We recently connected with Natasha Johnson and have shared our conversation below.
Natasha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Despite never having ran a business before, I took a risk when I started mine. Many people attempted to persuade me not to do it, but I persisted because it was my dream. I had to give it a shot or I would never find out whether I could run a business successfully. In just two years, so many small businesses collapse. That is simply the reality of being an entrepreneur. I’m still in business after six years. I’ve learned that you must take chances if you want to succeed. That didn’t mean to me to just start producing things and hope for the best. It mean learn about what you want to do, and go for it. Even though there was a lot to learn, I stayed on course and did my best to absorb as much information as I could. Risks are important if you want your business to prosper. I’ve always thought that risk-taking is a necessary part of advancement. I had to step outside of my comfort zone and attempt things I had never done before if I wanted my business to thrive. It’s okay that some of the risks I’ve taken didn’t turn out the way I had hoped. It served as a teaching moment for me. I’ve learned to take calculated risks for my business along the way. I take time to consider what can occur if my risk doesn’t pay off. Will the outcome be controllable? What would happen if I didn’t take the risk, and what would happen if I do? At the end of the day, I start looking at the risks I am considering from an economic or operational viewpoint. I refuse to take any risk that could potentially hurt my business.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born in Newnan, Georgia, a small town about 40 miles south of Atlanta. I spent the majority of my childhood years in Dayton, Ohio where I currently reside. Before determining I wanted a career shift, I spent nearly 15 years working as a school secretary for various local charter schools. I currently work as a fraud investigator for a major financial institution. I run my little business and work all night on it after my shift at the bank is complete. Whether I’m fulfilling orders, producing goods, or purchasing supplies, I always make sure to give my art my full attention.
I started producing shea butter as a pastime for myself and as a way to save money. Because I always smelled fantastic, my friends and coworkers would frequently inquire about what I was wearing. I soon began making shea butter in a variety of scents on a regular basis for people. In 2016, I made the decision to start selling it in order to supplement my income, and as a result, Mama Aswan Butters & Oils was created. Six years later, I have even more products to offer my clients, including sugar scrubs, bath powders, co-wash, Sapo sponges, hair oils, and soaps. Some of my clients have sensitive skin, psoriasis, and eczema. My customers have told me that because my products are vegan and all-natural, they have improved their skin issues. I avoid using strong chemicals that can irritate your skin. I support using skincare products that are rich in nutrients.
I really enjoy what I do! I enjoy creating high quality products that smell wonderful and are nourishing to the skin. It brings a smile to my face when my customers leave positive reviews on Etsy about my products. I place a high value on excellent customer service. Making your customers happy is what keeps them returning. My customers are the reason I’m in business…without them, I wouldn’t be.
You support a dream when you patronize a small business. You’re assisting someone in covering their mortgage, car loan, and even grocery bills. You are assisting them with their household expenses such as lighting, pet food, and child’s tuition. You are assisting a mother in buying clothing for her kids. You’re assisting a father in covering his child’s sports expenses. More than you may realize, you’re helping! The main problem that small businesses have is spreading their brand’s awareness. Many small business owners are overshadowed not only by local competition, but also by household names like Amazon and Walmart. The majority of independent businesses are run by people, not boards, stockholders, or algorithms. Because our work is a reflection of us, you will receive a different level of care and quality from us.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Procrastination had to be unlearned! I procrastinated a lot because I was worried about the outcome of something or didn’t believe I’d do a good job. I believe the most common reason I procrastinated so much was a lack of motivation. There were numerous occasions when I did not want to do the job at hand. I could have been tired, overwhelmed, or simply bored. This was a personal challenge I had to overcome. Doors opened for me once I stopped procrastinating. At work, I was promoted, my business began to thrive, and even my social life improved. I don’t want to get up at 5:00 a.m., load up my car, and drive to a craft fair. I’d like to sleep a little longer. Then I realize that my clients will be looking for me. I don’t want to disappoint them. I don’t want to make my business look bad by being late or not showing up. I drag myself out of bed and begin to move. I’m glad I put my “wants” aside once I’m there and see how excited my customers are to see me. There might have been a chance to meet someone who might be interested in having me as a vendor at their event. If I wasn’t there, or if my business looked unprofessional, I could have missed an opportunity. When we procrastinate, we miss out on so much. I’m so glad I got through this.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
If I could turn back the hands of time and choose a different profession for myself, I think I would choose a career in archeology. It seems so fascinating to me to dig up ancient civilizations and study how they once lived.
Contact Info:
- Website: MamaAswan.etsy.com
- Instagram: @MamaAswanButters
- Facebook: @MamaAswanButters
- Other: TikTok: @mamaaswanbutters Linkr: linkr.bio/MamaAswanButters Pinterest: @mamaaswanbutters
Image Credits
Quiana King