History
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Zorah Biocosmetiques began when a young Canadian woman working abroad came across a Berber women’s coop where Argan oil is farmed, marketed and exported.
In 2003, as a participant with the organization Alternatives in an international coop project in Morocco, the president and founder of Zorah Biocosmétique, Mélissa Harvey, discovers the properties of Argan oil. This precious oil used in Morocco for centuries, includes extraordinary dietary, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic properties. It is extracted from the fruit of the Argan tree – a tree unique to Morocco- which incidentally is protected by UNESCO and used to fight against desertification.
Once back home, Mélissa joins up with Richard Morin, Zorah’s vice-president and creates a high-end line of cosmetic products made in Quebec, using the famous Argan oil as a base. Concerned about the environment, they set out their mission to create an organic, environmentally-friendly and fair-trade line of products.
After three years of research and investment, Zorah’s Canadian biochemists develop Arganol using organic Argan oil from the Moroccan coop that hosted Mélissa in 2003, as its principal ingredient.
Mélissa and Richard have reached their goals: not only is Zorah Biocosmétique recognized for the quality and effectiveness of its products and service, but the line is eco-friendly using only the finest organic and fair-trade ingredients. Furthermore, they had the know-how to develop a fair-trade, affordable, quality product, all while maintaining a production that has the least impact on the environment.
Prizes and Awards
1st place in the Quebec Competition for entrepreneurship in Internet strategy
2nd place (over 1000 competitors) in the national competition for Company Creation, Operations, Transformation and Production
Grand Prize 2007 given by Companie F for women entrepeneurs
Finalist in the Anges Finanaciers and Young Entrepreneurs Bursary 2007
Recipient of the Bourse du SAJE Montréal-Métro and the Fondation du Maire - 2008
Recipient of numerous bursaries from the CDEC encouraging young developpers
Winner of the Desjardins Entrepreneurs 2009 Grand Prize in the category of Young Entrepreneurs in Western Quebec
Zorah is one of the top 20 companies who stood out in the EDIT survey of Diversified and Talented Companies – October 2009
Finalist in the contest Voirgrand.tv 2010 Edition for Entrepreneurs. Prizes will be awarded on April 13, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. on Vox, available to Illico and Videotron subscribers.
We would also like to mention the team at the Ahuntsic-Cartierville Employment Centre, those in charge of the assitance to self-employed individuals at the SAJE Montréal-Métro, and the professionals at the CDEC Centre-Nord and the Business Development Bank of Canada who from the beginning made their expertise available to Zorah, as well as their support and encouragement.
