Today we’d like to introduce you to Edjanni Njie-Mokonya.
Hi Edjanni, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
During the month of August 2020, I had decided to take a huge step out of my comfort zone and become my own boss. However, I wanted to develop a brand that was completely different from what others were passionate about. I wanted to do something that I genuinely loved and enjoyed doing. And that was simply; self-care. With self-care, you are promoting yourself to be healthy while having inner happiness within yourself. Personally, I take it self-care seriously. It gives you the advantage of maintaining a positive relationship amongst yourself. It’s about knowing your worthwhile producing positive feelings, boosting your self-confidence as well as your self-esteem. I want everyone to experience this type of luxury with my brand.
A major part of my self-care remedies consisted of mostly body care essentials and my personal skincare routine, but I wanted to go a bit further. I asked myself “What is something that can be the perfect addition for body and skin care essentials?”. “What is something else that I love?”. It suddenly hit me. Anything that smelt amazing to me, I was extremely fond of it- candles were the perfect essential to add. I began doing my own research on how I can create my own fragrances while using candles. Once I began to master candle making, I instantly began to fall in love with the process of candle making. These pleasant aromas would uplift my mood instantly. Before I knew it, this was the start of Aroma Essence.
After mastering candle making, I began to research more about formulating and creating my own skin and body care products. I personally know what it feels like to have troubled skin whether it was acne, scarring, hyperpigmentation, blackheads, you name it. Or even feel as though products may be too harsh on my skin (considering the fact that I have combination/sensitive skin) or just full of ingredients that you can’t even pronounce, and they turn out to be harmful to your skin. So, I wanted to take into consideration and create skincare products that will help with all skin types as well as including all-natural ingredients that help leave you with healthy, radiant skin. As for Body care, I believe that your body is your temple. It is just as important as your daily skincare routine. It deserves self-care as well! With that being said, I began to formulate quality body care essentials that consist of body oils, body scrubs, more surprises that are currently in the works. All in which have the benefit of improving common skin impurities.
Overall, the feeling of hand-making my own products just gave me so much joy. Receiving positive feedback from my supportive parents and siblings, family members, and close friends made me feel so accomplished. The motivation most definitely kept me going. While being a part of the Essence Family, you will have the experience of owning my luxurious handmade self-care remedies. I personally want to thank you all for choosing my brand to be a part of your daily essential as your new self-care regimen. Your endless support is greatly appreciated every single day.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My entrepreneurship journey has not been easy. There’s been some times where I would question my work ethnic when I see others achieving so much in such a short amount of time. I would also feel like I’m not doing enough when slow days occur. But after talking to my mentor, Jaylin Bolden, who is also my graphic designer @jaylingraphics, and God, of course, I was consistently reminded that my hard work never goes unnoticed.
There will always be slow days in business regardless; it’s just a matter of staying consistent and always promote yourself to the fullest because you never know who is watching you.
As you know, we’re big fans of Aroma Essence, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Aroma Essence serves as a high-end health and beauty brand that specializes in producing self-care remedies that consist of luxurious handmade scented candles and handcrafted skin and body care essentials.
All of our luxurious scented candles are hand-poured with All-Natural Coconut wax. This wax is made with predominately coconut and fortified with vegetable waxes. It also adheres to our candle vessels while leaving a smooth finish and receives color extremely well. It has an excellent fragrance release with a cool burn.
Our luxurious aromas (known as our fragrance oils) are able to hold their scent much longer and better yet, stronger. Our aromas are designed using a global palette of raw materials with exotic and well-balanced scents that bind to project a rich luxurious aroma. They are created and curated by master perfumers with a high standard taste for quality and luxury.
What sets Aroma Essence apart from other brands in our industry is that we cater to the self-care needs of both women and men. Self-care is not a “one size fits all.” It should be prioritized by everyone. Our brand helps to enhance the self-care regimens of those who seek luxury yet, affordable skincare and aromatherapy candles.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I applied for the Crowning Queens Mentoring program in April of 2021. It was founded by Jaya Bolden. The main purpose of this mentoring program is to help aspiring and current entrepreneurs like myself to have hands-on experience when it comes to networking activities with other entrepreneurs in different industries, wellness webinars, entrepreneur do and don’t s, how to balance your finances and properly prepare for tax season, everything you can possibly imagine if not more, the Crowning Queens Mentoring programs strives to execute it all.
This mentoring program has helped me tremendously. After a 3-month business bootcamp, I was able to not only properly market and brand my upcoming brand but to know the true purpose in doing so.
Pricing:
- Blueberry Parfait Candle- $18.95
- Even Skin: Turmeric and Honey Shower Gel- $24
- Noir Men’s Body Butter- $17.50
- Sugar Delicacy Candle- $18.95
- Raspberry Prosecco Body Butter- $17.50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thearomaessence.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thearomaessence.co?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@aromaessencellc?_t=8VFn77xR2ao&_r=1
Image Credits
Jaylin Bolden
Kelvin Addison
