Meet Yamiley Francillon | Healinghandsbyyamiley

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

Hi Yamiley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It all started one Christmas season. I work in the medical field where we all wash our hands constantly. I started researching how to moisturize dry sensitive skin. So I decided to make sugar scrubs for my co-workers. I looked up moisturizing oils, essential oils, and their benefits. After receiving positive feedback from my co-workers, family, and friends, I was intrigued . I developed an interest in producing natural skin care products. I was encouraged by them to start a business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have sensitive skin and some of my family members and friends do too. I wanted to create a product that I knew that I could use that my family could use and that my friends could use. I make body butters, soaps, body scrubs, and candles. I use natural ingredients. I put a lot of love and healing energy in all my products. It was not easy. I started in my mother’s kitchen. I had a lot of trepidation at first. I had many failed soap recipes. Many frustrations. Brené Brown has a quite that I love that says, “There is no innovation and creativity without failure.” I learned that I had to practice different techniques in order to be successful. I went to many workshops to learn about operating small businesses. I participated as a vendor in many marketplaces. I had to learn how to talk to strangers I had to learn how to be confident. I learned a lot about buyers. I had to learn how to advertise my products by using social media. I had to learn how to make samples to test products. I learned about what buyers appreciate. I learned that there will be sometimes when you don’t even break even. My father always taught me that not every failure is a defeat and that you have to keep trying. I learned that you have to listen to your customers and that you have to see what works for them. I also learned that I had to have discipline. I love to use my hands to express myself and I would get so excited about projects that I would get I would try to do too many things at once. I had to learn that I had to pace myself and perfect one craft before the next before moving on to the next one. That was difficult for me. I work full time so meeting the demands of a business can be challenging however through the use of time management and the help of my family members I welcome challenges and persevere I make sure that I’m disciplined so that I don’t delay any order. I knew that I had to be brave and take a risk. I remember that my sister told me that God gives us all gifts and in return he asks us all to use our gifts to make the world a better place. I use my gifts through Healinghandsbyyamiley to enhance everyone’s natural beauty with natural skin care products.

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 definitely go to Wynwood! I love to check out the shops and The Walls. Go to 1-800 Lucky for a bite to eat. Do some shopping at Brickell City Center. I would check out the beach on Ocean Drive. Lounge at Monty’s in Coconut Grove. I would also have to have a shake at Robert is Here Fruit stand while checking out agriculture in Homestead.

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 like to thank Courtney Kemp Smith and JoVonnda Chresfield from Woman to Women LLC for the recommendation. The encouragement has always been appreciated. I would also like to thank my family for always pushing me to to pursue my dreams.

Instagram: @healinghands_by_yamiley