We were lucky to catch up with Quindara Lazenbury recently and have shared our conversation below.

Quindara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

When I first started Laven Bodycare I was working full-time as a library media specialist and creating/selling products for LBC (Laven Bodycare.) This may sound a bit daunting, but at the time I was working from home due to the pandemic. The combination of being home, working and earning income from my own business felt great. Then I had to return to the office at the height of the pandemic and experienced a lot of related stress. I then resigned from my position and poured all of my focus into my business. But one thing that people who do not own a business may not understand is that — in general, the first five years of running a business the majority, if not all, funds go back into the business. Therefore, after running my business full-time I realized that I would have to enter the workforce (again) if I wanted to meet my own personal financial goals. Currently, I work full-time and run LBC — and at times I think about how my life would be if I just worked a 9-5 and ended my day. But I would not change a thing because Laven Bodycare has completely changed my outlook on life and even my own purpose.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Laven Bodycare is a natural body care brand that promotes self-care and self-love as a ritual for women who care for their bodies inside and out. Laven offers small-batch body butter, exfoliating scrubs, face masks, and more. Laven Bodycare also creates in-person and online content including yoga sessions, health and wellness seminars, and holistic recipes.

I, Quindara Lazenbury, (educator, writer, and woman-prenuer) in 2016, after years of using homemade products that suited my dry skin and sensitivities, I decided now is the time to share my products with the world. In 2015, a life-changing moment occurred when I experienced a breast cancer scare and was advised by my gynecologist to limit the use of deodorants, specifically ones that contain aluminum. It was at that point when I decided to stop using traditional deodorant and make her own. I detoxed for three weeks (using nothing but soap and water,) while researching recipes and ingredients to create my own deodorant.

During this time I found the courage to start a natural body care line for women who prioritize holistic health and wellness. Laven’s products stimulate ritual; a traditional component of self-care. From shower to work or play –, you can use Laven Body Care to encourage joy, love, laughter, relaxation, and inner peace.

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

I remember when I first learned the meaning of the word resilience, when I was in high school. I always had a knack for entrepreneurship, especially after witnessing my dad create multiple streams of income in a variety of creative ways via real estate and selling used cars. When I was in high school I wanted to go to Disney World to compete in a band competition. At the time my family could not afford it. I decided to gather a group of my friends and we started a Joe Corbi’s Pizza fundraiser. With the profits from the pizza fund I was able to attend the trip and enjoy the beauty of Disney World. From then on I realized that despite any circumstance — if I am creative enough and driven — I can get what I want. Resilience has been the fuel to my drive, ambition, and determination.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Growing up as a black, dark-skinned, pleasantly plump, smart woman has made me a very determined, yet creative person. I learned early on that if I want success, abundance, and peace in my life — I had to dodge many oncoming challenges and move without fear. Thankfully, I am very spiritually grounded and have two parents who taught me at a young age that if you want something — you have to work for it. The other part of that lesson I learned is that in whatever I want to achieve, I cannot do so in fear. I have to lead my life with faith that everything will work according to God’s plan and divine timing. I am so grateful for this lesson as now I am no longer solely hopeful that things will work out, but instead I have surrendered the thought that my life is not only my own — but also divinely protected.

Contact Info:

• Website: lavenbodycare.com
• Instagram: @lavenbodycare
• Facebook: facebook.com/lavenbodycare

Image Credits
Photo credit John Bias III