Meet Destini Russell | Herbalist/Organic soap & Scrub Creator

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

Hi Destini, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The Birth of DesJanay From Earth to skin was created due to a series of health issues that had impacted my life right before Covid. To dive a little deeper I am a survivor of Sarcoidosis an non-curable auto immune disease. When i was given this diagnose i was pushed to find a way to create a better life as best as i could to cope with the pain I feel do to this illness. I started to research what causes flares with this illness, how can i minimize these flares and keep them from coming back. A huge part of that was what i was putting in and on my skin. I new at an early age that i was highly sensitive to alot of things and i would break out as a result of anything touching my skin. It was not till i started working under a licensed aesthetician where i seen that the chemicals in soaps can not be broken down within the body. So along with a diet change i started creating my very own organic soaps that the body can benefit from. When making the lifestyle change i seen a dramatic change in my health. I was no longer feeding my body the toxins that caused my daily flares. My lichen Nitidus that i developed during this also was clearing up and my skin stated to look more healthier then ever. I loved the change that i was seeing within myself but then my son was diagnose with eczema. I was told to give him steroid topically and orally but i did nt what my son to have to deal with all of the side effects that came along with it. So i chose to create a soap that was designed to take inflammation out of the body. With that we created or Paradise bar that has help several people in my community with killing the eczema. From there we created our Black X scrub, which exfoliates the dead skin particle left behind from the dried out eczema and adds so much moisture to the body. Last but definitely not least we created our hempie soap that moderates inflammation in the body keeping it low and your skin hydrated. All of these elements only contains organic ingredients such as Honey,Shea butter, Oatmeal, Tumeric and charcoal. This was the beginning of our brand taking us to a new level as we healed my son with in 3 weeks of using each product in the order it was given 2 years later my son has not been seen by any dermatologist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well i worked at Mckee foods for 8 years before i had to give it up do to my health and covid related issues. Upon leaving what i thought was my dream job i was hired at T-Mobile as a customer service rep. At first i was so scared and i honestly did not believe i could do it because my confidence was at an all time low. Apparently i was in the way of myself as i became the top selling rep just shy a few days in my second year at this amazing company. Was it easy no, i had to fight through deaths in the family still manage my life with covid and adjust to a new schedule with all kids being home due to schools being virtual. So no it was not easy but i showed up the best way that i could. I was open about life and goals i wanted to achieve and thank God my supervisor Kevin Freeman believed in me and gave me the opportunity that would shift my world forever. Lessons that i have learned through this process is staying humbled, meek and allow people to see you for who you are the rest will fall in line. What i would love for people to know about me and my brand is there was always a purpose behind the health scares i faces i just had to be obedient and gain a new understanding to complete the assignment.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In the city of Chattanooga there are alot of things to do. First on my list would have to be Booking a food tour with Chatttaste where you can visit several upscale restaurants meet the chef and explore the city’s most popular attractions. Next on the list would be Chattanooga Selfie Museum where we can dress up explore different set ups and create memories for her to take home with her. Lastly i would do a picnic at Ross’s landing and give a gift of love to y friend from the Beautiful Ella Livingston owner and Founder Of CoCoa Asante. The best Gourmet chocolates in the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We have been blessed with so many people to have used our products but first and for most i want to thank my doctors Dr Jermiah Dell & Dr Jayne Crowe for guiding me along this journey as it has been a rough 9 complete years to get to this state I am in remission but can still have a flare at anytime. Also Huge shout out to Ella Livingston, Shaina Ramsey, Mikesha Lacey and Briana Garza for loving me and seeing the resilient spirit i have to push my covid baby to the next level.

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Website: www.DesJanay.com

Instagram: desjanay.fromearth2skin

Facebook: Des Janay & Desjanay

Image Credits
Reginald Clack