/