Meet Amber Baker | Founder of Collective 108

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

Hi Amber, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Before starting Collective 108, I was working as a marketing director in the health & wellness industry. During my time in the industry I noticed many things. A lack of organic affordable skincare products & transparent CBD companies which I was in search of. But most importantly, I noticed a lack of representation for people of color/BIPOC in the wellness industry. Being a Black & Latina woman, this last part really hit home. I was simultaneously in search of a remedy for my very problematic and sensitive skin. After countless failed attempts and thousands of dollars wasted on products, I decided to make my own organic face products! They ended up working so well, my husband encouraged me to share it with my community. And that is how Collective 108 was born!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It was a little scary starting out at first, leaving my 9-5 corporate job as a marketing director made me nervous but I am so happy I did and have been able to provide tools to benefit my communities health and wellness. It has been so worth it! A few things I have learned: to listen to my own intuition, trust my instincts and lean on others and ask for help when I need it. Collective 108 was made for every body. Born out of a passion to make wellness accessible to ALL, while also diversifying the wellness space to represent people of color, Collective 108 is a place to reconnect + simplify wellness. We mindfully price our organic, fair trade, lab tested and cruelty free products with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality and sustainable wellness. All products are packaged in glass and/or recyclable materials and sent out in biodegradable packaging when possible.

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?
Oh what a fun question!! In no particular order here are some fun things I have taken visitors to do/see: -Bike ride along the 101 from Encinitas to Carlsbad -Hike Torrey Pines -Breakfast at Morning Glory -Walk through the Self Realization Fellowship -Drinks at the Noble Experiment -Apple picking in Julian -Trip to Altipiano Vineyard -Tacos in TJ -Dinner at The Waverly in Cardiff -Sunset & bonfire at Moonlight beach

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been so many who have been supportive and encouraging while getting Collective 108 off the ground! I’ve got to send a big “thank you” to my husband Nicholas for his patience and encouragement. He handles all our sourcing and personally makes sure our products are ethically sourced, organic & cruelty free + he keeps me optimistic when things get tough & I am feeling overwhelmed. My sisters, Monai, Kameko & Lyndsay, are big supporters, talking through ideas with me & keeping me accountable + goal oriented. My son Lucien is also such a sweet supporter always. I feel really lucky to have a solid base of friends and family who have been cheering me on since the beginning. Every single person who orders and reorders and reaches out with feedback is SO important to me. Our stockists who believe in our product & give us so much support are so cherished, especially Heidi at Threadspun. This is dedicated to all of you! We love you!

Website: https://collective108.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collective108/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/collective108/

Image Credits
Nicole Capro Creative Amber Baker