Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Conswella Smith. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Conswella, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Let’s talk about Faith and Business. The phrase “stepping out on faith” is exactly what happened with A Queen’s Essentials. I had been a corporate worker for over 25 years with the last job (self-taught with no background or degree) as a Technical Support Analysis. You’re probably thinking, “this has nothing to do with skincare.” wait for it. Corporate surroundings, morale, and it’s atmosphere had completely worn me out mentally, physically, and emotionally. I was an excellent employee. However, it appears that I was too excellent; which brought discrimination and push backs each time that I was presented with promotion opportunities. I had given my 2 weeks notice. Then, I was out of there.

I’ve always had a desire to start my own business. It’s in the family bloodline. You see, I’m a master cosmetologist by trade. However, my dedication was more toward the skincare industry. My mother was a Master Cosmetologist along with several other things. She’d convince me to follow in her footsteps to see where things would go. Although I started off as a hairstylist, it wasn’t what I liked to do, But, I really got into natural beauty, it’s product ingredients, and all studies of the derma. My family had a history of recurring skin conditions like eczema, acne, and dermatitis. Nothing over the counter worked for us. So, my inspiration came from wanting to enhance and heal our skin the natural way by going back to our natural history roots in skincare.

Now, lets get back to faith. When I left my corporate job, there was no plan set in place. I had no savings, loans, grants, or anything to sustain my household and two kids. As I was putting things together for my business along with many sacrifices, bills fell behind, lack of food, and house going into foreclosure. I was always afraid to ask for help because of not wanting to be a burden to someone else. However, I never stopped praying and going to church. One Sunday I was so stressed, afraid, and hurt. I hated that my kids saw this weak strength within their mom. I went to the alter when asked if prayer was needed. I fell on my knees and asked God to give me the strength, wisdom, and resources to get me through. That following Monday after church, divine connections started coming in from nowhere! Links to like minded business women and men, food for my family, tons of resources, and mortgage was now paid ahead!

The rest is history! But I really said this to say, that you can’t do it alone! It truly takes a village. I have a personal and marketing coach that still keep me on my feet. I’m a Queen and my crown has been earned! I’m now a Skincare Wellness Life Coach, Owner of A Queen’s Essentials Natural Skincare Products, and Founder of Non-Profit 501c3 Queens Cottage where I’m giving back and blessing others the same way through their business and journey ventures, just as I was 6 years ago!

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

A Queen’s Essentials Natural Skincare Products where we specialize in recurring skin conditions such as eczema, acne, rosacea, and dermatitis. I come from a family history of skin sensitivities. Nothing worked for us when coming trying to heal our skin with over the counter products within the stores. As a Master Cosmetologist by trade, I discovered within my studies of the derma, that the chemicals and ingredients to help preserve the shelf life along with other herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers caused tremendous flare-ups and damage to our skin. I decided to go back to my roots in healing our skin the natural way. Our skin is the largest organ of the body. We have to take care of it in order for it to take care of us.

My mission as a Skincare Wellness Life Coach is to Educate, Empower, Promote, and Elevate Skincare Wellness in Loving the Skin that you’re in, from the Inside/Out.

Coming close to death and overcoming the challenges has allowed me to totally transform, creating a new lifestyle and hope for others. I’m determined to be the help needed in maintaining a healthy mindset and new attractions to one’s self.

I am the brand. My stories, testimonies, and journey continues to inspire others to love themselves unconditionally while overcoming any obstacle allowing them to experience phenomenal success!

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

My most favorite story in how I became successful in marketing is simple…I got help. I was ashamed after selling products for years, there was still nothing to show for it. All of this time, I thought that I could do alone. I was completely wrong. So, I put on my big girl panties and solved the main problem…..”me”. I first had to figure out who I was and learn more about me. Thanks to Natolie Warren, who’s my Personal Life and Business coach.

After realizing there was more missing to my business, I reached out to my Marketing Brand Coach, Clinton M McCoy. He not only helped me with my niche, I was able to discover whom my ideal clients really are and how to attract high paying customers. Now when I say high, I mean high in life and intentional success. Well, let’s just say I also know my value much more within my skincare line today. My following event after only 2 sessions in with him sold out every product package I had on my vending table!

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

Being in the forties club is a blessing! But there had been some challenges. I remember having pain within my right leg. Thinking that this was just a pulled muscle, I continued to be on the move with photoshoots and promoting video content for my brand. Then, I had trouble walking, Ice was no longer working, Something was not right. My daughter told me that I needed to go to the emergency from. Turns out , I had suffered a Pulmonary Embolism and DVT where the blood clots had traveled to both of my lungs. Doctors say that if I had not come into the ER that day, I would have died. The cause currently is still not fully known. However, me being on hormone medicine for several years was the main culprit. The reason I initially got placed on these 10 years ago was due to fibroid issues. The medicine had also calmed my anxiety and panic attacks that I would have frequently after I had my two, now teenage kids,

The doctor of course, took me off of the the hormones immediately. This is when life really changed. My anxiety, depression through pandemic, and health challenges were as they would say , “on level 10” After blood work results, I was determined to heal my body from the inside out. This meant physically, mentally, and emotionally. I changed my whole diet, started mindful meditation, praying, and exercised regularly. Game changer was not the word for the transformation! This is would begin my journey as I Skincare Wellness Life Coach. Living it and knowing it, is why you can trust and believe that you are not alone in any circumstance and everything is possible through change.

Contact Info:

• Website: aqueensessentials.net
• Instagram: instagram.com/a_queens_essentials
• Facebook: facebook.com/aqueensessentials
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conswellasmith/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AQueensEssentialsNaturalSkincareProducts
• Other: My online course, A Queen’s Guide to Overcoming Any Obstacle myqueenguide.com Non-Profit Organization Queens Cottage queenscottage.org

Image Credits
Clinton M McCoy, Diverse Styles Marketing