Check Out Shelena Omokaro’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelena Omokaro.

Hi Shelena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey began during one of the most meaningful seasons of my life. While I was pregnant with my second son, I became aware of how many conventional children’s skincare products contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that many parents would rather avoid. As a mother, I wanted something better for my children, especially for their sensitive skin.

Instead of relying solely on commercial products, I began researching natural ingredients and handcrafted my own whipped shea butters for my son. What started as a personal solution for my family soon grew into a passion, eventually expanding into handcrafted herbal soaps and a complete line of plant-based skincare designed for people with sensitive and dry skin.

What’s interesting is that skincare wasn’t my only passion. Around the same time, I was studying Fashion Marketing and Design in college, where I developed an even deeper appreciation for quality, craftsmanship, and design. A few years after launching my skincare line, I began having my own fashion designs manufactured. Over time, that evolved into curating and buying fashion pieces for Diary of Queen Esther, allowing me to combine my two greatest passions under one brand.

Although skincare and fashion may seem like two different worlds, they’ve always been connected for me. I’ve always been incredibly particular about textures and how something feels. In fashion, I pay close attention to the quality of fabrics and how they feel against the skin, whether I’m designing a piece or selecting it for my collection. That same attention to detail carries over into my skincare. I’m intentional about every butter, oil, and ingredient because I want the finished product to feel luxurious, nourishing, and beautiful on the skin. For me, both fashion and skincare are about creating an experience that helps people feel confident, cared for, and valued.

The business began online with many late nights, small batches, and a commitment to learning and growing. Through consistency, showing up, and building genuine relationships within my community, Diary of Queen Esther has continued to evolve. Today, the brand includes handcrafted herbal skincare, an Everyday Luxe fashion collection, educational classes, and community partnerships throughout Northeast Ohio.

Looking back, I realize my journey hasn’t been built on one defining moment. It has been built by continuing to press forward, staying present, and showing up with excellence every single day. Every opportunity, every partnership, and every milestone has come from being willing to keep going, even when the process required patience. That commitment has brought me to where I am today, and I truly believe the journey is only just beginning.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, and honestly, I think that’s why I prefer to call it a journey. A journey isn’t just about the destination—it’s about everything that happens along the way. There are beautiful moments, unexpected opportunities, difficult seasons, bumps in the road, and lessons that you could never learn any other way. Looking back, every stage of the journey has shaped both me and the business.

One of the biggest challenges has been navigating growth. Every new level requires a different version of you. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, the business grows, and you’re learning all over again. Whether it’s understanding marketing, identifying my ideal customer, learning how to communicate my brand, or figuring out how to remain visible in highly competitive industries like skincare and fashion, there has been a constant need to adapt, learn, and evolve.

Another challenge has been learning how to differentiate Diary of Queen Esther in industries that are incredibly saturated. There are countless skincare brands and fashion brands, so I’ve had to spend time discovering what makes my business unique and making sure people understand not only what I sell, but why I do what I do. I’ve learned that people don’t just connect with products—they connect with purpose, authenticity, and the person behind the brand.

Personally, my greatest challenge has been balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood. Running a full-time business while raising two sons is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. There are seasons when my children need more of me, and I have to intentionally slow the business down. Then there are other seasons when the business demands more of my time, and I’m away from my boys more than I would like to be. As a mother, that can carry a lot of emotional weight. You constantly question whether you’re giving enough to either role, and there are days when it feels like you’re being pulled in two different directions.

Thankfully, I’ve been blessed with an incredible village that supports my family, and I’m deeply grateful for that. I also make a point to involve my sons in the business whenever I can, especially at farmers markets and community events. They’ve grown alongside Diary of Queen Esther and have become part of its story. Even so, there are moments when I wish I could be in two places at once.

Through it all, I’ve learned that entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business—it’s about building resilience. Every obstacle has taught me something valuable, strengthened my faith, and helped me become a better business owner, leader, and mother. The challenges have been real, but so has the growth, and I wouldn’t trade the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Diary of Queen Esther is a faith-based lifestyle brand where I specialize in handcrafted herbal skincare and curated women’s fashion.

On the skincare side, I create natural soaps, whipped shea butter body butters, whipped cacao butter body butters, facial bars, herbal oils, and other plant-based skincare products designed for a variety of skin types. One of my greatest specialties is creating products for people with exceptionally sensitive skin. I offer products that range from beautifully scented to essential oil-based and completely fragrance-free because I understand that everyone’s skin—and everyone’s preferences—are different.

Some of my customers have skin so sensitive they have difficulty using certain detergents or even colored washcloths, while others simply enjoy luxurious fragrances and want skincare that pairs beautifully with their favorite perfumes. I love being able to create for both. My goal has never been to fit people into one category, but to create thoughtful products that meet people where they are. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my products are used by everyone from babies to customers in their nineties.

On the fashion side, I curate and source quality pieces for women who want to look polished, confident, and distinctive. Many of my customers are business owners, pastors, pastors’ wives, speakers, executives, and leaders within their communities. They’re women who understand that presentation matters. Because of that, I’m very intentional about the fabrics I select, the quality of the garments, and how each piece feels and fits. I want women to feel both confident and comfortable while expressing their personal style.

What truly sets me apart is my attention to detail and my commitment to creating an experience rather than simply selling a product. Whether I’m formulating a body butter or selecting a blouse for my Everyday Luxe collection, I pay close attention to texture, quality, and how it feels. That attention comes from my background in Fashion Marketing and Design and my belief that what touches your body—whether it’s skincare or clothing—should make you feel cared for.

What I’m most proud of is the trust my customers place in me. Many have been with me for years, introducing my products to their families and friends. They’ve allowed me to create products for their babies, for loved ones with sensitive skin, and even for multiple generations within the same family. Knowing that people trust me with something as personal as their skin is something I never take for granted. It’s an honor that continues to inspire me to create with excellence, integrity, and purpose.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways people can work with and support Diary of Queen Esther because we’re more than a skincare brand.

Of course, you can shop our handcrafted skincare and Everyday Luxe fashion collections through our website or visit us at one of our farmers markets and community events throughout Northeast Ohio. I always encourage people to stop by because I love educating customers about ingredients and helping them find products that fit their unique skin type and lifestyle.

Beyond products, I enjoy collaborating with organizations, businesses, hospitals, chambers of commerce, nonprofits, and community groups through workshops, speaking engagements, networking classes, and educational events. Teaching and empowering others—especially entrepreneurs and small business owners—is something I’m incredibly passionate about, and I welcome opportunities to collaborate in those spaces.

One of the greatest ways people can support a small business is simply by sharing it. Every time someone tells a friend about Diary of Queen Esther, shares a social media post, leaves a review, invites me to an event, or recommends my business to someone else, it creates opportunities that money simply can’t buy. Many of the doors that have opened for me have come through relationships and referrals, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

Above all, I want Diary of Queen Esther to be known as a brand that serves people with excellence, integrity, and purpose. Whether someone purchases a bar of soap, attends one of my classes, invites me to speak, or simply shares my story with someone else, every form of support helps us continue our mission of creating products and experiences that make people feel cared for, confident, and valued.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://diaryofqueenesther.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Da13vrGOavB/?l=1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diaryofqueenesther/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@diaryofqueenesther4546?si=dLSx3kRr16_1SwKm