February 6, 2004--Two daughters and their mothers own and operate NURTURE, Inc,. a company that produces and distributes a growing line of volcanic ash products. โ€œThe reason we offer so many uses is because that's the nature of NURTUREโ„ข!โ€ jokes Kate Kruse. โ€œSeriously, there are literally hundreds of uses for volcanic ash โ€" gardening minerals to odor remover, household spill clean-up to skin care, with additional uses in between. We are continually developing our products โ€" presented in a way so they can be as convenient to use as chemical fertilizers, cleaning supplies and spray deodorizers.
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NURTUREโ„ข is Kate Kruse (daughter) and Greta Weisser (mother) who have partnered with Sara Huey (daughter) and Marcia Huey (mother). They have turned lifelong friendships into a well-conceived business partnership, each lending her unique talents to create a company that sells processed and packaged volcanic minerals that can freshen the air of your bathroom or kitchen in one rendition, or invigorate your plants in another. A third generation is already involved as Sara's and Kate's children (between the two of them, there are four) already go to โ€œwork with momโ€ and help out with little projects.
According to Kruse, โ€œThe volcanic ash for NURTUREโ„ข products is excavated from a deposit located near Linton, North Dakota โ€" formed long before the buffalo roamed.โ€ When volcanic ash was deposited in alkaline/saline lakes millions of years ago, minerals called zeolites were naturally formed. Zeolites are known to be beneficial in the development of plant growth and effective in the adsorption of liquids and gases.
Greta's dad, Lenus, had an uncle who planted corn in this white soil on the side of a hill.
When Lenus asked his uncle what the white soil was, his uncle responded, โ€œVolcanic ash, the best fertilizer in the world!โ€
Subsequently, Lenus formed Beaver Valley VolAsh and leased the mineral rights from his uncle and other property owners. The commercial project resulting from Beaver Valley VolAsh was a three quarter mile road base made with volcanic ash. It stands today like the Rock of Gibraltar (another part of the world where they construct roads with volcanic ash) despite flooding each year.
Fifteen years ago, Greta continued with her Pop's notion that this ash was good for something. She devoted her life to the research and development of this valuable natural resource, creating VolAsh of North Dakota. The commercial application resulting from VolAsh was a 3M patented oil containment fire boom.
The incorporation of NURTURE, Inc. follows many years of research identifying a wide range of potential applications for the raw material. Today, NURTURE, Inc. is a Midwest corporation formed to excavate, process and distribute all natural volcanic ash.
Environmental awareness has determined the focus of NURTURE, Inc.
โ€œOur goal,โ€ says Sara Huey, โ€œis to build a family-centered business around products formed by the volcanic ash, which is 100% natural and non-toxic.โ€ Since the ash is effective at removing odors and enhancing plant growth, they started on a small scale and developed their NURTURE AIRโ„ข and NURTURE PLANTSโ„ข products that give their customers access to the ash's effective functions. Later they added NURTURE ENVIRONMENTโ„ข, a product used for organic farming and gardening.
They have also added a product for spill cleanup called NURTURE HAPPENSโ„ข and most recently, skin care products called NURTURE YOURSELFโ„ข.
The volcanic minerals are currently being sold retail, wholesale and in bulk as an ingredient in other products. The product line was launched in the Pacific Northwest at the recent Seattle Gift Show.
Their first financial boost was a loan from Count-Me-In, an online micro-lender for women-owned businesses based in New York. Confidence in NURTURE's success was further demonstrated with a Women Venture Loan from the Small Business Association and State of Minnesota Urban Initiative.
To date, the women have developed five lines of NURTUREโ„ข products.
NURTURE PLANTSโ„ข helps free soluble nutrients that are already in soil, and retains water where plants need it most, in the root zone.
NURTURE AIRโ„ข is an all natural odor remover that attracts and locks in odors without chemicals or fragrances.
NURTURE HAPPENSโ„ข quickly and naturally cleans up spills, messes and โ€œaccidentsโ€ โ€" even hazardous materials.
The 100% natural volcanic minerals of NURTURE ENVIRONMENTโ„ข prevent fertilizer and moisture runoff in lawns and landscapes, enhance the benefits of composting - while removing unpleasant odors, remove odors from pet environments, clean up oil and other spills from driveways and hard surfaces.
NURTURE YOURSELFโ„ข, 100% natural volcanic minerals for skin care, gently exfoliate and draw out toxins while nourishing the skin.
NURTURE Products are available in select stores and online.
โ€œIt's so gratifying for all of us to be working toward the success of this company,โ€ says Greta Weisser. โ€œWe know and enjoy and support โ€" and NURTURE โ€" each other.โ€
Contact Information:
Sara or Marcia Huey
NURTURE, Inc.
763-789-4990
253-851-7173
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