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

Hi Amber, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Adenla Handcrafted Essentials provides affordable luxury plant based personal care items for everyone and every skin. My passion for wellness was fueled by the overwhelming amount of ” natural” product lines that are marketed to help us heal containing so many unnecessary and harmful ingredients. It’s actually deplorable when you understand the ingredients and what they do, but see cheap fillers, artificial fragrances and drying additives touting to moisturize or nourish when they do the exact opposite. Some of my products are made with upcycled ingredients and materials. I work with local mixologists/herbalists and use a lot of plant matter that would normally be thrown away, but still have many benefits. I also offer a recycling program that gives a discount to my customers when they turn in their “empties or simply re-use their containers. My packing materials and wrappings are always reused materials as I truly believe in zero waste. I also offer discounted services and products to young mothers. My desire to plant the seeds of vitality and personal responsibility in the minds of women who have such a huge role and responsibility. I teach free classes and host workshops that give various modalities of healing and promote self-care to a demographic of people who need it the most. I offer a sliding scale price list to young mothers and often provide free services to ensure that as many women as possible have access to the numerous benefits of a holistic esthetician.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My products are esthetician curated, handcrafted with locally sourced and homegrown herbs, love and superb intention of healing and nourishing. I care so much about what goes into my products and also the mindset and energy in which they are created. I am excited as I learn more about herbs and am able to immediately incorporate them into new collections. Being a creative and having access allows me to see the unlimitedness of creating with nature. 30+ years of making has afforded me the expertise and joy of constantly evolving and having the confidence that I can truly make a difference to our largest organ.

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.
I love HOUSTON so much. Living here for the last 15 years has been such a blessing to me and my family. There is so much to do and see and eat! If my best friend was coming into town for a week-long trip, I would have a full itinerary. We would start on Sunday and go to the Breakfast Klub, enjoy deliciousness there and venture off into Memorial Park for a walk. There’s a terrific yoga class led by Jenae Bless at the Fall’s Creek farmer’s market. Ending the evening we would definitely go to the Poetry Lounge at Henke and Pillot and be thoroughly entertained by Se7en and the multitude of uber talented and creative artist in this city. Monday would be First Watch or La Madeleine for breakfast and then hit up Harwin for some unique shopping. Tuesday there is a free yoga class at Discovery Green, so we would head to the Cottage Shop for some amazing finds, then go to Mai’s for the best Vietnamese food in that area before heading to class. Wednesday would be a great day to go to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, it is truly a sight to behold! Then go to Farmers Fresh market on Cullen, the food is so yummy. We would end the night at the Flat with dancing until we are sweating, it’s a requirement. Thursday would be the Museum District day, going through as many exhibits as possible, then going to Bodega’s Taco for the most amazing taco salad and cucumber lemonade. Friday would be Salsa dancing at one of the many spots in the city and going to 5015 sometime before the night is over. Saturday would be a great day to go to the Shrine of the Black Madonna and partake in their Black Market, and then going to Emancipation Park to roller skate at the basketball and tennis courts, the ground is so smooth. Saturday night would end the week at Cafe 4212 listening to the incomparable Marium Echo, she is a Houston standard!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my son and my daughter. Without going through the infinite portal of motherhood, I would have never realized my full potential to heal myself and others using the wonders of nature. I had a complete mind, body and spirit shift when I realized I would be expecting a child. Wanting to give them nothing but the best, and coming from such a sick family I knew that I had my work cut out for me! From pre-natal care now recommending the best hangover cure for my University of Texas attending son, I feel so confident in my abilities and wisdom. The book that changed my life was Natural Cures ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About, By: Kevin Trudeau. It was given to me by a gentleman while I was cleaning my car at a car wash in my hometown of Michigan City, Indiana. He noticed the car seats in my car and felt that I needed to know about what was in this book. I couldn’t put it down. There was so much mind-altering information that completely changed the trajectory on how I wanted to live and raise my family. I wish I knew his name, but I am forever grateful. I am so supported by my ancestors and the universe, by way of the numerous people who encourage me, love me, believe in what I am doing, purchase my products and tell others about their experiences in the numerous healing modalities I provide. It all means so much to me and I could not be living my passion without the support of so many people and organizations.

Website: www.adenlahandcraftedessentials.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-l-johnson-24367b75/

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

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