Angelica Chapman is a health and wellness advocate committed to helping others improve their lives and develop healthy living habits. Many of the techniques Angelica shares via brand, Love Life, And Angelica to help individuals see their journey to health and wellbeing doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or impossible. As part of the brand's goal to create a better future, the company has developed a wellness shop called Angelica Wellness Shop. The collection includes products for both men and women that will help improve their health and well-being.
Can you tell our readers about your background?

Angelica Chapman is a health and wellness advocate committed to helping others improve their lives and develop healthy living habits. She first developed an interest in health and wellness as a young girl, and during high school, she studied to become a certified nursing assistant before attending North Carolina State University.

Like many of the individuals she works with, Angelica has struggled with her health and wellbeing. She’s a busy professional, entrepreneur, wife, and mom and understands first-hand how difficult it can be to find a balance between a career, family, and healthy lifestyle. After years of neglecting her health, Angelica discovered the tools, strategies, and support she needed to make long-lasting and meaningful changes in her life. Now she’s dedicated to using her platform to share health and fitness-related tips, tricks, and tools and help individuals combat everything from unhealthy eating habits to health conditions like hypertension, which can lead to serious and fatal heart problems if left untreated.

Many of the techniques Angelica shares focus on making small changes like taking the time to breathe or reducing sodium intake to help individuals see that their journey to health and wellbeing doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or impossible. In addition to helping hundreds of people create healthy habits, Angelica has also had her journey and successes featured in multiple publications throughout her career, including the Greensboro News and Record and, most recently, Voyage Raleigh.

In her spare time, Angelica enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering in her community, hiking, traveling, photography, doing yoga, and being a compassionate awareness advocate.

What inspired you to start your business?

I was always creative as a kid, trying to figure out ways to do things better and finding creative solutions to everyday problems. Entrepreneurship has come to mean these skills. In the 21 years I spent in my professional career, I contributed to a great deal of success while keeping my interest in entrepreneurship. In 2019, I established my own company and have since raised awareness of High Blood Pressure and its harmful effects to our communities. The idea for my business came about after I developed a rash resembling a bull’s-eye symbol after going to a beach with my family in North Carolina. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

It turns out, however, that the medical professionals were more concerned about my multiple blood pressure readings that day. This was not the first time my blood pressure raised concerns. When I was in my 20s, my blood pressure almost killed me. Can you believe I spent three days in the ICU in my 20s… all because of high blood pressure? Most people begin experiencing high blood pressure after age 45. Those figures represent the average, but according to WebMD, Black people are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure younger than other groups. I find that horrifying. Also, 472,000 people die every year from high blood pressure, but most people aren’t aware of this. Because of this, I became interested in raising awareness. Ultimately, I hope to improve the health of 472,000 people who are at risk of high blood pressure and to decrease deaths related to heart disease. Steps should be taken to combat this problem that affects our entire community. The fact that I am able to combat a problem plaguing our community through my business efforts fills me with great joy. 

Where is your business based?

Raleigh, North Carolina

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

I began by researching the market using social media and talking to individuals who had similar challenges. The moment I realized there was interest in my passion, I set the goal to focus on one area and find simple ways to monetize it by doing research on my competitors and determining what needs my audience had that weren’t being met. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

Using social media platforms and being consistent. I also participate in local partnerships which allows me to build trust by association including access to a wider range of expertise for different parts of my business. As a result, we collaborated on a variety of projects that were beneficial for everyone and formed a supportive network of business owners who reposted, liked, or commented on each other's posts. It allows for trust to build within the social media community.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

I think the biggest obstacle is having high blood pressure and being vulnerable with my story. You see so many people on social media working out and eating healthy. It’s easy to admire but hard to follow. Juggling a lifestyle change while growing my business at the same time forced me to examine myself many times in order to confront negative thoughts that appeared at the most inopportune times. Focus, commitment, and sheer will helped me overcome major obstacles on my way to where I am today.

How do you stay focused?

With an understanding of what makes me happy and creating a goal around that, I knew what I was working towards. I only invest time, energy, and relationships on things aligned with my goals and that benefit me. I listen to my body when I feel overwhelmed, and I prioritize self-care.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

It is my first-hand experience that makes me different from my competitors. I share my solutions with people like me, whereas my competitors are institutionalized with limited ways to present life-saving information.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Authenticity. You can think of authenticity as being true to who you are as a brand. You present yourself and your brand from a place of sincerity and genuineness. As a business, I focus on much more than just profits, preventing myself from becoming desensitized. Whenever I speak with people from all over the world, I listen to their concerns about their health and how I can help them. People want and need to know that their concerns are heard and seen as important. 

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

It is okay to act upon an idea if you can see it. Just focus on one task at a time. The starting process involves hyping yourself up, so you should learn how to build your confidence to get started. 

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

In general, I’d prefer to learn about other people’s views and interests rather than restricting my experience to just a limited number of outlets, although I do enjoy reading and have more time to do so now that my family and business are growing. I was an avid reader when I was very young, and I used it as a safety net as my household was not very trauma-aware, so I learned how to see the world from other people’s points of view so I could understand my own. I typically like reading books about women who share their stories. To share some of the books I have read, they include such things as The Diary of a Young Girl, The Coldest Winter Ever, and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I love any tool or resource that gives me the answers I need in the shortest amount of time and in the simplest way. I change these things often because so many people are taking a chance and developing new ways to do things. As an example, I found Social Media Scheduling Tools and applications to Schedule Meetings so convenient when I have so much to do with my family. Technology has made running a business so simple now. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

Oprah Winfrey for the reason she’s a phenomenal woman and opened up a lot of doors for women like me. As a Positive Impact Maker, Oprah inspires others through her experience and who she is, and through her giving, she empowers and supports those around her, she believes in the power of authenticity of the human being.

How do you balance work and life?

As part of my self-care, I prioritize the needs of my family. Maintaining a balance between work and home is crucial for my life. My hospitalization for high blood pressure as a result of me not reducing stress and preventing burnout in the office. Chronic stress can negatively affect your mental and heart health. 

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

Yoga, peace, and laughing with my family are my favorite ways.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I am looking forward to experiencing and enjoying the creative journey of building my business and collaborating with other businesses. I welcome anyone interested to contact me.

How can our readers connect with you?

Thank you for reading my interview. Please visit my website to learn more about my company, Angelica Wellness Shop: https://www.angelicawellnessshop.com/