We recently connected with Shania Robinson and have shared our conversation below.

Shania, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My departed mother, Jamie Holmes is the most instrumental mold of me and my two younger brothers lives.She was and is the most selfless, graceful, nurturing, devoted and compassionate person I’ve ever had the privilege to experience. A true reflection of love and a Queen. My mother always expressed her love, admiration and gratitude for me, she encouraged the most beautiful parts of my authentic self to shine but to also honor the parts of me that needed to evolve. Her everlasting support, and the core values she instilled in me, are rooted in my spirit and I’m so so thankful to be able to carry that with me. She seen depths within me that hadn’t bloomed yet. She was so proud and warm-hearted to see me starting ventures, entrepreneurship and stepping into journeys and manifestations she didn’t get a chance to. Although this calling in my journey began prior to her unforeseen diagnosis with metastasized breast cancer, her transition made me more aware of prioritizing and proactively approaching this life. In the words of Erykah Badu “My mother was an improvement on her mother’s design, and I am an improvement of hers.”

Shania, 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?

My story began before I could even recall. From infancy to adulthood, I suffered from several skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and hormonal acne. My mom (Jamie) would lather me down with steroids and topical creams to minimize the “flare up’s” but it seemed like a never-ending cycle of pain and exhaustion for her and I both. Through my adolescence, my mom, carried me to numerous dermatologists and I used more prescriptions than I could count on my fingers and toes, yet still no relief. As I aged and began to dress myself, I would cover my arms with long sleeves, even in mid-summer just to hide my dark pigmented spots. At this point my confidence and self-esteem was deprived, so I began to search for my own answers. My study led me to genetics, which was a factor in my story. No one had ever told me this prior. From there, my research transpired to understanding other skin inflammatory factors including mystery/harmful ingredients in commercial pharmaceuticals, hygiene toiletries, cleaning products and many other items that are essential to daily living even down to the containers they come in.

That was my confirmation and knowing that my remedy had to come from a source I trusted, which was me. As I healed myself, naturally I was allured to gain more knowledge about holistic wellness and herbal approaches. Emotionally and physically, I gained comfort and my confidence. Spiritually I felt full, guided and in alignment. I finally understood my calling and the offerings I had to share, so I began creating a foundation of authentic clean body care that I felt had been missing and misrepresented from the “Green Beauty Industry”. I have now been studying and curating restorative body care for six years and counting. My intention and mission through Honee mecca as we grow, is to be a transformative vessel towards the way we view our well-being and self-care through every demographic. While also being transparent, so that as a community we can all inherit and/or magnify effective remedies and purposeful habits for the betterment of not only our skin but every aspect of the body and all that lies within.

We offer wildcrafted, local and ethnically sourced handcrafts. These materials include salts, clays, oils, butter, herbs, flowers, and resins from essentially local farmers in South Carolina. We slow craft cold process cleansing bars, body exfoliants, herbal infusions/tinctures, salves, external womb care, oral hygiene and so much more to come.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Outside of Honee mecca I have always worked in fields that catered to helping others and solution based like healthcare-communications-human resource. Even when I went through a time of discovery and doubt while making products full-time and going to school, fear lingered. I didn’t know how I would be able to support my lifestyle and still manage expenses and materials for my craft, so I began working a 9 to 5 again. But every time I feel myself in this drift, I always get directed right back. Whether through an opportunity or people from my community sending uplifting messages and demanding my return ha-ha. So, to answer, I would choose this journey every time because it keeps choosing me.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Through my entrepreneurial journey, I have utilized so many resources, people, places, and experiences that have elevated my life tremendously. A few local agencies and nonprofits in Greenville S.C such as Community Works, Village Launch and Sustaining Way have given me several tools, guidance, mentorship, and the freedom to channel parts within myself that flourish the most. I realized quickly, managing my business and personal life needed to be coherent for my mental health’s sake, so I’ve invested into therapy. I love podcasts and Ted Talks. I have also read and in the midst of reading several books that have challenged my future self. Some are, “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert T. Kiyoski, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, “Acts of Faith” by Iyanla Vanzant and “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.

Contact Info:

• Website: honeemeccaco.com
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/honee_mecca/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/honeemeccaCo/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/honee_co
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneeMeccaCo https://www.tiktok.com/@honee_co?_t=8ZS3oa5Wpy7&_r=1 https://linktr.ee/HoneemeccaCo

Image Credits
Ala’na Miller and myself