Sharon Gnatt Epel of La Ishá Natural Skin Care (Denver, CO)
When Sharon Gnatt Epel’s teenage son, Aaron, journeyed to a Costa Rica Rain Forest Program in June 2005, chemical contamination was not top of mind. While on a white water rafting expedition on the Panama border, Aaron was exposed to extremely toxic agricultural chemicals. Small blisters developed on Aaron's hands within two hours of exposure and swelled to the size of big water balloons four hours later.
After initial conventional treatment to combat Aaron’s burned and blistered skin, Sharon consulted with an integrative physician who recommended medical-grade essential oils be applied. Worried that traditional burn therapies would leave scars and scar tissue—both aesthetically and functionally debilitating—Sharon opted for essential oil treatment.
One month later, little trace of the injury remained. Now, he’s fully healed—with no scarring.
Sharon, a former concert pianist and graduate of the prestigious Julliard School, began studying essential oils and their holistic use internationally. Reasoning that relatively minor problems like wrinkles, age spots and sun damage could be helped by these oils, Sharon founded La Ishá Natural Skin Care. She bills it as, “the only natural anti-aging skin care line developed exclusively for women ‘who refuse to be defined by their age! Products focus on anti-aging, dry skin, sun damage and breast health.
An “antidote” to toxic chemicals in women’s cosmetics linked to cancer and other maladies, La Ishá’s products are made with organic, cold-pressed therapeutic grade oils. One of the most effective ingredients in the firm’s anti-aging organic skin care line is pure organic pomegranate seed oil, renowned for its healing and medicinal properties since biblical times. As with so many remedies based in ancient culture, this oil is now being scientifically researched worldwide. Among its claims are antioxidant properties seven times more powerful than green tea, UV protection, and cell protection against environmental stressors.
Among dozens of testimonials on the firm’s website was a comment from a woman who had spent 15 years struggling to control a skin condition. She notes, “"I have had Rosacea for 15 years. I've tried several different prescriptions and none of them helped me with my skin. I bought a jar of La Ishá's Orange-Coconut Skin Polish and have been using it for about a month now. My skin has cleared up completely! I love it! It leaves my skin so soft, and is a real blessing here in Colorado because it not only exfoliates but hydrates my dry skin." The products are made fresh to order, one small batch at a time.
Because of typically low volumes and need for fast turnaround, Sharon sought out a label printer aligned with her needs. Based on recommendations about Lightning Labels providing good service, fast turnaround, top-notch customer care, and good pricing even on low quantities, she decided to give it a try when her company launched in 2008.
Two years later, Sharon rates Lightning Labels a “10” on a scale of 1-10 for product quality and customer service. She singles out her Customer Service Representative as a major factor in the top-line rating. “She’s calm and reassuring even when I’m freaking out. I can’t emphasize enough how important that relationship is. She is the face of the company.”
Sharon also points out Lightning Labels’ reliable and fast turnaround on orders, noting that she appreciates, “getting new labels done in a timely fashion. Sometimes, there’s an unexpected crunch, such as a trade show. You need more product on hand than expected. I’ve never had them take more than a week. It can be as little as 48 hours.”
For La Ishá , the future looks positively healthy and radiant.