Meet Angela Clay | Self-Care Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Angela Clay and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angela, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to have the final say over my schedule and my life. I had an opportunity to go to Argentina a few years a go with an organization. The trip was an all expense paid opportunity I had saved all my sick and vacation time to go and I was shy one week. I asked if I could have the week off without pay and I was denied. After all that hard work in preparation for this special occasion I was at the fate of a supervisor who coldly said, “denied”. It was then that in about a years time I was walking in and turning my two week notice in.

I never regretted the decision to leave and there are times when I feel like being self-employment is draining me, I think about the entire workforce and realize that I am currently living my best life. So here I am doing all the things that bring me enjoyment and solving self-care issues for others. I have been to Ghana for 2 and half months and learn to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have gained so many skills that I would never have received punching someone else’s clock.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am Angie Clay, the creative hands and heart behind a self-care business called Liberate and Lather, I am a notebook and paper junkie, bargain shopping enthusiast, natural hair lover and wandering nomad. I spend most of my days making the most out of fat, by turning it into creamy, body-loving, smell goods, AKA soap that fuses perfectly with a hot shower.

I am an avid journal writer and have been doing this practice for the last 25 years. Self-care is a huge piece of creating a healthy lifestyle. I have been able to implement this into the Liberate and Lather “Journaling for Self-Care” community where we as women can learn to express ourselves and solve issues by using journaling as a way to explore and let go of things that hold us back from truly living our best lives. The bathing experience is just one part of the wellness journey. The emotions within is a whole other trek.

Many of us are failing to marry wellness and beauty together when it comes to taking care of ourselves. We want the outside to look good but often forget the inside, all the emotions that we carry around past traumas and such remains after the dirt goes down the drain.

For myself there have been many challenges. My motto is if you want to know more about yourself just start a business. Having a business I had to learn leadership, discover my own weaknesses, and pull back the layers of drama to heal myself in order to move forward, and to have the ability to help others.

What I want the world to know about me is storytelling, living, and thinking outside of my own pre-conceived notions has allowed me to grow and to blossom into the person I am now. If we can find ways to heal and find a good maintenance routine it makes the journey in life much more enjoyable.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them to my place first so they could freshen up. We would hit the town and I would take them to our local pizza eatery called Chicos, where the toppings are piled high and the crust and sauce are uniquely their own.

Afterwards we would head to Paradise hotel that sits on the waterfront for a cocktail or two. Living in rural America not everything can be done in one day. So we would prep for the next day to hit the local Farmer’s Markets and head to Cave B. It is a beautiful winery that even Dave Matthews rent out for his band for his concert at the Gorge every September.

I love hunting for deals at thrift stores and fun yard sales so I find that most of my friends like the same things. I am not much a spin out of control type of person and have to get every sight in, but to enjoy the moments as you float through the day in a new location.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shoutout Michelle Rohr and Aimee Johann from the Secret Owl Society. They believe in taking responsibility of our own lives and making your choices based on what brings you joy.

Website: info@liberateandlather.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liberateandlather/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liberateandlatherco/

Yelp: info@liberateandlather.com