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SubscribeWe caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shera Griffin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Shera, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.
I live in a community that has been and still is severely neglected by the government officials! The people deserve so much more than they’re being given. Stress is at an all-time high. More people are battling depression and anxiety, because of how expensive it has become to live in the US Virgin Islands as a local resident. People shouldn’t be working two to three jobs just to survive. The schools our children are learning in areunderstafded and in terrible condition. The teachers are underpaid. Our roads are severely worn out. The electric company, WAPA, is very expensive and continues to provide subpar service. The government is a major part of the issue, and they barely provide mental health services to at least help the people cope through the mess they’ve created. I could go on and on.
Don’t get me wrong, our island is absolutely beautiful! It has so much potential! However, our government is neglecting the people of the community and it’s not okay.
I came home to serve my community by offering professional and luxurious Beauty and Wellness services at affordable prices. When people feel better about themsleves, they tend to go out to the world with less weight on their shoulders, even if it’s for a small moment.
Shera, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Shera Vanya Griffin, St. Croix native and owner of Eyes of Venus Beauty and Massage. I am a Massage Therapist, Makeup Artist and Esthetician currently residing on St. Croix with my husband and son.
I’m 37 years of age and a proud Virgo. My favorite colors are black and purple. In my spare time, I enjoy relaxing with my family and friends. I absolutely LOVE the beach, hikes, and anything culturally Caribbean, from the cuisine to the music. I’m actually a lot more introverted than people may think. Love spending time in solitude. Traveling stimulates my mind, body and spirit. My favorite fruit is mango. Favorite juices are passion fruit, mango, grapes and guava. Music brings me joy. I listen to almost anything… Except country and bluegrass. Creativity naturally flows through my veins. From painting to crocheting, spoken word and writing/journaling, I live in a colorful and vivid world. I love to use my hands. Did I mention I love traveling? Moving my waist to soca and calypso is a whole vibe and not a thing in the world matters when I’m in that element!
After graduating from the St. Croix Educational Complex in 2003, I joined the US Air Force as an Aircraft Armament Systems Technician.. I served seven years in the Continental US, Europe and Asia. After separation from the military in 2011, I attended the Esthetics program at the Ogle School of Hair, Skin and Nails in Dallas, TX where I also certified in Makeup Artistry with Millie Luster Cosmetics. My husband, who was still serving in the Air Force at the time, was deployed a few years later, and I pursued a career in Massage Therapy.
Our family got stationed in Germany in August 2019, where I successfully established my business, Eyes of Venus Beauty and Massage, I serviced military menbers, their families and contractors assigned to the military installation. My family and I relocated to St Croix in August 2022, due to my husband retiring from the Air Force.
My love for serving others led me to the Beauty and Wellness industry. I’m very good with my hands. Honestly, it wasn’t planned at all! I never really had a plan when it came to pursuing a career. I joined the military for financial stability and benefits, and the opportunity to travel. I allowed life to lead me in the right direction, trusting that the Universe had my back and I’d figure it out. My family and friends recognized my gifts and talents, encouraging me to further my education in beaity and bodywork. It’s truly been a beautiful journey thus far!
Massage Therapy allows me to help people feel better, emotionally, mentally and physically. I specialize in Therapeutic and Deep Tissue massages. According to my clients, I have “magic hands!” Massage Therapiy has so many benefits, like decreasing muscle stiffness, and inflammation, and increasing flexibility. It also helps with anxiety and depression by lowering stress levels and encouraging relaxation. I also offer Prenatal and Pediatric Massages. Hot stone therapy and Aromatherapy may be added to any massage service.
Makeup Artistry allows me to tap into my creative side while boosting my clients’ self-esteem, one brush at a time! When we look good, we feel good! I encourage that feeling in my clients by enhancing their facial features. I tell my clients, “They provide the canvas. I just apply the paint.” I specialize in Natural or Full Glam makeup, Bridal makeup, Special Effects and Film/Tv/Runway artistry. I love accentuating facial features, as I see every face as uniquely intriguing! Makeup is Art. Art is life. I am both.
What sets me apart from anyone else in the beauty and wellness industry? My ability to treat every client like they are a celebrity, regardless of race, gender identity, religious beliefs or anything that keeps people divided. I respect and honor my clients. It’s not about the money. Don’t get me wrong, I love money! I love nice things! However, my love for serving others run deep. It’s my passion. It brings me joy when a client raves about how great they’re feeling after a massage… Or seeing the joy on their faces after a makeup application. The reactions are priceless! I returned home to serve my community… And serve them, I shall, with pleasure and compassion.
