Today we’d like to introduce you to Aleesha Mayo.
Hi Aleesha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My life leading up to creating Selfish has been a series of lessons on the importance and necessity of self-love and the ability to recognize and prioritize my own needs. Being a homeless teen mom after my mom was shot and paralyzed by her boyfriend, I was on my own to make decisions that impacted not only my life but my daughters. Since then, it’s been my mission to learn from the mistakes of others and not repeat my own, and that journey lead me to years’ worth of lived experiences that demonstrate the transformative power of self-love, compassion, appreciation, and respect. I turned my own personal practice of self-reflection into tools others can use to pull themselves out of unwanted circumstances and create experiences that align with what they prefer, deserve & have a right to have! Whether that’s financially, in relationships, in their career, or simply from themselves, I am passionate about helping women learn to expect and receive more from life. My two daughters keep me honest & motivated in my work, as they’re reminders of my why every day! They remind me that by being true to what I teach, by prioritizing and giving more to myself, I will have the ability to prioritize and give more to them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a long road to get where I’m at. Since I had the idea for Selfish pregnant at 17, I’ve dealt with custody battles, legal issues, family trouble, poverty, depression, and anxiety, to name a few; these obstacles have taught me a lot about life and society in general. Learning about why I’m having to deal with certain issues like systemic racism and generational trauma has helped me to rise above when I could and accept what I couldn’t. That’s why a big part of what I teach in my company’s community outreach program is about racial equity – it removes a lot of shame and guilt to understand that a big part of the problems leading up to where you are had nothing to do with you, who you are or your capabilities. A lot has to do with history, society, and politics. This awareness gives you the power to choose how to solve problems with a new frameworks for understanding your place in the world and how to maneuver it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Selfish is the missing piece to any woman’s self-care routine. We are focused on creating products that address the issues everyone has, and few know what to do about. This includes things like self-esteem, attachment issues, financial trauma, body image, relationships, and more. We are on a mission to build a real community that creates a safe place for dialogue about these important topics. We also created the Selfish World Initiative, where I go out in the community and share my products with girls in shelters, transitional homes, and support groups. We have open, transparent, and REAL conversations about the things that matter – ourselves and each other.
It’s very easy to cross over into “preachy” territory while talking about these kinds of things, so what really sets us apart is our ability to relate important information on psychology and the science of wellbeing in ways the younger generations can understand and hold onto. At Selfish, we’re all about impact!
Plus, our products are so useful and unique it’s hard not to stand out! Our first product launch, the Nice for What Self Love Box by Selfish, is for people pleasers and those who have trouble setting boundaries. It is filled with reflective tools to help you shine your brightest without dimming the light of others, learn to value your own uniqueness and be able to set and stick to your boundaries. It’s got a Mean Girl’s Themed Burn Book Journal for emotional dumping to vent through heavy or unwanted emotions, and we even included an at-home spa kit with a bath bomb, face mask, headband wristband set, and so much more. It’s like therapy in a box that you can use every day. The Nice for What Self Love Box is just the first of many boxes that will change the way you think about self-care forever.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I initially tried several mentors through SCORE’s mentorship program with the SBA but found that these volunteers were out of touch with my specific needs, being that each one was an older, white male that couldn’t relate or connect to my vision at all. It’s been through organic mentorship that I’ve had the most impactful experiences along my entrepreneurial career. I haven’t had any formal mentorship, but several redirections & pivots came from time spent with people I admired and respected in my field.
Pricing:
- 55 Self Love Box
- 13 Self-Reflection Pads
- 6.50 Boundaries Post-It Notes
- 10 Burn Book Journal
- 150 Training / Speaking Engagement
Contact Info:
- Website: letmebeselfish.com
