Launching a beauty and skincare company was not in Tara Nader’s life plan.
An engineer and successful Silicon Valley CEO surrounded by a loving family, Tara’s contentment was suddenly altered on the day after her birthday in 2006 when a routine mammogram led to a diagnosis of breast cancer.
“When they tell you that you have cancer, you feel like you’ve already expired,” said Tara. “That your life is over and you’re no longer relevant.”
Rather than wallow, she chose to take a fighting stance against the disease.
A lumpectomy followed by months of radiation treatments left her skin parched, damaged and burned. Tara sought medical advice and studied research on the powers of botanicals. She diligently applied creams that contained known healing agents such as Vitamin A and Vitamin D; essential oils from plants and extracts from seeds. She focused her attention on eliminating as many potentially toxic elements from her home and diet.
Tara also took a close look at the many expensive, high-end beauty products she was using every day. She was shocked to see so many synthetics and chemicals on the labels. The jars and containers that populated her vanity were thrown out and replaced with the pure creams she was now creating and using on herself.
In a short time, Tara noticed that her surgical scars were disappearing and her damaged skin had improved significantly with this new regimen of botanical creams.
The engineer found a new application for her expertise.
With a background in math and science, Tara began calculating and experimenting in her kitchen, turning it into a makeshift lab of beakers and botanicals. She imported top quality ingredients from around the world and incorporated beauty rituals from her own Persian culture as well as those from India, Egypt and other countries with a long tradition of skincare advances.
Tara perfected a formula that blended powerful, skin-healing oils and extracts into a serum that was divinely luxurious. She used the moisturizer exclusively on herself and gave samples to friends.
During a holiday at Lake Tahoe, a compliment from a stranger about her beautiful complexion inspired Tara to take another step and create her third Silicon Valley start-up: a beauty company with a philosophy of sharing a chemical-free, preservative-free line of cosmetics with everyone seeking a pure alternative in skincare.
Once she met the approval of a regulatory agency, Tara set up a manufacturing laboratory where she could research and develop those products.
She chose Longeva, a name derived from the word longevity, as the name of her company.
The first product was a serum that was instrumental in healing her damaged skin: the Omni Facial Moisturizer, a potent formula that includes Sea Buckthorn, Ylang Ylang, Carrot Seed and Black Seed, all rich in vitamins and oils that restore the skin’s natural radiance.
Bottled in dark violet Miron glass to prevent oxidation, it became Longeva’s signature product.
Longeva launched slowly and selectively in early 2014 so that Tara could consider customer feedback. She added an unscented version of the moisturizer to the line and one for extra dry skin. By summer, there was a cleanser, a teeth brightener and a cellulite potion.
In August, Longeva was among the products selected for inclusion in the celebrity gift baskets at the 2014 Emmy Awards. Stars who stopped by the Longeva table in the gifting suite included cast members from Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Revenge, Mad Men and the Mindy Project.
While Tara loved the momentary spotlight among the Hollywood stars, her philosophy for Longeva is grounded in the basics.
She wants all women to be able to simplify their beauty routine and be assured that the products that touch their skin are pure, nature-derived and safe from carcinogens. She believes wholesome skin is the foundation of long-lasting beauty and healthy longevity.
Tara’s proper name, Tahereh Nader, translates to pure and rare in Persian.
She lives in the Bay Area with her husband, Anoosh. She has a son, Sina and a daughter, Roza.