We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Charbonneau a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Amy, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I have a mom who believed I could do anything and when life was especially hard for me, she would remind me that I was not made to blend in, I was made to shine, something I often remind my own daughter! Beyond my mother, my confidence and self-esteem have come through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I have a BA in Bible and theology, and a MA in intercultural studies. I firmly believe we are all created uniquely with special gifts, talents, abilities and stories only we can live. Arriving at that place is not easy. My own story, which I have written about in Scars to Stars volume 3 and The New Rules of Wellness (both global collaborative works and both available on Amazon) contributed further to my mental health and wellness. When we tell our story, we find connection and belonging.
You see, I have studied the Christian and Hebrew bible for decades, but it has only been in the last 5 years I have really gained revelation and understanding. I live from a place of complete peace and joy, even when life throws me a curve ball. This internal security allows me to be me in business and personal life alike.
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 an avid Learner! For me, learning is the first step to thriving. When I learn something new, I attempt to implement that new thing within one week. That being said, my life has been a major DIY-style, creative, adventurous expression of the knowledge I gain. Learning to formulate safe, non-toxic skincare products for my family became a passion rooted in a love of make-overs! Since I was about 5 years old, I have loved giving people make-overs. My family would often be subject to my model quest and I would apply make-up, curl and style hair, dress up in accessories to my hearts content, and my family’s great patience!
As a young adult, I became a licensed Cosmetologist and thoroughly enjoyed helping women feel better about the skin they are in. Standing behind a chair, listening to stories, and being part of their life held deep meaning for me. This connection drives me to craft amazing products to meet the skincare challenges the women (and sometimes men) in my world were facing.
Make-overs have developed beyond only skin, I now help people get a heart make-over through my House of Joy spiritual coaching and mentorship program as one aspect of our wholistic approach to beauty.
In 2024, Awaken Joy Skincare will be relaunching our website to create a more interactive experience. I will be adding 1:1 skincare consultations this Spring! You can follow us @awakenjoyskincare to stay tuned.
And House of Joy will officially launch to the broader public by summer 2024.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Passion, application, and intentionality would be the three qualities that most define my journey. The year “intentionality” was my word-of-the-year was an intense year of growth, pushing me beyond my own limitations into a place of freedom to thrive. To the people early in their journey, I would encourage you to create a vision board that articulates and provides imagery to the big picture dream in your heart – the ultimate impact you hope to leave in the world. Then, I would seek to hang out with people a little further along the journey than you are at this moment. You will glean from their expertise, trials, and errors and avoid many of the pitfalls of building a business. I would also encourage you to read a business book at least 1 per quarter. That would give you knowledge, 4 times per year, to keep you motivated to grow.
I would also say, “learn to say no!” Distractions and shiny new opportunities pop up every day! Trust me on this….I have caved a time or two. But when you learn to focus on the vision that resonates with the passion in your heart, you will learn to quickly discern what is helpful from what is harmful to your continued success.
You will develop into a one-of-a-kind leader who is able to communicate the heart of your business with passion and your right-fit-clients will be drawn to you!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My husband (Scott) is my biggest cheerleader! He has encouraged and supported all my educational pursuits (which are still in the making), as well as all my artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors. Scott is my best friend and confidant and I enjoy being able to hash out thoughts, brainstorm strategies, and dream with him.
I am also an avid reader and networker! I love to connect with like-minded, passionate, heart-driven entrepreneurs who want to make an impact in the daily lives of people they serve. When I hang around these change-makers, I discover and learn new tech skills, mental health skills, and find belonging that spurs me on. If I were to recommend a few books, I would suggest these three for starters:
How to Write Copy That Sells by Ray Edwards – for learning to write your content strategically
Emotional Intelligence 2.o by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves – for learning to handle your emotions so they don’t handle you
and Joy Starts Here: the transformation zone by E. James Wilder, Edward M. Khouri, Christ M. Coursey and Shelia D. Sutton – for the spiritual connection to the incredible person you are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://awakenjoyskincare.com
- Instagram: @awakenjoyskincare
- Facebook: facebook.com/awakenjoyskincare
Image Credits
Jazmin Skinner Blair Voss
