In Troy, New York, entrepreneur Octavia Maxwell has turned a passion project into a thriving business with her brand Skin Deep Naturals. What began in a small 100-square-foot room — where Maxwell crafted natural skincare and hair care products — has grown into a line sold in more than ten Market 32 and Price Chopper locations across the Capital Region.
Maxwell’s journey began with a personal mission to find solutions for her own skin and hair challenges, leading her to create clean, plant-based products that quickly gained a loyal following. She spent several years selling online and at local markets before securing crucial retail partnerships. The expansion into regional grocery stores was supported by business development programs and a grant from the Business for Good Foundation.
Despite facing personal challenges — including divorce and parenthood — Maxwell kept her entrepreneurial focus, rebranding and scaling the business in 2024. Her success has positioned Skin Deep Naturals as one of the first local Black-owned skincare lines featured in mainstream retail outlets in the area.
Looking ahead, Maxwell plans to expand into 100 retail outlets and use her platform to mentor and inspire young entrepreneurs in her community. She also collaborates with local organizations to encourage business ownership among underrepresented groups.