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Hello friends, family, and community,
My name is Ashley Julia, and I am the founder of Esscents of Julia, a natural skincare brand offering a holistic approach to skin health and self-care. I am raising funds to help expand my business, enabling me to serve more people with holistic & affordable, handcrafted skincare.
I launched Esscents of Julia in 2019 in Atlanta, GA, and in 2024 I proudly relocated to my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, to continue building a brand rooted in wellness, creativity, and community connection.
At Esscents of Julia, we believe that caring for your skin is more than a routine—it is an act of self-love. We handcraft body butters, oils, scrubs, and soaps using whole, natural, and organic ingredients that nourish the skin without harsh chemicals. Every product is made with intention: to empower people to care for themselves and feel good in their skin.
Why I’m Raising Funds
As my business continues to grow, I’m seeking support to expand Esscents of Julia into the next chapter. Relocating to St. Louis has given me the opportunity to deepen my roots, but it has also come with challenges. With your help, I hope to raise funds that will allow me to:
- Secure a semi-permanent storefront or pop-up location to serve more customers and create a dedicated space for self-care and education.
- Upgrade production equipment to streamline the process of creating our shea butters, scrubs, and soaps, allowing us to keep up with increasing demand.
- Expand marketing and outreach efforts to increase brand awareness both locally and online.
- Hire support staff to help with production, sales, and community workshops.
The Impact of Your Support
Your contribution—whether large or small—will have a direct impact on the growth of Esscents of Julia and the community we serve. Here’s how your donation can help:
- $25 covers supplies for one workshop participant.
- $100 provides ingredients to create 50+ jars of shea butter.
- $250 supports workshop materials and community education events.
- $500 covers one month of booth rental at the historic Soulard Farmers Market.
- $1,000 goes toward the down payment and setup of a semi-permanent pop-up shop.
Every dollar gets us closer to making holistic skincare accessible and building a space where wellness meets community.
Our Community Roots
Since launching, we’ve:
- Served consistent weekly customers at Soulard Farmers Market, averaging 40–50 shoppers per week. (Friday & Saturday)
- Shipped products to customers in 11 states.
- Hosted hands-on workshops teaching skincare creation and self-care rituals.
- Grown an engaged community of over 1,000 + Instagram followers and 350+ email subscribers.
As a Black woman-owned business, Esscents of Julia is committed to uplifting the community, promoting healthier lifestyle choices, and providing a space where people can learn, explore, and care for themselves naturally.
How You Can Help
1. Donate – Every contribution makes a difference, no matter the size.
2. Share – Please share this campaign with your friends, family, and networks so we can reach more supporters.
3. Support Local – If you’re in the St. Louis area, come visit us at Soulard Farmers Market every Friday & Saturday to experience our products in person!
To say thank you, I’ve created special donor rewards:
Suggested Donation Levels
$25+ – Thank-you card + social media shoutout
$50+ – Esscents of Julia t-shirt (show your support in style!)
✨ $100+ – Gift bag with a curated mix of our handcrafted products (such as shea butter, body oil, or scrub)
$250+ – Deluxe gift bag + Esscents of Julia t-shirt
$500+ – Limited edition Esscents of Julia gift box, including full-size products + t-shirt + handwritten thank-you note
$1,000+ – VIP Package: personalized skincare consultation, Esscents of Julia gift box, t-shirt, and special recognition as a founding supporter of our pop-up/storefront
Thank You
I am deeply grateful for your support, encouragement, and belief in Esscents of Julia. With your help, we can expand our reach, strengthen our impact, and continue to share natural, handcrafted skincare with the St. Louis community and beyond.
Thank you for helping me bring this vision to life.
With gratitude,
Ashley Julia
Founder, Esscents of Julia