Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalonda Weaver.
Hi Shalonda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been creative. For as long as I can remember, I have felt the need to sit down and do something creative every day. I would up-cycle clothes, hand sew something without a pattern, and draw or make jewelry. I’ve always had art classes. I became an interior designer, then a jewelry designer.
Clean and natural products have always been a part of my life because of my mom. Although she never referred to them as such. That was how she grew up, which her grandmother and aunts passed down to her. A few years after having my sister and myself, my mom had two more kids and had to start working outside the home. So she would occasionally purchase the “other” products out of convenience.
In my twenties, I knew I needed to stop bringing those “other” products into my home. It wasn’t sitting right with me, especially after reading labels and researching. However, it was in 2010 that I started to make consistent changes for myself and my family. Eventually, I started sharing them with others. That’s how Marty’s Bath & Body was born. Out of the combination of my need to be creative and my demand for natural products.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have certainly been challenges. I’m thankful that the positives outweigh the negatives; being a small business, there is a lot of DIY. So I must learn as I go and depend heavily on YouTube university. Despite all the frustration, when I reflect on something I completed, I realize how much I have grown in patience and skills.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Marty’s Bath & Body is a body care product company. Everything is hand-made in small batches; we use plant-based ingredients and no harsh chemicals. Our ingredients are simple, but the product is effective. They have a lot of nutrients and benefits for the skin, but people can recognize them and trust them.
What do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I think every win is a blessing from God, and every setback is a lesson from God. So when I’m winning, that’s what I’m supposed to do. But, when I’m getting frustrated, or doors are closing, I’m going in the wrong direction, or I need to either wait or do it differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: Marty’s Bath & Body
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martysbathandbody/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/martysbathandbody
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/martysbathandbody/
