Meet Angela Dawson: Certified Herbalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Dawson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought of starting my own business has always been in the back of my mind since I was in college but I would always ask myself, “what would I do?”. Being the type of person I am, I knew that the natural and holistic route was more of the way to go. As a broke college student, I tried various natural and herbal substitutions in oppose to medicine whenever I felt sick or to help my feminine issues. Once I saw the way my skin reacted to herbs I learned to make soap first, then eventually oils, and the rest is history. I knew that if I could heal myself then I could heal others going through the same.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Angie’s Essence Skin and Yoni Care is a business that caters to women’s skincare needs along with feminine hygiene and health. I hand make a range of products from bar soaps, liquid soaps, body butters, oils, scrubs, and more. I never limit myself. What sets me apart from other brands is my creativity with product creations and soap designs, along with naming the products. I always make sure each product name is fitting to the theme. For example, my aphrodisiac soap is named “OTW” after the famous Jhene Aiko song. Currently, with being close to 1 year in business, I am most proud of the number of women that have been positively impacted by my yoni soaps. The road was not easy and took a lot of trial, error, and mistakes but I’m grateful that this is only the beginning. I’m looking forward to the future.

The most important lesson that owning a business taught me is that it WILL start rough but every business has to start somewhere. I’ve shipped hundreds of orders and made hundred of products by myself at a time with no help (still until this day) and it doesn’t get easier but I wouldn’t trade it for anything because I know what I want for my business. I want the world to know that Angies Essence will be a household name!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s actually a great question because my friends from college are visiting me soon for my 1 year business anniversary/pop-up shop so I already have one made! After arrival, the first place I know we would be hungry so I’d take them to Big Daves Cheesesteaks followed by a night at my favorite strip club on the south side – Seductions. Day two would be brunch at Ms.Iceys Kitchen for some great food and drink, a midday trip to the trap museum, and end the day with Jacks’ Pizza and Wings. Some of the most fun places while to check out are the shops on Edgewood, Gardenparc for brunch, any lounges for hookah and vibes, it’s really all lit here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first person that deserves all the recognition and shoutout is God! Without him, I wouldn’t be the young woman I am today. Before starting my business I had multiple talks with God about if it was the right thing to do and without that drive and push he has given me I wouldn’t be continually growing and as successful as I am today. Second is my mom for encouraging me to never give up no matter how hard it gets or how frustrated I am, she keeps me calm and helps me remain focused. She really deserves it all for putting up with me working in her kitchen and messing it up by getting soap and body butter everywhere! I also want to thank my college friends for supporting me since day 1 by being my first customers 🙂 I love yall!

Website: https://angiesessence.com/

Image Credits
@300.archives