Conversations with the Inspiring Shelena Racquel Omokaro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelena Racquel Omokaro.

Shelena Racquel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Circa 2009, as I sit in my apartment on Euclid Avenue debating if I would take my sister up on her offer to move to Atlanta, GA, I was overwhelmed with a multitude of emotions. A part of me wanted the move. I was desperately seeking a new beginning. I envisioned moving to the south, embracing a new scene, the beautiful, new people and the unknown. The other part of me feared the unknown. Moving meant I would not have a place to call my own, a car, a job or the necessities to get by. I was conflicted and confused. However, I began to pray. I remember going to my eldest son’s bedroom and praying. My prayer was for God to give me peace and clarity in my decision. Long story short, God did just that. June 2009, the transition from Cleveland, Ohio to Marietta, Georgia took place. Needless to say, it was one of the best decisions of my life. I’m an artist and a designer. Therefore, I am very sensitive to my environments and the atmosphere.

Once I moved to Marietta, although I had no car, no job, and no house to call my own, I had peace like I never experienced before. I knew it was nothing but the GRACE of God, because how can one have peace when there are so many pieces missing? God was holding my hand and leading every step of the way. I always said I was rewarded for the leap of faith I took moving away from almost everything and everyone I knew. Within 2 years, God had blessed me with more than I ever could have imagined. Within months of my transition, I was blessed with a job, a brand new car and a beautiful apartment. Additionally, I went back to school to major in my passion, Fashion Marketing, and Design.

In 2011, God gave me my greatest blessing of my life, my husband. 9 months later, he added to the blessing with the birth of my second son.

In 2012, I began Handcrafted Body Butters by Shelena Racquel.

In 2013, I earned my Bachelors of Fashion Marketing and Design degree.

In 2014, I had my third son.

In 2015, I launched Diary of Queen Esther. I always say “everyone has a story.” For me, no matter how great things appeared on the outside, I still felt incomplete, sad, broken, bitter, scared, confused and controlled by fear. I am the voice of a girl who mastered smiling and laughing through internal bondage. I would always tell God “I just wanted to be happy.” I hungered to know what success and prosperity felt like.

The mental and financial struggle had worn me down. Bad decision making left me exhausted. Being unsatisfied with who I have hindered me from enjoying any of my blessings. To sum it all up, I was a mess. However, little did I know, I was praying to the ultimate FIXER of all messes. There is no mess, and I mean no mess, that’s too much for our Lord God and Savior to clean up. As I stand here today, for the first time in a long time, I’m learning to manage the pains of my past. I am no longer controlled by things I can’t control. Today, I am INSPIRED to inspire others to know life is what we make it. Life can be beautiful, uplifting and liberating. Although life can be hard and knock us down sometimes, we have the authority through Christ Jesus to LIVE, LOVE and be all God created us to be.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No. In fact, my road has been anything but smooth. I became a first-time mom at 17. I was a senior in highschool and to this day, I can still remember my parents telling me, “dropping out of school is not an option.” I come from a very loving and supportive family. As a result, my mom and dad have always been my backbone and my spine. They never allowed me to bend, break or fall. Daily, I’m thankful for that.

However, there are some things that even the toughest parents can’t protect you from. My struggles have always come from getting out of my head and allowing myself to live. Self-doubt, guilt, shame, defeat, the lack of confidence and fear can and will cripple an even strongest person.

Since 17, I’ve lived my life battling with who I am vs. who I aspire to become. Never measuring high enough to applaud the person I see in the mirror daily. See, for some of us, facing the world is easy but facing ourselves is where the challenge lies. Seeing the best and beauty in others while focusing on inner flaws had become my daily routine.

Wearing the best concealer to cover the blemishes to avoid anyone seeing my scars became my go-to solution. Allowing myself to marinate in a place of pity and past mistakes tormented me daily. Consistently asking God questions like “Who am I?” “Why was I created?” “What was I created to do?” became my place of purpose, refuge, and resolution. I’ve come to find God always knows how and when to find you. Even in the lowest places, He’ll always come for you.

Approaching God with pure humility, brokenness, and transparency, was where my future was. See, you can’t see the inside of something unless it’s either transparent or broken. God consistently shows me the best of who He created me to be when I’m transparent and/or broken. It’s when he allows me to look past my past, bad choices and flaws. He shows me my heart. Brokenly sitting with Him is when I learned the beauty in pain.

What should we know about Diary Of Queen Esther? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have an online fashion boutique called Diary Of Queen Esther. My specialty is providing a lifestyle. I wanted to create an online presence where women can purchase quality and unique fashion items at an affordable cost. Offering “different” or unique fashion items is one of the things DOQE is most known for.

Additionally, Handcrafted Body by Shelena Racquel has taken a life of its own. This is our all natural skin care line. No toxins, no parabens, no sulfates, and no colorants. I started this skin care line to avoid using unnatural lotions and soaps on my children. It was truly a hobby turned business. Within a couple of years, our soaps have gained recognition as being an amazing cleaning bar. The number one response I receive is “I can’t believe how dirty my tub was.” That’s what they say! So, I always tell people when using the soap, take the bath test. That way you can see how much dirt is removed from your body. Once they see that, they’re hooked.

Additionally, the soaps smell really good. I use real and all natural herbs. I personally source the oils and herbs. That’s important to me. I look for oils and herbs that serve a purpose for the inner and outside the body. Everything we use on our skin seeps into our pores and bloodstream within seconds. Chemical imbalance is real. Making all natural skin care products is my way of restoring the health and wellness of people all while providing them with dope fashion and style.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
Connections in life affect your direction. I would advise surround yourself with a circle of people
that fuel + feed your purpose. Connect with some accountability partners. Find a prayers warrior or two. Surround yourself with some people that know more than you as well as one of the two you can help and be of service to.

What had worked for me is one of my prayers is always for God to surround me with the right people. As a result, I use discernment when it comes down to connecting with people. The right connection happens very organically. I met my first fashion mentor through one of my old classmates. It was her mom. Mrs. Marcia immediately took me under her wings and began to teach sewing in addition to inspiring me to find manufacturers to produce my designs. She wanted nothing more for me then to see me win. I believe when it happens that organically, that God design.

Additionally, YouTube can be a great source to find mentors. I’ve never met Dr. Myles Munroe or Bishop T.J Jakes. However, by way of YouTube, they have become some of my greatest mentors.

I believe when you get on the right track, you’ll know because the right people will find you.

Pricing:

• Our soaps start at $6.00 a bar.
• Body Butters start at $12.00 jar.
• Our clothes range from $15.00- $149.00

Contact Info:

• Address: 3330 Cobb Pkwy Ste.324-143
  Acworth, GA 30101
• Website: www.diaryofqueenesther.com
• Phone: 216-990-3841
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Diary Of Queen Esther
• Facebook: Diary Of Queen Esther
• Twitter: Diary Of Queen Esther

Image Credit:
Rehobath Media www.rehobath.com

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