Ah-Shi Dine Nation Beauty Studio and Gift Shop

Ah-Shi Dine Nation Beauty Studio & Gift Shop

By Chuck Van Drunen

Ahsaki Chachere commutes nearly 80 miles each day from Beshbitoh Valley to Gallup to tend to her new downtown business: Ah-Shi Dine Nation Beauty Studio & Gift Shop, a speciality cosmetic business tailored for Native American skin tones.

Ahsaki went to High School in Ganado and, due to additional online courses at home, was able to graduate early at the age of 17. With ambitions of a medical career, she attended the University of Arizona and delved deeply into her chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology classes. But she returned home to the reservation when her mom, a sheepherder by trade, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Taking a job in water management, helping her mom, and still finishing her college studies, she was able to take her medical school MCAT exams which she passed with flying colors…and her mother fully recovered from her cancer and has now worked for the Navajo Nation Judicial Branch for over three decades.

Ahsaki’s dad was also there to help through these times, George LaFrance, who is currently athletic director at Navajo Technical University. George in his younger years played Arena Football and then served as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers in the 1980s.

With her family stable, Ahsaki, instead of taking one of the many offers to pursue a graduate medical program, changed her mind and earned graduate degrees from Southern New Hampshire University with degrees in sports management, accounting, and international finance.

She soon met her husband, Dennis Chachere, and moved to Houston, TX, where she managed a Holland bases soccer club called Youth Dutch Lines. Yet, throughout the past decade, Ahsaki had been working in the background with a simmering passion to create quality cosmetics for Native skin tones. When taking care of her mother back in Beshbitoh, she found it hard to find cosmetics that were chemical free, attractive, and plant based. So she began the long process to create what did not exist in the market.

While working with a soccer team and doing other jobs, Ahsaki developed her product line and started web sales. In the middle of all this, Ahsaki had to overcome the unwelcome reality of ovarian cancer… twice.

Once healthy again, she decided it was time to

return home to her people and introduce her products at the local level. So this past summer, she returned home to set up shop in the Window Rock flea market, and in less than an hour, all her products were sold out. This was her cue that she needed a storefront in the local area and she soon moved into 407 W. Coal Ave right across the street from Jerry’s Cafe. “Archie at Jerry’s has been super supportive and helpful to me in getting my shop set up and open, he believes in my vision, and with his help, I am able to continue to turn my vision into a reality. I am forever thankful for the BID’s and City Of Gallup’s support. I am blessed with this opportunity of a lifetime,” says Ahaski.

Ah-Shi products were used last year by Native models in Denver fashion shows, and Ahaski continues to see large growth in her store and web sales. The brand now has 41 shades, a skin care line, hair care line, and now men’s care products as well. Currently there is a documentary film in production that will feature Ahsaki called “Native Boss Babe,” that should be finished in the next year. In the meantime please check out her new store or go online to www.ahshibeauty. com or @ahshibeauty on instagram.

For those living near Window Rock, a second store is in the making with a grand opening to take place Saturday, March 7, 2020, at the Window Rock Navajo Nation Shopping Center between 12:00pm and 7:00pm. Guests will be treated to free Blue Corn Mush, Dried Fruits Topping, Navajo Tea, and Fruit Infused Water. The new company features the First Native American Owned and Operated Skincare and Cosmetics Collection.

As she states from her website:

“I built Ah-Shi Dine Nation for many reasons: one, Ah-Shi Dine Nation is more than a Beauty Brand, it’s a movement. As a businesswoman, I see a problem with “Lack of Job Opportunities,” so to solve this problem, I will create jobs for my people on and off the reservation. I need and will build a team and show the world we are more than beautiful people, we're professional indigenous peoples running the next Timeless Ionic Beauty Brand in the world. Two, I am tired of waiting for a major brand to showcase our Indigenous Beauty. So, the wait is over, Ah-Shi Beauty was created in 2012. We have our Beauty Brand that will operate on and off the Great Dine Nation.” • Our 2020 iHeartRadio Music Awards! Back for its seventh year!

• Everyone Can Vote!!

• This year’s Awards will feature EIGHT listener voting categories. 1. Social Star Award 2. Best Lyrics 3. Best Cover Song 4. Best Music Video 5. Best Remix 6. Favorite Tour Photographer 7. Favorite Music Video

Choreography 8. Best Fan Army

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SHOW DATE / TIME / TV: Sunday, March 29th, 8/7c on FOX or listen live on 999xtc!