Meet Carsha Owens | Small Business Owner

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

Hi Carsha, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be honest, my ambition to start my own business did not develop until my late twenties. Growing up I felt like starting a business was too hard or too risky. It was not until I had a long conversation with my dad that I realized life is too short. My Dad and I had a long conversation about what he would have done differently if he could go back in time. He gave me this long list of things he wanted to do, including starting his own business. This conversation gave me the motivation I needed. From that moment, I did not want to sit around talking about what I wish I had done. I was not going to live life with regrets. In that moment, I told myself I rather try and fail versus not trying at all. Naturally, for my business idea I decided to create a full natural skin care line. I was already using homemade bath and shower products for myself. I have tried a ton of different skin care products and most of them do more harm to your skin than good. I started to do a lot of research on the different chemicals that’s located inside these products. Most companies use some type of alcohol in their products; however, alcohol tends to leave the skin dry. So, if you are dealing with dry skin these products actually make it worse. In research, I learned that melanated skin needs a slightly heavier coat of moisturizer than the average. Our skin needs moisturizer, one that will last long and absorb into the skin. This is why I created my essential oil and bath collection. To hydrate and support of the melanated skin!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Aside from my small business I am a full-time government employee. I enjoy my work and I would say this is the happiest I have been in a long time. It was a struggle to get to where I am today, but I made it through the trails. Previously, I was working in healthcare, and I seemed to have no time for my small business or myself. I was working long hours sometimes with no breaks. I could barely take any time off to see the Doctor or get anything done around the house. The situation was beginning to make me unhappy. I literary prayed every day that I would find a new career. It took so long for the Most High to respond, that I began to think I was stuck in my current situation. But let me tell you about the Most High! Just when you feel like giving up, he answers your prayers. The new job opportunity meant that I had to leave my friends and family behind, but I knew if I did not take this chance, I would be miserable. I may have left my friends and family behind, but I found myself. I am able to maintain a healthy work/life balance. I have more time to focus on my small business and self-care. I have made more connections in the first 6 months of me moving than I had in my previous location of 5 years. Life is good may be an understatement. Since the change, Bodied by Carsha has become more than just an online store for bath + body products. Bodied by Carsha, LLC has partnered with local women shelters to help fellow women in need. Bodied by Carsha, LLC is actively engaging in the community to include back to school giveaways and more… Sometimes you have to work on yourself first in order to help those around you.

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?
Well, my friends like to eat! So, if my friends were visiting me the first thing on our list is to find all the spots with the best tasting food. BQE in Atlanta is one of our favorite restaurants, so this would be our first stop followed by any new restaurants or food trucks that we have not tried yet. In summary, we literarily would build an itinerary around food. Many places on Edgewood tend have great food options. I would like to think me, and my friends are adventurous, so a lot of our activities would include hiking, swimming, bowling, or visiting a museum. In some cases, we might even go to a basketball game or some type of sporting event. We just like to have fun, drink, and eat.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout business owner Niquita Calvin. She is the owner of IAMJUSTICEMAYRIEDESIGNS and Drunktexxt adult beverages. She is the jack of all trades. I have seen her create anything you can imagine she does not limit her creative ability. She even takes time away from her busy schedule to help other entrepreneurs accomplish their goals, including myself. She has given me advice, supported my business in various way, and I cannot thank her enough. She deserves a shout out.

Website: bodiedbycarsha.com

Instagram: bodiedbycarsha

Other: http://linktr.ee/iamcarsha

Image Credits
Terrell Williams (iKahnic Photos)