We recently connected with Roberta Staley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Roberta , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

2018 was the year that truly tested me as an adult. It was the year after graduation, the year after giving birth to my daughter, and the year of my first true mental breakdown. During this time I was looking for a way to help heal myself naturally. So I started, journaling, praying, and meditating more. That same year I came across yoni steaming. I was introduced to it from a video of another local Practitioner practicing this ancient healing technique. I instantly was interested and desperate to this this so I reached out to this person and got my first yoni steam pack. I cleansed my sacred space set my intentions and completed my session. I was instantly hooked. I loved my experience and the way it left me feeling relieved, lifted, and calm. That’s when I took my first true dive into spirituality and yoni steams. The research I started to learn when I came across the use of herbs and it’s benefits really had me planning out the types of steams I wanted to have. I knew this would be something that would work not just for me but other women who go through all types of reproductive issues. I knew these blends and herbs would be beneficial for all. January 2, 2019 Feminine Devine was established. I started out with 4 types of yoni steams later evolved to teas, incense, sage, Palo Santo sticks, yoni bars, turmeric bars, yoni oil, rosewater, and feminine wipes. After sharing with the world this new venture and doing a how video of to do a steam at home. My business took off. There were so many women coming to me saying the have reproductive issues such as fibromyalgia, endometriosis, inconsistent cycles, PMS issues, and many more. I then got wooden stools made and begin to have ladies come to my home and get a Yoni steam done in my 2 bedroom apartment. My first year in business I sold over 100 yoni steams all over Ohio and other states including Hawaii. I felt very overwhelmed and overjoyed to see my business my business flourish like it did. This was also the peak of African spirituality and healing so being the face of this movement in my city was something major and I am very proud and grateful for the abundance of support I’ve gotten over the years and all the lives of the many women I was able to assist in reproductive healing. Now being in my own suite where i can serve these women in private and comfort feels amazing to be able to do.

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 back background and context?

I never thought I would be a an entrepreneur that was not in my path or journey, so I thought. When creating the herbs and doing my research I just feel so empowered to learn and teach what I know. My background is actually in social work. I have bachelors in it. I completed college in 2017 from Wright State university. I guess I always had a niche for helping others. Ever since a kid I’ve always been looked at as a role model or a person to lean on for help. That just cling to me as I got older. In 2020 I also became a Doula my love for pregnant moms and babies came about in 2019 after I had my second child, my son. Now working for a company that caters to my other passion as a Doula I feel complete. When I am not on call for Doula duties I spend my entrepreneur duties working on inventory such as creating handmade soaps, feminine wipes, oils, rosewater, and liquid yoni soaps. I also always try to find ways to improve my services to I can engage in all types of women with different needs. Not only do I offer yoni services but I do foot baths, I offer yoni steam where you can bring your baby and do, yoni steam parties, child birth classes, breastfeeding classes, and host monthly events at the shop or locally.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

After my mother passed away in late 2018, right before I launched Feminine Devine, my sorority sister sent me a condolence card all the way from Austin, Texas. In the card she started that sorry for my mothers passing and within that same breath she said she love what I am creating and that she suffers from infertility issues and want me to not give up on what I’m doing because she believes it can change lives. She also gifted me a $50 check to start up my business. I used it to buy my first set of herbs. I’ll never forget that moment. Every year I find myself pulling out that card and remembering why I do what I do and my I started what I have.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

When I first began to make our Vulva Cleansing Bars and Turmeric Bars I actually bought them from someone who was a soap dealer somewhere not in Ohio. The first 2 months went well but on my 3rd order for some reason it took a very long time and something in me told me I was getting scammed. I instantly ask for a refund back ( I got it back ). After that I started to make my own soaps via YouTube University. Never looked back since and those soaps have been my number one seller. I produce all my products in the comfort of my home. If I want things to go smoothly with little to errors I rather do it myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.Femininedevine.info
• Instagram: Feminine_Devine_Womb_Wellness
• Facebook: Feminine Devine