We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Benson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angela, 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?
Long story short, God. Life has a way of making you learn how to adapt to uncomfortable situations. Having resilience does not mean that we have to figure it out on our own, but I believe it is more so recognizing that it is okay to need help. I grew up without my mom due to racial discrimination on her side of the family; this alone caused me to be hyper-independent to avoid abandonment. My dad passed away in 2013 and then I learned that being strong wasn’t a choice for me, it was a lifestyle. In 2020, at the peak of COVID19, I was hit by a car as a pedestrian, 5 days after giving birth to my son who was one month early. This caused me to have a back injury (multiple disc herniations) and to be in a great amount of pain most of the time. I suffered with depression, caring for a newborn while also trying to care for myself by attending physical therapy, as well a chiropractor weekly. I was always expected to have this supernatural capability to handle any situation that has been thrown at me. I am however human, so the only explanation of where my resilience could have possibly come from, is God.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Overall, I am an entrepreneur. I am currently a triage hospice nurse. This works well for me due to my weight lifting limitations after my back injury. I have also recently taught nursing clinicals for University of Detroit Mercy. Right now I am focusing on building my self care business. RNtentional was an idea I wrote down in my prayer journal in 2018 and was not watered until the pandemic. Working in the hospital in 2020 was life changing. I watched nurses including myself skip meals, bathroom breaks, and rest to care for the loved ones of others. We were drinking coffee instead of water and always on our feet. On Easter of 2020 I said “I need to make non-toxic self care products specifically for nurses.” I shortly realized that EVERYONE needs self care. I had already been making things for myself, but I had no idea what I was doing. While I was out of work and recovering, I earned a certificate in Natural Skincare Product Making. I was able to use the skills learned during this time to perfect my own recipes and become comfortable creating. I now create customized Self Care Boxes. After doing a “Self Care Consultation”, I make products specifically meant to cater to those needs. The self care boxes also include: prayer cards, affirmations, self care checklist, etc. Social media allows me to share tutorials on ways to make non-toxic products at home for the household, or to help anyone is interested in starting a business. RNtentional is also teaching 3rd-5th graders about health, wellness, and self care. We cover unique lessons such as aromatherapy, journaling, entrepreneurship, and I show kids how to create products such as bath bombs, and sugar scrubs. My main focus is to be intentional with self care: avoiding toxins by being cautious of what we put in and on our bodies, providing all natural alternatives, and just overall raising awareness. I am continuously evolving and I am loving the process.
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?
That’s a great question: compassion, inquisitiveness, and patience. Compassion is number one for me because it motivates me to provide an experience that feels like love. I am a big advocate for self love, as well as caring for yourself and I want my products to radiate love in a way that really feels like I care, because truly I do. Being inquisitive causes me to constantly do research, as I realize that you can never know too much. I am always reading, experimenting, and asking questions. Patience is big for me because it’s something that came over the years. I had to learn how to be patient through experiences. I don’t worry about making sales, my next move, or even my failures. I know that I am on the right path and this journey will take time. My greatest advice is to give yourself GRACE. You are capable of achieving your goals as long as you put the work in. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it. Keep pushing.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am definitely looking forward to collaborating with multiple people in 2024. This past year I have realized that it would be so time consuming to make everything that goes into my self care boxes. I am looking for those who make non-toxic products that can contribute to self care such as: hair care products, candles, tools, print outs, etc. I would love to work with people who are interested in positive self talk, healing journeys, and education as well. Please feel free to reach out via email: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: RNtentional.etsy.com
- Instagram: RNtentional
- Facebook: RNtentional
