Meet Mercedi Townsend | Self-care Enthusiast

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

Hi Mercedi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I initially started my own business after battling personal thyroid and other health issues. I researched methods to naturally heal my health issues by removing toxins from my daily household products, foods, etc. I noticed that there was a direct correlation between the candles and skincare I used since everything we breathe and apply to our skin enters our bloodstream. As I started formulating these products, I was able to improve my thyroid and other health issues naturally. The Violet Victoria was born because I was inspired to share these benefits with other people.

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.
I handmake soy candles and skincare products. Originally I started off selling handmade candles. This past year once all the testing was completed for my skincare, I added those products to my website. The shift from creating candles to now offering candles and body products was an intense process. There is a lot more work in formulating skincare products, but I was up for the challenge. I wanted to provide a full spa experience for my customers to enjoy at home. I educated myself more about how the products we use on our skin enter our bloodstream and it motivated me to start creating my own products at home for personal use. There were months of testing different formulations before I decided to launch my body products publicly. The feedback I’ve received from customers has been great. Most of my customers were ecstatic since they had been requesting me to use my candle scents for body care because of how much they love the scents. I am still finding ways to improve my formulations as I continue my education in this industry. However, one thing I can say that sets me apart from others is my products incorporate aromatherapy scents and ingredients that are healthy for your body. I make my products with mental and physical health in mind. I want the world to know that it is possible to naturally heal some issues we deal with such as anxiety, depression, thyroid issues, etc. I am living proof of that. You just have to be willing to make some changes in your day-to-day habits.

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?
If my friend were visiting for a week I would take her to some of my favorite restaurants and activities in Dallas. I would start by getting tickets to the AT&T stadium for a Cowboys game. I cannot let my friends visit during football season and not attend at least one game. We would plan to go to the botanical garden at the Dallas Arboretum the next day. I think the botanical garden is so relaxing. This is also a great place to grab lunch. Next, we would head over to the Shops at Legacy for a happy hour hike. This is such a fun way to experience the different retail stores in the area and meet other locals. After that, I’d take my friend to Kai which is one of my favorite restaurants in Legacy. It’s a chic dining experience I always recommend if you enjoy Pan-Asian food. The next morning it’s time for us to get up and burn all those calories from the previous day. I know a lot of locals love Katy trails, but I usually hike at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve for more scenic views. Now that we’ve hiked a few hours and worked up an appetite it’s time to shower and change for brunch at XO Dining Room. I was so impressed the first time I visited this restaurant because it is always a pleasant surprise to find a restaurant with decor that is great for photos but also has amazing food! While in the area of downtown Dallas, I would take my friend to Klyde Park. There is always live music in this area and unique local vendors. I love supporting other local vendors in the community. We would relax a bit before finishing our evening at Tulum Dallas for dinner. If you have not visited this restaurant make sure you do. The service was excellent and the environment is truly like you are on a vacation. For the final day of my friend’s visit, I would plan a relaxing spa day at Spa Habitat in Plano. We would relax until our final dinner at Dee Lincoln Prime. The 20oz lobster is cooked to perfection every time I have dinner there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s really hard to only select one person to shoutout because I’m blessed to have an amazing tribe of friends, family, and customers who support my business and my mission. I’m truly thankful for every single person in my corner. One person I have to give credit to is my close friend Adrienne Graham. Whenever I need someone to help me test new products or assist with an event in the community she is always there with a smile.

Website: https://thevioletvictoria.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevioletvictoria

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevioletvictoria