Today we’d like to introduce you to Aahnesti MendezAlcantara.
Aahnesti, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, I was in a pursuit of creating a greater life for me and my children. I was working as a certified nurse assistant at Monmouth Care Center and although I absolutely loved what I did I knew that I was still exchanging time for money. I knew that even though I’ve convinced myself that working was for my children, I realized I would never be able to get the time missed with my children again I had had enough and I knew I needed a change so I remember I went into prayer and fasting asking God to show me what I needed to do so that I can be on my right path and I remember I felt sure about what the Lord told me I was to leave my job and start a business. Now keep in mind this was 2020 during the shut down for Covid. I had so many questions with the Lord about how in the world that could be accomplished but I was obedient and I listened and before you know it, I said OK well if I’m gonna do this, what exactly am I going to do and he said the answer was in my house. I’m thinking again about how I could accomplish this business. I was even more confusion because I thought how can I start a business when I have no job and no money. But again, I was obedient and sooner or later, I did began doing research having an interest for natural healing from herbs and flowers and how they could be beneficial to the skin hair and body. I ended up slowly, but surely writing things down and being led to purchase certain things ingredients and started creating. After moving, I offically formulated my first product my best selling product, which is the Milagroso Oil. This multifunctional oil is the oil that was the thing used to help my daughter since her hospitalizatio. for her eczema while itching her broken skin got infected, and she had blisters all over her body, and that really inspired me to try to create a solution for my daughter. I had already went to the doctors had cream for her like Eucerin Aquaphor, and none of those helps fully heal just temporarily assist. So in 2021 I began testing the oil on her skin from the time period between January up to June. And with years of scarring, she had lots of deep scarring irritation from her arms her belly her legs, her neck she was bullied for this, but in June 2021 was when my daughters skin was fully healed. At that moment, I never knew I would formally lead an oil that would heal eczema and so I now continue and inspire to help more children and families and people who are struggling with eczema or psoriasis. Later on expanding into natural soaps, vegan soaps, milk soaps, and Himalayan salt scrubs and cocoa body butter, all products rid of artificial scents— either in their natural state or essential oils. I eventually ended up finding the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey and getting into a entrepreneurship program called the HETP program. It was something that I truly appreciated since it educated me on the legality of business needs and requires for success. Exposing me to a world I never anticipated I could be a part of . Someone especially someone like me who came from dysfunction betrayal molestation a lot of brokenness I never would have imagine that I would’ve had a business or even come across a group of people that I could be a part of; that understood what it is to be in the pursuit of greatness. And from there many opportunities were presented and now being recognized as a manufacturer in New Jersey. My whole goal now will be to inspire my local community, Long Branch, a very diverse town in hope that I could inspire people to believe that they are much more than what they have experience in life. What has happened to them in life if they choose to just think greater of themselves and to think of gifts they might have inside that could be of service to the world. When I was a little girl I always said I wanted to change the world. I wanted to make a difference and it wasn’t until I sought God I was able to operate in this level of intelligence, this level of faith, this level of strength and Hope. I hope to share that with many people to accomplish this vision of having warehouse to better manage and maintain production efficiently to keep spreading great products and hope. life isn’t easy and although I have been in business for 4 years it has still been difficult to obtain this. The greatest thing I could learn from this is to never give up and at the least, I’m working towards my goal. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. This is the little version of my story.
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?
well the first struggle that I’ve come across was actually believing that I could even be a business owner. Let alone, create a product good enough to sell. I pondered if people would ever see the value in what I have created. My biggest challenge in the beginning of journey would be changing my mindset. After working on that, I have gained newly found confidence that inspired me to work on my products. The other problem I came across was trying to afford the things I needed to make the products and etc. I realized there were more things to think of besides the product but the packaging costs, marketing cost, taxes, etc. In that I gave myself time to slowly work on those things. Slow doesn’t mean I am failing—Slowly gives opportunity for greater intellect.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Outside of my business, I also serve as a teacher, which allows me to educate and guide others on how to start and grow their own businesses. One of the aspects I value most about my work is the ability to express creativity while providing meaningful solutions to my customers.
I am confident in what I do because I offer more than just a product—I provide an experience that encourages individuals to reconnect with themselves. With every order, I take time to pray and intercede for each customer, lifting up their families, finances, and work. My hope is that, beyond receiving a quality product, they also experience personal restoration and alignment in their lives.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories was my before my poppop passing I remember him walking the stairs while doing a little dance and a huge smile on his face while there was this r and b song on blasting through the house and he grabbed my grandma and danced with her for a moment. She then went back in the kitchen to finish cooking and I just felt genuinely happy and feel the love in her home. This made me smile too
Pricing:
- Milagroso oil 37
- Himilayin salt scrub 16
- Body butter 18
- Chocolatela soap bar 12
- Dande Mar Goatmilk soap bar 10
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.njhhs.org
- Instagram: heavenly_healing_solutions
- Facebook: HEAVENLYHEALINGSOAPS
- LinkedIn: Aahnesti MendezAlcantara
Image Credits
Photo of Alannah Kacee taken by Victor
(Otro Rollo Films LLC)
