Today we’d like to introduce you to Ja-Naisah Salters.
Ja-Naisah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
“I never dreamed of success, I worked for it.” Growing up in Essex County, NJ, I always felt like I did not belong because my goals were bigger than the city I am from. I always imagined more for myself. I knew the only way was to persevere, discipline, and work for it. I grew up with a young parent that yearned to be my friend instead of my parent just like many black girls have experienced and are experiencing today. Kids should not have kids, but they do. It does not “just happen”. My mother made the conscious decision to have sex, get pregnant, and become a teen mom. She did the best that she could raising me with the help from her mother, my grandmother. I always had a roof over my head, fancy clothes, extravagant birthday celebrations, and food to eat, however it was difficult interacting with a heartbroken, scorned, young parent. I guess it seemed like I had a great childhood, but I always wished and hoped for more in life. One day, my mom said to me, “Always be better than me”, and for some reason everyday after that, I remembered those words like it was embedded in my blood.
So I graduated from Newark Tech High School where I studied Business. Then, I graduated from Montclair State University with my Bachelor of Arts. I even paid for myself to Travel Abroad in London while attending college. I funded it myself because my parent would not help me for her own irrational reasons. During this life-changing experience for me, my mother disposed of a lot of my belongings while I was living on campus. It hurt me a lot, but many black parents do not pay attention to the hurt they are causing their children.
When I moved back home, I worked hard and tried to build my own life as an adult just getting out of college. My mother did not respond well to me being an adult, so I was physically and violently kicked out of her home by her and escorted by police authorities in front of my younger sister. This was, by far, the worst experience ever for me, mainly because my young sister would also be traumatized by what she has witnessed in her own household. As a result, I packed everything I could in my car, left and never looked back to avoid further traumatizing my sister. Fortunately, I crashed at different friends’ and family members’ houses for a few years until I was able to get my own.
After college, it was difficult finding a job in my field due to “lack of experience” even though I had my degree and completed internships during college in the Fashion Merchandising field. In 2018, a year after graduating college, I began my career in skincare. The moment I received my first facial ever, I realized everyone needs to feel this tranquil feeling of complete relaxation, all while treating and maintaining healthy skin. In March of 2018, I graduated from Capri Institute in Kenilworth with my Esthetics license. Healthy skin begins within, meaning making healthier choices pertaining to what you ingest, put on your body, and in your home. Healthy skin is a lifestyle. As an African American woman, it is pertinent that we take extra care of our melanin skin, as it is easy to permanently harm our skin with toxic ingredients. There are so many synthetic, toxic ingredients used in the Cosmetic Industry linked to cancer such as Synthetic Fragrance, Phthalates, Parabens, PEG (Polyethylene Glycol, and the most popular of them all Retinol. In the US, beauty products are largely unregulated, putting our melanin skin at a greater risk to become permanently damaged.
After experiencing the horrifying act of TSA at the airport disposing of my skincare products that did not meet the TSA requirements, I formulated what is now our #1 Best Selling Product today. When I arrived in Cancun, Mexico I had to figure something out quickly to exfoliate and hydrate my skin during my trip. At the hotel, I saw a packet of ground coffee, bought a jar of coconut oil from 7/11 across the street from the hotel, and combined the two to create her #1 Selling All Natural Coffee Exfoliant. I have formulated an entire skincare line of products with 100% natural ingredients such as Manuka Honey, Coconut Oil, Green Coffee, and Premium Shea Butter to naturally treat and maintain healthy, melanated skin.
After receiving training and experience at Massage Envy franchises, I have added Mobile Spa services to my company, Beauty Begins Within Skincare bringing beauty to your doorsteps. My treatments are designed to deliver dramatic results to reveal new and brighter skin. However, it is imperative that our skin is treated and maintained daily at home after each treatment, along with living a happy, healthy, positive lifestyle.
Beauty begins with your inner beauty, making better choices for yourself and your environment, acting in kindness, using non-toxic products, forming routines progressive to your success in life, and becoming worry-free.
Despite traumatizing events, I remained true to myself and my goals. So, my young black kings and queens keep going, even though your situation may be uncomfortable. Everything happens for a reason. There is always a solution to your problems. Continue to preserve and discipline yourself focusing on your life goals, avoiding any situations that would deter you from reaching those goals. If no one believes in you, you believe in you and know that God has already worked it out for you so keep going!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, I have experienced struggles along the way to my success, however those struggles have made me a better decision-maker. The violent acts from my mother has traumatized me, but I’ve learned that those acts were not personal. I empathize with my mother because she has not healed from her traumatizing experiences she has faced growing up. I have always lacked a father figure, but that has made me a stronger person learning how to do all the things a father should do for myself instead. Everything happens for a reason.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for making people feel and look more beautiful with mobile skincare services and natural, cruelty-free, vegan skincare products. I am most proud of the brand I have created despite traumatizing situations. My skincare brand focus on healthy living and healthy skin. Healthy skin can be best achieved by a healthy lifestyle, which many skincare brands do not emphasize. It is more than putting ingredients on your skin. but the ingredients that go into your body as well. God has always been very present throughout my entire life and it shows.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Everything happens for reason.
Pricing:
- Coffee Scrub 2 oz. $15, 4 oz. $30
- Black Cream Cleanse 2 oz. $15
- Turmeric Face and Body 2 oz. $20, 4 oz. $32
- High Frequency Treatment $200
- Strawberry Lemonade Facial $115
Contact Info:
- Email: beautybeginswithinn@gmail.com
- Website: www.bbeginswithin.com
- Instagram: @bbeginswithin
- Facebook: @bbeginswithin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUetG2O6WX1WrSdenElUttg
