After coasting on auto-pilot for most of her adult life navigating marriage, school, motherhood, divorce, re-marriage & career advancement what felt like all at once, it wasn’t until her world was suddenly turned upside down that something in Vicky Jomaa finally broke free. Vicky had been experiencing stress, burn-out and constant frustration with the BS concept of ‘work-life’ balance for so many years that she had no idea who she was or what she wanted anymore.
A true epiphany, which Vicky found both fascinating and absolutely terrifying. Vicky realized her lack of self-esteem, absence of self-identity and complete deficit of self-care was something that lingered in her for practically her entire life. She made a decision – she was going to start taking care of herself. Vicky wanted to be a better person mostly for herself, but also for those around her.
‘’When we are the best versions of ourselves, that also bleeds into the other areas of our lives – in motherhood, careers, partnerships & more.’’
But what did Vicky REALLY need to do to achieve this? How can she really live through this idea of taking care of herself first? She looked at the parts of her life that brought joy and fulfillment, and explored who she was and what she wanted her life to look like going forward. It involved hard decisions. It involved holding space. It involved un-becoming and re-becoming all at once, but she continued to give herself permission to practice this raw and vulnerable side of self-care and extraordinary things happened.
‘’This isn’t a one and done thing. This is a continuous & conscious discipline that will be a life long journey.’’
As a former interior designer, Vicky went from imagining and designing interiors & homes, to teaching women how to lead themselves into re-imagining and re-designing their existence through self-love and self-care.
‘’We all deserve to live a life we feel soulfully connected with, and I would be honoured to help & support you in creating yours!’’
Working as a transformational coach & changemaker, Vicky is bringing all her education and experience together to help others re-imagine and re-design their lives through self-care and self-love.
What inspired you to start your own business?
Honestly, reaching the proverbial ‘rock bottom’ in terms of my mental, emotional & physical health was the catalyst for me. I had spent most of my adult life being in service to others (personally & professionally), but I clearly neglected my own needs & desires in the process. This eventually led to complete burnout, and it was at that time where I realized the power of self-care in its truest forms, and how much of an impact it had on my well-being. I discovered so many strategies and habits through the process of pulling myself out of this dark space and changing trajectory in my own life, that I knew I could teach others how to do this, and now – I have the capacity and ability to both be in service to others and take care of myself at the same time. Pretty awesome, right?!
In your own words, what do you do?
I help women who are lost, stuck & burnt out learn to discover who they are again & empower themselves to live their lives authentically and unapologetically. I do this with the triad of ‘self’ which is self-love, self-acceptance, self-care. I have also been dubbed a professional hype woman and your own personal cheerleader!
Tell us more about your services: the Self-Care Clarity Course, self care sessions, six week self care system.
These offerings were designed to give women a safe & empowering space to reconnect with themselves, discover what they want & how to feel in life, and give them the tools they need to achieve that. There are a few reasons why we tend to struggle with change and become better versions of ourselves – I’ve discovered what these factors are, and aim to give women the support & accountability they need to break through these barriers. Each one adds a different dimension and layer of value to the previous, so that I can provide this type of support to as many people as possible. We all deserve this!
How do you help people as a life coach?
One of the most fascinating parts of coaching is being able to guide people through their own self-discovery so they can awaken to things that they haven’t become aware of yet. Through mindset work, my proven approach & of course some accountability – I not only help people create a vision of the future they want to experience and what they want it to feel AND look like, but help them devise an inspired action plan in order to make it a reality. It’s AMAZING. Seeing women transform themselves and become the drivers of their own existence in an empowered & intentional way is truly inspiring.
Tell us the biggest mistakes you see people make when you are guiding them in your coaching.
In my practice, there is no such thing as a mistake. That, and the word regret just aren’t in the vocabulary of my sessions and programs. Instead, we remain future focused and shift our mindset into one of growth and opportunity. Every experience can be viewed as a chance to learn something about ourselves and our journey.
How do we know we take care of ourselves?
I love this question because we often focus on the signs that we are NOT taking care of ourselves. These are very easy to list and we have probably all seen countless articles on how to recognize it. We know when we feel tired, burnt out & unhappy. But why do we let ourselves get to that point? If you are experiencing some of the following, it’s clear you are taking care of yourself in some pretty profound ways, but the key is consistency and making sure you’re checking off items in ALL 8 elements of self-care (which you can learn about in my Self-Care Clarity Course)
- You feel gratitude daily
- You spend more days smiling and happy than not
- The people around you lift you up, support you and inspire you, not drag you down.
- You honor yourself and your needs in the moment
- You practice positive self-talk
- You are inspired & happy in the work you do
- You are comfortable with being alone and/or being in silence
- You check in with yourself and your feelings daily
What is self care really and how does one know they should do more of it?
Self-Care is not the bubble bath & face mask (hello, #selfcaresaturday) routine that social media has been feeding us with. Real self-care is HARD. It’s often messy and not pretty. It involves creating boundaries, facing our problems and doing whatever it takes to make sure we are healthy, happy & fulfilled. This is HARD WORK. We need to start viewing self-care as a necessity, not an indulgence or luxury. Everyone deserves to put themselves first, and we can start by making self-care a daily intention. It’s not that we need more of it per say – but we need to be doing the right things, and that starts with a brutally unapologetic & honest awareness of yourself. This is exactly where I come in and start supporting you to work on YOU first, above all else.
What has been your biggest milestone / achievement so far ?
Two things, and neither of them are professional or work related. All that stuff comes after this!
- My kids. I made them…. with my body. How cool is that?!
- Learning to trust and honor myself again. I am so proud of the growth and progress I have made. I can’t wait for what comes next.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Self-care, of course! In a society where for decades we have valued bottom-lines & status before the individual, and treat burnout like a badge of honor, I dream of a world where instead we teach young girls & women (and EVERYONE, really) the value of themselves first. I truly believe that we would be happier, healthier & more empowered if we were taught these life skills at a young age. The natural consequences to this would undoubtedly be a richer and more productive society, but that isn’t the main goal here – it will just be a result. The future will be us embracing ourselves first and leading with heart – I just know it.
If you could go back by ten years, what would be some of the top tips you would give our audience?
As women, we often doubt ourselves and are conditioned to play small in this world. I would tell everyone a few things (including myself!)
- Trust your intuition. It is a gift.
- Your voice matters – use it.
- You can do hard things.
- Start following your dreams. Seriously, just start. And if they change… that’s ok. Change your direction.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
Join the discussion!