Rising Stars: Meet D’Andra Scott

Today we’d like to introduce you to D’Andra Scott.

Hi D’Andra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story started on a personal journey of intention, and probably even sooner than that.

In around 2015/2016, I wanted to be more intentional in my life and one of the first things that I wanted to be intentional about was the products I used in my hair and on my skin.

I started researching the ingredients of my favorite hair and skin care products and realized how toxic everything was.

I mean, I would literally sit on the aisle of stores for hours reading labels and looking up ingredients, and I found it extremely difficult to find something that was free of toxins and harmful ingredients. Not only that, but I have dry hair and dry skin and NOTHING seemed to work for me.

Lotions would have my skin dry again in an hour, and products deemed to moisturize my hair would leave it dry and lifeless. So when I struggled to find products that were 100% natural AND effective for my hair and skin care needs, I just decided to make the products myself. And from there, Queen Naturals was slowly on its way to being born.

I was making products for myself for about 2 or so years and I was loving the results. So much so, that I just knew I would never have to buy another hair or skin care product for myself. I mean, the products I was making solved every issue I had… why stop? And then, people started coming around, asking what I was using. I had so many people ask what I was using in my hair and skin.

When I told them I made my own products, people wanted to buy them. At the time, I had absolutely no desire to make products for others, let alone start a business… but as the curiosity of others continued to grow and I recognized the same need I had in others, I decided to share my products with others.

It started with selling my Shea Body Butter (formerly known as Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream) with my son’s baby sitter who would not let me go until I sold her some! lol And then, she encouraged me to sell my products at our local Women’s Empowerment Expo. From there, I went for it.

I said what’s the worst that could happen, stepped out on faith, and then, Queen Naturals was born!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! Being a small business owner is extremely challenging.

And to throw in the fact that I had a boy toddler (who gets into everything, lol) and I had just started graduate school, it was even more challenging. But I think the challenges of entrepreneurship are what make the journey even more special. The obstacles I have experienced since starting this business have literally made me a better person today.

Some of my greatest challenges have been finding balance between marriage, motherhood, school, work, and business (and all that in-between), while also finding time to take care of me. Some other challenges include the normal highs and lows of having a business and being an entrepreneur. When this is your life and your primary source of income, it can feel like there is so much pressure to do well.

And with that pressure, I had this huge weight, in the beginning, to cater to everyone. I wanted to make every product that people were requesting, and I started to lose sight of why I started in the first place. When I reassessed what I was doing and made changes for myself and my business, things got a little easier.

I mean, owning a business is still hard. Like the days and even weeks when no sales come in, or when people are emailing you about orders, while still having to manage social media and package orders because you are in charge of everything.. all of that can be challenging.

But having my “why” in the back of my mind while honoring myself AND keeping God first and at the center of it all has helped tremendously.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
So as I shared before, I make and sell all-natural hair and skin care products. I mainly focus on dry hair and dry skin because in all honesty, all of my products were first created for me and the issues I was personally experiencing.

But through research and feedback from others, I strategically made my products so they can be used on all hair and skin types.

I sell a combination of products for the hair, face, and body including body butter, botanical-infused body oils, facial serums, face masks, hair butter, scrubs, bath soaks, and more. I’ve recently ventured out and started a Queen Naturals apparel line after many requests for my logo-inspired personal apparel.

I can’t really say one thing I am most proud of.. to be honest, I am just proud to still be in business. So many businesses start and fail within the first year. This year… well actually, this month, we celebrated 4 years since selling our first body butter! So to have made it this far is something to be extremely proud of. Not only that, but I am proud to have God at the center.

When I rebranded/relaunched my business, part of that rebrand was to really allow God to be the CEO of my business. I listen to Him for direction and not people.. not even myself. And since I made the decision to truly allow him to lead me in my business, it has been amazing. I mean, I still have my moments when I fall short, but I just get back to my foundation and begin again.

I think something that sets me apart from others is the fact that God is the foundation of my life and Queen Naturals by Dee. Queen Naturals’ mission is to promote self-love through intentional self-care. Part of my belief is that God is the epitome of true self-love. I think something else that sets me apart from others is my unique experience as a therapist with a strong passion for helping others, while also being the person who creates, sells, AND uses the products.

Because of these experiences, I know every single thing about each product and ingredient including the benefits of using each one, as well as the love and care I have grown to have for myself as a result of using the products and stepping out on faith to start (and continue growing) this business. Some other, maybe “superficial” things that I believe set Queen Naturals apart from others are my luxury “royalty-inspired” packaging and the unique “unboxing experience” I intentionally create when packaging each order.

I truly believe that all women are queens, and my product line was created to bring out the queen in you – whether that be the products that enhance your natural beauty, the self-love and self-care you nourish within yourself as you experience each product or the encouragement and motivation that I share to remind you of who you are and who you were created to be.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Umm… I think my biggest piece of advice is to just start! You are going to have so many doubts when starting your business.. so many questions and so many fears. You won’t know the answer until you get in the trenches and do it! You also won’t be able to move past that fear or doubt if you don’t start!

No one is perfect. No business is perfect. But when you start, you have the opportunity to learn more about yourself and what works best for you and your business.. and then you can continue to get better. When I first started my business, as I shared earlier, I was a huge people-pleaser and tried to do everything for everybody else.

Never lose sight of your why… and don’t let anyone tell you the direction of YOUR business. This is yours. Keep God first and stay in your lane. Allow your God-given gifts to shine through naturally and be open to learning throughout the journey. Oh, and try not to compare yourself or your journey with anyone else!

If you are passionate about what you do, trust your journey, and are willing to “grow through it while you go through it,” I know you will be successful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MyQueenNaturals.com
• Instagram: @queennaturalsbydee
• Facebook: Queen Naturals by Dee