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our story

Kuumba \koo-OOM-bah\ (noun): Swahili for “creativity,” encourages us to leave the world more beautiful and joyful than we found it.

Spreading Joy Through Earth’s Gifts Since 1980

For over 40 years, the spirit of “Kuumba” has inspired everything we do. It all began with our founder, a deeply compassionate woman whose powerful connection to nature and unshakable spirit of adventure shaped who we are today.

After traveling the world exploring diverse cultures and their traditional plant remedies, Denise "Kuumba" Piazza, came to understand that the earth provides everything we need to care for ourselves and one another. She learned to transform nature’s beautiful gifts into products that nurture and uplift—always with the intention of spreading love and care. That love is woven into every formula, every step of the process, and every batch we create.

Rooted in Botanical Wisdom

Kuumba Made has a deep understanding of how herbs, plants, and botanicals thrive in their ecosystems—and how their gifts can support humanity.

Our products blend intentional science with nature’s finest organic and wildcrafted flowers, plants, and resins. Each formula is mindfully crafted, cruelty-free, and wrapped in sustainable packaging to enhance well-being and natural beauty.

A Future with Heart

With every step forward, we honor that we aren’t just consumers but caretakers of the earth. It brings us joy to know that our products may inspire a deeper connection with nature, guiding us in our mission to leave the world more beautiful, happier, and infinitely healthier.

Kuumba Made, a WBENC-certified business (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council), remains owned, operated, and guided by the heart and hands of our founder, Kuumba Piazza, herself.

timeline

1960s

Kuumba’s earliest memories are of tending the garden with her Sicilian grandparents, captivated by the process of growing vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits. It was in these moments that her love of nature first blossomed.

1978

At just 19, Kuumba set sail across the Caribbean in a 36-foot outrigger canoe to explore diverse cultures and their traditional plant remedies.

1980

A serendipitous encounter with friends introduced Kuumba to the art of making coconut oil. Enchanted by the process of creating a nourishing moisturizer with her own hands and ingredients from the earth, she knew this newfound skill would stay with her forever. Her passion continued to grow, and in 1980, Kuumba Made was born.

1982

At a time when female entrepreneurship was rare, Kuumba showcased her brand for the first time at the Whole Health Expo in Boston.

1982 - 2002

Seeking a deeper connection to the earth, Kuumba moved to the countryside of western Massachusetts. There, she lived off the land, growing a thriving garden and crafting herbal products by candlelight on a wood stove. She began infusing her handmade coconut oil with the fragrant bounty of her garden—rose petals, calendula, and lavender flowers—and sharing it with friends. Driven by a desire to understand how herbs support the human body, Kuumba spent many years training as an herbalist and apprenticing with experts.

1985

Now known as Whole Foods, Kuumba Made launched in Bread & Circus in Boston, and later in Wild Oats in Boulder, Colorado, through the support of pioneering women in the health food industry. Forty years later, Whole Foods Market recognizes Kuumba Made as a National Heritage Brand, a reflection of their longstanding partnership.

1993

Kuumba moved to the breathtaking Sonoran Desert of Tucson, where native plants are deeply woven into the region’s heritage. The beauty and botanical richness of the desert landscape inspired new formulations and deepened the brand’s connection to traditional herbal wisdom. In the years that followed, Kuumba Made continued to grow and formed a lasting partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market.

1994

Continuing her exploration of medicinal and tropical plants, Kuumba traveled across the Polynesian and Cook Islands, immersing herself in centuries-old coconut oil production methods. She discovered new ways to utilize the coconut plant and its many gifts.

1990s

Kuumba Made deepened its community roots, partnering with organizations that empower healthy food choices through gardening and sustainable agriculture.

2008

Kuumba traveled to Madagascar, where she studied the island's diverse ecosystems and dedicated her time to replanting areas stripped of their natural resources. Her exploration led her to discover the island’s distilleries and precious essential oils, inspiring the creation of Kuumba Made’s Wellness Aromatherapy collection, including the signature Breathe and Relieve blends.

2011

Kuumba joined The Women’s President Organization (WPO) to connect with and learn from a diverse community of dedicated women business leaders. The insight and support helped strengthen Kuumba Made’s foundation and contributed to meaningful growth through the evolving journey of business ownership.

2018

Kuumba Made’s headquarters expanded into a new 15,000-square-foot facility in Tucson, Arizona. With double the space and a growing team, the move marked an exciting new chapter of growth and possibility.