SEATTLE — The stresses of everyday life can stop us from taking care of ourselves, but Monika Mathews is on a mission to change that.
"It's really about the time that you're taking to invest in yourself," said Mathews. "To really calm your nervous system to care for your mind, body and soul."
She wants everyone to indulge in self-care and she has the goods to make it happen. Mathews is the founder and owner of Queencare. The bath and body products include brown sugar scrub, shea cream, body wash and more.
Mathews set up shop in 2018 in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood. Then in 2021, she opened her flagship location in the Central District – a move that was very intentional.
"My community actually took care of me when I was a young lady living in this very area where the store is located," said Mathews. "For me to be grown up now and have a business right here in the very community that raised me is very full circle."
She uses Queencare to not only help individuals take care of themselves, but to uplift the entire community. Mathews donates a portion of proceeds to Life Enrichment Group, a non-profit that helps support and mentor youth. You can champion Mathew's cause, by taking part in Black Black Friday. It's an initiative encouraging people to do their holiday shopping at Black-owned businesses.
"It's so very important to support Black businesses because we really are in a movement of economic equity," said Mathews. "Black businesses and Black people in general have been disenfranchised for generations, so to be able to pick up a movement like Black Black Friday and really be intentional about spending our dollars with Black businesses."
Mathews hopes movements like these encourage others to support the community – just don't forget to take care of yourself while you're at it.
"We're all socialized to take care of everyone else before ourselves," said Mathews. "I'm really trying to change that narrative. Our products just help foster that. They just help to be a gentle reminder to take that extra time for yourself."
Black Black Friday involves nearly 100 businesses including Queencare. You can purchase a prepaid card on their website at a 20% discount.
Queencare's flagship location is located at 2315 South Jackson St in Seattle. It's open Wednesday through Sunday.
Sponsored by BECU.
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