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

Hi ShantaQuilette, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The Pink Peppermint Project After losing my Aunt and 2 close friends in 2015, Using the power of beauty to transform and heal, I became an advocate and innovator for women’s health ever since. I wanted to be a resource for women through all stages of their journey. I wanted to convey an important message and wanted women to feel beautiful and know there was a support system available in their community. Through the Pink Peppermint Project I and my board of directors are committed to helping women thrive. We’ve created programs, resources, and services that Motivate, Inspire, Nurture and Transform. The Pink Peppermint Project is dedicated in building a platform that embodies my aunt’s endearing, authentic, and nurturing spirit. Thrive Innovations LLC DBA Girl B Natural When I launched Girl B Natural in 2019, as a stroke survivor, women’s health advocate and breast cancer activist, I wanted to create personal care products that honored my health with integrity and with clean toxic free formulations. As a certified herbalist and plant-based nutritionist, I became well educated and created my own self-care routine that works. How? First doing a total life-style revamp and changing my position on the right way to take care of my body. I realized not only the importance of what I put in my body, I had to also focus on what I put on it. I knew I needed a product with reliable performance so I could get out and live my life to the fullest potential. The idea of strengthening self-esteem and creating optimal wellness & beauty products for women passionate about their health was about removing the stigma surrounding women’s personal care production and the commercialized notion of self-care; creating new innovative and effective products with healing modalities.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Girl B Natural is a beauty, wellness tech enabled lifestyle brand for women with sensitive skin and compromised immune systems. We offer handmade, organic, plant-based herbal formulas that support holistic health and beauty lifestyles and resources for women on the go. Girl B Natural was founded with a harmonious spirit and a innovative objective, to offer a best in class eco-luxury, clean, sustainable, beauty and well.brand at a revolutionary price, inclusive to all women, while leading the way in social responsibility. The Pink Peppermint Project which is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization with a mission to provide programs, services, and resources to women and men affected by a breast cancer diagnosis. Our focus is to educate, empower, and encourage all women to be proactive in their breast health using the power of beauty. We provide free emotional and physical support to meet the needs of the uninsured and under-insured low-income women affected by breast cancer and their caregivers through our free programs. I’ve always had a passion for women and empowerment. I started my career as a Cosmetologist at 20, I graduated from Xenon International School of Hair Design and started working for a salon. However, though I loved working with women, this wasn’t the career for me. So for the next 6 years, finance and accounting was my trade, far from my passion. In 2o13 I started a Lifestyle and Fashion Blog called Style follows Her, which gave me the opportunity to meet a host of change makers in the community. In 2104, I moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas to pursue my dream career as a Revenue Officer with the Department of Treasury, during this time is was a period of transition for me. My aunt and 3 friends were all battling breast cancer and I was going through my own personal and job related issues. In 2015, my aunt and two friends passed away from breast cancer and it inspired me to create non-profit organization to motivate, inspire nurture and transform women living with a breast cancer diagnosis. I created an atmosphere for women to thrive through all stages of their journey. Fast forward in 2018, at the ripe old age of 39, I had a heart attack and in 2019 a stroke, talk about a total 360, I didn’t know what to think, but one thing I knew for certain, I wasn’t going to give up. I realized there will be natural and un-natural disasters in your life that change your direction in life, but that doesn’t mean give up. Never change the goal, change the plan. I know what it’s like to start from the bottom and rise, to fall again, There will alway be challenging moments, but it’s how you use those moments to define your true purpose in life. My goal is to keep women thriving through all aspects of life and to guide them through their next stage of life through products, services, and programs. I’m a purpose strategist and I teach women how to reinvent themselves and to live purposeful lifestyles.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Botanical Gardens is gorgeous and tranquil, it’s a great place for a group photo. Hattie American Bistro is a fantastic place for brunch and a beautiful place to have a summer cocktail, especially after you’ve gotten your floral fill. Then we would walk down to Emporium Pies, to soothe our palette with a tasty freshly baked pie. Then we would make our way over to Deep Ellum in our dancing shoes and dance the night away, I love dancing. Then it’s time to head over to Kings Spa, to relax, unwind and rejuvenate. I really love their sauna style rooms and the food is amazing. There’s so many hidden gems in Dallas, so I know it would be a spectacular weekend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I have to thank GOD, I wouldn’t be here without his grace and mercy, My husband Roy, is my best friend, greatest support, comfort, and strongest ally. He pushes me to be the best version of myself I could be. I would also like to acknowledge my cousin and one of my best friends Ashley Johnson, she is one of my biggest cheerleaders and voice of reason. I’m fortunate to have an amazing support system and those who are committed to holding my highest vision. I’m a “gatekeeper” when it comes to protecting my vibration and determining who I surround myself with, especially when it comes to the evolvement of me.

Website: www.pinkpeppermintcares.org
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pinkpeppermintcares
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantaquilette-develle-mba-cplc-mh-42780b81/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pinkpeppermintcares
Other: www.girlbnatural.co

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