Meet Marquita McMillan | Owner of MJMBodyCreations & Soapologist

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

Hi Marquita, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There are many people including my self that suffer from skin issues that we have ignored for years. We blame it on cold weather, warm weather, being born with, allergies, etc. For years many people never thought to take a look at the cleansing products that are being used on their skin. Chemicals, animals fats and many things that we can’t pronounce are additives to commercial soaps. I realized that the only soap I could use was the Dove (white bar) without any irritations. Eventually, that started to change for me as well. I felt that Dove was so plain, boring, no scent and I needed to try something different. Over the last two years I researched and started to make my own cold process soap bars. I noticed it helped my skin in so many ways. Cleansed, hydrated, smelled good and I knew every ingredient in it. Plant based oils of olive, coconut, avocado and sweet almond just to name a few. Natural fragrance oils and essential oils, that was about it. I thought to myself how did I take just a few products mainly from my kitchen and create such a great bar of soap? Most may not get excited about that but I did!! I started to share my homemade soap with family and friends, I used it on my children and on myself recipe after recipe, batch after batch. I finally got up the nerve and decided to share with as many people as possible. Especially those who shared the same skin irritation issues as I had prior to using my own soap. I started with social media and was able to start selling online. I make custom recipes for specific skin types. Soap bars to soothe and help heal eczema, soap for babies and everyday use. It’s time to treat the skin on the body as good as we treat the skin of the face and our hair.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Finance professional at a local healthcare institution with and B.S. in Accounting and MBA. I grew up on the Westside of Baltimore City, Maryland. Went to Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated. I selected a high school that had a NJROTC program to prepare me to go into the Navy. This was my goal. I finished high school about 6 months early and came back for graduation. At graduation, I was considered a teen mom. I was 5 months pregnant when I walked across the stage in 12 grade. I knew that my goal of going into the Navy and college was going to be a bit delayed. I quickly realized that going into the Navy was out of the question because I could not leave my baby behind. My baby girl was born when I was 18 years old. I told myself I would work and never ask anyone for anything. Not sure why I was such a hard behind when it came to that because I had a supportive family. I guess I had a point to prove to myself. I landed my first real job at a local credit union as a teller and I realized I liked numbers. I went on to land the second job of my career at a popular investment firm, Morgan Stanley. I eventually went back to school finished my education and here I am today. Wife and mother of 4. A 19 year old daughter who is currently in college for Engineering and Navy Sailor. A 10 year old son, 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. After taking an extended amount of years to completely finish my education, I felt I had nothing else to do. I was bored. I had time to think about things like “Why is soap so irritating to my skin”? No matter what obstacles, I let none of them stop me from achieving my goals. I could have quit but I didn’t and I Thank God for that. Most will call me a busy body or say was doing too much but I had to finish what I started no matter what. I am 38 by the way so I felt like it has taken me 20 years to finally feel accomplished. I have time to make my own soap and the rest is history. You can obtain goals the easy way or hard way, short way or long way but you can achieve.

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?
If my friend was visiting I would take them to the spa. I love to relax. A full body massage and pedicure would be right on point. I love seafood of course because I am from Maryland. Next we would go on a crab feast cruise. They are popular here in Maryland. Food, drinks, all you can eat blue crabs and a DJ. Last, would be a good concert. Maybe a little Fantasia, Anthony Hamilton.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shoutout my wonderful husband for encouraging me to just “start the darn business” . I went back and forth, up and down. Wondering what would people think? Would they buy my soap? Would I overwhelm myself with a career as well? Would I spend too much money funding my own business? He said “It’s COVID what else do you have to do, we locked down, do it”. So I did it….I do have a business mentor, she may not know it. She is a very successful entrepreneur who sent me a DM one day and said “How will people buy your soap without a website, you can’t sell through DM”. So within a week I figured out Shopify and launched my website. Shoutout my son (10) for being my inventory clerk. I would like to Thank my Mom, Aunt, Sister/Friends and Family for coming out to my vendor events, craft shows, pop-up shops, helping me setup my table and supporting. I thank everyone for every purchase or seed sowed into my business. Every extra few dollars tip, disposable gloves, molds, oils, anything. Support is not always monetary or buying something. I Love You All!!

Website: www.mjmbodycreations.com

Instagram: @mjmbodycreations

Facebook: MJMBodycreations

Other: TikTok: MJMBodycreations