CELEBRATING MENKELI KANAA: A SPIRIT OF CARE, CREATIVITY, AND COLLABORATION

For ARTE NOIR’s third anniversary, we are proud to honor Menkeli Kanaa with the Collaborative Innovation Award. As the founder of DOTI, Menkeli has been with us since the beginning of our journey in the Central District, bringing her artistry, innovation, and heartfelt care to our shelves and community. What began as a labor of love, crafting natural body care for family and friends, has grown into a thriving brand anchored in purpose, integrity, and collaboration.

DOTI Founder, Menkeli Kanaa

DOTI’s elegant simplicity reflects Menkeli’s vision: products created with intentionally chosen ingredients, thoughtfully designed packaging, and a focus on meeting real needs. Whether curating travel-ready items or addressing the often-overlooked skincare needs of men, Menkeli has built a line that feels both high-quality and deeply personal. Customers return again and again, not just for the products, but for the trust and care that she infuses into every detail.

That spirit of care runs through her life story. Raised in Ethiopia, Menkeli learned early the value of spontaneity and resilience. She came to the United States in 1972 as a student, only to find that a revolution at home would keep her here longer than anticipated. The upheaval changed the trajectory of her life, sparking uncertainty and tragedy at home, and yet she remained rooted in hope and opportunity. 

Menkelli with her family in Ethiopia, and in 1972, the year she came to America.

Teaching became her first career. At Hamilton Middle School, she even led students on a trip to Greece, showing them how to barter and embrace cultural differences. Education, for her, was never just about the classroom; it was about widening perspectives.

“Sometimes one word can change your life,” she reflected. For her, that word was “harambee,” a term she had heard growing up meaning “let’s pull together” in Swahili. Years later in Seattle, she discovered that the African American Academy held assemblies that happened each Monday and called them “harambees”. Curious, she attended one of the assemblies, and the experience moved her so deeply that she left her current position to work at the school. Though the role was challenging, it became another turning point, a reminder of how a single moment can redirect the course of her life.

That openness to chance and to people would continue to guide her path — from the classroom to her later work as a creator and entrepreneur. Today, through DOTI, she teaches in a new way: empowering people to learn about their skin, understand the ingredients they use, and take ownership of their care. “It’s like being a teacher again,” she said with a bright smile.

Her curiosity and humor shine through in every story she tells. She recalls with laughter her first job interview in the U.S. at just 19 years old. Asked why she should be hired, she answered simply: “Because you’re looking for someone to do the job.” She explained that “marketing herself” felt like bragging which wasn’t part of her culture, and interviewing felt like little more than self-promotion at the time. Her perspective brings warmth and honesty to each encounter.

Her humor shines in a story about hosting Tanzanian visitors in Seattle with a local organization. While others tried to impress the guests with outings to golf courses, farms, or even Mount Rainier—landscapes already familiar to the guests—or to Nordstrom, which was far beyond their budgets. She found delight in showing them the everyday experiences that felt both accessible and memorable. She chose something different: a visit to QFC. Dressed in full traditional attire, the visitors marveled at the endless aisles of cereal, pet food, and packaged goods—a scene far more astonishing to them. What struck them most was the sheer abundance and variety, as well as the fact that they could purchase affordable items to bring home to their families. The memory still delights her, because it affirms a belief she holds close: people are most deeply moved by what speaks to their everyday lives and loved ones.

Menkeli’s family history reflects the same entrepreneurial spirit and resilience she carries forward today. Her father was a lawyer and diplomat, and her mother was a stay-at-home mom in Ethiopia, later becoming a Seattle restaurateur who ran a sauce business that brought them onto local television. These influences taught her both discipline and creativity. She recalls laughing with her mother as they debated whether ingredients should be “eyeballed” or precisely measured for American consumers. Their differences became a lasting reminder that, in the end, attention to detail matters.

Launching DOTI demanded that same mix of precision and imagination. Before selling at ARTE NOIR, Menkeli sold to family and friends through word of mouth. A chance meeting between her brother and ARTE NOIR staff opened the door for her products to reach a wider audience. From there, she refined her brand, experimenting with packaging, building connections, and learning from mistakes. She prioritized taking classes and learning from people all over the world. “Education is expensive, but so are mistakes,” she said, underscoring her commitment to continuous growth.

Her products are more than luxury skincare—they are expressions of her belief that quality should not be synonymous with exclusivity. “People don’t need expensive stuff,” she explained. “It’s a lie that the higher you pay, the better it works.” Instead, she empowers customers to read labels, understand their own skin, learn about oils, and trust their own instincts. In doing so, she has built a community of believers who not only love her products but feel ownership over their own self-care.

Through it all, Menkeli’s warmth remains unmistakable. Stylish, well-spoken, and endlessly curious, she has a laugh that draws people in and a generosity that makes them feel seen. She is funny, insightful, and intentional, which are all qualities that have made her a beloved collaborator and innovator within ARTE NOIR.

As we celebrate three years of ARTE NOIR, we are proud to lift Menkeli Kanaa as a model of creativity, resilience, and collaborative spirit. Her journey from Ethiopia to Seattle, from classrooms to community spaces, and from kitchen experiments to a brand that has become a staple on our shelves, embodies the heart of what ARTE NOIR strives to honor: artistry rooted in purpose, care, and connection.

Menkeli selling her DOTI wares at a local market.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Menkeli Kanaa is the founder of Doti Naturals, a skincare line crafted with care, curiosity, and an eye for detail. After retiring from a decades-long career teaching middle school, she began making lotions after she retired. 

Blending formal training with self-taught research, Menkeli sources high-quality oils from Ethiopia, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, India, and South America, drawing on global healing traditions. Each product begins with listening to people’s needs, then experimenting and fine-tuning until it’s just right.

From her first failed batch in a mason jar to her refined, globally inspired creations, Menkeli has built a business rooted in care, history, and connection – helping people feel comfortable and confident in their skin.