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

Alright, Donyelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?

The best thing I’ve done to show a customer that I appreciate them is providing top tier customer service. Initially, I started out with one product: Royal Purple Sea Moss. I am a firm believer in figuring out the ins and outs before expanding, so I wanted to ensure I was on top of everything pertaining to our Sea Moss before adding more products to our line. One of the biggest issues I faced with our first 2 rounds of shipments were jars being damaged during transit. I quickly revamped our shipping process, and this took care of jars being damaged. I responded promptly to customers who reached out about their damaged orders, and immediately sent out another shipment free of charge. I take pride in LocsOfHealing, and I believe my prompt response showed my customers just how much I value their support.

I also host giveaways via our social media accounts. Who doesn’t like FREE items?!?! It’s just small token of my appreciation, as my customers continue to support me and recommend LocsOfHealing to others.

Donyelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

LocsOfHealing came into fruition during the Covid shutdown. I have practiced a holistic lifestyle for roughly the last 8 years, and I would always have people ask if I could make them Elderberry or other natural remedies. I didn’t mind doing it for my close friends and family, but when it came to them recommending me to other people I did not have the time. Covid gave me the time I needed since the world was shut down. I started out with products and eventually expanded into offering services. We now have 10 products in the LocsOfHealing collection. These products include: Sea Moss, Sage, Cleansing Kits, Healing Kits, Ancestral Healing Kits, Waist Bead Kits, Healing Diffusers, an Energy Cleansing Spray, and a Sacred Mother’s Kit. We also offer Tarot Readings, Reiki Energy Cleansing sessions (in person and distance healing), Spiritual Guidance, and occasional Self-Healing workshops.

I want my clients to know that I genuinely care and it’s always an honor to be chosen to be apart of their Healing and Holistic journeys. I am most proud of the foundation I have built for myself. My supporters began with close family and friends and QUICKLY shifted into my biggest supporters being strangers. Word of mouth goes a long way, and I appreciate all of the referrals and return customers. Thank you comes from the depth of my soul because every time you invest in LocsOfHealing for products or services: YOU are investing into a Black Owned Female business and her 5 beautiful children.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

I always tell people I was literally in the TRENCHES when I started trying to build clientele for LocsOfHealing. Our first product was our Royal Purple Sea Moss, and I was trying to figure out how to get clients outside of family and friends. Social Media, specifically TWITTER was my ticket! Twitter is probably one of my favorite social media sites, and I’ve had an account since it came into existence. I started out with an Instagram account and Cash App for LocsOfHealing (I didn’t have a website until we were about a month in), so I knew people (strangers) would be hesitant to support my business but I had no choice but to go for it. I spent my first month in business searching the hashtag #SeaMoss on Twitter, and reading people’s tweets about needing sea moss and asking where to purchase. I would send out at least 50 messages a day on twitter in response to their tweets about Sea Moss and slowly but surely my clientele started to build. There would be at least 5 people out of the 50 each day that would respond to my messages, and at least 1-2 placed an order and followed the LocsOfHealing Instagram account. The first month on Twitter is how I pulled in strangers as clients, and my products speak for themselves. The quality continues to bring my clients back and they come back with friends willing and ready to invest into LocsOfHealing, and for that I am truly grateful.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My husband is my business partner, and handles anything pertaining to accounting. He’s good with numbers, and helps me keep track of the finances. I initially discussed the idea of starting LocsOfHealing with him, and his support was the confirmation I needed to start making the shift into being a business owner. He helped fund the startup for LocsOfHealing, and I am forever grateful for his love and support.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.locsofhealing.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/locsofhealing
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/locsofhealing
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/locsofhealing
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdU-nYXAnocjW1UIKDNW9Kw/playlists