It’s a juicy one, so be ready… In 2013, I was at a crossroads. I was a mother of a nearly 2 year old daughter, my cheating husband left me, and I had not too long before left my successful career in the Fashion Industry and teaching it overseas.
Talk about an identity crisis!
I felt as if I lost whatever purpose I had. I was quite depressed, gained so much weight, and felt so alone. On top of that, I knew I had another person depending on me for EVERYTHING, no matter what. So, I laid on my floor and asked my Creator for “purpose”.
Days later, I began remembering all the holistic research that built up over the previous 8 years. Minerals, diet, lifestyle, and the notes I took them down in.
I mixed…and I cried…then, I didn’t cry so much.
I created this oil. It smelled like a margarita. I gave this oil to every person that came my way; family, friends, strangers. It didn’t matter. This was all I had to give. Plus, the use of my knowledge and hands were therapeutic.
A few weeks later, my friend Bohdana (I always shout her out and cry when I tell my story) purchased a jar for $10 (I think). She told me how much she and her mother loved the improvement in their skin and cuticles.
Remember I told you I was depressed? Well, I couldn’t believe she wanted to pay me for a jar of this oil. My confidence was “floor level”.
She then mentioned a Pan-African Festival coming up in about 2 weeks, if that. She sent me the application via email. The ONLY reason why I filled it out was because she said she would help me. Well, I needed to make some money so I began planning my menu.
The oil she purchased needed a name. I love margaritas, but didn’t want to be cliche by naming it the same. So, I called it, HAPPY HOUR. It made others happy and smelled so fresh and clean.
From there, I named this new company LEELA’S BODY COCKTAILS offering many oils and butters for the body. Everything was a cocktail! It was a conversation starter.
Bohdana and my mentee, Ashley, helped fill jars while I mixed product in my kitchen.
The festival was a great success. I didn’t know it though. I didn’t have anything to compare it to. I just sold product that actually helped people’s skin, not harm it.
Since selling products began paying the bills, I signed up for more markets and festivals while working part-time at a hotel, taking additional college classes, and being a single mother.
I couldn’t give up on myself, though some days were extremely challenging. It seemed like the world was for and against me at the same time. I gradually built up my confidence and continued my research on sun damage, skin cancers, harmful chemicals in skin and beauty products and came up with resolutions.
I continued selling in markets and festivals along with opening my kiosk in Georgia. Talk about exhausting! To this day, I am unable to visit a market w/out supporting vendors. It’s hard work. Rain or shine, it’s also a toss up of whether you will make money or waste it.
As my knowledge of the integumentary system increased, I changed from cash and carry to a bonafide Skin Specialist. I was able to educate and heal skin of acne, eczema, sun damage, name it.
Then I dug deeper into how our genetics play into our skin characteristics. That just took me to an entirely different level.
I began offering non-esthetic skin services that were based on my knowledge and theorems by holistically treating the skin of men, women, and children gently. This, obviously upset a few dermatologists and estheticians. But, my knowledge ethically guided what people needed.
I opened my Holistic Skin Clinic in 2019 for my birthday and business just gets better and better. I am training estheticians and certifying them as Skin Therapists. Our approach is so different from what has been offered in the skin services industry.
My certification program has a job to raise more entrepreneurs all over the planet. This pandemic has proven that a skill set to help others is necessary to our society. We all must be different and colorful and own who we are in it. Healthy skin is for everyone.
I manufacture ethical products, train estheticians, educate teens all humans on caring for their skin via DIY projects, and service clients with the best intentions.
In March of 2020, we changed our name to Ayanna Denise Skin (now trademarked. Praises.). This supports our growth in community education, natural products, and holistic services.