We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shannell Arroyo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shannell thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I took a risk launching my small business online. I pursued my passion during a pandemic and truly believed that I could only find out the turn out if I took a risk. Fast forward it’s been 3 years and I’m still here practicing what I love. Providing a nourishing and pure self-care experience with all natural products, free from preservatives, additives, and toxic chemicals.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Shannell Arroyo, I am Puerto Rican, born and raised in the Bronx and a practicing Muslim. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Health Services Administration from Lehman college. I always
had a passion to help people in my community and so I pursued my
career working in not-for-profit organizations and slowly developed a plethora of resources for the members of the community. One of the fruits of my labor was, and still is, hosting events and activities for the community.
Among the activities I participate in
are Health workshops, farmers market tours, senior citizens engagement events, public and private school presentations, advocating in different regional and community board meetings, assisting with religious
presentations and food pantries, collaborating with all Managed Care organizations seeking funding
and other resources and my favorite; supporting the Latino, Black and other ethnic cultures by helping to obtain medical and financial programs that would provide for their needs.
Fast forward to the present, I am a mother of 3 beautiful children who I home schooled also being owner and founder of ArroshaSpa! Due to the pandemic, I left my profession as a
outreach community liaison with Union Community Health Center, to focus on my children and follow my passion
of producing organic skin care.
Two of my children suffer from eczema and after the constant disappointments from a myriad of products, I decided to produce my very own soap and body
butters that would provide a lasting solution to my children’s eczema. After ridding my children of their eczema I needed to share this wonderful combination of all-natural skin care
products with others so I launched on November 20, 2020. Unsurprisingly, it’s popularity has sky rocketed.
Today ArroshaSpa’s dedicated mission is to continue to provide all-natural self care body, hair, skin and aromatherapy products for the entire family that is free from preservatives, uses non toxic chemicals which are cruelty-free for healthier skin, body, hair and space.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During Covid, I remember sitting at my desk while my manager told me a story about her friends experience being a mom, homeschooling and working as an entrepreneur I thought to myself wow she’s blessed to work from home and be with her family. My manager said that could be you one day. I said that would be a dream come true. Fast forward that is me, I left my 9 to 5 job to fulfill my dream- the only exception my children all go to school now.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I lived in a 1 bedroom apartment mind you we are 5 individuals living under 1 roof. It was a challenge working in a small kitchen fulfilling orders. I barely had space, had to take care of my family during the day and at night I worked in what I called my lab (my small kitchen). There were times that I just wanted to give all up! I cried, I yelled and definitely felt like it was just too overwhelming but the constant positive feedback I was getting from my customers were truly rewarding I had to remain patience and humble myself and prayed that with hardship comes ease.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.arroshaspa.com
• Instagram: @arroshadefined
• Facebook: ArroshaSpa
• Linkedin: Shannell Arroyo
• Other: TickTok: arroshaspa_

Image Credits
@Nereida Munoz