Meet Alexus Edmonds

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alexus Edmonds. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alexus, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my mother. Growing up, I saw her dust herself off many times and get back up stronger and better. She taught me by example that life will always have challenges, but how we respond to those challenges is what truly matters. Now, as a mother and business owner, I have an even deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and decisions my mother made for me and my sister. She taught me that being a mother is a privilege with great responsibility, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop chasing your own goals and ambitions. Get knocked down nine times, get up ten.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a mother, daughter, and sister. I hold a Bachelor’s in Neuroscience from Lake Forest College and a Master’s in Medical Science from Hampton University. I’m also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the Phi Beta Kappa Scientific Society, and the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. My work has been published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Child Psychiatry & Human Development, and NeuroFrontiers Journal.

During the global pandemic, I became the CEO and Founder of Made Gentle, LLC. While in quarantine, I combined my passion for hair with my science background to create hair care products that are gentle on all hair types.

My commitment to creating gentle and clean hair products stems from the desire to help people regain confidence in their crowns after losing hair due to uncontrolled circumstances. Watching my maternal grandmother lose her hair twice due to Her2 Positive Breast Cancer, in 2010 and 2015, fueled my drive to develop scientifically researched and natural hair products for sensitive scalp populations. This journey led me to pursue and obtain my Cosmetic Formulator Certification.

Encouraged by my sister, Phallon, I took my product line to the next level and established Made Gentle. We’re a Chicago-area-based natural hair care company. Our Signature Hair and Scalp Oil is our flagship product, handcrafted with over 20 natural oils. This specially crafted blend can be used on anyone ages 1 and up, for men, women, and children.

We’ve recently participated in Beautycon LA 2023 and Essence Festival 2024 in New Orleans, and we’re looking forward to participating in more events and expanding our footprint in the natural hair care beauty sector.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I think the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in my journey are research, organization, and humility.

1. **Research**: Research has played a major role in my career. Learning the “why” behind any question has led me to create and innovate. My formulations are research-based, which allows me to stand confidently behind my products. I owe that to my science background. All of my scientific training required me to create a hypothesis and prove or disprove answers. For someone as inquisitive as me, the “why” is always the driving factor.

**Advice**: For those early in their journey, I recommend cultivating a mindset of curiosity and continuous learning. Delve deep into your field, ask questions, and seek to understand the reasons behind everything. This will not only help you innovate but also give you the confidence to stand behind your work.

2. **Organization**: Being organized has allowed me to navigate my career journey effectively. Starting a business is not a linear process. It requires managing multiple simultaneous deadlines, and being organized is crucial for meeting those deadlines and executing plans effectively.

**Advice**: Develop strong organizational skills. Use tools like planners, project management software, and to-do lists to keep track of tasks and deadlines. Prioritize your tasks and break them down into manageable steps. This will help you stay on top of your workload and ensure that you can execute your plans efficiently.

3. **Humility**: Humility is really important because I believe we can learn from anyone. You get a lot more out of any experience by being humble and gracious. I try to always lead with humility, recognizing that my business is a form of helping others. I feel blessed to do what I do and don’t take that for granted.

**Advice**: Embrace humility in your journey. Recognize that there is always something to learn from everyone you meet. Stay open to feedback, be willing to ask for help, and appreciate the contributions of others. This mindset will help you grow both personally and professionally, and it will make your journey more fulfilling.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

In the past 12 months, I’ve made significant strides in self-care, a journey that’s been incredibly rewarding. As a single mother to a two-year-old, I often found myself at the bottom of my to-do list. But recently, I’ve started making a conscious effort to prioritize myself. My self-care routine includes spending time with God through reading and journaling, attending individual counseling (because mental health is so important), making efforts to minimize stress, and listening to my body. I also make sure to schedule routine check-ups, spend quality time with family and friends, and rest when I need to. I’m learning that to show up fully as a mother, business owner, and woman, I first have to show up for myself. Taking care of myself is essential for being able to take care of everything else.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Dahyembi Jo Photography – Dahyembi Jo Neal (Photographer)

jlauryn Photography – Jasmine Oliver (Photographer)

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