We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christie Shumate . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christie below.

Christie , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

My defining moment came after taking a class on growing my business. Although the class was four hours in length, the one sentence spoken by the presenter that changed my career only took her four seconds to say. She said: “What got you here (the financial or business level you are currently at), won’t get you there (the level you want to get to)”. Those eight, simple words came to life in me. It reminded me of a saying that I had heard many years prior: “If you always do what you’ve always done, then you’ll always be where you are right now”. I had always been a “solo-preneur”, operating my Esthetics Practice on my own. I often said that I needed to grow more heads due to all of the hats that I wore. Those coming in for their pampering Spa services didn’t realize that I was also the Janitor that had just finished mopping the floor after taking off my Marketing hat, from a Networking luncheon earlier that day. I was the Accountant, balancing the books and keeping track of inventory while becoming Certified in new technologies to offer my Clients. I was the Receptionist, answering calls, scheduling appointments and returning text messages. Ironically, none of those hats came with a paycheck! Other people get paid to do those jobs, but not me. Those jobs were taking time away from what I DO get paid for, which is performing services as an Aesthetician.
The “a-ha lightbulb” lit up. By hiring folks that do those jobs for a living, it would free up time for me to do what I do for a living. And, I could also hire other Aestheticians/Technicians that could perform services on my Clients (and new Clients that they would bring), which would grow the business.
I’m happy to say, that is exactly what happened. I am exceeding my goals by only wearing one hat. This has freed up time for me to launch my innovative creation, Underarm Deodorant Granules. The first single-use, plant-based, aluminum-free Deodorant in Granule form. And, it actually works!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I began my career as an Esthetician after being inspired by a plastic surgeon who would donate his Summers to go to third-world Countries and help those in need. Some of his patients included children born with birth defects as well as those injured in fires or who had suffered physically from domestic abuse. There I was, sitting in his waiting room flipping through before and after photos with tears running down my face. Here I wanted to pay him to make me look better than perfect, and these poor folks were hoping he could make them just look somewhat normal! It was a very humbling experience and one that changed my life. I too, wanted to be involved in a career where I could help others with their appearance and also give back.
Three things that I am most proud of and what I believe sets my Practice apart from others, is operating with integrity. We do not accept someone as a new Client if we feel that we are unable to help them accomplish what they are coming to us for. Also, we treat our Clients like family. In fact, our Clients receive either a phone call or a card on their Birthday. We build relationships and that equates to trust. And finally, our giving back. We give 10% back from all purchases to people, places and pets in need. This includes the Cancer Foundation along with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease research. These deadly diseases were the inspiration for me to create Underarm Deodorant Granules.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Initially, in creating the Underarm Deodorant Granules, it was for my own personal use, after two of my friends were diagnosed with breast cancer. Hearing of a possible connection to aluminum in deodorants as being the cancer culprit, I set out to find Deodorants without aluminum that actually worked, but couldn’t find any. With my background as an Esthetician and knowing product ingredients, I just made my own. Then, after my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and her husband, Parkinson’s Disease, I learned of a few scientists that discovered excess aluminum in the brains of some individuals that had passed away from those diseases. My personal-use Deodorant without aluminum but full of plants, now needed to go public.
I wanted to offer a single-use option, which is much more sanitary than a stick or roll-on. Think about it. Why use something over and over in an area known to produce bacteria, your underarms? In effect, you are putting the bacteria from your underarms onto the stick or roll-on and then re-applying it the next day. Granules just made sense and they would be easy to travel with on a plane, to the beach, the gym or wherever for on-the-go needs.
But,since Deodorant in granule form had never existed before, I excitedly wanted to show it to three individuals that already had products in Retail stores. Keep in mind that these three people didn’t know each other and their products are unrelated to mine. Imagine my surprise when all three emphatically told me that my deodorant in “granular” form would not be accepted and that I would absolutely have to turn it into a stick or roll-on! I thanked them for their time and never looked back. When you believe so strongly in something as I do the granules, you owe it to yourself and those that it will effect to see it all of the way through. Don’t let others burst your bubble.
As I knew they would, the Underarm Deodorant Granules have been extremely well received. In fact, they received the distinction of being one of the Innovative Products of theYear in 2022 and were recently featured on CBS News!

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

No! In Aesthetics, I know that I have the ability to change someone’s appearance for the better, which will affect their self-esteem. As the creator of Underarm Deodorant Granules, I know that I am providing a safer Deodorant option that everyone can use, even those with Kidney Disease.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Transformations-Wellness.com
• Instagram: @Transformations_Wellness
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087126561561

Image Credits
Underarm Deodorant Granules