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

Hi Jennifer, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In full transparency, I decided to start Soul Abode for selfish reasons. My burnout story is a quintessential narrative among Black women. Many of us have been raised to be “strong” despite the systemic factors that make such an ideal impossible to uphold. My vision for Soul Abode came to me in 2018. At that time, I was working a corporate job for a large beauty company, traveling 80 percent of the time. I was stressed, anxious, tired, and physically, mentally, and emotionally burned out from the lifestyle choices I was making at that time. As a wellness connoisseur, I was already very familiar with the wellness spaces so I had an idea of where to begin.. But when I started seeking out help, I realized that there was not a lot of inclusivity within the wellness space for women of color. Everything that was presented to me felt like a band-aid on a bullet wound. I was actively trying to pursue solutions for my mental and physical health in a safe place, but at that time those available spaces felt foreign to me. I didn’t see myself represented in the wellness landscape. I needed a community of women that I could connect with who shared my experiences. Soul Abode was birthed from my desire to have a safe place where women of color could share resources, offer support, and learn the art of radical self-care. I believed that if I needed this, then other women needed this too. Soul Abode means a place for the soul. It’s a self-care community for women of color where we learn and develop the daily practices to move from surviving to thriving.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Before I started Soul Abode, I had 25 25-year corporate career in the beauty and wellness industry. I understand the depth of how this society has turned “wellness” into a commodity — complete with status symbols, exclusivity, and privilege. for some women, buying into the commercialized wellness industry leaves them broke and unwell.

This is why our community of practice is so important. Soul Abode is committed to dismantling the barriers to health and wellness through education, unity, and leadership. By providing our members with resources, content, and access to certified practitioners, we are nurturing an empowered network of advocates for natural healing. We are focused on redefining health paradigms, promoting longevity, and fostering a legacy of empowerment for women of color.

What we are most excited about is at the core of Soul Abode lies the revolutionary concept of decentralized, collective well-being. Through NFT membership, our community members gain more than access; they receive a voice in our collective future. Each NFT, a symbol of commitment and belonging, empowers its holder with governance rights, ensuring that every woman’s voice is heard, and her vote counts.

This is more than a community; it is a movement. A movement that envisions a future where women of color lead their communities in health and wellness, where the legacy of holistic living is passed down through generations, creating a world where everyone thrives.

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 was born and raised in Los Angeles, but after 20 years, I can say that I am officially a Texan. Dallas is filled with a plethora of spaces and places where you can find just about anything you are looking for. If my best friends were visiting this is what we would do. I live in Uptown, so we would take an early morning walk along the Katy Trail. After that, we would grab brunch at Rise. It’s a special French restaurant on Lover’s Lane that makes the most amazing souffle’. Next we we would head to the Bishop Arts district to shop and find something spectacular from one of the thrift stores. I’m obsessed with everything vintage! We would grab a piece of cake from the Cake Bar at Trinity Groves and then try to get in an afternoon nap. Pre-evening cocktails would be at Coupes, a champagne bar in Oak Lawn and then we would have dinner at Mr. Charles in Dallas. This would be the perfect day!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Success is never a solo journey. Soul Abode would not be what it is today without the contribution of my business partners Angela Williams and Yaneth Acosta.. Our friendships span over 30 years and when I came up with the idea for Soul Abode I asked them to join me as co-founders. They both bring so much richness to the brand and their belief in my vision for Soul Abode keeps me anchored. When we are stuck in unbelief and fear, we must have people believing in us and holding space for our success. I could not have come this far without their love and support.,

Collectively, the brand today is driven by our deep-seated belief in the unnecessary nature of disease and the transformative power of optimal living, As the founders of Soul Abode we have embarked on a mission to empower women of color to reclaim their ancestral wisdom. We envision a world where women will stand at the forefront of health and wellness, guiding their communities with knowledge, compassion, and strength.

Website: www.soulabode.com

Instagram: @__soulabode__

Image Credits
Image Credits Dianne Avery Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.