Community Highlights: Meet Laquanique Henderson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laquanique Henderson.

Hi Laquanique, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am 28 years old from Riverside, California. I began my journey in business 2019. At that time, I was selling TLC products only and was looking for a positive environment to be around. Shortly after selling TLC products, I began my own journey as well, selling Yoni steams for my 1st business (Yoni Faqtory) along with selling skin healing products from baroflifeherbalsoap. We help those who have eczema, psoriasis, bad acne, and even dark spots. Moving forward, business was doing GREAT. However, once the pandemic hit us all in 2020, Everything started to slow down in business, people lost their jobs, became sick, and even worse lost family. As these things were going on, I started the Urban swapmeet September 12th, 2020, which was then called “the soul swapmeet” but we had to change it for legal reasons at the time. The first event was only 15 businesses. They either sold out or went home with a satisfying amount of money.

By the time I did the second urban swapmeet, I had 30 people interested in showcasing their business. I then supplied everyone with tables, chairs, I had jumpers and activities for the kids, and started advertising heavily that we are out here promoting, selling, and basically pushing for our businesses through this pandemic! I even reached out to so many local small businesses and invited them to join us. Some did and some didn’t. Nonetheless, the show went on. November 2020, I had to cancel an event due to the strict regulations of California. By February 2021, the urban swapmeet was back in business and was in collaboration with Erica Neal, who also began doing pop up shops in Riverside, CA. At that time, I was called (the SWAPMEET of soul). But the name change finally came in late March 2021 permanently and legally as the urban swapmeet where we bring out businesses and talent. The urban swapmeet became a movement more than it ever was a pop up shop! The mission is to bring YOU out of your shell.. to educate, bring wealth to the community, the urban swapmeet is to uplift one another, expand our brands, and even bring people closer in business and in personal lives. We network and connect in every aspect here.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
One of the struggles were The weather. Even though I was supplying people tables, their tents would blow away.

The urban swapmeets first pop ups were done at Andulka park in Riverside, CA. Which was in a high-class area. Which made me nervous because I was always afraid of being shut down. But it never happened. It’s like the whole world then understood that we all needed to make money somehow.

But that never removed my fear of being shut down.

Having the money to pay for everything! Me being one person and being able to pull this off is always a plus. But luckily, I had some good friends along the way who has contributed like my friend Deja Williams, helping me with the expenses of my pop up shop that was done April 3rd, Natasha Williams with “The youth is us” nonprofit, she helps with so much along with Polynesia Tufuuli and Breauhna Williams. It really took a village at that time to bring the community together, and it does take a village. But the outcome was always what we wanted. People making money, networking, and going home with a memory to share. I would go home with little to nothing, but it made me happy to see others excel, and it still does.

People are evil and will try to stop what God is using you to do. There are so many people who threw shots at the movement, who tried to duplicate the movement but never wanted to join the urban swapmeet, but some did join and then started doing their own, but spoke down on the urban swap-meet, even after making money and networking. Moving forward, I had to learn that you can’t make everyone happy. Even though that’s my goal

Some people must have thought… how can one young woman do something like this, form a community of people who support one another… shop with each other and bring outside foot traffic in AT A PARK?. They figured “who is she? If she can do it so can WE!!” I always tell people they can do anything without slandering somebody. But of course, everyone wants their pop up shops to be as busy as mines were. So as a result, some began speaking down on the movement just to uplift theirs.

Many other pop up shops started happening in Riverside, CA. AFTER the urban swapmeet. It’s bitter how it began, but it’s also sweet how the outcome is. There are now plenty of other pop up shops to go to in Riverside, CA.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Bar of life herbal soap was established in December 2019. Me and Breauhna Williams run this business. We cater to those who have eczema, bad skin breakouts, dark marks, and even lupus legions. Our products consist of natural healing oils and herbs along with CBD. We are known for skin healing and being available to our community as much as we can. I am still working on putting more products in more areas. As of right now, we have a product called “the man bar” which has changed the way men look at bars of soap. It helps to clear razor bumps, dark spots and prevents ingrown hairs from coming in. We now sell that product at “In the cut barbershop” on university avenue in Riverside. CA. I am proud that my brand brings happiness to those with troubled skin and that my brand is known all around my hometown in Riverside, CA. Most people know me to be really silly! I can make anyone laugh and not do much, lol but I love that I have that healing energy. Some people look at me and think “she’s mean” but I am the opposite and they find that out shortly after lol I have great customer service and I am here to serve my community. I will literally give my last shirt to someone because I’ll figure it out lol (that’s a part of my personality) all in all, my mission is to help those who have serious skin issues. I had bad skin before making my own products and I’d like for the world to upgrade their complexion like I did. I also have other small businesses like Yoni Faqtory and lather me soaps. Claudia Soto helps me with the other soap business, which is in the same likelihood as bar of life herbal soap. Yoni Faqtory is the root to the other businesses because it is my first one, but it’s my least expanded business.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I would like to let the people know… don’t ever give up! Be like Michael Jordan, he didn’t quit basketball he took a break and did baseball. No matter how hard it gets, push through it. I had a hard time starting up these businesses and getting the community together. I’m here to say, Let God Use you.

Pricing:

• Non food vendor fee -$65
• Food vendor fee – $80

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Baroflifeherbalsoap.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/theurbanswapmeet
• Facebook: Facebook.com/LaQuaniquehenderson