Martinsville Mondays:
Natural Skincare with Heart
right here in martinsville, Va
Simply Ari, LLC
Meet Renetta Craighead and Tamayra Holland,a mother and daughter duo that are the heart behind Simply Ari.
When Simply Ari, LLC was first established in 2021, it began as a dream to create healthier, more mindful alternatives to traditional skincare. By 2024, that dream became reality when the company launched its first handcrafted products—each one made in small batches with care, intention, and a dedication to clean, natural ingredients.
Based in Martinsville, Simply Ari is a natural skincare company that prides itself on quality and transparency. Because everything is formulated and manufactured in-house, the team knows exactly what goes into every product, where ingredients come from, and why they were chosen. With offerings like body butters, scrubs, oils, and their best-selling Age Embracing Facial Cream, Simply Ari focuses on supporting overall skin health—particularly for mature and sensitive skin. Every jar and bottle is infused with the belief that skincare should nourish, hydrate, and promote confidence.
A Passion Turned Purpose
The inspiration behind Simply Ari grew from a simple but powerful realization: many everyday skincare products contain harmful ingredients. Determined to create better options, the founder pursued and earned a diploma in natural and organic skincare formulation. This education laid the foundation for a brand built on safe, effective, plant-based ingredients that people can truly feel good about using.
That passion continues to shine through in every product. Seasonal collections, like the customer-favorite Embracing Autumn line, celebrate the beauty of nature while offering fresh, nourishing experiences. At its core, Simply Ari is about more than skincare—it’s about wellness, confidence, and mindful living.
Exciting News
For Simply Ari, success isn’t just about sales—it’s about the joy customers feel when their skin looks and feels healthier. Each message, review, or story shared by someone who has seen a positive change is a reminder of why the business began. Milestones like earning a diploma in skincare formulation and receiving funding through the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Startup MHC program have been major highlights, too. These accomplishments are more than achievements; they represent growth, community support, and a deep commitment to moving forward with purpose.
Exciting things are on the horizon for Simply Ari. Soon, customers will be able to shop products anytime with the launch of an official e-commerce website. The business is also preparing for community events, including the 44th Annual Martinsville Uptown Oktoberfest where they will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary from their launch at last year’s Oktoberfest and they will also be at The 2025 Fall Craft Show hosted by the Bassett High School Band Boosters.
Behind the scenes, new products are already in the works—each one carefully developed to bring even more natural options to customers and give you the same love and care you’ve grown to know from their products. With every step, Simply Ari remains focused on listening to its community and creating products that inspire self-care in its truest form.
A Lasting Legacy
Beyond Products: A Commitment to People
Looking ahead, Simply Ari hopes to leave behind a legacy of wellness, confidence, and care. The goal isn’t just to be remembered for handcrafted skincare, but for the way the business encouraged people to embrace their natural beauty and choose healthier alternatives.
Ultimately, Simply Ari wants to inspire future generations—to show that small businesses built with love, honesty, and intention can make a lasting impact on both individuals and their communities.
“Our dream is that people remember Simply Ari not just for what we made, but for how we made them feel.”
I see Simply Ari as one of Martinsville-Henry County’s strongest homegrown small businesses—built on passion, purpose, and a genuine desire to provide safe alternatives to the products that line most shelves. Where many options contain harsh or unnatural ingredients, Simply Ari keeps skincare simple, using ingredients that truly matter.
I’ve had the honor of watching this business grow and was even part of their journey through the StartUp MHC Program. From the very beginning, it was clear that Simply Ari was about more than creating products. It was about offering solutions—solutions made with heart, poured into every jar, tin, and bottle that reaches their customers’ hands.
As they prepare to launch their website and continue expanding their offerings, there’s no doubt Simply Ari will remain a brand to watch. Their story is just getting started, and it’s one rooted in community, care, and the belief that natural beauty deserves to be celebrated.
Simply Ari is proof of the creativity and determination thriving right here in our hometown. Their journey is a reminder of why Martinsville Mondays exists—to shine a light on local businesses built with heart, and to celebrate the people behind them who make our community stronger.
If you love Martinsville Mondays and the incredible stories of our community and would like your business to be featured, contact Daydream Photography to share your story with us!