Today we’d like to introduce you to Charmeka Shontay.
Hi Charmeka, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story is one of turning pain into purpose.
I am a nurse of more than 30 years, a licensed esthetician, entrepreneur, mother, grandmother, and woman of faith. While nursing has always allowed me to care for people physically, my journey into esthetics came from a much deeper place. After facing my own health challenges, including a cancer diagnosis, I began to see self-care, healing, and wellness differently. What started as a personal journey became a calling.
In 2019, I founded Beauty for Ashes by Charm, a faith-based skincare business inspired by Isaiah 61:3. My mission has never been just about healthy skin. It has always been about creating a safe space where people can rest, heal, be educated, and be reminded of their worth. I often say that skincare is what I do, but healing is the heart behind it.
Life has not always been easy. I’ve experienced loss, heartbreak, disappointment, and seasons where I questioned what was next. Most recently, losing my mother was one of the hardest experiences of my life. Yet through every challenge, God has continued to show me that beauty can come from ashes.
Today, I use both my nursing background and esthetics training to educate, encourage, and serve others. Whether I am speaking about skin health, providing a facial massage, or simply listening to someone’s story, my goal is the same: to touch the mind, the body, and the soul.
My story is still unfolding, but one thing I know for sure is that God can use every chapter of our lives, the good, the bad, and everything in between. The experiences that challenged me have also shaped me, strengthened me, and given me a deeper compassion for others. If my journey encourages even one person to keep going, trust God, and believe there is purpose on the other side of pain, then every part of my story has been worth sharing.
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?
Like many people, my journey has come with its share of challenges. One of my biggest obstacles has been navigating seasons of loss, disappointment, and uncertainty while still showing up for others. As a nurse, caregiver, mother, and business owner, I have often found myself pouring into everyone else while neglecting my own need for rest and healing.
Another challenge has been helping people understand what makes me and my business different. In an industry that often focuses on beauty alone, my heart has always been focused on the person. Beauty for Ashes by Charm was never created to be just another skincare business. I genuinely care about people’s well-being. I want my clients to feel seen, heard, educated, and cared for. My goal is not simply to provide a service, but to create an experience that touches the mind, body, and soul. Sometimes that level of care can be difficult to communicate until someone actually experiences it for themselves.
More recently, losing my mother has been one of the most difficult experiences of my life. Grief has taught me that healing is not linear and that strength doesn’t always look like having it all together. There are days when moving forward feels easy and days when it takes intentional effort, but I continue to give myself grace and trust God through the process.
Through every challenge, my faith has been my anchor. I’ve learned that obstacles don’t have to stop us; they can become opportunities for growth, deeper compassion, and a greater understanding of our purpose. Many of the things I’ve walked through have shaped the way I serve others today and have reinforced my belief that beauty can truly come from ashes.
We’ve been impressed with Beauty for Ashes by Charm , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business may be small, but every session, every product, and every interaction is intentional. I pray over what I create and how I serve. My hope is that through both my products and services, I am able to minister to people, encourage them, and remind them of their worth. Skin care is what I do, but loving and serving people is the ministry behind it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theskinministry.com/
- Facebook: beauty for ashes by charm -the skin ministry
