Aujah Griffin
Leaving her full-time job as a 5th Grade Teacher to become an Entrepreneur full-time, with all the odds stacked against her and so many people telling her she shouldn’t do that, Aujah still insisted to follow HER dreams. She started an organization called Love’U Inc in 2017. Love’ U Inc, a women empowerment organization dedicated to Educating, Encouraging & Empowering young women to be the best version of themselves in underserved communities.
"Love'U Inc makes me see my work & efforts come to life more and more each day. "
Aujah Griffin
Alongside building Love’U Inc organization Aujah Griffin also wrote a book called ‘Stole: The Ultimate Betrayal’ that has been released recently in August. Stole is a memoir that reveals Aujah’s truth as she speaks on the years of sexual abuse she endured as a child. Analyzing how it later affected every decision she made, from teen pregnancy, domestic violence, marriage & divorce all before the age of 25. Aujah never allowed her story to consume her. Instead, she figured out how to turn her story into lessons & blessings for people just like herself.
What inspired you to start Love’ U Inc?
Being a teen mother, is what inspired me to start an organization that would empower young girls by educating them on issues that as girls we usually don’t grasp until we have already made several mistakes. Issues such as Sex, drugs, men, love, and the value of education. I didn’t have these kinds of resources as a teen, so I knew first hand that is was needed.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned, and would pass along to other women who have been sexually abused?
The biggest lesson I have learned after being sexually abused as a child was how to forgive. So many people will say they forgive, but don’t truly understand just what it means to forgive someone. I learned that I was forgiving them for me, it had nothing to do with them; but everything to do with my sanity. So if you have ever been sexually abused, accepting the betrayal and forgiving will set your soul free.
As an entrepreneur do you have innate qualities, or is it something that you learned?
My mother worked all her life and she would always emphasize the power in having your own business. After watching and assisting her to manage her own business for years inspired me to have my own. She has a passion for working with children, so she opened her own daycare centers. I have a passion for helping other women, so I have my own empowerment organization.
Tell us about ‘’Stole’’, what is it about, and who is it for?
“Stole” is a memoir that reveals many of the obstacles that I have faced all before the age of 25. From teen pregnancy, marriage, divorce, depression, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and so much more. Stole is truly a gift to anyone that has gone through something in their life. After reading you will not only be inspired but will have found your own strength to push through anything that you have been through.
Stole, how did you come up with the name?
I came up with the name Stole, because that’s exactly how I was left feeling. I felt empty and robbed of my childhood, taken advantage of and stepped all over for much of my life. The title came to me in the middle of the night as I was sleeping and I literally woke up out of my sleep and quickly put the title in my notes. I struggled with finding the perfect title, but it stuck with me and I’m glad it did.
What was the hardest part to talk about in your book ‘’Stole’’?
The hardest part about Stole was addressing the years of sexual abuse I experienced in my childhood. I was molested by my father and raped by two of my older cousins as a little girl. So one could only imagine the emotions and mental torture I went through writing the very 1st chapter of my book.
What sacrifices have you had to make during life as an entrepreneur?
The biggest sacrifice I made, was leaving my Full-Time job. I had a great job as a 5th Grade Teacher but it was leaving me feeling miserable and stuck. I wasn’t happy and the stress began affecting my children. I had nowhere to turn to, so one day, I just had to put myself before the paycheck. Now I have been able to spend my time working on my dreams full-time, go back to school and homeschooling my own children.
What is your life motto?
Wow, there are so many life mottos that I live and will die by, but if I had to choose my number 1 it would have to be
”Even the most trying situations have an underlying purpose, so find the positive in the midst of the negatives. You may feel like you’re dying, but you’re not going to die.”
What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
My biggest failure in life would have to be thinking that I had to please the rest of the world. Many of the decisions I made were based on making other people happy. Living for others meant I cared what other people would say or how they felt about me and doing what others felt was best for me. I have learned that no one has to live MY life but me, so when it comes to MY happiness, I’m going to do exactly what Aujah wants to do.
If you had one piece of advice to our readers to those just starting out as a business owner, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice would simply be to remain consistent and invest in YOU! If the passion is in it, those two things will happen naturally.
![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)
I have read the book “Stole the ultimate betrayal “ and it left me speechless. This book will truly bring you to tears and may even open up some wounds that have be covered for some time. However, this book will leave you inspired that there is Sunshine after the Storm you thought would take you out. Aujah is a amazing young woman and is a force to be reckoned with.
I have read the book “Stole the ultimate betrayal “ and it left me speechless. This book will truly bring you to tears and may even open up some wounds that have be covered for some time. However, this book will leave you inspired that there is Sunshine after the Storm you thought would take you out. Aujah is a amazing young woman and is a force to be reckoned with.
I am honored to have read this article as well as the book, they were both true inspirations for women like myself who face many challenges in life. Aujah’s story is so authentic and real in its ability to relate and touch the hearts of so many women of all races and backgrounds. She has truly helped define how self-love and taking risks can bring so much positivity and success into one’s life. Pure Gold!