Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Rayborn

Hi Lauren, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

As a little girl, I was raised by two very strong women, my mother and my grandmother. They also were business owners and taught me the value in having my own business at about age 5. They always spoke positively over me and encouraged me to try anything I wanted to do. They even took me on modeling and acting jobs from about ages 5 to 7 where I was in a couple Family Dollar ads and in a movie called “A Family Thing” with the late James Earl Jones and Robert Duvall.

Growing up in this way made me feel that I could always do anything if I was determined enough. Most of my twenties were spent in self discovery. I went to a university right after high school but I was not ready to handle the independence. When I returned back to my parents’ house, I worked all the time and also established a few businesses. It was not until my thirties that I had solid direction as to the career path that really worked for me. I left the field of education in the Spring of 2022 because it was affecting my mental health but I did not know walking away would allow me to discover my lifelong path of herbs and healthy hair.

I now own two businesses, full time. I am a Loctician, where I maintain healthy locs (dreaklocks) or natural hair and scalp for men, women, and children. I also own an online business with herbal and crochet products. This shift has allowed me to be present for myself, for my kids, and for husband.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

My journey has been full of bumps in the road but that’s the beauty in growth and maturity. I did not always feel optimistic about my path, I had doubts, I had insecurities, and after having children it’s a continuous journey to support positive mental health.

As I mentioned, in my twenties, I spent a lot of time discovering what I wanted to be in this world. I knew I wanted to make an impact but I was not sure how to accomplish that goal. Once my daughter was born, when I was 25, she gave me a new found purpose to focus and accomplish all the goals I had in front of me.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ase Wellness LLC?

Ase Wellness LLC is an umbrella company that consists a website that offers natural and herbal products for families, dreadlocks and natural styling clients from my home, and an annual event for women called The Goddess Picnic.

The spiritual word “ase” means “it is so.” This was the perfect addition to the name of my brand to affirm each person who purchases or enters my business space and events. Some of my products include my best selling hair growth and scalp balancing oil, herbal tea blends, a 3-ingredient moisture rich lip balm, and newly added hand crocheted velvet bags.

What sets my brand apart is my passion and family history in herbs. My grandmother told me a story about 2 of her cousins foraging for herbs in the woods when she was younger. They would put the herbs in jars and sell them but they did not know initially that those herbs were providing healing to their customers. Now I have the pleasure of creating products with healthy ingredients, to share with my family and yours.

For those who live in the Chicago area with natural hair or looking to find a great Loctician who specializes in doing what’s healthy for your hair and scalp, I offer hair services. Those services always include washing your hair, conditioning your hair when needed, and steam treatments for added moisture. One of the best parts of coming to me for your services is that I educate you along the way and I sell products that help with your hair journey at home.

I’m most proud that my brand brings people joy. I have had so many people tell me that they have experienced healthy hair growth and less dryness because of my hair oil, knowing my daughter has a lip balm safe enough for her sensitive skin, providing tea blends that help with common issues like excessive bloating and discomfort. All of these things are just a few reasons I love to create.

Who else deserves credit in your story?

My largest support system personally and professionally is my family. When I say family, I’m speaking about my husband, children, parents, grandmother, little sister, and even several family members on my husband’s side of the family. I also have to give credit to my close friends for their support. I hear so many business owners, and people in general, state that most of your support will come from strangers but I would not be where I am without the support of my friends and family.

In 2022, I left education because it was negatively impacting my mental health. Instead of my husband telling me to keep pushing through it, he encouraged me to leave education and pursue my dreams full time. The things I have been able to accomplish the past two years are only possible because of his love and support as well as my village of family and friends.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.asewellness.be
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elle_theherbalist?igsh=MTVyZjJhd3Jqd3czMA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/fw12xxWs9Hof5jeR/

Image Credits

Double AA Vision Photography