Today we’d like to introduce you to Valencia McClure.
Valencia, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For over 30 years, I worked in corporate America as a successful businesswoman in the communications and energy industries as communication and legislative-executive. But in 2015, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. I have always been an advocate for clean and natural products and wanted to search for natural healing techniques to help me through my journey as I underwent cancer treatments. As a result, I turned to essential oils and aromatherapy to help alleviate the emotional and physical side effects of surgery and radiation. During this time, I discovered the importance of eliminating toxins from my life and the true benefits and power of essential oils as they helped me heal my body. I began formulating products for my friends and family and worked to perfect my products based on their positive responses. After experiencing the benefits of essential oils firsthand, I decided to pursue a career in the plant-based skincare and essential oil industry. I retired from my executive career in corporate America and in 2019, founded The Artistry of Essential Oils. I also became a certified aromatherapist and returned to my hometown of Dallas to launch my business.
In nine months, I have established a new lifestyle brand, launched an online store, expanded to selling my products in two retail boutiques in Dallas and recently added three wellness centers in New York City with plans for further retail expansion. I am finalizing product formulation for a new product line, Purposefully Pink, which will launch in October in support of Breast Cancer month. I have also conducted Zoom Essential Oils Workshop corporate training sessions for their employees and my products and brand have been profiled in D Magazine, PaperCity Dallas, Well + Good, Forbes and has been seen on WFAA and KDAF.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Everyone knows that cancer takes a physical and emotional toll on the body. At the time of my diagnosis, I was at the peak of success in my career. I have also always lived a healthy lifestyle, so my diagnosis came as a shock to me. I learned that cancer knows no boundaries and can affect anyone. Although I was confident I would conquer the disease, in the early stage of diagnosis, there were definitely days where I struggled with the uncertainty cancer creates. I was lucky enough to have supportive family and friends who lifted me up and supported me along the way. As a cancer survivor, my main goal is to do everything that is within my reach and control to ensure that the disease doesn’t come back. Part of that includes reducing the amount of toxins I put on and in my body from skincare/personal products and household products. I was also able to discover my passion for essential oils and aromatherapy and how it can play a positive role in substituting chemical products for all natural products and provide the emotional uplift and support a mindset change. Going through my cancer journey made me a staunch advocate for women’s health and a vocal supporter and educator for breast cancer early detection. As a result of my passion and advocacy, I had the opportunity to serve on the Boards for Maryland Komen and the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Now in remission and pursuing The Artistry of Essential Oils full time, I switched career paths and began a new one as an entrepreneur. I have always been confident in my products and my abilities as a businesswoman, but all new entrepreneurs inevitably experience moments of doubt. In the nine months, TAOEO has been in business. I am extremely proud of what I have been able to accomplish and am excited on the future plans to expand my business even more.
The Artistry of Essential Oils – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Artistry of Essential Oils works to empower individuals with the emotinal and physical well-being transformative benefits of essential oils, teaching them how to integrate clean, 100 percent natural products into every aspect of life. Each product is handmade with care in artisan batches in Frisco to provide the highest quality for my consumers.
What sets us apart from other beauty brands is that we use only the highest quality ingredients, sourcing oils from the industry’s foremost leaders. Each product is made with plant-based, cruelty and paraben-free ingredients, which are designed to enhance the body’s natural canvas and support a holistic approach to total well-being. All products are designed with a therapeutic and holistic approach to life for both men and women to support the wellness of one’s mind, body and soul. Our products provide great aid to someone that might be dealing with insomnia, anxiety, depression, suffering with hormonal balance or looking for an energy boost, relaxation and support in mediation and mindfulness. As a certified aromatherapist, my passion is always focused on educating customers on the uses and benefits of essential oils in their everyday use and how they can make a difference in one’s quality of life.
I am most proud of the way my company supports breast cancer research and fosters wellness in the community. To further support the community, I donate 20 percent of the Essential Oil Rollerball Blend sales to organizations furthering the mission of breast cancer research and advancing the empowerment of young girls.
Starting on October 6, Valencia is offering a brand new permanent addition to her line of products – Purposefully Pink. The new line’s purpose is to give strength and hope to those impacted by cancer and encompasses the same main three products she used during her own treatments. Each Purposefully Pink product is formulated with oils that are emotionally uplifting, inspiring and nurturing to the mind, body and soul and are all-natural. 20 percent of all proceeds from the Purposefully Pink line will be donated to breast cancer research and finding a cure to end the disease.
Specifically, the new product line features:
- Love Wellness Blend: Formulated with ylang ylang, patchouli and lavender essential oils to create an essence of hope, courage and strength.
- Serene Diffuser Blend: Crafted with frankincense, sweet orange, clary sage and rosemary essential oils to promote a sense of grounding, peace and emotional uplift.
- Skin Nourishing Body Oil: Created to support the healing of scars, wounds and overall skin regeneration. The body oil was formulated with wound healing essential oils frankincense, carrot seed, myrrh and lavender essential oils and tamanu and jojoba oil.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment has been receiving emails, texts and handwritten notes from customers telling me how my products have helped them to navigate stress through the pandemic, helped them to sleep for the first time in months, reduced their swelling around their ankle from edema for the first time in years or changed the texture of their skin to provide a healthy glow and smoother texture, etc. These are proud moments for me because they show me that my vision for the company in empowering individuals with the well-being transformative benefits from essential oils and clean and natural products is working.
Pricing:
- All products range between $15 – $65
- Wellness Rollerball Blends – $19
- Pomegranate Facial Oil – $45
- Prickly Pear Facial Oil – $65
- Rosemary Moisturizing Body Scrub – $30
- Rose and Neroli Hydrosol – $30
- Muscle Pain Relief – $19
- Alive Botanical Fragrance – $25
- Gratitude Botanical Fragrance – $15
- Joyful Botanical Fragrance – $20
- All Natural Hand Sanitizer – $7 – $10
- Essential Oil Diffuser Blends – $25 – $45
- Swell Away – $19
Contact Info:
- Address: 8700 Stonebrook Pkwy, #2005, Frisco, TX 75034
- Website: www.theartistryofessentialoils.com
- Email: customerengagement@theartistryofessentialoils.com
- Instagram: @theartistryofessentialoils
- Facebook: @artistryofessentialoils
- Twitter: @artistryoils
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