Yvonne Layfield started her skincare brand ‘KaKo Organic’ in 2015, after spending over 15 years in the beauty and spa industry in St Lucia and overseas.

Yvonne’s aim was to create a range of 100% natural face, body and hair products with no artificial scents or preservatives. She only uses ingredients grown on the island by local farmers, like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon, and blends every item by hand for customers from around the world.

Yello chatted with Yvonne about her small business. She told us about her passion for beauty, the biggest challenge she faced setting up her brand, and what makes KaKo Organic different to any other skincare product on the market.

Describe yourself using just a few words. 

Down-to-earth, passionate and a lover of life and nature.

Please tell us a bit about your background.

I was brought up in Castries with my dad and his family, surrounded by a lot of aunties, uncles, my grandmother, and great-grandmother. 

I was independent from a young age, and I started cooking from small. My aunt used to always say I had gifted hands and that I would never starve because I always knew how to take something and make something else out of it.

I spent quite a bit of time watching my great grandmother. She would use a lot of traditional ways to cook, roast her nuts and coffee, so I learned a lot from her.

Tell us about your experience in the spa and beauty industry.

My last schooling in St Lucia was at SDA Academy, and when I finished there, I went to a private school in Sloane Square in central London to do beauty training. 

The woman who owned the school was actually the makeup artist for the Queen’s mum, so she had a royal stamp on all her makeup. It was a privilege to attend beauty school in the UK and to experience living in London.

After school, I came back to St Lucia and worked as a beauty therapist at a beach resort for two years. Then I worked on cruise ships for five years. I started off as a therapist and worked my way up to management. 

I got married, moved to the UK, and worked at the MacDonald chain of luxury hotels and spas which are all over England and Spain. After two and a half years, I had my daughter Jemima and moved back to St Lucia. I managed Ti Kaye Resort & Spa in Anse La Raye for about three years before starting my business.

Tell us about how your business KaKo Organic began.

Part of my job as the spa manager at Ti Kaye was to create a product line, so I used everything that was around me on the grounds. I would ask the guests to pick the fruits they wanted and I would create scrubs and treatments in front of them. We worked along with another company to create a line of natural spa products and that sold very well. 

Once my contract was done, I saw the opportunity to work for myself, and that’s how my business ‘KaKo’ was born.

I started KaKo in December 2015. I wanted to create a product that was 100% natural with no artificial scents or colour. I wanted the client to be able to smell the product and know that, that scent comes from raw chocolate or raw coconut, so there’s nothing artificial or unnecessary in the product.

I called it KaKo because that is the Creole word for brown, and it is associated with nature.

What was the biggest challenge you faced starting the business?

My main challenge was finance. I used to have to decide between buying food or supplies. But my determination and just staying focused and being passionate kept me going.

Creating a high standard and sticking to it is also a challenge because the products are made-to-order, so my customers expect it to be the same each time, and that’s what I aim for every time.

What products do you currently offer? 

I currently offer a full range of face and body products with a bit of hair as well. So, I have scrubs, oils, moisturisers, cleansers, toners, masks, and deodorant, along with hair oils and masks. 

I also have a teeth whitening product and lightening treatments for under the arms. 

And sometimes you work with your clients to customise the products?

All the products have a coconut base but what we can do, if you have a nut allergy, is change the oil to rapeseed or avocado oil. So, something can be changed and customised, if requested. I also do one-on-one consultations if a client is not quite sure what they’re looking for from the product.

Who are your clients? How do they find you? 

Most of my clients are middle class and looking for a high-end product. They often tell me that my product looks expensive and makes them feel special. I am on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and most of my clients reach me through Instagram or via WhatsApp. I also ship worldwide via DHL.

How is your skincare line different from other natural brands? 

KaKo only uses raw ingredients, so there are no artificial preservatives or scents. A lot of ‘natural’ products have unnecessary essential oils and other things that the body does not need. At KaKo, if it’s safe to eat, then it’s safe to apply to the body. 

We only use the finest ingredients grown on the island and that’s what also makes us unique. My suppliers are local farmers, mainly in Choiseul, and I feel happy working with them because I feel like that’s giving back to the island.

How are you hoping to expand the business in the future? 

I’m currently working on expanding my workshop, and I hope to eventually have staff. 

My intention is to take the product to the UK and France, where it can be carried by a small boutique or convenience shop. I’m currently looking for buyers in London. I’d just love to have it all over the world.

What advice would you give other Caribbean small business owners? 

I would say that if you’re passionate about something and want to get it done, it only takes determination, and not giving up. Eventually, it will come together.

What do you love about St Lucia? 

St Lucia is a beautiful, lush island. The people are extremely friendly. It just can’t be compared to any other island.

Where do you go to relax on a day off? 

I normally take my daughter to the beach at Rodney Bay, which is close to where we live. I also like Pigeon Island.

What is your motto/approach to life? 

‘Never give up, no matter what’. 

—

You can order KaKo Organic products via Instagram or Facebook.