Fabiola was born and raised in a beautiful island from Caribbean Dominican Republic. At the age of 18, Fabiola moved to the USA after graduating as a System technician. Even though her passion and her dreams were all into acting and becoming a very famous and successful actress. However, moving to the USA, having to learn a new language, culture, made Fabiola put her dreams aside for a little.
Fabiola started to work at a restaurant as a cashier, meanwhile, she started to study English and also Real Estate. Right after turning 21, something woke up in Fabiola and she decided she wanted to pursue her dreams. Long story short in a matter of 5 years Fabiola lived in Mexico, Los Angeles
The doors started to open
Until one day after moving to Miami to participate in a Reality Show called Nuestra Belleza Latona 2010, the doors started to open. For almost 2 years Fabiola was working in what she loved. Did few series, short films, special appearances on TV shows and finally got a contract for a soap opera. Meanwhile she met the love of her life and got married. Truth to be told Fabiola believes that’s the reason she needed to move to Miami… To meet her love!
After her contract was over and having to go back to ground zero of castings rejections, castings rejections; a part of her wanted to start a family and the other part was afraid and continue to postpone it because of what if she gets a contract and financially didn’t have the life they wanted to provide for their kids.
Herbalife Independent Distributors
In this stage, Fabiola and her man Alan decided to give it a try to an opportunity that had knocked on their doors a few months prior and they didn’t open. Fabiola and Alan decided to start their own business as Herbalife Independent Distributors. That’s what they have been doing for the past 6 years, and it has been the best decision they have taken. Fabiola and Alan have been able to work around their kids and enjoy every milestone.
‘’To me this is one of the biggest blessings in my life. Helping others get healthier and/or also start their own business became our mission and gave us a bigger purpose in life!’’
What inspired you to start The Herbalife Opportunity?
They say you start either by inspiration or desperation, in this case we were desperate. We were looking for an opportunity that will help us make some extra income so that maybe Alan (my husband) didn’t have to work 3 jobs over 60 hours a week. We were newly weeds and would barely see each other.
At the moment we were doing magic to make ends meet and I was sad, depressed you could say, for not finding a job in what I loved. I was Working so hard and still getting rejected.
In the other hand my priority list started to change. We wanted to start a family. We wanted to be able to have a lifestyle and we wanted it to depend on us. This is something that was already happening to our sponsors, the people that had introduced us to Herbalife before.
This is when we decided to give us the opportunity to try Herbalife and contacted our sponsors.
So does The Herbalife Opportunity really work?
This is the million dollar question. The one thing I would say is that I don’t live the life of my dreams because it’s more than I ever dreamed. Of course it’s like everything requires hard work, heart-work, consistency, passion and all of that that we usually do when working for someone else’s.
We help people get healthier and live happier for a living. Since I was a little girl helping others was in me. I would always give away my
So finding an opportunity that allows us to continue helping others has become our passion.
What fulfillment does being a business owner give you?
The sense of ownership of your life. At least the type of business we have allows us to have the best of the world opportunity for better health, time freedom and financial independence.
What makes The Herbalife Opportunity so special?
The fact that every single penny we make changes people’s lives for the better. The fact that in other for us to grow is done through the ripple effect of us helping others grow.
Who or what influences you?
My mom. My mom is the most hardworking, determined, self driven woman I know. She’s been my biggest example of never settling, of being fearless, of fighting for my dreams, of being hungry for more.
She has taught me to be kind, to never forget where I come from and also to be strong, to have character and stand up for me and what I believe.
Who are your clients, any great stories from a client?
The best people in the world Hahahaha! We have a big client base from all over the USA and different countries. We are an open book and help anyone who wants a change in their life.
I remember one of my clients thanking for not only helping her but because of that her mom health improved so much. She was feeling energized and being able to walk better! Can you believe?
Also, we have a pharmacist in our team and he’s so appreciative of starting Herbalife because of his mom as well. She was having to take like 7 different pills for health issues and after dropping 40 lbs and taking our nutrition she was down to only 1 pill for high blood pressure. Of course we do not cured anything but when you nurture your body with good nutrition it thanks you for it.
What 5 steps would you advise and give our ladies who starting their own business?
- Make sure to have a clear WHY you want to do this
- Have a clear list of the things you are willing to sacrifice for some
time Have a clear goal- Have a plan of action that must be done every day no matter what. Consistency is key
- Have the correct mindset. Work on yourself, on your mind. Nurture your mind with personal development.
What steps would you advise and give our ladies who want to start a business with their partner?
In my opinion communication is the key factor. Both must be on the same page and be willing to listen to each other’s ideas and respect each other’s opinion. It’s crucial for both to learn to have the separation of business and personal; and that not all the time both will agree.
That’s why to me communication is that key component of working with your husband.
How do you make sure anyone can find The Herbalife Opportunity?
We make sure we share in our social media about Herbalife everyday. We share what it has done for us and share our story with our clients.
We also always wear the brand to make sure we open conversations about it with the people we encounter.
I’m a big believer that everyone deserves to know about this opportunity. That every mom deserves to be with their babies and enjoy every single milestone without the need to leave them in a daycare since baby just like we have been able to enjoy them. I believe every family deserves to have the option to say “yes or no”, to have ownership of their lives.
How do you want to improve yourself in the next year?
I think humans are a constant work in progress. We must always try to expand our knowledge, vision, skills, habilites In order to continue evolving.
Definitely continue reading books about personal development. I would loved to learn a new skill like to play piano; and maybe a new language, but haven’t decided which one yet Hahahaha!
Do you believe in destiny or do you think you can control your fate?
I’m a firm believer that nothing happens by casualty and that life shapes you for what you are meant to be or do. However I also believe that luck only sticks to those who are out there doing.
Tell us about your proudest achievement?
Definitely seeing my family’s transportation!
Even though there is more work to do, currently we have about 10 family members doing Herbalife as a career and seeing them succeed, achieve their dreams and goals has been the most beautiful part of our own achievements. I am so grateful for each NO that I received in acting because that redirected me to what I was meant to do.
![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)
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