Meet Ruth-ann Thorn

 

We recently connected with Ruth-ann Thorn and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruth-Ann, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I draw my resilience from a deep and powerful Native American lineage. My ancestors lived on this land, which we now refer to as the United States of America, and my family has called the Rincon Indian Reservation home since the 1850s during the Indian Removal Act.

My great-grandfather endured the painful experience of residential schools where attempts were made to erase his identity and culture under the harsh regime of imposed Christianity. The resilience found within the Native American community stems from a history that many people will never fully comprehend—rooted in the genocide and the systematic removal of our traditions, values, spiritual practices, and our deep connection to the Earth.

This resilience is not just personal; it is woven into our collective identity and passed down through generations. It is embedded in our very being, forming part of our spiritual DNA. That is where my resilience originates—through the strength of my ancestors and the enduring spirit of my people.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

As the founder of N8iV Beauty, I am passionate about creating an innovative skincare brand that honors the power of plant medicine and the rich traditions of Native American culture. Our focus is on sustainably sourced ingredients from Native lands, thoughtfully utilizing recipes and knowledge that have been passed down for over 23,000 years. This reflects our deep respect for cultural heritage and the ecological balance of the earth.

What excites me most about N8iV Beauty is our commitment to incorporating acorn oil, a sacred ingredient within California Native culture, alongside other botanicals traditionally used by Indigenous peoples. Each product name is inspired by traditional language, weaving storytelling into the skincare experience while honoring ancestral wisdom. This connection to our roots allows us to celebrate our culture through every aspect of our brand.

At N8iV Beauty, we are dedicated to sustainable harvesting practices, ensuring that we responsibly utilize natural resources while fostering a strong connection to our heritage. By showcasing these ancient traditions in the beauty industry, our aim is to empower the next generation to embrace and take pride in their cultural identity.

I am thrilled to share that we have exciting upcoming events and product launches! With new offerings on the horizon, we invite you to join us on this transformative journey. Together, we can reclaim space for Native American representation in holistic beauty. As I always say, “It’s time to reclaim our space through beauty and pride!”

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?

Looking back on my journey of bringing a beauty business to the world, I can identify three key qualities that have been most impactful: vision, tenacity, and patience.

1. Vision: To create anything and bring it to market, you must be a visionary. I’ve learned that it’s crucial to see the end results before you even begin. The path ahead can be immense, and if you lose sight of where you want to go, it can become challenging. To those just starting out, I encourage you to cultivate your vision clearly and keep it at the forefront of your journey.

2. Tenacity: Building a brand in a $1 trillion industry is no easy feat, and roadblocks are a common occurrence. From navigating the costs of bringing products to market to managing the learning curve related to research, development, and marketing, it’s an overwhelming process. Tenacity is essential—allow yourself to make mistakes and learn as you go. Keep pushing through challenges; resilience is key to breaking into this space.

3. Patience: Finally, patience is vital. There’s no rush to the finish line, even when you have a clear vision of where you want to go. It can be frustrating when progress feels slow, but it’s important to focus on what ultimately drives sales—producing high-quality products. Quality matters; if your products work well, they will encourage repeat customers. Building that trust takes time and requires patience.

For those early in their journey, I advise developing these qualities deliberately. Keep your vision strong, remain tenacious in the face of challenges, and practice patience as you build. Success will come when you stay committed to your goals and maintain a steadfast focus on quality.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I take a moment to pause and breathe deeply. I remind myself of the many times in my life when I felt similarly, and I realize that often, I am making things seem bigger than they actually are. Stressing over situations that I have no control over only wastes my time and energy.

At the end of the day, I keep in mind that we don’t get out of this life alive. This perspective helps me focus on what truly matters: I’m here for a very brief period, and my goal is to make a positive impact—not just on my own life, but on the lives of everyone around me, including the next generation.

I strive to maintain a broader perspective, avoiding being bogged down by the minutia. Drawing from our Native American teachings, I look to nature as a reminder to see things from a higher, more spiritual perspective. This helps me cultivate resilience and grace in the face of challenges, allowing me to create a space for others to benefit from my journey.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Laura Bravo Mertz

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your