Meet Angelica Haviaras | Entrepreneur, Aromatherapist, Art Therapist

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

Hi Angelica, what makes you happy? Why?
Whenever I can, I try to visit my family’s hometown in Chios, Greece. It is one of the Aegean islands in the Southeast Mediterranean. Many people are unaware of this hidden gem of an island, but it is similar to the “blue zone” island of Ikaria. Here, people live long and fulfilling lives.

I have been visiting Chios since I was a child. In fact, I am writing this article from a small mountain village called Dafnonas, where a majority of my family members still live. My memories are filled with the scent of wild jasmine, the feel of the ocean breeze, visions of the stars late at night, and overlooking sprawling hills of cypress, pine, olive, and mastic trees. In fact, the island inspired Homer to write his famous Odyssey.

This Greek Mediterranean lifestyle consists of three important elements:
1. Lack of a sense of time urgency.
2. A tight knit community with generations of family bonds.
3. Dedication to the natural elements this rich island provides.

If you are from Chios, it is highly likely that your ancestors were survivors. Medieval invasions, a mass genocide during the Ottoman Empire in 1822, and the Nazi invasion of WWII has left many to deal with the echoes of intergenerational trauma. I believe the 3 elements listed above have allowed many to heal and become self-actualized. These lessons of history and concepts is something that has really inspired me to create my own legacy, by demonstrating the resiliency that underpins the identity of the island.

To watch village elders, survivors of WWII live free, with joy, vibrancy and a sense of autonomy has been a gift that I appreciate more than ever having lived in the US most of my life. I was raised in Brooklyn, NY which is vastly different from Chios. Being an entrepreneur can be quite stressful, but I was blessed to learn secrets to living a more fulfilled life, so I began to focus my business around that. I hope to inspire others to do the same. My desire is to build my company to offer jobs to many, not just as a means to an end, but to help them learn how to create a work culture that is tight knit, impacts customers in a healthy way, and one that is dedicated to the natural elements of planet Earth.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think that many of the amazing and wonderful things in the world are a byproduct of some type of challenge or negative experience.

When I decided to take the path of entrepreneurship, I was a mess. I was completely burnt out from working a stressful therapy career with zero support from mentors or employers. I thought to myself: “I spent all this time and effort, going through 2 advanced degrees, passing a board exam, helping all types of people, to not be able to take care of myself and feel completely worthless.”

Taking a break from the rat race, getting back to my roots in Greece, and talking with my partner about these feelings was what I needed in order to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within. I figured it was in my genes, and that I would use what I had learned in aromatherapy to forge my own path.

I had to feel rock bottom, helplessness, and worthlessness in order to start a new path. Fortunately, there was nowhere to go but up. I became willing to take risks when feeling the pain of vulnerability. I hope whoever reads this can understand that we do not need to fear a challenge or fear hitting rock bottom. It is those moments that spark self-innovation and can lead us to being bigger and better selves.

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.
5 Things I would recommend in West Palm Beach

1. Best plant-based restaurant in West Palm is Planta
2. Best date night- Friday nights at Norton Museum of Art followed by cocktails at the museum restaurant.
3. Picnic at sunset on Juno Beach
4. Take a stroll in Lake Worth to admire all the beautiful architecture and art houses.
5. Enjoy a glass of wine at RH rooftop followed by cocktails and food at Galley Restaurant at the Hilton nearby.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe everything to my grandfather and my late grandmother. Both were immigrants from Chios and had quite literally nothing to their name. They moved to New York with the motivation to live a better life for themselves and their future generations.

They belong to the legends of the American dream, something that seems increasingly far-fetched these days. I want to build my legacy with Aromanthi in the hopes to offer careers and opportunities to other Americans, immigrants, and marginalized communities seeking to achieve the same American dream of my grandparents.

My parents, who have their own self-made success stories, have also been encouraging. By this point I would have expected them to tell me to give up or find financial stability with a corporate job, but they see my passion and vision for Aromanthi. I am lucky to have the parental support knowing that others are less fortunate.

My partner is also a major support who inspires me to build my brand. He is a doctor who tends to focus on more natural and holistic health, so is a valuable resource that helps validate the scientific aspect of my brand. Entrepreneurship can also be isolating, a constant rollercoaster of emotions, and business wins and losses. To have a partner to talk to, share ideas, and a shoulder to cry on when things feel impossible is a gift. My hope is that all women find a partner who can see and grow the potential within and ride the rollercoaster together.

Website: www.aromanthi.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelica-haviaras

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