Meet Nateisha Shaw

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nateisha Shaw a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nateisha, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

I believe my empathy was shaped by the adversity I faced early in life.

“My journey, which I call My Recipe for Life, has been about turning pain into purpose. Losing my father in Jamaica, my mother fleeing for her life, and the devastating loss of my uncle—all before I was six—shaped me in profound ways.I carried these experiences with me, feeling both the weight of loss and the resilience of survival.

Immigrating to the U.S. added layers of challenges, but it also planted seeds of resilience.

In the last few years, as I’ve worked to heal from these traumas, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of pain, perseverance, and the human need for connection. These experiences taught me to see others’ struggles through a lens of compassion and to find ways to uplift and support those around me.

The past few years have been about healing and transforming that pain into something meaningful.

Starting my cookbook and spice line (Island Cooking at Home)
allowed me to channel my experiences into a mission to share love, culture, and authentic Jamaican flavors with the world.

Cooking has always been a source of comfort, and now it’s my way of connecting with others and showing that beauty can emerge from even the most difficult circumstances.

This is the heart of my work—helping others find their own recipe for life.”

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the founder of Island Cooking at Home, where I share the vibrant flavors of Jamaican cuisine through my cookbook, and our Island Cooking Herbs and Spice line. Cooking has always been my way of connecting with others and celebrating my heritage, so bringing the authentic tastes of Jamaica into people’s homes is deeply meaningful to me.

What makes our brand special is the authenticity and heart behind it. Every spice blend and recipe is crafted to capture the essence of Jamaican cooking while making it accessible to everyone, no matter where they are. It’s not just about food—it’s about sharing a piece of my culture and creating experiences that bring people together.

Recently, we’ve expanded significantly, launching our Island Cooking Herbs and Spice line on Walmart ,Meijers and City Goods . These milestones are just the beginning of our journey to bring high-quality, authentic Jamaican flavors to kitchens everywhere.

Through my brand, I want people to feel inspired—not just to cook, but to explore new flavors, embrace new cultures, and find joy in the little moments that food brings to life.”

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are resilience, creativity, and adaptability.

Resilience helped me overcome life’s toughest challenges, creativity allowed me to turn my pain into purpose through my cookbook and spice line, and adaptability helped me navigate the ups and downs of building a brand.

For those early in their journey, my advice is to stay persistent even when the path feels uncertain, embrace your unique story to fuel your creativity, and remain open to learning and adjusting as you grow.
Trust the process—it all adds up.

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is someone who values authentic flavors, loves exploring diverse cuisines, and is passionate about cooking or sharing food with others. They appreciate quality, cultural connection, and the stories behind what they bring into their kitchen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Islandbabeco.com
• Instagram: Islandba_spices
• Youtube: Islandbabe1
• Other: Our Island Cooking Spices are available for purchase at

  Walmart.com
  Meijers Market
  City Goods

  Our Cookbook are available at

  Barnes & Noble
  Loganberry Books (Larchmere)
  Amazon
  Ingram Spark

Image Credits

Noah Youssef slide 9-10
Fairfax Meijers 9-10
Stretch slide 8