Today we’d like to introduce you to Evon Pollack.
Evon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Sure, Marley’s Moss is a family business. We are a third-generation Jamaican Sea Moss cultivating business built on curating the finest products for our consumers. With techniques passed down from our grandfather to our father and now to us we have mastered the art of providing a variety of wellness options. What started out as a means to keep our family healthy turned into a passion for providing that same opportunity to others.
We started posting our Sea Moss Gel on social media and people we knew started asking if we were selling it because they wanted to purchase it. The entrepreneur in me decided to take it as a sign to tap into my roots. We started out small and took orders via social media direct messages and then, after a few months, decided to go all in. My wife created our website and orchestrated the digital marketing and here we are. Over a year in business and going strong. We’re actually preparing for a pop-up event this weekend at the Reggae Roots Festival in Middletown, DE.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Is any business a smooth road when starting out? We had a lot of things to figure out and some of that was trial and error. Our biggest hurdle was probably logistics. How do we maintain the integrity of our products during shipping without ultimately taking a loss on the cost? We didn’t want to overcharge for shipping because customers should be able to use our products all over the country but we had to find a way to keep things cool along the way.
We also faced some challenges due to USPS being a bit slower than normal as a result of COVID. Luckily, we were able to find a way to make it all work but these are the things no one talks to you about when starting a business. We don’t use preservatives or additives so ensuring our customers’ purchases arrive in a manner we are proud of is key. I will say we have been super blessed throughout the entire launch. USPS and UPS have both been pretty reliable.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Marley’s Moss?
We are most known for a fruit-infused Sea Moss Gel. We took a product that people may not be familiar with, or they may be nervous to try and we added in their favorite fruits. What sets us apart from others is that we also offer Sea Moss Gummies, Elderberry Syrup, Elderberry Gummies, and a line of Sea Moss Skincare Products. We are actually preparing to launch a new skincare line this week called Land x Sea Moss and have partnered with Cocoalchemy to curate some amazing products we are excited for everyone to try.
Many people selling Sea Moss are new to working with it, it’s a phase. For us, this is something I grew up on. I have raised in my father’s restaurant, where it was a part of the menu. Now I have the opportunity to ensure my daughters also understand the benefits.
What I am most proud of is the level of service we provide and the quality of our products. We consistently receive excellent reviews with every sale and for me that shows we are doing something right. Our customers are regulars and we love getting to know them. We aren’t a huge company without a face, we are a small family-owned business that prides itself on authenticity, top quality, and reasonable prices. Our goal is to continue to partner with other small black-owned businesses like Cocoalchemy in the future.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that support from friends and family comes in a variety of ways. Buying a product isn’t the only way they support us. Something as small as sharing or liking a post on Instagram or following our Facebook page can really go a long way. We’ve had family members come to pick up our girls if we have a large wholesale order to get out. We recognize the sacrifices we make while working to grow our business and the fact that our village does too, means the world to us.
Pricing:
- Flavored Sea Moss Gel $20-$32
- Elderberry Syrup $10-$72
- Sea Moss Gummies $10-$31
- Elderberry Gummies $10-$31
- Single Serve Sleeves $4-$75
Contact Info:
- Email: marleysmoss@gmail.com
- Website: www.marleysseamoss.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marleys.moss/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarleysMoss1/
