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

Hi Vikter, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from the Rio Grande Valley, specifically Pharr, Texas. I moved up to Denton to pursue a doctoral degree from Texas Woman’s University. I had a pretty traditional upbringing where I was blessed to have spent time with both my maternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother. Having this upbringing and connecting to my roots really helped me find my identity and embrace decolonization. It’s helped me reconnect to the time-honored traditions my grandmother and great-grandmother used to rely on. It has helped me feel so much more connected to them, especially since they are both are watching over as Ancestors.

What should our readers know about your business?
I think that I had an interesting start to this business. I had a pretty traditional upbringing where I was blessed to have spent time with both my maternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother. Through them, I learned a lot of home remedies for various ailments. I remember going to them and asking them for a blend for a stomach ache or any particular ailment. I remember them telling me “oh you can have this tea” or “steep these herbs into a tea and then add that to some lotion and rub it on”. I remember thinking how amazing it would be if we could return to these time-honored traditions. After my great-grandmother passed in 2006, I tried to learn everything I could about her remedies. I paid attention and began diving into research. Fast forward several years, and I started modernizing their remedies for modern uses. I started by applying them to bath soaks. From there I expanded and tried my hand at making bath bombs and it just went from there. Then the pandemic hit, and I was talking to my roommate and they encouraged me to push for it even further and actually go into business. So, in September I started the process, and the business became officially open in October of 2020, by vending at markets and building a base of clientele.

But let me tell you. it hasn’t always been easy. There have been obstacles and frustrations! For example, one of the biggest struggles came up with the proprietary formulae that we modified to what we have today. We went through about 13 different iterations of the formulae before we finally got it right! I remember one instance in particular, one of the formulae that were tried created a terrible sulfur smell — that came from a chemical reaction between citric acid and the mineral colorants that were eventually removed from the final formula. But that instance was an incredibly frustrating and hilarious instance. But it has become a significant part of who the company is and what it stands for. All the instances and hurdles are seen as learning opportunities and a chance to adapt so that growth isn’t stagnated.

As far as what I’d like the world to know about my brand is “commitment”. I’m committed to ensuring that everything that is made is infused with love and positive vibrations and that each tarot session is unique creating a safe space to explore the deep questions we have. My story is one of commitment, I’m driven to keep moving forward and obstacles and hurdles won’t stop me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was in town for the week this is what it would look like:

breakfast/brunch: The GreenHouse Restaurant or Loco Cafe
lunch: Boca 31 Hands down!
Drinks: We’d be making stops at: The Loophole to see Arielle, down to Dusty’s, Cletus’s, Gamechangers, then hop over to Hickory Street Lounge, Vinyl Lounge, Oakstreet Drafthouse, Miss Angeline’s, Eastside, Andy’s, and go over and chill at Flip’s Darts, Pool & Cocktails !

We’d hit Karaoke with Jupiter on Tuesday Night over at the Loophole, we’d hit Karaoke again with Jupiter in the ODB over at Graffiti Pasta, Thursday night would be Glitterbomb over at Rubber Gloves and Pop in afterwards to say hi to Richard for karaokee over at Gamechangers, Friday Night we’d catch the Golden Cabaret over at the Golden Room; Saturday we’d hit Karaoke again with Jupiter over at Flips and also pop into say hi to Richard with karaoke over at Dusty’s! If we’d b elucky, we’d catch a drag oor burlesque brunch over at Lucky Lou’s with Mindy!

We’d do some shopping and go to the local shops like Bewitched Denton, Sleeping Lizards, check out the various hot spots along the square and just enjoy the sights that Denton offers!

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?
The biggest person I want to give a shout-out to is my Mom. She’s always been a beacon in my life and has always supported me and believed in me. Additionally, I want to shout out the community that I’ve found along the way — through vending at markets, through my clients, and the businesses I encounter — they’ve all reinforced that beautiful sense of community.

Website: www.santamariadelcarmen.org

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smdc_spiritual

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

Image Credits
Amanda Puryear El Asher Edward Photography

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