Making Vicksburg “Glowe”: Vicksburg’s Natalie Burks finds her calling

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — In the heart of downtown Vicksburg, behind the glass windows of a small but stylish storefront, something extraordinary is taking place. Batches of handcrafted soaps, whipped body butters, and botanical scrubs are lined neatly on wooden shelves, their scents softly filling the air with notes of lavender, citrus, and rich shea.

The woman behind it all? Natalie Burks—a Vicksburg native whose passion for skincare turned into a booming business and a personal mission.

Burks, 39, was born and raised in Vicksburg, graduating from Warren Central High School before attending Mississippi Valley State University and later finishing her degree at Belhaven University. Her resume is a patchwork of diverse roles—retail, card dealing, teaching—making her, in her own words, a “Jill of all trades.”

But it was a personal skin crisis that led Burks to the craft that would eventually shape her career and legacy.

“Right after I turned 30, my skin completely switched up on me,” she said. “I developed eczema, and nothing I used seemed to work anymore.”

Desperate for relief and armed with curiosity, Burks began researching ingredients and experimenting in her kitchen. When the one store-bought product that worked for her was discontinued, she flipped the box over, memorized the ingredients, and made her first batch of cold-process oatmeal soap.

“I’ve been hooked ever since,” she said.

In 2018, Burks officially launched Glowe Apothecary, originally named Glowe Skincare. With zero business experience but an unwavering sense of purpose, she stepped into the unknown.

“I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew why I was doing it,” Burks said. “I wanted to make products that were gentle enough for sensitive skin but still smelled amazing.” She did just that—and more.

What started as small batches of soap soon grew into an entire line of products. Glowe Apothecary now offers everything from facial cleansers and body butters to beard oils and sugar scrubs, all made by hand and from scratch.

“I don’t use any pre-made bases or shortcuts,” she explained. “My best-selling body butter is shea butter–based, not water-based like most others. It’s way more hydrating and nourishing. Your skin will thank you.”

The name “Glowe” carries a special meaning. It’s a tribute to her mother, Greta Lowe—affectionately known as “G Lowe.”

“She always took such good care of her skin and had this effortless beauty about her,” Burks said. “It just clicked one day—G Lowe spells Glowe. It felt perfect.”

For Burks, every product is born from research and intention. Her formulas are plant-based, vegan, and free from phthalates and parabens. Each ingredient has a purpose, whether to hydrate, brighten, soothe, or exfoliate. Still, the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Gaining local support proved to be one of the most difficult hurdles.

“My business actually grew outside of Mississippi before it caught on here,” Burks said. “There’s something so special about hometown love, though. Building that trust took time, but it’s been worth every minute.”

The turning point came in 2020, when comedian Kerwin Claiborne shared one of her social media posts. Over 100 orders came in within a single day.

“That moment really helped my business take off,” she recalled.

Another milestone followed soon after—opening her brick-and-mortar location in downtown Vicksburg.

“I used to tell my grandma I wanted to live in that very building,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “Now I have a business there. It’s a full-circle moment I can’t even describe.”

Today, Burks produces around 500 bars of soap a week, a number she still can’t quite believe. Glowe Apothecary isn’t just about skincare. It’s about wellness, empowerment, and connection—especially for women. Every second Saturday, Burks hosts Self-Care Saturdays, offering a space for people to slow down, reset, and reconnect.

“I’m a big mental health advocate,” she said. “Self-care is such a vital part of that. You deserve to care for yourself—mind, body, and skin.”

She also plays a prominent role in local events like the Old Courthouse Flea Market and is working on collaborations with fellow Vicksburg creatives like Ariel Hardy of Pink Sugar Bakery, Larry Walker of SkyWalker Photography, and Toni Lowe of Twisted Sisters. As her business continues to grow, so does her vision. Burks is preparing to launch new products including foaming hand soaps, bath teas, jelly masks, and postpartum self-care kits—designed especially for new moms navigating recovery and rest.

“I want Glowe to be in Saks and Neiman Marcus,” she said with a grin. “My products are luxury, and my goal is to be the Neiman’s of skincare.”

But beneath the branding, packaging, and entrepreneurial spirit, Natalie Burks is still the same girl who turned to soap-making in her kitchen in search of relief—and found her purpose.

“I always say, ‘Don’t stop, get it, get it,’” she laughed. “But seriously—do it scared. You’d rather say ‘oh well’ than live with a bunch of ‘what ifs.’ You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

She’s building confidence, one bar at a time—and helping Vicksburg glowe.