Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamelia Johnson.
Hi Jamelia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Jamelia. I’m a Jersey girl in Dallas, Texas, and the owner of Body Jam Essentials. I traveled across the country with a mission to curate community experiences that empower the pursuit of wholeness, self-confidence, and self-love.
I have been so graciously gifted with talents in areas like wellness and beauty. So much so that I established a veggie-based and herb-infused skincare line called Body Jam Essentials in spring of 2020. Since then, I’ve aimed to create products that are made with the most intentional ingredients that truly help to aid in the healing of skin beyond the dermal layer.
Curating Body Jam Essentials in the heart of a pandemic has been a triumphant ride. I’ve harnessed the power of resiliency, and I am constantly fueled by forging the way for future business owners in my family and community. I could not have come as far as I have without my community, whether directly or indirectly.
I’ve recently created a new offering that merges my love for wellness, beauty, and holistic therapy called Body Butter W/ Intention Workshops available to book on Airbnb experience and directly through social media platforms. During the class, I guide clients through not only curating their own body butter but learning how to do so with and while setting intentions for what they desire and want to create for their self-care practice. My intention is always unconditional love.
Our practices and the intentions we set for them support us in our growth to our full potential and really help to give some extra nurturance to our mind, body, and spirit. In June, I had the honor of leading 18 young girls ages 10-13 through this class at ConqHer confidence camp, a non-profit organization building confidence in girls and women to become the best version of themselves.
Today you can find Body Jam Essentials at numerous pop-up shops and markets throughout the DFW area as well as on our eCommerce site and social profiles.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a Black Women, it has been clear to me that this journey would not always be easy. I’ve found that forging my way, my own way, has also been a challenge. The business world is dominated with aggressive strategies and tactics that keep me continuously pushing my way out of boxes that do not support the way I’d like to show up in business.
Even beyond the struggles of funding, building a business on your own presents different challenges, some of them being mental perspectives. My background knowledge of business comes from working as a corporate employee. When leaving corporate what isn’t discussed much is the identity that comes with it that needs to be released, that of an employee. Building your own business and legacy requires you to constantly remember where your values lie and how you want to show up for YOURSELF each day, no one else. No one is pushing you to complete orders or show up for events but you; you are your own accountability partner. This is a truth that an employee mindset does not support; as an employee, you are showing up for whatever values are in place to maintain or exceed at someone else’s value structure.
Being open to receiving help is another obstacle I’ve faced. As a business owner, your brand is your baby, and you protect your baby. As beautiful as that may be, it can cause delays, it can cause delays. A team is important even if, in the beginning, your team consists of your loved ones.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In short, I am a creative through and through. Body Jam Essentials, the butters, and oils I’ve spent time to perfect is one form of expression that I hope has reached others as love.
What sets me apart from others is just that. I understand the power of intention and how practicing mindfulness while curating products or even in the very early stages of starting a business will make all the difference in the true success of your brand.
I gear my products towards those who may have uncomfortable skin conditions because of that; I understood how important the right herbs and vitamins are to create a butter that promotes healing. That is an art, and I am so happy to share it.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Dallas is the “fertile soil.” There are so many ways to grow here and so much opportunity to connect and submerge. The city is not overwhelming by any means, especially considering the city I’m used to is NYC. It is a great place for young professionals and entrepreneurs to thrive. There is something to do for everyone here, and there’s endless inclusivity.
What I least like about Dallas is the food haha. I miss mom and pop restaurants that are abundant back in jersey. Where’s the Dominican food when you need it
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bodyjamessentials.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bodyjamessentials
