We were lucky to catch up with Shanayvia Lattimore recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shanayvia , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose came after a close brush with death, an experience that forever changed me. I’ll never forget that night. It was 10:30 pm on June 21st, 2022, just three weeks before the delivery of our third child. My husband had just returned from refereeing a few basketball games, and we were sitting on our bedroom floor, talking about our evening. When I got up to use the restroom, I suddenly felt extremely lightheaded and couldn’t keep my balance. I called out to my husband, “I feel weird and need to lie down.” He immediately helped me to the bed. Despite feeling freezing cold, I was sweating profusely. About 10 minutes later, I felt something running down my leg and realized something was wrong. My husband lifted the covers and, with tears in his eyes, said, “You’re bleeding.” We quickly called my OBGYN, who advised us to call an ambulance immediately.
Long story short, my placenta had detached, and I was bleeding internally, with three-quarters of the blood in my body pooled in my uterus. My baby no longer had a heartbeat, and my own heartbeat was fading quickly. I knew I was dying and there was nothing I could do. I looked at my husband and our boys, knowing they might be left with only memories of me. As I was given anesthesia to deliver my stillborn baby, I prayed to a higher power for another chance to be with my family. I woke in the ICU 24 hours later.
The moment was bittersweet; I was alive, despite slim chances, but had lost my second child. Faced with this reality, I chose life. I promised myself to live intentionally, create loving memories for my family, and pursue my passion for blending nature and hair care.
Sincerely A.B.W. is more than a brand; it is love, healing, and my gift to the world in a bottle. It represents my love and desire for people to embrace their unique qualities, starting with their hair. Our mission is to spread love, one drop at a time. My experience taught me that we control nothing and time is precious. So, live in the moment, love yourself, and remember that love can comfort the deepest wounds.
Sincerely,
A Black Woman
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
As a proud native of the historic town of Selma, Alabama, I carry the values and lessons from my roots wherever I go. At ten years old, my family and I moved to Baytown, Texas, driven by work opportunities. My father, hailing from the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Lucia, instilled in me a deep appreciation for herbal healing, a tradition prevalent in Caribbean culture. Whenever my siblings or I fell ill, my father would prepare “Bush” (herbal) tea, and his knowledge of herbal medicine kept us healthy, rarely needing a doctor.
Inspired by my father’s wisdom, I began creating my own herbal remedies to keep my family healthy and their immune systems strong. Following personal losses, I encountered significant hair and scalp health issues. I channeled my passion and knowledge of herbs into hair care, addressing the growing demand for natural hair care products.
Today, my focus is to expand our brand, starting with a new oil specifically designed for individuals dealing with Seborrheic Dermatitis, set to release in Winter 2024. Additionally, we are planning to introduce a full herbal hair care line, including shampoo, deep conditioner, and styler, in 2025. Our journey is driven by a commitment to healing and nurturing through nature, and we are dedicated to bringing the best in natural hair care to our community and beyond..
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As a small business owner, I’ve found that certain qualities and skills have been particularly impactful on my journey:
1.) Knowledge and History of Working with Herbs: Understanding the power of herbs has been foundational to my business. It’s a unique expertise that sets my products apart.
2.) Perseverance and Faith in My Ability: Believing in my potential and my vision has driven me to create something truly amazing.
3.) Humility and Acceptance: Recognizing that my products won’t work for everyone and being okay with that has kept me grounded and open to continuous improvement.
To anyone starting their entrepreneurial journey, my advice is simple: bet on YOU. There might be countless reasons why you feel you can’t do it, but there are just as many reasons why you should. Focus on those positive reasons and dive in without regrets. Entrepreneurship is a unique path filled with twists and turns. Embrace the lessons that come with the journey, and use them to make yourself and your business better. Believe in yourself, stay resilient, and remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The primary challenge I am currently facing is securing the necessary funding to grow the business at the desired pace. As the saying goes, “it takes money to make money.” To address this, I am actively applying for grant opportunities and reaching out to various businesses to feature my products in their stores. Additionally, I am open to investor partnerships to support our expansion efforts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sincerelyabw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincerelyabw/
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/sincerelyabw
Image Credits
All photos were taken with my iPhone
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
