BRANDS WE LOVE
KENNE JOHNSON OF TERRA & SELF
As a special treat, Terra & Self have provided samplers of our favorite natural deodorant for all of our OB orders going out this week (or while stocks last)!
For those of you that don't need a sample and just need a great natural deodorant or body scrub, head to www.terraandself.com and use code ODDBIRD15 for 15% off your first purchase.
Q. Can you tell me a bit about yourself and how you came to found Terra & Self?
A. I’ve known I wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was 13, inspired by my mother, who has owned her own business for 24 years. My passion for all things beauty started when my mom gifted me a makeup palette. But my journey with beauty took a turn when I saw an ad that described my skin condition, keratosis pilaris, as “nasty, bumpy chicken skin.” It crushed me, and for years, I couldn’t wear short sleeves. That experience lit a fire in me, though. In 2020, I started Terra & Self from my small apartment bedroom with a mission to prove that beauty doesn’t have to be so ugly. I wanted to create skincare that not only treats the skin but uplifts and celebrates it too.
Q. Where did the name originate from?
A. The name “Terra” comes from the word for earth, symbolizing our commitment to sustainable practices and caring for the planet. “Self” represents the core of our brand—self-love and self-care, which are at the heart of everything we do.
Q. What is the most common feedback you hear from your customers?
A. The most common feedback we hear from our customers is how effective our products are, especially our magnesium-based deodorant. They rave about how it really works for them! Beyond that, people love the overall experience they get from Terra & Self—whether it’s visiting our Santa Cruz-based shop, engaging with us on social media, or browsing our website. They often mention how it’s a space where they feel truly accepted, and they leave with a sense of learning to embrace themselves even more. That feeling of self-love and community really resonates with them.
Q. Tell me about your pipe dreams – if 2025 could go any way, how would you like to see it play out?
A. If 2025 could go anyway, I’d love to secure the funding we need to really scale our production and grow our team so I can finally stop wearing so many hats! Expanding our product line to meet our customers’ needs and requests is a big goal, along with increasing our stockists and hopefully securing a mid-size retailer like Sephora, Credo, or Thirteen Lune. I’d also love to find more ways to connect with our customers on a deeper level, creating an even stronger community around Terra & Self.
