This was the very beginning of our journey, when we first came across Jagua deep in the Amazon rainforest. Meeting the local family who had been using Jagua for generations was a truly unforgettable experience. They showed us how deeply rooted Jagua was in their culture. It immediately sparked our curiosity and inspiration. We returned home with many questions and a strong desire to understand the potential of this natural dye. From that moment on, we started researching the fruit and exploring what it could become beyond traditional use. It was the beginning of something that would slowely grow into Jagua Henna.

We were still very new to Jagua and everything around it. We started experimenting in a very simple and hands-on way, often right from our own kitchen. There were many trial and error moments as we tried to understand how to turn the fruit into a usable product. Slowly, we developed our first gel formula and began testing it with early ideas. We shared it with a few first customers. Each step taught us something new about quality, consistency and patience. Looking back, it was a year full of learning and discovery.

In 2016 we took an important step by moving our production into a professional laboratory. This helped us improve the quality of our products and made it possible to obtain cosmetic certification. It was a big moment for us because it gave more structure and confidence to what we were building. Around the same time, one of our co-founders moved to Suriname to explore how we could develop a more socially driven production model. The idea was to support local initiatives and better understand how we could work closer to the source of the Jagua fruit. It was an exciting period full of new opportunities and learning. At the same time, we were still figuring out what the best long-term direction would be for our supply chain and production.

In 2017 we had to face some difficult realities. The project in Suriname did not develop in the way we had hoped. We encountered several challenges that made it hard to establish a stable production setup there. Although it was disappointing, it gave us important insights into what we needed for a successful supply chain. We realised that location, structure and long term feasibility were crucial. Even though it felt like a setback, it helped us refine our vision. We came out of this year with more clarity and determination.

We expanded beyond gel and introduced new forms of Jagua, including powder and juice variations. This opened up new possibilities for our customers and allowed us to experiment further with applications. It was also a year full of testing and refining our production methods. Each new product brought its own challenges in terms of texture, stability and usability. We learned a lot about how sensitive the process is and how important precision becomes when scaling. It was a step forward into becoming a more versatile brand.

In 2019 we took time to look deeper into the origins of our raw materials. We visited the henna markets in India to better understand production processes in a similar industry. We also travelled to Panama to observe Jagua sourcing practices firsthand. During these visits we became increasingly aware of sustainability and quality concerns. This raised important questions for us about the future of our supply chain. We realised we wanted full transparency and control from tree to product. That insight became the foundation for a much bigger decision ahead.

Despite the global challenges of COVID 19, 2020 became a defining year for us. While many things slowed down, we decided to move forward with building our own production facility in Colombia. This allowed us to take full control over the entire process, from sourcing to final product. It was a bold step, but one that aligned perfectly with our long term vision. We worked closely with local farmers and started building a more transparent and sustainable supply chain. This also helped us improve quality and consistency significantly.

In 2021 we encountered a setback with our powder production. The texture turned out more granular than intended, which led to complaints from customers. It was a difficult period because we had to respond quickly while also maintaining trust. We immediately went back into the process and made adjustments to improve the fineness and overall quality. Unfortunately, these delays meant we missed an important high season. Even though it was frustrating, it taught us a lot and we came out of it more experienced and more resilient.

This year became a turning point in how we approached the business. We made the decision to fully refocus on growth and strengthen our internal organisation. A new team member joined us to help improve processes and customer experience. We also adjusted our pricing to make Jagua more accessible to a wider group of artists. At the same time, we worked hard to solve stock issues and improve availability. It was a year of rebuilding structure and creating stability. Step by step, we started laying the foundation for a more scalable business.

In 2023 we spoke with henna artists from all over the world. Many of them rely on Jagua for their own businesses, so it became even more important for us to listen carefully and improve based on their needs. We started having conversations to learn what works well for them and where we could do better. This helped us realise that we are not just providing a product, but also supporting their creative work. Because of this, we focused on improving consistency, reliability and overall service.

At the same time, we worked on standardising our internal processes so that customers receive the same high quality experience every time they order. We also improved our order fulfilment by expanding our team, which allowed us to ship faster and more reliably worldwide. This year really strengthened our understanding that when we grow, our customers grow with us.

In 2024 we put a strong focus on branding, communication and reaching new customers. As demand continued to grow, we also had to improve how we handle larger production batches. This meant revisiting our gel production process and finding ways to scale without losing quality. We worked on improving stock management so products are available when customers need them. It was a year of balancing creativity with structure. We were building not just a product, but a stronger and more recognisable brand.

This year helped us move from steady growth into a more structured and scalable way of working, while staying true to the quality our customers expect.

In 2025 we continued strengthening our core business while also starting to explore new applications for Jagua. We became increasingly interested in how the fruit could be used beyond temporary tattoos. This included research into areas like food colouring, textile dyeing and other cosmetic uses. We also began connecting with universities, companies and organisations to explore these opportunities together. The goal is not only growth, but also increasing our positive impact in Colombia by supporting more farmers. This year opened the door to many exciting new conversations. It feels like the beginning of a new chapter.

At the start of 2026 we focused strongly on improving our website and overall customer experience. We wanted the website to be more than just a webshop, but also a place where people can learn everything about Jagua.

At the same time we faced challenges with international shipping and inconsistent delivery times. Some parcels were delayed or lost, which made it clear that improvements were needed. To solve this, we made the decision to partner with DHL for more reliable worldwide shipping. This step helps us ensure faster and more consistent delivery for our customers. It is all part of building a smoother and more trustworthy experience for everyone who uses our products.