Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Rivera.
Hi Marlene, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began making candles in 2002 while pregnant with my first son. While he was a toddler, I found out that not only was he allergic to the sun but any sunscreen containing paraben. This is when I became conscious of my environment and what I put both on and in my body. Reading ingredients on lotions, soaps, balms and other products I regularly used inspired me to start making my own along with embracing a “cleaner” lifestyle.
In 2019, I had my 3rd son and by the time he was 6 months I had tried just about everything to help with his eczema. I took this as an opportunity to tweak my lotion and bath bombs and its been a treat for his skin.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life, at this point who hasn’t on some level. There has always been a weird stigma surrounding it that also took me years to break free from. If you’re sad, keep it to yourself. If you’re struggling, keep it to yourself. If you have panic attacks, *gasps and clutches pearls* keep it to yourself. This silent struggled prevented me from seeking the help I needed to stay consistent with my business and maintain healthy relationships.
Whatever the reason or motivation behind thinking that you should keep your struggles to yourself will never equate to the amazing feeling of accepting your authentic self and seeking the professional help you need. I get not making it the narrative for your entire life but in order to begin the healing process you have to face what you need to heal. Once you learn to stand in your truth and stop hiding behind it you’ll learn you are not the only one that struggles with “insert whatever you struggle with”. Something about no longer being ashamed of what others have been taught to be ashamed of that truly frees your spirit to find its true purpose and soul tribe.
I think so many of us experience challenges in life. Its what we choose to do with the experience that will make or break us, Live authentically!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make soy candles, lotion, bath bombs, lip balm, face mask, shower steamers and emulsified sugar scrubs. I make everything from scratch using paraben, phthalate and formaldehyde free ingredients. I love that I’ve been able to stick to my business’ core values even before it was the trendy thing to do and I know my customers appreciate that.
Fun/scary fact; In the US we only have about 11 cosmetic ingredients banned while the UK has about 1300 cosmetic ingredients banned. I’ve known this for so many years and whenever I tell anyone it’s news to them.
Our skin is our largest organ and whatever we put on it will automatically be absorbed into our body. When I’m formulating a new recipe it’s always important for me that the ingredients are as natural as possible and most of the time plant based so I’ll reference that UK list often.
What were you like growing up?
I was born in New York and raised in the Bronx to entrepreneurial parents. During Pre k and Kindergarten I lived in Puerto Rico with my Grandmother and Aunt. I learned English in First grade and attended Catholic school for most of my school years. At the age of 15, I moved to Puerto Rico with family and then to Orlando at 17.
Contact Info:
- Email: Marlene@MusaNatural.com
- Website: www.MusaNatural.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/musanaturalllc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/musanaturalllc
Image Credits
Marlene Rivera
