Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Johnson.
Hi Stacey, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Title: “Mom’s Strength”
I never really understood how strong my mom was until I got older. To me, she was just… Mom. But looking back, everything she did was nothing short of miraculous.I was born when she was just 17, a high school senior, with a world ahead of her. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. She wasn’t supposed to be a teen mom. But she was, and she didn’t ever complain. She wasn’t the kind of person who could sit around feeling sorry for herself. No, she made the decision to be better, to rise above, even when life threw everything it had at her.
I was barely old enough to understand the weight of her responsibilities, but I could always feel how hard she worked. I remember when I was little, watching her get up every day before the sun came up. She worked full-time at a local office job that barely paid the bills, and every night, after she’d gotten home, she’d set aside time for homework. College was just as important to her as I was, and that meant burning the midnight oil, sometimes falling asleep at her desk with books scattered around her. Still, no matter how tired she was, she’d find the energy to help me with my homework, or help the kids in the neighborhood with theirs.
She didn’t stop there. Every Sunday, she’d be at church, helping with events, organizing charity drives, or sometimes just sitting with the elderly and listening. I never understood how she kept doing it—work, school, church, raising me—and still found time to be kind to everyone around her. She was like the glue that held the neighborhood together, watching out for the kids down the street, letting them come over after school, and making sure they had a safe place to go when their own parents were too busy or unavailable.
I never asked her how she did it. I just knew she did it. I knew she could keep going. She always did. But things changed when she got the diagnosis.
It was a normal Tuesday when she told me. I remember sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine when she sat down beside me, her face pale. She tried to smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Sweetheart,” she said, “I have something important to tell you. I have cancer.”
I didn’t know what to say. Cancer. I didn’t even know what that meant, not really. But I knew it was bad. I looked at her, trying to understand how this could be happening to her. My strong, tireless mom.
“I’m going to fight it, okay?” she said, holding my hand. “I just need you to be strong for me, too. We’re in this together.”
And just like that, my world shifted.
What came next was a blur of treatments, doctor visits, sleepless nights, and days when Mom was too tired to even get out of bed. It wasn’t like she had ever slowed down before, but this was different. She was still fighting—but in a way I had never seen. Even on days when she felt like she couldn’t keep going, she’d put on her brave face and still help the other kids. She still made sure I was okay. She was doing everything she could to make sure I knew that despite the disease, I was never alone.
But the real turning point came when she decided to create something new—something for us. Something that came from the depths of everything she had learned as a mom, a worker, a student, and a fighter. She decided to create a clean brand, one that she could build with me by her side. It was something we could do together, a way to take the pain and the struggle and turn it into something meaningful.
I started researching clean ingredients and ethical business practices. She wanted to create essential and/or personal care products that didn’t harm anyone, that didn’t harm the environment, and that could actually help people. As a single mom, she understood what it meant to need products that worked, that were affordable, and that were safe. So she made it her mission to create something different.
But here’s the thing—we created it together. She taught me how to formulate products, how to stay true to our values, and how to take care of ourselves through the very products we were making. I had no idea how much it would change us both.
Our brand, which we called “SAJ,” was born from a place of love, determination, and resilience. I watched my mom grow through the process—her determination deepening even as she fought her own battles. We sold our first batch of products online, sharing them with family, friends, and eventually people we’d never met.
Despite everything she was going through, she still found ways to laugh and share joy. The business started to grow, not just because of the products, but because of her story. People loved her honesty, her passion, and the way she didn’t give up, even in the face of overwhelming odds. She made our story real, and in doing so, she made other people feel like they weren’t alone either.
Today, our brand isn’t just about the products we sell. It’s about the love and strength that came from years of hard work and sacrifice, from days filled with doubt and fear, and from the incredible resilience of a mother who did everything she could to give me a future.
I see her now, not just as my mom, but as a businesswoman, a mentor, a warrior. The cancer is still part of our journey, but it doesn’t define us. What defines us is our story of growth, of love, and of strength—our shared mission to make something pure in a world full of chaos.
And I know, no matter what happens, she’ll always be with me, cheering me on, because that’s what she’s always done.
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 hasn’t been a smooth road more like a winding path with a few unexpected detours. Launching a small eco-friendly business in 2021 came with its own unique challenges. We were navigating a post-pandemic economy, supply chain disruptions, and the uphill battle of educating consumers on sustainable alternatives in a market still dominated by convenience and fast consumption.
But one of the most difficult moments came when one of our founders was diagnosed with cancer. It was a life-altering experience that shifted our perspective and priorities. Balancing treatment, recovery, and running a young business wasn’t easy, but it taught us resilience in the truest sense. Our team pulled together, leaned on each other, and found strength in the mission we believe in creating products that are good for the planet and for people.
That chapter tested us, but it also deepened our purpose. It reminded us that sustainability isn’t just about the environment it’s also about sustaining each other through the hard times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
SAJ is a small women- owned minority business in Los Angeles, CA. Our goal is to reduce the use of carbon emission and electricity expended by providing eco- friendly products to our consumers. The products we provide are household items and everyday essential items. SAJ Dryer balls replaces chemically infused dryer sheets with a eco-friendly alternative that reduces drying time saving energy.I am passionate about being a business owner because it affords me the opportunity to make decisions that stimulates the economy and my community. In addition, being an entrepreneur allows me to donate goods and services to organizations. Furthermore, I’m able to educate my community on products they use that are hazardous and potentially cancerous and provide them with a safer eco-friendly alternative.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
As a small eco-friendly business, we’re always excited to connect with people who share our passion for sustainability and conscious living. There are so many ways to get involved and support what we’re building:
Shop small, shop sustainably – Every purchase goes a long way in helping us grow and continue creating eco-conscious products that are kind to the planet.
Spread the word – Sharing our story, leaving a review, or telling a friend means the world to us. Word-of-mouth is powerful for small businesses like ours.
Collaborate – We love teaming up with like-minded brands, creators, and community organizations. Whether it’s a social media partnership, a co-branded product, or an event, we’re open to creative ways to work together.
Wholesale + stockists – If you’re a retailer or business looking to offer sustainable alternatives, we’d love to chat about wholesale opportunities.
Give feedback – We’re always learning and growing. Hearing from our community helps us improve and stay connected to what matters most.
Supporting small businesses is a ripple effect—and every little bit helps us make a bigger impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sajenterpriseinc.com
- Instagram: sajenterpriseinc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/SAJ-Enterprise/61552682095021/
