We had the good fortune of connecting with Jalon Nathaniel and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jalon, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My inspiration for starting my business was my own healing journey and the way the business manifested itself , I deal with multiple chronic issues that keep me in pain most days . I have fibromyalgia , inflammatory arthritis , and axial spondyloarthritis . In the process of healing myself I had began to create different blends and mixes and the request became to come in .The more I see the changes in my customers and how the react gives me the motivation as a light worker to keep healing myself and others .
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My Business is an All natural Herbal business that provides healing alternatives with a mixture of a spiritual touch, for everyone ,of all ages and needs , who are seeking a natural way to cope with daily life stresses and pains and expand their own healing journey within themselves . I provide different bathtub soaks for stress and pain relief , drinking teas for energy , sleep , hair& skin , skin healing salve , and my best selling hair oil and sugascrub.
My business brings me excitement by just creating. I love to create in all different fields like: photography, drawing, painting. The one I enjoy the most is being able to research and create with earths natural herbs that it provides for healing purposes is a blessing. What feeds me to keep going would be the feedback. I am amazed at how I have changed peoples moods, confidence, hair, skin & health status by doing something I love. I get excited by just pulling out my different herb jars and putting them into a bowl for a new mix or either re-uping, either way it brings the same joy. I’m proud of myself for going through surgeries, health issues, losing hours at work, and I was still pushing through to stay consistent to keep my business growing day by day. My Biggest accomplishment was picking my name, that’s when I felt it was my purpose. I was already making products for myself then began selling to my close family but once I selected my name “Awakened Journey” I felt the change in me. I was ready, excited to began my journey and get out of my comfort zone which definitely wasn’t easy.I over came the challenges by simply just taking action to promote my business. As of now our biggest challenges are finances, funds for building better marketing strategies and supplies. Also purchasing equipment for pop-up shops to continue with growth of customers in my community. With this challenge at hand I’ve learn to ask for help which is big for me and has helped me overcome being stagnant and waiting until I can do everything on my own.
My inspiration for starting my business was my own healing journey and the way the business manifested itself , I deal with multiple chronic issues that keep me in pain most days . I have fibromyalgia , inflammatory arthritis , and axial spondyloarthritis . In the process of healing myself I had began to create different blends and mixes and the request became to come in .The more I see the changes in my customers and how the react gives me the motivation as a light worker to keep healing myself and others .
One of the major aspects of my business that sets me apart from others is the way I create my hair oil.There are multiple hair oil companies and tons of skin care products available. Out of all the hair oil options I have seen, my hair oil is the most expensive, but that is also my most sold and repurchased item out of all my products.I have compared the ingredients in some of the competitors hair oil and notice that my price may be more, but my oil offers more benefits due to our proprietary 6 blend mix of herbs. Most hair oils that I see on Etsy have a formula composition that consists mainly of oil in their blends rather than herbs. The herbs in our oil hold the constituents (the active ingredient of the plant ). The carrier oil is very important as well. While doing research. I noticed that majority of the hair oils I see use the less expensive route for the carrier base , such as coconut oil and olive oil . Both are ok , but coconut oil could clog hair follicles. Both oils are heavy and can weigh down thinner hair . We use sunflower oil , which is lightweight on the hair and high in essential in fatty acids . Our hair oil has been proven to elongate the hair and increase hair follicles. The other oil base I use is avocado oil, its main role is to stop hair from breaking. Avocado also reduces dandruff by stimulating blood flow and unclogging blocked follicles.
I want the world to know that my mission is to provided healing products for your mind, body and soul by combining herbal healing and spiritual knowledge. Everything we need is grown from the earth and provided to us, my job is to open that door as a lightwkrker and heal the world.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite spots in the city are the hidden gems no one really knows about. Its like finding treasure, I love to explore so I would plan to show the the Monkey tree in Austin on Sundays. The crowd is always full of positive energy, with drummers, people dancing, meditating and animals running around. The experience is grounding. I would also take them around to some of my top Mexican restaurants seeing that is my absolute favorite type of food. We would have to get some vegan food as well and visit Bull Creek and sit in the water and journal. Im not the type to go out and party but I will enjoy a nice hookah lounge if it is laid back. I can’t leave out camping , I would try to get at least 2 nights under the stars at Camp Krause Springs while they are in town. the natural spring water pool and campground is amazing.
My view on a good time is being surrounded by nature, followed by laughs, hugs and positive energy.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This one is a hard one. I have a great support system from my parents who help me out financially. They helped with the purchase for my LLC and my herbalist course. If I ever need supplies my mom is always the first to find a way to get what I need. My Girlfriend is my second set of eyes. She goes over anything I write and submit such as this interview. The support she gives with labels and pushing me to speak out and get my products out there helps tremendously. I wouldn’t be doing this interview or up coming pop up shops without her. My grandparents are my biggest supporters in California. My grandmother uses my hair oil and makes sure everyone she knows understands my products are the reason her hair has grown. With her I was able to get my hair oil in its first beauty salon. Even when it comes to my creative side she sells my paintings for me by doing art shows from her home. My friends, siblings & brother in law help with sharing my products and making purchases. My bother in law has the energy and gift of gab that helps me get out of my comfort zone. Anyone he meets to calibrate with in his own business he finds a way to fit me in and get my name out there.
Website: www.awakenedjourney.shop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awakened_bythejourney/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AwakenedbytheJourney
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/awakened-journey-round-rock?osq=awakened+journey
Other: Etsy : https://etsy.me/3itpyHV
Image Credits
Jalon Nathaniel. Tourquoise Hills.