Dawn Fitch (in the middle) with friends and supporters at the opening of the Pooka Body Boutique.

Dawn Fitch (in the front at left) with her friends and team.

Dawn Fitch has worn many hats. Some of her most notable head gear has been as a talented graphic artist for the record label Sony, and even being an elementary school teacher. But the position that Fitch is most proud of is being a successful entrepreneur. She is the owner of Pooka Pure & Simple, a line of natural (keyword, NATURAL) bath and body products currently based out of Orange, New Jersey. Her line of products offers mists, polishes, deodorants, mists, soaps and more made of oils from different nuts and vegetables, shea and cocoa butters, fruit powders, seeds and a lot more. No preservatives, dyes, nasty sulfates or anything unhealthy!

Fitch has just recently opened a boutique for her products in Orange, and she calls it the Pooka Body Boutique. Inside, not only do they sell her coveted body polishes, butters, greases and hair care products, but they offer women in the area the opportunity to take part in spa parties, book clubs and more. And to think, it all got started when Fitch fell mysteriously ill…

“I started getting sick a couple years ago. You know when you don’t feel good, like something’s not right. And they kept saying you’re fine, you’re healthy. But I just didn’t feel good.  I started reading articles about food and eating and how it affect your diet and health. I became a label-reader with all the preservatives, it was such bad stuff. I started eating really organic and trying to be more green, even with the products I cleaned with. Just wanted to minimize the amount of toxins that were going into or near my body.”

Out of Fitch’s realization of the effects that un-natural products can have on the body, she decided to start making her own natural products in the hopes of curbing illness. That my dears, is how Pooka Pure & Simple came to life–stirring up unique natural products in her kitchen. “We were very grass roots in the beginning with festivals and having Pooka parties. I went back to Sony just to show my friends what I was doing and the lady who took my job after me was like, “I know a guy at Whole Foods!” And that’s how we got into Whole Foods.”

And now she has her own thriving boutique. But before you assume Pooka Pure & Simple is all and only about shining up your skin or exfoliating at all times, know that it’s indeed a lifestyle. Not only do Fitch and her staff sell products, but she sells you the concept of healthy living. You can sign up for a free newsletter that tells you healthy foods you should try out, and recommends different fitness regiments like taking yoga. On top of that, they have a YouTube channel that talks about the different ingredients that you should use in your food, and what organic and tasty meals you can make out of them.

As an entrepreneur, Fitch has had her ups and downs in getting the business started, but says that as long as you stay passionate about whatever your dream is, it is something you can obtain. Everyone has to pay their dues and take baby steps–nothing happens overnight:

People start small just like we all do. Not every one has a 100,000 loan. We didn’t have a big investments, we didn’t have a big loan. We bought the stuff to make our product, when we made some money we bought some more. Keep at it. As long as it’s something you enjoy, you’ll keep at it. Some people get scared before they even start, but you have to start small. Stay faithful in whatever it is you believe in.

So her shop stands on 15 South Essex Avenue in Orange, New Jersey as a testament to her hard work and faith. And if you’re a hard working person like she is, you need to get down to the store and hook yourself up with some stress relieving love. As Fitch says,  the shop is “your one stop shop for relaxation.” They offer organic manicures, and tea parties, and you can pick up soaps and butters and get great advice on healthy living. If you’re a teacher, they even offer events specifically for you called “Wind Down Wednesdays,” where they offer tea and help educators sit back and relax. On top of keeping your skin nourished, and your hair fresh, Dawn Fitch wants to have a lasting effect on your existence. “We’re trying to make you healthy inside and out, so that’s what makes us different. We’re not just focused on the product.”

Check out her products, which you can purchase online as well, at Pookapureandsimple.com. And be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel and click HERE for additional store information.