New Venture into Clean Conscious Market with Shop LOHAS World
WHAT IS CLEAN CONSCIOUS LIVING?
You’ve probably seen the term peppered across advertisements promoting a brand’s commitment to eco-friendly, sustainable practices and the efficacy of the natural ingredients in its products.
Conscious living is really about embracing a lifestyle that considers the well-being of our planet in our daily routines of physical and mental well-being.
ARE YOU FOLLOWING YOUR PASSION?
In the early ‘90s, after dropping my interior design pursuit, I pivoted to a collateral major in energy and environmental studies to complement my political science Bachelor of Arts degree at Hunter College in NYC. At the time, I wanted to be a lawyer. Yes, I know, another lawyer when so many would tell me we didn’t need another lawyer.
So, what did I do? I did what any twenty-something GenXer would do. I submitted my “college” resume, filled with internships that included a stint at CUNY’s Community Relations Department, a semester at a notorious congressman’s office and another couple of semesters at a law firm, to an employment agency.
Where did I land? Wall Street, of course! My research-heavy political science major opened up my world to Latin American equities research.
In the early ‘90s, after dropping my interior design pursuit, I pivoted to a collateral major in energy and environmental studies to complement my political science Bachelor of Arts degree at Hunter College in NYC. At the time, I wanted to be a lawyer. Yes, I know, another lawyer when so many would tell me we didn’t need another lawyer.
So, what did I do? I did what any twenty-something GenXer would do. I submitted my “college” resume, filled with internships that included a stint at CUNY’s Community Relations Department, a semester at a notorious congressman’s office and another couple of semesters at a law firm, to an employment agency.
Where did I land? Wall Street, of course! My research-heavy political science major opened up my world to Latin American equities research.
MID-LIFE CRISIS DURING COVID RE-IGNITED MY DREAM
Now, twenty-plus years later, and in my early ’50s, I have returned to my academic roots in the environment and sustainability. This time, it’s as an entrepreneur weaving my storytelling skills into the clean conscious living space.
A little of life experience has taught me that ultimately your passion will re-emerge and manifest as an opportunity in some form if you don’t pursue it.
The last couple of years has been a source of self-reflection for all of us. Getting COVID was also a surreal experience. While sick, I also combatted depression and some uncharacteristic emotional challenges. Evidently, it was part of the virus, as some of my friends shared similar experiences.
WHAT KIND OF STORIES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE?
For me, it’s been about re-evaluating what I work on as a filmmaker and communications professional, and now as an entrepreneur. This year, I am full circle back to my passion for sustainability and self-care with that in mind. I recently launched ShopLOHASWorld.com, an e-commerce platform focused on natural products worldwide. The first line - Enjoy & Live - is from Ecuador, my beautiful country of birth where I still have family members.
Working with Juanjo Cueva, the creator of Enjoy & Live, has made me so profoundly happy knowing that he’s taken his love and pride in Ecuador while amplifying the beauty of the natural resources found in the Andes and the Amazon Rainforest to a global market for the skincare line.
What makes it even more special for me is that he sources the natural raw materials directly from indigenous communities. That means there is social impact directly helping the women who cultivate the natural ingredients for Enjoy & Live.
And as excited I am to be part of the conscious living market officially, I also recognize that I have shared responsibility in the call to action to help our environment. Social impact businesses offer economic opportunities to underserved communities throughout the world. I know this is just the beginning of a journey that will inspire me with the beautiful entrepreneurs who will teach me about their culture and products.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?
With that in mind, I invite you to follow Shop LOHAS World and share your thoughts or hacks on what you do to live consciously to nurture healthier relationships with each other and for your own self-care as we embrace eco-friendly lifestyles.
BTW, LOHAS is an acronym for Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability.
I look forward to hearing from you, and thankn you for your support!
