Lovely Hiatus

It’s been a while since I’ve written anything for the Lovely Seeds for the Soul Blog. So, here I am returning to write once again. Not really knowing if anyone besides my blood sisters read this. It’s a little funny, but true. Needless to say I’ve been away, and it’s been a true blessing for me. At times I wasn’t sure if I needed the break, but I soon realized that I truly did. I wore a myriad of hats, and it was time to take a few off. Motherhood doesn’t get a hiatus for me. My motherhood hat is worn 24/7 with a few breaks in between. In today’s society the last thing I want to do is take that hat off. Children need good parents now, more than ever. Pardon my tangent, lol! Moreover, this time away has given great clarity to many things in my life. No lie, every time I thought that I would come back and begin making products, something happened to me. My left leg was injured in three different places during this time off. I had gotten sick with COVID for a second time. It was the COVID with chest pressure, and the inability to breathe well. My anxious thoughts about returning to my business before it was time, always led me to a place where I couldn’t return even if I wanted to. 


I was frustrated when it happened, but I finally understood. I needed to be still, so I could listen to my spirit. Quiet my mind so I could be clear. I am a believer in The Most High, so I know HE leads, and guides me. However, I am aware that some reading this may not believe at all, and you have the freedom to do as you choose. No judgment here. Moreover, I’m happy to have arrived in this space. It is a fervent reminder that my lane is my own. I belong nowhere else, but right here, right now in this space, and in this moment, and I am finally ok with that. It took for me to go away for a while, to come to this conclusion, and to see things that I could not before. 

I spoke early about clarity. I would like to expound on that. I thought I knew what I wanted as a small business owner. I thought I needed to scale up, and expand into stores and be shelved near commercial products like Shea Moisture, in order to be successful, and I do not. I was told by a member of an organization that helps small businesses that I had to use chemicals if I wanted to be on shelves such as Walgreens, and in all the places where commercial products exist. If being “successful” requires me to use toxins that harm my customers, I'm perfectly fine right here. We have enough harmful substances and chemicals in our food, and various hair products laden with harsh chemicals that wreak havoc on the human body. I also learned I’m successful in my own lane, just by existing as a small Black business. Studies have shown that within two years most small businesses go out of business. I’ll be celebrating five years this fall! 


I also came to the realization that I don’t need social media for my business. Someone else may, and that’s okay. I knew early on when I stepped away that it was time to let it all go. Facebook, and Instagram. I only had twitter for 4 months in 2020. Lol! I had wrestled with the ongoing thought of removing my personal pages as well as my business pages. I think a little FOMO had me hanging on longer than necessary. The toxic environment was enough for me to step away.The comparison was enough for me to step away. The lack of support was enough for me to step away. What’s really funny was a lack of support from people I really knew personally, including a lot of family. I’m not bitter, I’m just clear on what works for me, and what does not. I have to believe the word of mouth, old school advertising (without social media) still works. The day that I let go, and told my small team, they understood. I watched a Ted Talk with a gentleman explaining how he is successful in business, and has never had social media. I figured if he can do it, then I can as well. 


In August upon the return of Lovely Coils online operations it will be approximately nine months. I found it to be significant because that’s how long it takes a woman to give birth to a child. I believe that my small business, figuratively speaking, is giving birth to something new. Something beautiful. Something wonderful. It honestly wouldn’t have happened, had I come back prematurely. I’ll be doing business the way I’m supposed to do it. That’s actually something I can’t stress enough is that I’m not in competition with any other business at all. I say this because as I was working with a company again that helped small businesses, some of the senior people there at the time always wanted to stress to me that I needed to know my competition. Persistently asking who is your competition? Nah. I choose to have tunnel vision, I do what I do, and other businesses do what they do. I’m happy for them, and wish them much success, but I’m not here to compete with anyone else, except the worst version of myself. I wrote about growing at your own pace, and it was centered around this same topic, you can read it here.


While on hiatus my family and I visited a couple of the islands of Hawaii, Kona, and Maui for about 3 weeks, and during the quiet of our stay, I knew something would be different upon my returning home. I wasn’t going to be the same, my business wouldn’t be the same, my health wouldn’t be the same. I was returning home better, wiser, clearer, and even more certain of what I wanted. I knew if I wanted more peace, I’d have to cut some things, like social media. That’s only one of the things that I had to cut. I had an individual tell me I cut off people when I’m hurt. NO, I cut off toxic people, and things, so that I don’t become poisoned. Well, the previous should be a whole other blog post, so I’ll stop there for now. Moreover, if I want to see my business grow, I have to treat it like I believe my products are worth what they are worth. I’ll have to charge what makes sense in an effort to bring a profit without price gouging, and provide the sort of quality experience to the customer. I’d also have to stop treating my business like it’s small. It’s okay to be tiny, but mighty. I can have a small business, but do things big, in the ways that I need to. Like storytime for the little ones coming soon, right here on the website, no YouTube needed. Many months ago it was mentioned in a newsletter, but that is no more. I’m clear, and I’m rested. So for the rest of 2023, here I come! Be well, get some good rest, and thanks for reading this extra long blog post. 



Grateful to be here,

April E.
Lovely Coils 
Founder & Owner