We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ms. Lanelle R. E. Henderson. Check out our conversation below.
Lanelle R. E., we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Today, people are in pain, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Statistics show that globally, over 50% of adults suffer from chronic inflammation. Not only does chronic inflammation lead to numerous problems and diseases, it’s the silent killer. We see every day, people struggle with mental issues…usually when it’s too late. This is an ongoing epidemic and we need to pay attention.
Recently, I started teaching aromatherapy classes at two senior centers. The number one issue is inflammation, along with the diseases that accompany pain, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis, to name a few.
My goal in starting this new venture was to bring the spa experience home to focus on stress and relaxation, but now, I have included oil blends to deal with ongoing inflammation. It’s not only been overwhelming, but now I say, oil-whelming. The sad reality is I am reaching a small group when there are so many suffering.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Lanelle Henderson, I am 50+, a serial entrepreneur, making every day matter. My background has been in technology, marketing, real estate and event management for over 25 years. In 2013, my doctor misdiagnosed me three times and I decided to take control of my own health. In 2015, I was burnt out. I spent 5 weeks in bed and reevaluated my entire life. I had recently lost my mom and remember her always saying, “Nell, slow down.” Well, not only did I slow down, I came to a complete stop. For years, I thought I was okay, but I was on a rollercoaster and doing enough to keep a roof over my head and food for fuel, but I was a mess.
I reflected back on my interview in 2018, when I was launching health and wellness events. I enjoyed it. It was and still is much needed. My retreats were a success, and I was working on my aromatherapy products when the pandemic hit. March 12th, I was attending a wellness retreat on Hilton Head Island when the news spread, and we had to leave early to quarantine.
My journey with aromatherapy started at a young age, with my mother addressing and healing my childhood conditions. I didn’t understand the impact then, but within this last decade, it has helped tremendously. It helped me emotionally with the loss of my mother, but when I was injured during the pandemic, it resolved my aching hand in a matter of days when the prescription medication I used for nine months provided no relief at all. After integrating more of the essential oils into my life and family, I realized it was time to go forward and press start.
Spanelle’s Aromatherapy is my new passion and brand, and I become more in love with it each and every day. My clients are happy and satisfied, and some stories bring tears to my eyes. I didn’t realize how much suffering was going on, and I am just glad I can be a solution.
Aromatherapy is the holistic therapeutic application of genuine and authentic plant-derived essential oils for enhancing the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health of the individual. It has been around for centuries, but we have been conditioned to rely on synthetic chemicals and pharmaceuticals to address our symptoms. Understand, some meds do work, but people are tired of taking meds and searching for alternative methods. Essential oils are the alternative. A natural solution to addressing many acute and chronic conditions.
Spanelle’s Aromatherapy products started with aromatherapy candles, bath salts, body oils, linen sprays, and diffuser blends. Now, we have added balms, body scrubs, salves, and custom blends for conditions. If you have arthritis, knee, back, migraines and other ailments, we conduct a wellness consultation and create a special blend for you. Our clients love the custom blends and we’ve received 100% satisfaction rate. This makes me excited. I am smiling again!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship with my mom was priceless. In 2021, as I continued to grieve, I decided to write a book, a memoir of my mom and our relationship with all the lessons she taught me. The book, Babs – Model to Role Model, Lessons on living your best life by enhancing your uniqueness. She was an extraordinary woman, and I am so grateful she was my mom.
My mom lived a full life, and she showed me the way. I only address 40-plus lessons, but there are so many more. It helped me to realize what a gift she was in my life, as well as many others, but how she prepared me for anything. I have started over a few times, but I always land on my feet because of the foundation she (and my father) set. I am ever so grateful and thank her every day, as I wake up and go to bed.
The book shares memories and lessons along with quick mentions of female pioneers in each chapter that impacted me as I grew up. These pioneers, mostly black women who don’t get the credit they deserve but remind us of how amazing and powerful we are and continue to be. The book touches on advocacy, compassion, education, health, history, nutrition, self-care, self-love, style, travel, wellness, and more.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, early January 2021. I was in a real dark place. I left Atlanta and relocated to another state during the pandemic with an injured hand. There was a series of events that had compounded, and I was exhausted and mentally at a point where I did not want to continue. Grief, chronic pain, trauma, and frustration, a new environment, etc, etc, it was a lot.
