We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sheila a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sheila , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
### **Where Do We Get Our Resilience From?**
For us, resilience comes from seeing the fruits of our labor in AKINYI. The skincare industry is tough to break into—it took us months to find our tribe.
We’ve wasted money on ads, showed up at every market we could find, and sought advice from industry experts who didn’t see our vision or understand our passion. But through it all, we learned that the key to resilience is believing in yourself and walking in your purpose. Eventually, things start to align.
Staying committed to our goals also sharpened our **discernment and boundaries. In the beginning, we said yes to everything. Now, we’re strategic about where AKINYI shows up—because every space we step into matters.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but for every no we faced, we found even bigger yes ahead.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
AKINYI is a luxury skincare brand founded in Austin, TX, by husband-and-wife duo Sheila and JD, driven by a mission to heal, rejuvenate, and nourish the skin.
The AKINYI story began in a small North Austin apartment, where Sheila and JD, frustrated by skincare products that didn’t work for their skin type, decided to create their own. After over a year of formulation and rigorous dermatologist testing on both normal and sensitive skin, the AKINYI Crème was born—a moisturizer designed for real results.
We are incredibly grateful to the Austin community for embracing our brand, sharing our story, and showing up at pop-ups and markets. This quarter, we’re excited to participate in two major events:
The Front Market at Distribution Hall on May 3 and 4 in Austin, TX
West Coast Craft Market on June 7 and 8 in San Francisco, CA
We can’t wait to reconnect with our returning customers and meet new faces. If you can’t make it in person, AKINYI Moisturizing Crème is 40% off online with FREE shipping until supplies run out. Stock is limited, so don’t wait too long.
Shop now at [www.akinyiskin.com]
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three things we would share with someone starting their business are:
1. Create a plan
2. Be flexible
3. Don`t give up
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful lesson our parents taught us is the importance of perseverance—no matter the storm, you keep moving forward. They showed us that nothing is permanent; challenges come and go, and success is often just on the other side of struggle. In business, there are tough months and great months, but resilience and belief in your vision will always carry you through.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.akinyiskin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akinyiskinofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Akinyiskinofficial
Image Credits
Product photos: Taylor Prinsen Photography
Picture of me and JD: Rominas Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
