My Journey: From Black Hair to Grey Hair

Eighteen years ago, I started with a handful of oils and a dream in one small bedroom of my home. As orders grew, I claimed another bedroom, and when that wasn’t enough, the kitchen became full production — my stove and mixers were working harder than I was. By December 2021, LBOS had moved into its first commercial space, and by February 2025, we had expanded into a warehouse and we are already beginning to outgrow it. Here’s the part most people don’t see: I built all of this while working a full-time job (9–5). My days were spent at the University of Illinois, where I served as Assistant to the Dean, and my nights — often from 6:00 p.m. until 2 or 3 a.m. — were spent mixing, pouring, labeling, and shipping orders. I’d grab a few hours of sleep, then do it all over again.That rhythm continued for years until August 2023, when I retired seven years early after 23 years of service — because LBOS had grown too big to fit into the margins of my day.

I See You Sis: A safe space for women to learn, ask, and grow from real experience

I created and self-funded my I See You Sis Clinic because I wanted women to have something I didn’t — a safe space to learn directly from a seasoned business owner who has been through it all. I invested my own resources because the need was too important to ignore. These clinics are open, honest, and transparent. I don’t sugarcoat the journey; I share the real highs and the hard lessons — the do’s and the don’ts, the wins and the setbacks, and why not every trend is right for every business. It’s a place where women can ask questions, hear the truth about entrepreneurship, and leave with practical tools they can apply right away. For me, it’s not just about teaching — it’s about creating a sisterhood where women know they are seen, supported, and empowered to build their own legacies.

Mentorship & Speaking

I extend my mission beyond skincare by mentoring entrepreneurs, especially women who are just starting out or who feel overlooked. I know what it’s like to build with limited resources, so I make it a point to share the unfiltered lessons from nearly two decades in business — the do’s, the don’ts, and the truths most people won’t say out loud. My style is transparent, humorous, and real, because success isn’t instant — but it is possible.Through mentorship and speaking, I offer women a safe space to learn, ask questions, and gain tools they can apply right away. Many of these women walk in feeling uncertain, but they leave with strategies, confidence, and the knowledge that someone who has been in the trenches believes in them. The ripple effect is powerful: when one woman succeeds, her family, her community, and the next generation succeed with her.

Creating Jobs

LBOS isn’t just my dream — it’s stability and opportunity for others. From my home to my warehouse, I’ve created jobs for women who now help mix, package, and ship our luxury skincare nationwide. Each hire represents more than a paycheck — it’s dignity, growth, and the chance to be part of something bigger. When LBOS grows, so does the community around it.

 

Community Impact

At LBOS, impact goes beyond products. We celebrate women through my I See You Sis Clinic, highlight achievements that inspire, and create opportunities for others to rise. From providing jobs to mentoring and collaborating, our story is rooted in uplifting women and strengthening community.Every jar, every scrub, every kit is part of something bigger — a movement of beauty, confidence, and empowerment that flows back into the community we serve.

Always Learning, Always Leading.

I believe that leading a business also means continuously growing as a leader. To sharpen my skills and prepare LBOS for the next level, I completed two intensive 12-week professional development programs — the NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center’s Milestone Circles and Cornell University’s eCornell program. I took both simultaneously while running a growing business, and graduated from both. These experiences gave me tools to scale strategically, strengthen operations, and build LBOS into a sustainable legacy brand.

Future Vision

The journey of LBOS is just beginning. With 18 years of resilience behind us, we’re focused on expanding nationally, creating more jobs, and launching new innovations. We’re not just building a brand — we’re building a movement.

Lucretia's Body Oils and Sprays; 18 years strong — rooted in community, built on excellence, and ready for what’s next.