GHS grad introduces a ‘cooling’ product

Thursday, October 4, 2007

By PATTY RICE GROTH
Inquirer Reporter

Ask any woman of a certain age what she would most like to have at hand when needed, and she might say, “Something to cool me off during hot flashes.” Galion High School 1995 graduate Melissa Shaver France took that question quite seriously a while back, about the time her mother, Christine Shaver, joined legions of women experiencing this uncomfortable event.

Galion residents may remember France’s parents. Bruce Shaver served as the chief financial officer of Galion Community Hospital; and, Christine Shaver was an accounting manager in home health care. The couple have relocated to Colorado, where Shaver is now the CFO of Boulder Couny Mental Health Center.

Following graduation from Galion High School, France attended Bowling Green State University. She relocated to Boulder, Colo., in the fall of 1997, and finished her degree in environmental science at the University of Colorado. The Shavers moved some time later.

France began experiencing hot flashes following the birth of her first child. Combined with her mother’s experiences, she took it upon herself to learn more about what causes hot flashes, and then to determine how to relieve them quickly. As quickly as one can reach into a purse or drawer, withdraw a small spray bottle of Verita, and spritz one’s throat or nape.

Having worked in product development in the health and beauty industry, France consulted with chemists to formulate the product. Verita was two years in the research, formulation and testing phase.

Verita is the Italian word for truth, and already women are validating that Veritå works. In fact, the name was chosen when a tester commented, “It works, and that’s the truth.”

In January of 2007, France left her job and formed M.E. Cosmeceuticals LLC, which then released Verita.

She explains that individuals such as herself work with chemists to develop products, and when a formula is finalized, are responsible for arranging manufacturing and distribution of the product.

France describes the product as a “soothing blend of botanicals, natural marine algae and refreshing cucumber aloe scent.”

Not only is the product cooling, it is environmentally friendly. Verita is available in a 2.5 ounce bottle made of reclyable aluminum, which can be recycled when empty. The discreet size of the package is convenient as hot flashes can occur any time of the day or night.

Verita is available online from BuyBeauty.com and HFrelief.com. Other companies will be offering the product as soon as distributor agreements are finalized.

France and her husband, Michael, have two young daughters, and France runs M.E. Cosmeceuticals from a home office.