We recently connected with Diana Stafford and have shared our conversation below.

Diana, appreciate you joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I was raised by a single mother and grandparents who immigrated to the United States during the Civil War in Guatemala. My mom worked late every evening and every weekend so we never spent any quality time together. When she was off, she spent her time drinking and partying leaving my brother and I with her parents. Being raised by a single mom meant I practically raised myself and my younger brother. I was always told throughout my life that I acted older than my age because of this. We lived in poverty so I didn’t go to the best schools and always had to worry about gang violence. There was emotional neglect, physical, and sexual abuse. Shame. Judgment. When I did share my feelings or worries, they were dismissed or I was told I was too sensitive and not to feel that way because it’s wrong so I held everything inside and had no outlet besides journaling. I had shut down from being in a toxic environment. I had no guidance, direction, or anyone healthy to look up to.

I began isolating myself and became depressed as a teenager. I hung out with the wrong crowd and barely graduated high school. In my late teens, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. At the time, mental health was not talked about and not a lot of information was readily available. When I told my family, they responded by telling me I’m crazy, it’s all in my head, and to just get over it because I have nothing to be depressed about. A friend of mine suggested I start to see a therapist so I did, but I still wasn’t feeling any better.

Fast forward to when I was 27 years old and hit rock bottom. I was desperate to feel better and so I went to the library and checked out a book called “Change your brain, change your life” by Dr. Amen. It was the first time I understood what anxiety and depression is and that nothing was inherently wrong with me. I was having normal reactions to bad circumstances and learned the importance of becoming aware of ANT’s (automatic negative thoughts). How the people you surround yourself with can either make or break you. I decided that I was going to cut people out of my life who openly judged or shamed me for being me. I told myself I would rather be alone than surrounded by assholes. I began reading more books about mental health and discovered that I’m an introvert. I started to understand myself better through therapy and how my lens on life affected how I interpreted the world around me.

At 32 years old I had my son. While I was pregnant, I read all the books I could about pregnancy and raising a child. I went through another rabbit hole learning about childhood trauma and realized that was my childhood. Everything started to make more sense and that’s when I decided the cycle would stop with me. I am going to raise my son in a healthier environment because now I know better. After I delivered my son, I started feeling low again and was diagnosed with PPD (Postpartum depression). It was difficult to take care of my newborn baby but thankfully I had a lot of help from my family. As my son grew, I started to get more in touch with my inner child and look at life through that lens and heal.

Heal for my ancestors who suffered so much trauma and for future generations so we may change the world to be a better place. Doing the inner work such as reprogramming my inner beliefs, making different choices, making space for all of my feelings and living by my inner compass instead of looking for the answers outside of me. Taking off the armor that had at one point protected me but now is hindering my growth in relationships and life. Facing my inner demons with compassion and empathy and not with shame or judgment. Going back to my roots instead of abandoning them.

I also have compassion and understanding for those who hurt me because I know they were also suffering from pain. They were passing down what they learned as a child. As a first gen daughter of an immigrant, I hope my story will be an inspiration to others who are in similar circumstances. To be remembered for having the courage to break intergenerational trauma cycles, living my life authentically and not filled with fear and hate to pass down to my offspring.

Diana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been running Mota Magick officially since October of 2021 but the vision had been on my mind for quite some time.

About a decade ago, I became aware of how many chemicals were being used as ingredients and preservatives for skincare products. Ingredients that were banned to be used in other countries. I began searching for all-natural, vegan alternative skincare products and I thought to myself how I would love to make my own skincare products so I would know exactly what I was putting on my skin.

After working in healthcare for many years, I was looking for a change. Making bath bombs had started out as a creative outlet and hobby. I would make them for myself and as gifts for others. Taking baths had also allowed me to feel safe enough to feel my feelings and start discovering my authentic self. It was one of the tools I used to learn how to start taking the time to care for myself after becoming a mother. It wasn’t until I was inspired by a farmer’s market vendor that I had thought about selling them.

Then the pandemic happened. With a lot more time on my hands I began experimenting with different recipes. 2020 is also when cannabis became recreationally legalized in Illinois so I bought some CBD oil and thought to include it in my bath ritual. It was a total game changer! I felt so much more relaxed and rejuvenated with the CBD oil included in the bath water. That’s when I had my aha moment and decided to include my own homemade infused CBD oil into the bath bomb recipe. I also began to become familiar with other botanicals and oils that can be used as a natural remedies for pain and stress relief, so I experimented with those as well. It took some time to get the recipe right but after about 10 months or so I was satisfied with the results.

During this time I also created the Magick balm to help relieve pain, soreness, and inflammation from a work-related injury to my shoulder. After much relief, I started giving it away to friends and family to help ease their pain. The balm offered many people the relief they needed. After witnessing the relief that others were experiencing as a result of these homemade creations, I knew I had to make them available to everyone and Mota Magick was born.

After encouragement from a friend, I participated in my first pop-up in August of 2021. It was definitely out of my comfort zone, putting myself and my creations out there but it has helped my personal growth tremendously. Hearing how much my customers love the products gives me reason to continue doing what I do. I also enjoy meeting like-minded people outside of healthcare and my inner circle. People who have the courage and ambition to create something out of nothing and make a living doing it.

I’m grateful to be able to work full time and entirely bootstrap my business. I’ve invested in a business coach who has guided me on how to build a business and I am so thankful to have the resources to do so. She helps overcome mindset hurdles such as thinking and becoming a CEO of my business which means working on my business instead of just in it. She also motivates me to work through my fear of being seen and heard. That’s been the hardest part of this entrepreneurial journey, being vulnerable for the public to see, but it gets easier every time I do it. Growing up, I didn’t have a positive role model so I believe I’ve become the mentor I needed as a child and teen. I hope to inspire others to push through their fears and build a life they dream of too. To not let their past determine their future and never give up. Anything truly is possible when you have a vision, purpose, and a growth mindset.

Mota Magick is a Latina-owned and operated small business based out of Chicago, creating intentional self-care products inspired by the powerful properties of plant medicine and ancestral wisdom. All of our products incorporate plant based ingredients derived by nature such as herbal infused oils for nourishing skincare & self-care rituals free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, sulfates, and parabens.

I believe in the importance of filling your own cup first. When you prioritize your mind, body, and soul, you can lower your stress and connect with your inner essence to show up as the best version of you. Our bodies communicate to us and it’s up to us to listen and claim our power back by loving ourselves unconditionally. We all have the innate ability to heal ourselves by slowing down, listening to your body, and “putting on your oxygen mask first before helping others”. So whether you seek holistic healing for pain and stress relief, or a relaxation retreat in your own home, treat yourself to the magick of Mota.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Mota Magick products are available to purchase on it’s own website and on Etsy. Etsy is used for more exposure to customers that would otherwise never find you on your website and the goal is to have these customers convert to future ordering from the website.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I don’t believe I have a big audience but I try to stay authentic on my social media. I share bits of my journey and story for people to relate to.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.motamagick.com
• Instagram: @motamagick
• Facebook: @motamagick
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MotaMagick

Image Credits
Laila Alchaar