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

Hi Alisha, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
If someone was considering giving up on their business, my recommendation would be to go back to the beginning and revisit the original reason your pursued your dream to begin with.  Often times, our original intentions and motivations get hidden behind the daily mundane tasks of running a business. For me personally, it is the little things within the business that drive me absolutely crazy- like reconciling my books at month end or keeping up with inventory of materials and ingredients. None of those things are fun or exciting and usually take me longer to do than I expect, and take away from the fun part of the business like formulating, creating and educating women on safe products. The work/ mom balance is very difficult too. When all this becomes a juggling act, I typically feel like tossing my hands up and just being done. Then, I will get an e-mail from a customer that recently purchased a product for their highly sensitive son or daughter professing their love for the Avapure cream or lotion that seems to be the only thing helping the child’s irritated skin. Or, I will get a message from a young mother battling cystic acne, hesitant to use prescription creams and medications because they are still nursing their little, and she’s so grateful for my natural approach to skincare and amazed at how well her skin is looking with something plant based and safe. I will get a thank-you from a cancer survivor that had no idea her conventional products were filled with carcinogens and other irritants and their gratitude for offering them a safe option is heartfelt. My customers are the reason I keep going. I love knowing I have helped someone make a swap that ultimately leads to a healthier life!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first lifelong gig started as a classroom teacher and over the past 17 years led me to becoming an academic specialist and educational advocate. When I began working for myself, I had the time to dig into my health and wellness, which led me to starting Avapure Bath And Body. Over the years, Avapure has grown from a little hobby in my kitchen to a full blown business. I work out of a private kitchen on my property dedicated to making product. I have taken numerous courses on formulating, preservation, plant based products, and aromatherapy certification. I am currently working on my graduate level aromatherapy certification. I love being able to provide safe, toxin-free skincare and beauty care products to customers as well as educate women about the importance of cleaning up your beauty routine. There are so many hidden toxins in daily use products that many women are shocked to learn about. I feel it is a woman’s right to understand what is lurking behind their product label and the potential harm it can do to their health. Empowerment is a wonderful thing. My hope is to start ripple effects in households everywhere.  If I can encourage women to make just one safe swap, it will lead to more.  These simple swaps will positively impact their overall health and wellness. In hopes of teaching more women about safe skincare and products in general, I created a wellness community on Facebook to use as my platform. Over the years Avapure’s Green Beauty and Beyond has become about more than just skincare. It is a safe space for like minded women to ask questions, learn, share struggles, and support and lift each other up. It’s a space for mother’s to learn tips and tricks for providing heathier options for their families. It is a space to share recipes and toxin free finds with other women. It’s also an educational resource to learn about safe swaps for all types of things from skincare to makeup to household cleaning products.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I love nature and some of my favorite spots include spaces outdoors. The Dallas Arboretum is always fun. It is quite a drive for us, so I also love visiting our local Chandor Gardens in Weatherford, Texas. My family also spends a lot of time enjoying Possom Kingdom Lake.

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?
My husband and children deserve so much recognition for supporting and encouraging me every step of the way. My mom for always being my biggest fan and encouraging me to follow my dreams from day one.

Website: www.avapurebb.com
Instagram: @avapurebb
Facebook: www.facebook.com/avapure
Other: Avapure’s Green Beauty and Beyond Facebook Group

Image Credits
Brandie Davis