I wrote a letter to my family and then paused. I didn’t send it because they would be so disappointed in me. I cry every time I think of that moment. I went to bed repeatedly asking God for Help until I fell asleep. The next morning, there was a voice in my room that woke me up. There was no (physical) person in my room. I was in a remote area, but it was a clear and welcoming voice. I rose, planned out my morning, took action, and it became a great day and life-changing.
It’s true. Every day is a new day.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Health is your Wealth!
My mom went back to school to become a registered nurse and made adjustments to our lives by changing our diet when I was suffering from many illnesses. It was one of the many changes that turned things around. More fruits and vegetables. Meal prepping, eliminating sodas, and sugar. Making meals with real food. I know that was the key to improving my conditions. She did it in a subtle way by making meal time fun, colorful, and a family affair. She would ask me to pick a new recipe to expand our range of culinary experiences, and it worked.
Now that I teach these classes, it has become so apparent that people have poor diets and habits. It requires discipline, which is often hard when you are conditioned a certain way for so long. I get so many excuses, but I try to integrate ways for people to make changes to their health. I want to make it fun, rewarding, and attainable.
Nothing changes, if nothing changes…this is true. People want results with their old and bad habits, and it’s just not going to happen. Guidance, a caring network, and accountability help those who want to change. You cannot just tell someone they need to change their diet or lose weight without giving them direction. They need instructions, steps to get them there, and a way to follow through.
I also learned that getting healthy requires dealing with your truth, and that can be painful. There may be trauma or other issues that are affecting one to make a change. I know for me, I needed help, and I always thought I could just snap my finger and get back on track, but when I hit my darkest moment, I needed help, and I asked for it. From that moment when I asked God for Help, to the next day, then calling my aunt and asking for Help. It was the best thing I ever did, and I wish I had asked for help sooner. My aunt, a retired professional, has been so helpful in these past few years. I now talk/cry it out, and she is objective enough to guide me in the right direction. I cannot reiterate it enough: when you need help, ASK FOR HELP!
Aromatherapy helps in so many ways. An aroma can enhance your mood. motivate you, uplift you, as well as reduce inflammation in targeted areas, and so much more. It is complementary to your healthy and wellness journey. Without health, we really don’t have much. When you’re not well, all you think about is what’s hurting you.
With aromatherapy, we don’t have to solely rely on medication. We can use a natural, plant-based approach to addressing our symptoms. Get back to feeling well and enjoying life. One of my clients, who is 83 years old, was walking with a cane. After using the knee blend I made for her, she went out line dancing for the first time. Her daughter was so thankful to me for giving her mom her quality of life back. There are so many more stories I can share. I am just so relieved that I can help others feel good again.
I am committed to educating, sharing, and formulating oils into a variety of products to help people become healthy — it has changed my life, and I want to change others. My motto has always been Life is for Living. So let’s LIVE, and be healthy too.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I have always done what I wanted to do. I have taken my own path, which has led me to where I am today.
I truly believe the roads I have taken have put me right where I need to be. I have a better understanding [of life] that allows me to listen and be helpful to those who are in need.
I started this project to complement my retreats and wellness program. It was a part of enhancing your self-care routine, but Spanelle’s Aromatherapy is more than what it started out to be and has so much more space to fill. I wanted this to finance my law degree, because that has always been my ultimate goal. I am not sure if it’s what I will pursue. My cousin says, it’s still part of the plan…he is always supporting me and I love him for that. He keeps it real and reminds me to take one thing at a time.
I just returned from a wonderful, life-changing Botanical Retreat with the renowned Jade Shutes. I call her the Queen of Aromatherapy. I got certified through her school, and during that program, I learned that there was so much depth to aromatherapy and essential oils; it literally changed the trajectory of the brand and what I can do with it.
My skills and talents make this part of the journey so meaningful. I understand emotional and physical pain, like grief, trauma, and illness, and the healing process. I believe my background in events, marketing, speaking, teaching, and technology will allow me to do so much to share and help others. I was born to use my VOICE, now to speak on Health, Wellness, and Power of Aromatherapy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.spanelles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spanelles2go
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanelleh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spanelles
