Today we’d like to introduce you to Beauvais Magazine.
Beauvais Magazine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Representation. The word that I lacked while I would straighten my 4c hair wishing I was a lighter skin tone. Healthy. I only considered this word to be in a physical state while I was succumbing to my depression. Holistic. A term that I did not consider to be relevant to one’s health journey.
So how did a low self-esteem dark skin Haitian-American girl who grew up in a predominantly white town, create a magazine that highlighted all individuals while improving their health? Well, 1. God. I had to understand that I was created in his perfect image. 2. Community. While obtaining my B.S. in Behavioral Health at Penn State, I finally had a community that not only looked like me, but that could understand me on a holistic level. Representation.
During my time as an undergrad, I faced a different beast. Health. Up to this point, I only considered health in a physical state. I was dealing with crippling depression and anxiety which prompted me to undergo therapy. Receiving assurance, tools, and understanding how to process, and find solutions, I prioritized my mental health similarly to my physical health. Holistic.
The increase in my mental health led to an increase in my physical health, spiritual health, nutritional health, home health, and social health as well. By being firm in who I was, how I perceived myself and life, and how I can take action to become solution-oriented, I applied to be a cover star at my university’s magazine, Valley Magazine. I was introduced to the world of publication and fashion, the world that has the most impact on society.
Beauvais Magazine was born. Taking a look at existing lifestyle guides online, I realized that they only targeted the wealthy who had the means to purchase expensive health products. Where a lifestyle guide would recommend a $500 skin cream, we would recommend organic skin products from accessible stores like Dollar General, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more. There was a lack of representation for those with low SES, minorities, amputees, paraplegics, individuals with autism, down syndrome, those with vitiligo, strabismus (lazy eyes), and other unhighlighted features in the media.
Due to this, they suffered worse health outcomes similar to what I faced growing up. The holistic presence integrated itself by understanding that once an individual has access to healthy resources, and is mentally, physically, nutritionally, spiritually, and home healthy, empowerment is created. Once empowerment is created, anyone is unstoppable.
By using my magazine as a life guide, I became the Founder of a platform that has changed and saved lives. We continue to grow and expand and are always looking for those to share their stories and talents on our platforms for others to see as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road. The most struggle has come in the form of imposter syndrome. As a CEO of a platform like this, the audience looks to you for hope and as a leader. There are some days when I am not holistically healthy and am not confident. I thought I was a failure, but I had to understand that admitting that you are not okay some days is self-care, which fits with our Mental Health Monday.
Another struggle was pitching to investors and having them believe in our mission. We are still in the process, and it is frustrating. An idea that is unique, can not be replicated because the source is me. A founder who understands because she was in the same fight, is what I want those who invest financially and emotionally to see as well. This platform is for everyone because society at one moment has isolated us. However together, we can create a beautiful social media platform devoid of unhealthy news and habits.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are the only platform that contains holistic health information that highlights amputees, mental and physical disabilities, all genders and ethnicities, and SES status. Having two degrees in public health has equipped me with health, especially understanding population health relating to SES. Not even fashion houses or runway shows are as inclusive as our magazine. We are here to change the way that representation is shown in the media.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Beauvais Magazine would not exist without the support of God, my parents, friends, and family. Beauvais Magazine would not exist, and become what is without my Chief Financial Officer Brendan Erwin, my Marketing Officer Ceci Castro, my Chief Technology Officer Jessa-Saint Laurent, and the previous staff members who also helped towards this goal.
Thank you to Valley magazine for the spark, and also to my professors at The Pennsylvania State University, especially Dr. Joann Foley-DeFiore, and my professors in my graduate program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beauvaismagazine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauvaismagazine/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beauvaismagazine
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauvais-magazine-a7a8b2249/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BEAUVAISMAG
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClB_2o2xmqbm3ErkYD1JGKw
