Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhishona Gaines.
Rhishona, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My father is an herbalist. His methods and knowledge that he poured into me followed me into adulthood, and more importantly motherhood. He is the reason I became an herbalist. I made almost everything for my little family’s body care, medicine and household needs by hand. As the people who I worked with noticed, they started asking me to make things for them as well. I would sell little bottles of product to them for a small price. At this time, I still hadn’t seen myself having a business until speaking to my hairstylist, Anita Spencer while getting my hair retwisted. I was venting to her on how I wanted to be home with my baby (my youngest son who was a baby at the time) and homeschool my eldest son. I had also told her that my coworkers were requesting products that I made for my family. Then she said, well there’s your business, that’s how you can stay home with your baby and homeschool. Four and a half years later, here I am.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The very beginning of my journey definitely came with some challenges. I didn’t truly know the business structure so I have been learning as I go. It’s hard to find mentors when you start your journey.
One of the biggest things I learned was to pace myself and to not be everywhere. You must master one thing before going to another.
I have recently also learned the importance of a team. As my business grew it became so hard to keep up with everything by myself. Now we have employees to help keep up with our demand.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Herbun Energy story. Tell us more about the business.
Herbun Energy (pronounced Urban Energy) specializes in all-natural supplements, bath and body care. It was created to educate our community on trusting the earth and the herbs that come from it and provide better options for our health.
We are well known for our multitude of yoni washes, men’s intimate wash (Inner-G), and our Gina juice: yoni oil which will light your whole sex life up.
I have so many nicknames that people have been given me because of these products: Vagina Whisperer, Pum Pum Fairy Godmother, etc.
Herbun Energy is known to educate and provide the truth on products. We are not in business to persuade sell things just for a profit. We become family with our customers and treat them as such. We want the best for our family. And we are here to help as much as we can.
I am most proud of my company for how much we give back to our community. When possible, we donate to the needs of single mothers and are now looking into sickle cell nonprofits to contribute to
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
These are the people I have to thank for being apart of my team. They have assisted in our growth.
Business coach: Latasha Brooks
Financial Advisor: Rodney Cooper
Business Advisor: Ki-era Groover
Strategy Consultant: Kendra J. Lewis
My employees
My mom, family and friends have encouraged me along the way and were always there when I needed to be uplifted.
Contact Info:
- Address: 121 E 8th Street, Jacksonville FL 32206
- Website: HerbunEnergy.com
- Phone: 9048750149
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herbun_energy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerbunEnergy/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerbunEnergy
Image Credit:
Rhishona Gaines, Rik James, Shiya Scott, Aniah Rogers, Aiyana Jackson
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