Celebrating Culture and Wellness: The Birth of Versatelle Co.

by Louissa Barnes

Versatelle Co did not start as a full ecosystem. It began as a small idea. A box. A journal. A feeling that care should make sense to the people who carry so much. Over time it kept expanding. Every time I worked on one piece, another part of the vision revealed itself. The products. The gatherings. The stories. The digital tools. The community care. It all started connecting on its own.

At the heart of Versatelle is something simple. Wellness that reflects the cultures and identities we come from. Many of us grew up with our own forms of care. Remedies passed down. Kitchen conversations. Community rituals. Home practices that taught us how to soothe ourselves before we had language for it. That kind of wellness rarely shows up in mainstream spaces, but it shaped us. It still does.

Versatelle is here to honor that. Not by trying to recreate tradition in a literal way, but by building a space where culture and care can sit together without feeling out of place. A space where BIPOC and queer folks can feel familiar and seen in the things we use to show up for ourselves.

The first stage of the shop will start with curation. Small batch self-care items from BIPOC and queer-led brands. Thoughtful tools that already exist in our communities. Products that feel good to use. Items that bring a little grounding into everyday life. Journals that make reflection less intimidating. Simple things that can live in your home without feeling like a trend.

Over time, Versatelle will grow into more in-house work. More collaborations. More art. More creative expression. More products shaped by the stories and needs that come directly from our community. But the first chapter is about curating with intention. Listening before creating. Supporting makers who are already doing beautiful work.

Versatelle’s vision is bigger than the shop. It includes gatherings that feel warm and human. Conversations that make room for softness. Creative partnerships. Community research. Writing that reflects our lived experiences. And eventually, digital tools that can support people in their day to day. The ecosystem is still forming, but it is rooted in culture, care, and community.

If this direction speaks to you, you are welcome here. You can join the newsletter for early access to the shop, upcoming events, and the behind the scenes of what we are building. This is the beginning, and it is growing in real time.