In 2008, Maria Lee Driver was operating a popular kids’ hair salon on Ridge Avenue in Manayunk after relocating from Virginia.
Many entrepreneurs would have been satisfied with the salon — but not Driver. She closed the salon last year to pursue her own line of body cream using shea butter. Turns out the move was the right one. Last week, the mother of four got her product on the shelves at Whole Foods in seven states, including Pennsylvania.
“I love the flexibility. I love the fact that I can go out and meet people because I’m a people person. I got tired of being behind a chair,” said Driver, 43, whose Southern accent is still unmistakable.
Oria’s O’Shay, which Driver says can be used from head to toe, comes in scented and unscented versions and is also in local beauty supply stores and available in Nigeria and South Africa.
“If you want to do something, do not [make] a plan B,” she said.
