Success at the Market leads Rose Best to open a store

My name is Zehra Kapasi and I own a self-care business called Rose Best. I started it in the late 1990s as I was introduced to it as part of a book club event. 

I live in Farmington, so when I decided to sell my products to the public some 15 years ago, I approached Walt Gajewski, the manager at the Farmington Farmers Market. He liked my products and agreed to give me a booth.  

I once sold in eight different markets but love the Farmington market the most. So now I am only in Farmington, most Saturdays from May through the first Saturday in November  and at Detroit Eastern Market on Sundays from June-September and in December.

Because of the response to my products at these markets, and because I've been doing it for so long, I started thinking of a store. The incredible support of my customers has allowed us to flourish, so I knew I wanted to open my store in the community that has encouraged me and helped me grow. So I decided to look for a retail space in Farmington.  

The community I have built over time – thanks to being in markets – really was the propelling force behind the store.  Working with Oakland Thrive, a group that focuses on helping small businesses succeed and Access, a group that supports entrepreneurs with resources and opportunities, Finally, in November 2025, I opened my store at 23321 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington. 

I am also a psychologist so I’ve long been fascinated by the connection between mind and body. The idea of connecting people to nature through mindful self-care deeply resonated with me. That is why – from the beginning – I focused on halal ingredients, which carry strict requirements, regarding no use of parabens and sulfates, no animal cruelty, no gelatin and the avoidance of substances like pork, intoxicants, and blood.

Our products are plant-derived, which results in gentle products, ideal for sensitive skin and allergy-prone individuals.

I also wanted my products to be free from phthalates, which are widely used synthetic chemicals, and SLS, which can be drying, irritating and potentially harmful with prolonged use.

Using skincare without these additives supports the skin’s natural barrier, creating products that nurture rather than harm the skin. 

We've also moved to no-color dyes which can cause allergies, besides nature provides enough color. We also do not use alcohol, which dries out the skin, causing you to use more products. And many people react badly to alcohol in products. 

Our products remind people that taking care of themselves is not indulgent but essential. 

The people I have met through the market have been very supportive. When I opened my store, in November 2025, all the work inside was done by local vendors and people I got to know through the market. I also enjoyed connecting with other businesses. 

I still have challenges as I am new to taking care of a store. Setting it up was a challenge as was learning about all the laws.

Besides selling my products, I also teach classes in the store. I have one on sugar scrub and another on face mask. It is a great way to learn about natural ingredients, and then actually make a complete product that you can take home. Plus, you can make it into a social outing by taking lessons with friends. And it’s a great team-building activity or celebration of a milestone. To sign up, look for the classes tab on our website, rosebest.com.

We also do private classes for groups of 5 or more. You can also connect with us on Instagram – @rosebestllc.

We believe in giving back to the community, so we take 5 percent of our sales and make soap for the homeless community. As a psychologist, I have seen the effects of homelessness on kids and this is my way of making sure the children live with dignity. Eventually we want to grow to where I can give a soap for each soap I sell.

Zehra Kapasi, standing, leads a class at her new store.

We believe in creating a space where self care, community and natural wellness come together. Connecting with different resources like Oakland Thrive and Access can help make better decisions and help to navigate things that are needed for a store. Also using local vendors and community members can be most helpful.

I am enjoying having a space of my own, I would tell other vendors that it is important to do your research and see the response from the community. And trust your instincts. If you think you have a worthy product, get it out to the public anyway you can. The reward is great.