This weekend, I was honored to be a guest at the ribbon-cutting for True Eden’s Shea Souffle’ & Soapery E-Boutique, being launched by what may be the Occoquan District’s youngest entrepreneur. True Eden Sneed is a rising 4th grader at Signal Hill Elementary School, where she is consistently an honor roll student. Saturday’s event doubled as her 9th birthday party.
True says there are two reasons she wanted to start a business: So that other girls can see what is possible and to find a way to contribute to the well-being of other girls and women. The
company, which is registered in Prince William County, will use family recipes to make organic whipped body butter and hair oil. The main ingredient for these products is harvested by a village of Ghanian women whose livelihoods are dependent upon sales, according to Carlesa Sneed, True’s mother, who handed the recipes down to her daughter.
We are big supporters of our youth, locally-grown economic development and community members who seek to give back, and were honored to get to celebrate all three with the Sneeds this weekend. Best of luck on your new venture, True — and happy birthday! We look forward to seeing what comes next for this inspiring member of our community.