Meet Shelena Omokaro | Fashion Designer, Soap Maker

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

Hi Shelena, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from Cleveland, Oh. My background and upbringing impacts who I am because my upbringing was rooted in faith, relationship with God, unconditional love and great family values. Hence, I love my family and friends. They are my support system. They keep me grounded and rooted in who God created me to be. Additionally, my family and friends keep me encouraged despite life’s challenges.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others as a designer is the fabrics i enjoy working with. The last fashion collection I created was mainly designed with very unique textile sourced from Nigeria. I like designing fashion that’s unique and high quality textiles, yet functional.

What sets me apart as a soap creator, is I create soaps for all kinds of people and skin types. I feel a lot of people may offer a limited variety when handcrafting skincare/soaps. I create soaps for men, women and children. Additionally, I create soaps for people with super sensitive skin as well as soaps for people who have no skin sensitivity at all. Furthermore, I create soaps that are unscented as well as soaps that are made with essential oils and/or fragrant oils.

I’m most the proud of not throwing in the towel. The last 3 years of my life have been extremely difficult. Like many businesses, 2020 caused me pivot in order to stay a float. In 2021, my children and I relocated from a city and state we loved to reset mentally and emotionally. In 2022, I went through a divorce. In 2023, I lost the greatest man I’ve ever known, my dad. While the last 3 years of my life has thrown me some pretty hard blows, daily I still chose to get up and press towards the goal. Im healing, but what excites me is what my future holds.

I believe my faith in God is what has gotten me to where I am professionally. My business is faith based because I’m faith based. Hence, I continue to follow and trust God as He leads me professionally.

I believe nothing worth having is easy. Something may come with ease, but difficulty may still be present. Professionally my journey has been difficult. However, I constantly overcome the challenges by learning to give myself grace. Furthermore, identifying the problems and the best solutions. Having a strong and solid support system is important. When I can’t figure out what to do, I go my support system for help.

What I’ve learned along the way is professionally and personally, life is a journey. Hence, I try my best to enjoy the ride. Daily, I’m learning even when I get knocked off, hop back on and keep going.

What I want the world to know about Diary Of Queen Esther, is my business was birthed out of purpose. I wanted God to reveal to me why He created me. Furthermore, what He created me to do. DOQE, the brand was created while on this purpose driven journey with the Lord.

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?
I would take them to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Additionally, I would take them to the museum and some of the historic landmarks. I Would be sure to take them to my Showroom/Office.

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 want to dedicate this Shoutout to my daddy. He was a man of loyalty, honor, integrity and strength. Additionally, his love for me was a safe place. It was an honor to his baby girl as he often called me. He passed on December 15, 2023.

Website: https://diaryofqueenesther.com/collections/handcrafted-herbal-soaps

Instagram: Diary Of Queen Esther

Facebook: Diary Of Queen Esther

Youtube: Diary Of Queen Esther

Image Credits
Rehobath Media Jeff Lawson