PHILIP AND VANIA GBEE, OWNERS OF NABAKINDO SKINCARE, AT THE MALL AT ROBINSON. (PHOTOS BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
The holiday season is upon us, and the next time you travel to The Mall at Robinson, take note of the four Black-owned businesses there that are making their mark, aiming high on the success meter each day in front of a diverse group of shoppers.
by Maia Williams
For New Pittsburgh Courier
The Mall at Robinson is home to Nabakindo Skincare, one of only four Black-owned businesses in the mall. Founded by Philip and Vania Gbee, Nabakindo Skincare officially launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its roots trace back to a personal beginning.
The idea for the business was sparked years before, when the couple sought a solution for their oldest daughter, Amirah, who has eczema.
After trying out many commercial brands without progress, Philip Gbee looked to his cultural roots as a Liberian native.
“I said, ‘you know what? Let me try shea butter just by itself in its raw essence’ and that was so helpful,” Philip Gbee told the New Pittsburgh Courier. He said the results were evident. Amirah’s skin cleared up and the couple discovered a need for cleaner and more sustainable skincare products in the United States.
PHILIP AND VANIA GBEE, OWNERS OF NABAKINDO SKINCARE, AT THE MALL AT ROBINSON, WITH THEIR THREE CHILDREN—PHILIP GBEE JR., ARABELLA GBEE AND AMIRAH GBEE. (PHOTOS BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
The couple’s journey into retail began at various local pop-up markets, where they found their products selling out. The success sparked their ambition to scale the business, leading them to Pittsburgh. “We weren’t going to do a store. A store was not in our plans. We were simply going to do a kiosk,” Philip Gbee said.
After a kiosk space during the holiday season fell through, the couple quickly received an offer for a small storefront at The Mall at Robinson in 2023. They opened their store to the public on Nov. 15, 2023. The Greater Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Nabakindo on April 17, 2024. Nabakindo Skincare is currently open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The store is located on the mall’s first floor.
Philip Gbee spends his days at Nabakindo Skincare balancing a range of tasks like attending to customers, packaging products, staying organized, and joining meetings. “When customers come in, we have a big thing — if you’re going to introduce yourself, smile, speak to them, have a conversation, understand their needs,” said Philip Gbee. The couple believes their commitment to customer service and word-of-mouth referrals are key to their growth. They are also constantly looking for ways to advance their brand.
“I met Philip and Vania at the Holiday Black Market in 2021. From our first interaction, they listened to my skincare concerns and provided personalized suggestions based on my needs.” said Jenna Tracy, a Nabakindo customer. “I immediately fell in love with the four-piece facial care routine including the Alpha Hydroxy Facial Cleanser, Complexion Clarifying Toner, Sunrise Cream and Sunset Cream. Their products are all natural with minimal ingredients you can pronounce.”
Nabakindo stands out not only for its chemical-free, preservative-free products, but also as a family-run business. “I don’t think there’s anywhere else where you have two beautiful little kids, you know, coming up to you and speaking,” he said.
Those two little kids are the aforementioned Amirah, and Arabella. Philip and Vania Gbee also have a son, Philip Jr.
Philip Gbee has found that over this past summer, the store’s top seller for men was Bakindo Head-to-Toe, while Victoria Falls is gaining popularity among women.
Nabakindo Skincare also engages with the local community through donations, gift boxes and fundraisers. “We’re here for the long haul and we are trying to grow within the community, not just take from it,” Philip Gbee said.
As Nabakindo Skincare scales, Philip Gbee hopes to participate in sponsorship opportunities. A challenge he experiences as a Black entrepreneur is finding authentic ways to get more exposure. He hopes to diversify Nabakindo’s customer base. “We’re building a community, a strong group of individuals that are a variety of different races and backgrounds — Black, White, Asian, etc., — that come in here,” he said.
Philip Gbee’s advice to aspiring Black entrepreneurs is to know their “why” and understand their value. He also emphasizes the importance of perseverance through challenges. “Oftentimes, you may see individuals that think everything is just an overnight sensation,” he told the Courier. “Sometimes you have to play the long game and can find a lot more satisfaction at times in a long game because you build the different calluses needed in business, so that when you get these more firm opportunities down the line, you’re fully prepared for it.”
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