Making a positive impact on society guided by spiritual principles are core values the former beauty queen. I got the chance to know her better and listen to the twists and turns of life that positioned her to purpose.
What kick-started your journey?
Growing up, I never once thought about entrepreneurship. I felt like God was taking me down a new and unfamiliar path. I would say that disappointment brought me to destiny.
At university, I had every intention of studying medicine. However, due to financial constraints, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in animal biology and food chemistry hoping to later matriculate to the medical programme.
After a few years after graduating, I had to step out of the box and do something unconventional. I started exploring ideas, but none resonated. I began to ask God what I can do to change the course of my life financially whilst being purposeful.
Tell us about Bee Phenomenal.
I attribute the birth and success of Bee Phenomenal International to my father. It was a discussion with him that inspired the name. As a bee farmer who sells honey, I had the opportunity to observe his operation over the years. I had a natural fascination with bees and started to do intense research on them.
My research revealed some interesting facts as it relates to their behaviour and value to the ecosystem and economy. Not only do bees produce honey but they produce other useful products and are important pollinators. They transfer pollen from flower to flower to aid fertilization. Rarely are they known for anything else except honey production. Based on this observation, Bee Phenomenal International was birthed to bring visibility to and glean life-lessons from the multi-faceted insect.
What products do you offer?
The product arm of the business seeks to create all natural skin care alternatives using byproducts from the bee. The signature raw material we use is beeswax.
As a natural care enthusiast, the business is the commercial extension of my hobby. I have always been health-conscious and very aware and cautious of what goes into my body. Many people are not aware that whatever is placed on the skin, enters the bloodstream. As a result, my skincare regime is strictly natural.
As fate would have it, my creativity, innovation, and academic background created the ideal environment within which my vision can flourish. I began to concoct and eventually develop a formula for the Bee Phenomenal Lip Balm. It is available in a range of flavours including lemon, orange, vanilla, cinna-mint, rosemary, coconut, peaches and cream, lavender, jasmine, tangerine, and peppermint.
We also offer a service for customers who want a personalized touch for their events. It is especially popular at weddings, showers, and corporate occasions.
What does the future hold for your business?
Bee Phenomenal International seeks to combine 3 Ps to create a global brand of excellence — products, purpose and personal development.
The business will become the hub of quality products and services that cater to the holistic needs of people while staying true to its core values. The mind, body, and spirit will be engaged in a lifelong dialogue that guarantees phenomenal results.
I believe we were all created to ‘bee’ phenomenal. Bees are very organized and purposeful insects in everything they do. Colonies are divided into a hierarchy according to roles and functions. The queen lays eggs, drones mate with the queen and the workers gather food and maintain the hive. Their roles do not overlap and they do not compete as they co-exist in harmony for the survival of the hive. This has always left an impression on me has helped me gain a new perspective on life.
What if we were so self-aware that we didn’t compete, but confidently fulfill our life’s calling like these bees? This question has pushed me to grow and fulfill my purpose through my business in other ways by combining my creativity and skills to offer personal services such as empowerment speaking, event hosting, and confidence coaching.
Tell us about your book Equipped To Impact.
I believe that a life of purpose epitomizes using your gifts and talents to help others step into their purpose. I consider myself blessed to be endowed with this great vision and I approach it with much gravity. Equipped To Impact: A 40 Day Journey to an Empowered Life is for anyone who is desirous of increasing their impact in the world. It has biblical prescriptions for empowered living that both Christians and non-Christians can use to overcome and achieve the impossible.
As it rings true for my journey, every dream is achievable, no mountain is insurmountable once you read, understand and apply the Word of God.
If you want to learn more about Shanique and Bee Phenomenal International, visit www.shaniqueshand.com