About Natural Red

Hello! I’m Karen Guilmette, owner of Natural Red. I grew up in a family where the more natural something was, the better. We ground wheat to make bread that we sweetened with honey from our beehives. We made tonics and used essential oils when we were sick. As I got older, I got away from that lifestyle. I did things that were more convenient and cost effective. Eventually, I started feeling mommy-guilt about the ingredients I found in the personal care products my family was using. After a fruitless search for products that had clean ingredients, were safe, and worked well, I decided to research, experiment, and create products for my family. Soon afterward, my husband of 14 years decided he didn’t want to be married anymore. At 35, I found myself a single mom with 5 children that were ages 10 and under. Financially, I needed to supplement my child-support. I considered going back to teaching. I am a former Special Education Detroit Public School teacher but felt like I needed to be home with my 2 youngest kids who were not yet in school. I decided to combine my passion and need by taking a leap of faith in myself and capitalizing on the products I made for my family. In September 2014, I started Natural Red with the vision to create products that were clean, safe, and effective. Natural Red strives to make a positive impact though its natural, safe, environmentally responsible products and through providing microloans and work for marginalized women.Read their story