Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Robinson.
Hi Jackie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I grew up in Philadelphia; with the amazing benefit of living with my able-bodied Great Grandparents. That being said, family and “passing the torch” life lessons were very important. Much changed in our culture and the world after their passing. It wasn’t until having my own daughter in 2007, that I began building back to those values. I was born into a family of crafters, teachers, leaders. I can easily recall the look, feel, and smell of my great grandfather’s thick shaving cream and mini wood brush.
I always loved working with my hands, especially if it required a little elbow grease. But getting into the beauty industry was never the plan. I wanted to own a farm, help people professionally and raise a bunch of good humans. LOL. While working on my psychology degree, I had my daughter, and things changed – for the better. I fell into the Human Services field, working with youth/families, and loved it enough to make a career of it for over 15 years. However, between the behind-the-scenes politics of non-profit corporations and the lack of creativity left me needing more out of my professional life.
Not long before the pandemic, I had been looking into changing my career path to something that I could really take pride in and keep my moral high. Little did I realize I was already doing just that. For years, I had been making skin and hair concoctions for my family and giving advice to those around me (or the occasional stranger in a Beauty Supply store). All my life I have suffered with eczema, and insecurities because of it (let alone being dark-skinned). My family tried everything from seeing Dermatologists, steroid creams, and old home remedies (though my mother saved me from some of my Great Grandmother and Gramps experiments. If you know, you know). Yet, after having my daughter, I returned to some of those old tricks and herbal remedies; I wanted healthier, better options for us both. Years of crafting and knowledge later, I turned my skills into a business.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I had seen a meme once that said, “entrepreneur (noun) – a person who jumps off a cliff and builds a plane on the way down. See also wizard, magician”, although dramatic and hilarious – I agree. During the pandemic in 2020, I turned my skill set into an official business. By 2021 I had left my career in human services, with over $5,000 in product ingredients and just enough in the bank to sustain my house financially (for a little while). Making products for my family is one thing, running a business is another. Much research, many sleepless nights, handcrafting in mass production by myself, personal sacrifices as a single mom, trials surrounding depression and domestic violence have happened while working to serve my customers effectively, with quality products. This journey has been one of the roughest that I have chosen, but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat – because it has been more rewarding than anything.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I specialize in formulating skin and hair care products; particularly those made from natural chemical compounds (resources typically found in nature with little or no human involvement – i.e., shea butter, beeswax, water, grapeseed oil, etc.). Over the years we as a culture have gained a wealth of knowledge on how to care for our hair and improve skincare routines. What I do is couple current research and knowledge with things that I have learned from the generations before me. However, SHE Essentials products are more than just good for you products. Because self-care is about more than just a good product. It’s the nature of the ingredients, the elbow grease that goes into crafting, the sensory pleasure, and generational lessons we teach on how to care for oneself moving forward. We are out here non-ashy, healthy, hair growing, feeling, and smelling good! And I want everyone to join in on their own SHE journeys. Because Supporting Heritage Everyday One Healthy Regimen at A Time, is just what we do. Although we are heavily known for our shea body butters and hair care staples. We have quite a few goodies coming out of testing. And I’m excited to share them with everyone very soon.
“I want you to love it so much, that it becomes part of your everyday! “
– Jackie Robinson, Owner, and Crafter of SHE Essentials™
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Self-care isn’t all about what you purchase. It’s also taking a moment for emotional and metal recouping; setting boundaries personally and professionally. Your care should start from within and adjust your surroundings accordingly. Be well and blessed.
Contact Info:
- Email: jacquelynrobinson@sheessentials.shop
- Website: www.sheessentials.shop
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/she_essentials/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheessentialz
Image Credits
Reginald Murrell Beauty LLC
