Meet Aleesha Johnson | Entrepreneur & Self – Care Advocate

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

Hi Aleesha, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I ‘m a ‘touch the stove to see if it’s hot’ person. To many people that isn’t an ideal trait, but I like to figure things out on my own. Risk and experience have propelled my life in many directions. I know if things don’t work as planned, it adds to my story. Every day you wake up, you decide how your day will go. You can intentionally play it safe or intentionally take a risk.

I’ve learned many times, someone else’s experience has nothing to do with me. We are all beings with different ways of thinking, routines and connections (to self, others and Spirit).
When I started Favor Skin, I had many people tell me how hard it was to run a business. They were right.
I didn’t let that change my mind, that’s where drive & magic happen.
It’s rewarding to create something from an idea and watch it bloom.
You’ll never know what you’re capable of, if you don’t ‘touch the stove’.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Favor Skin was founded in 2017 in Honolulu, because I needed to get back to myself. I moved to Hawaii in 2014, from Maryland. It was my first time on my own. My first apartment, bills, adult stuff.
I began working at a bar, often times 10 hours or more a day. I made so many connections & money, but I felt like I didn’t make time for self. I began crafting D.I.Y body care as a self care ritual & to save money. I had no real idea what I was doing, but it was a creative outlet.

After some months, it seemed like I couldn’t walk past someone without them asking what I use on my skin.
I would explain it was just something I did for fun. I would often hear ‘you should sell it, because it’s working.’

I began thinking of how I would market and pay for supplies. I knew I wanted to incorporate my love for crystals & plants into my products, but I still didn’t know where to start. I also had unforgiving work hours. I kept a notebook for Favor Skin, at the time unofficially named Seed & 7. Anytime I had an idea for packaging, recipes or product names I would put it in the journal. I studied oils, herbs and plants in my down time. All of my research also went into the journal.

Time passed & I moved back to Maryland. Favor Skin, always in the back of my mind. I would mention it to people sometimes, but I was working as a lounge supervisor. My time was limited once again.
In March of 2020 I was laid off due to the pandemic. My free time seemed infinite. I started another garden, and was inspired to create more plant based body care. I also referred back to my journal as a guide.
Many people were stuck inside due to quarantine. I started selling my first product on Etsy.
Dream Butter O.G.
Dream Butter is a whipped body butter with a Shea butter & mango butter base. O.G is infused with a cosmetic grade champagne extract. I thought it would add a touch of luxury & incorporate my bar experience.
I quickly made sales, which was great. Unfortunately Covid-19 was rampant & George Floyd had just been murdered. I wanted to give back. I donated ‘tips’ to bartenders via Cash App & protest supplies to local activists. I attended a couple of protests in the DMV & joined the NAACP.
I registered for my LLC, and created my first website in July of 2020. I added more products such as bath bombs, bath teas & body oils. My business continued to grow from word of mouth & the internet.
I left Maryland…again, to move to Colorado.
I continued working on my brand & introduced even more products. I eventually attended my first pop up at The Museum For Black Girls located in Denver at the time.
Forward to now, the community I meet at various events continue to help grow Favor Skin.
Starting Favor Skin has become an unexpected journey of self realization. I’ve had to let go of past versions of myself in order to move forward. I continue to show up even when I’m not sure. I move without expectation, but with confidence that I will know what to do next. If not, I will figure it out.
I constantly choose myself, because only I know what I’m capable of. Nobody else.
Favor is an acronym. For Anyone Vibrant ,Optimistic + a lil’ Rebellious. It’s formulated and intended for everyone. It’s a reflection of my self care journey as a black woman & my personality. It’s plant healing, and intention made with my hands.
I am grateful for this experience of entrepreneurship, and the community rooted in it. I’m forever a student.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely recommend going on a black owned restaurant binge. Some of my favorites so far are
CoraFayes Café , Gypsy House Café, Welton Street Café & Nola Voodoo Tavern.
Denver biscuit Co was the first restaurant I tried in Colorado & it was so good. I’d take visitors to check it out.

The Denver Museum of Art

There are so many breweries to check out. I’d personally go to Denver Beer Co., Station 26 Brewing Co. and
Ratio Beerworks.

Red Rocks , Garden of the Gods and Denver Botanic Garden for some nature.

Of course check to see if any pop – ups, or markets are happening to support fellow small businesses.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m grateful for anyone that has encouraged me to keep going. To the person that nominated me for this interview, thank you!
I have amazing supporters that have shared and/or purchased my products & that means a lot.
Anyone that has organized an event & invited Favor Skin.
My fam that has helped in too many ways to name.
Friends that have stayed up via phone while I pull all nighters.
My grandpa that gave me the idea to start a business.
& my ancestors that have had to figure it out many times. From which I get my intuition from.

Website: www.givememyflowers.co

Instagram: @favorskin

Facebook: Favor Skin