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

Hi Joy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

I always knew I wanted and needed the freedom of working for myself. As a single mother, it was extremely difficult to manage my responsibilities as a mother, while being the sole provider of my household.
Two of my three boys were born with asthma, so staying home to take care of my kids when they got sick came with repercussions. Not only was my work attendance became erratic, but if I didn’t have sick leave or vacation time on the books, I either came to work very early in the mornings, stayed late after hours and even worked weekends to make up the time off and when that wasn’t possible, I took the time off without pay.
I didn’t like my life and earning potential controlled by people who didn’t value my skill set and time, so in my heart, I knew I needed to be my own boss, I just wasn’t sure how to make that dream a reality until many, many years later.

As a child, I suffered from sensitive skin. It was frustrating trying different brands that all failed to do what I needed them to do. As an adult,  I basically gave up and just settled for products that would help me get by until the day I suffered from a chemical burn on my scalp. My stylist at the time accidentally left a perm on my hair too long and it burned me badly.

I was looking for products for my hair and scalp that would help to soothe and heal the burn but everything had chemicals in it and I just didn’t want to make things worse by using more chemicals, so I took to the internet and began researching natural remedies using oils and butter to treat burns.

After a few batches and trying them on my scalp, I rubbed some on the back of my hand, and looking at my hands and instantly noticing how my hands felt, I knew I was onto something.

A week later, I found a soap and cosmetics making class in my neighborhood and signed up for Cold Process Soap Making 101, and within minutes of the class starting, I was hooked! After the class, I spoke with the instructor and I was able to use her advice and fine-tune my formula and developed what is now my body butter.

My body butter not only helped to heal my scalp, my hair was softer and more moisturized, but so was my skin! I no longer felt the need to keep my hands hidden to hide what looked and felt like sandpaper gloves due to dermatitis.

I finally had products that soothed my sensitive skin and I was no longer dry, itchy, and ashy within 30 minutes of taking a shower! I finally had soft, moisturized skin all day! And what’s more, they were products I made!

I knew I wasn’t the only one with these issues, so I decided to turn my passion and discovery into a business. I wanted to share my products with others suffering from the same issues as me and my family and help them get the relief I was so desperately looking for and finally found.


Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I have over 20 years of experience in the Customer Service and Administrative field. I’ve worked for San Diego City Schools for over five (5) years and the City of San Diego for over sixteen (16) years.

I have never thought of myself as creative or artistic; however, all my years of admin experience are serving me well in my new career as a skincare formulator. I handle the administrative side of my business, and I am able to provide stellar customer service, but I never would have imagined I would have shifted gears and made such a drastic career change.

I never considered myself creative, but I love discovering and getting more familiar and comfortable with that side of myself and letting it show in my work. I’ve had someone call my soap a work of art and until that very moment, I never realized that to be the truth.

I can honestly say now that I truly love what I do. Sweet Surrender is a brand that combines creativity with functionality. I create beautiful products that make bathing and showering a relaxing, fun, and luxurious experiences. I help create opportunities for women to relax and feel more confident and beautiful while maintaining the health and vitality of their skin.


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m truly a homebody and love being home with my family, but as a newer resident of Henderson, Nevada, hitting the world-famous Las Vegas strip is a must!

I love the water show at the Bellagio, Madame Tussauds wax museum at the Venetian, and the Freemont Experience in downtown Las Vegas is a whole vibe and well, an experience!

I’m a total foodie! There are amazing buffets here in Vegas you can’t go wrong with, but I like the little local spots like Blue Berry Hill Family Restaurant for breakfast! They have the best french toast and omelets ever and don’t get me started on Juan’s Flaming Fajitas on Water Street! Amazing!

There’s so much to do and see here it’s unreal. I was totally shocked when I moved to Henderson in 2017 from San Diego where I was born and raised, it’s more family-oriented than I thought and there’s so much more to do and see off the Strip, but I have to admit, I’m looking forward to the indoor amusement park at Circus Circus, it’s definitely on my to do list!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I definitely want to give a shoutout to my family!

My three boys Nathaniel, Nicholas, and Joshua along with my husband Leon were my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. On the countless days I was frustrated and in tears wanting to give up, they were always there cheering me on and encouraging me to keep going.

Shoutout to Makena Gargonnu as a friend and mentor that continually thinks of me for opportunities for her events, I appreciate all the love and support!

A huge, major shoutout to my amazing business coaches, Risha Ferdinand and Ashleigh Chanel!

These two ladies are phenomenal! It is because of them my business has come as far as it has. They have helped me get my business all the way together!

From a total rebranding to making sure my financial health is in check, to marketing, they have gone above and beyond to help me get Sweet Surrender on the map!

The day I invested in them, they in turn invested in me and my business. There is nothing cookie-cutter about them and the services they offer. Honestly, no one is out there teaching the tactics and methods they teach or sharing the amount of information they so generously share with their clients.

I’m eternally grateful for them and all they have done for me and continue to do to help me stay accountable and on track!

To say thank you just isn’t big enough, I truly love these wonderful, brilliant ladies!

Website: www.sweet-surrender.biz

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweet_surrender_co

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-edwards-aa10b88a/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/4sweetsurrender

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sweet-surrender-handcrafted-bath-and-body-essentials-henderson-3?osq=sweet+surrender

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEFbsAV5PyEITSJNoVIb7Cw

Other: Tik Tok – https://www.tiktok.com/@sweet_surrender_co

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