When someone asks me, “What are you most proud of?” My response is always… Me! I am proud of me. My childhood wasn’t that great. I experienced a lot of trauma at a very young age. I am proud of myself for not succumbing to the pain. I’m proud of my ability to rise above the trauma and create the life I truly wanted for myself…. A life worthy of living! I am continuously growing and evolving. I didn’t allow my past to dictate my present. I didn’t allow the opinions of others to discourage me from doing what I wanted to. I am proud of me for being able to live in love and show compassion in a world that could use more kindness. I’m proud of me for allowing others to love me. I’m proud of me for allowing myself to love me, unapologetically. I’m proud of my contributions to making the world a better place to live. I strive to be a part of the solution and not the problem. For that, I am also proud. I’m proud of the family my amazing husband and I created together. I’m proud of the way we raise our son, even though I struggle with the fear of failing him as a mother. I’m proud of myself for not giving up in my personal war with depression and anxiety. I’m proud for seeking therapy. I am proud of living, despite it all. So yeah… I’m proud of me.
Eyes of Venus Beauty and Massage is a reflection of me. My business embodies the love that Venus represents. I service my clients with intention and compassion. EoV Beauty and Massage is inclusive to all. The LGBTQ community is welcome. Athiests are welcome. People of all races? Welcome! Regardless of your weight or size, you’re welcome to be serviced by me. No body-shaming over here! You only have one leg? No problem! You’re still welcomed to be serviced by me. I do not discriminate.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I literally wrote about this on Facebook a few days ago, so I’ll share it here, because why not?
I realize I was people-pleasing.
The people who I value the most… I’ll go through hell and high water for and with them.
The problem is, on too many occasions, I have stretched myself thin for people who were undeserving of me. I was left feeling unappreciated and used.
However, I allowed it… Every single time. I have to hold myself accountable for that.
I would be there through their darkness… But they couldn’t be there in mine.
I realized that for some reason, I found myself trying to prove to those I love that I’m loyal… Trustworthy… Compassionate… Understanding… Transparent. I would lose my mind if someone I loved ghosted me. I would try to fix it.
Recently, I became aware of my patterns and habits… realizing my part in a lot of the issues I’ve had in my life. It all stems back to never feeling good enough for my parents…. Never feeling like I was seen or heard for who I truly am.
I have recently released a lot of people from my life. It was necessary. It feels great!
I’m no longer in the space of pleasing people who don’t value me. I refuse to prove myself to anyone but me… No matter how much I love them! My love for myself and the support of the ones who truly love me got me through a very, very dark time. It took me months to get out of that hole… But I learned the lessons I needed to learn within the darkness.
The people who are currently around me are aligned with the energy I radiate. The boundaries I have in place are a reflection of the love I have for myself. So yes, I’m moving different. I will no longer pour into people that cannot or will not pour into me.
I am living up to my own expectations… Not anyone else’s… Not even the people I love that loves me. If they love me, they accept me for who I am, not their perception or expectations of me. If not… My cut-off game is still sharp.
P.S: Shoutout to “Good Up Podcast” for the confirmation. My therapist and I have been working on ridding myself of the people-pleasing patterns and your recent episode on the topic was the icing on the cake. Don’t ever underestimate what you’re doing on your podcast. We are listening. Thank you for what you do.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’ll start with the most recent part of my journey that I had to be resilient.
Between the month of May and June, I was sexually assaulted and raped… Two completely different situations, both completely traumatic and undeserving!
Those incidents were not the first time I’ve had to deal with men physically violating me. It began as a child, and continued as sexual harassment, assault and stalking while serving in the Air Force. When the recent events took place, I went to a really dark place. June 2023 was the worst month I experienced this year.
I didn’t have a choice but to be resilient. I’m grateful for the people I had in my corner. They supported me through it all… The emotional rollercoaster, the insomnia, depression and anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings… I struggled at work because being around men made me feel very uncomfortable. For a while, I couldn’t service male clients. I was very broken. I thought of suicide. I was tired of the pain.
I found a therapist recommended by my friend, Irene. Her, along with a few others gave me a shoulder to cry on, their ears to listen, and compassion that reminded me that all people are not evil. I used all the tools and techniques I needed to get myself to a place of inner peace. I used my husband and son as motivation to keep on living.
Therapy saved me. To express my gratitude to my husband would take too many words for this interview. He has my heart forever and a day.
I continue to be resilient. I refuse to allow others to take my power from me. I refuse to remain broken. I refuse to allow their actions to make me feel worthless. I am resilient and I am reclaiming my power!
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