APRIL: On this episode of Fanatical DreamHer, I am excited to be spending time with Jel Mojana of Mojana Soaps. Welcome to Fanatical DreamHer the podcast that celebrates the unstoppable spirit of women who dare to dream big and make those dreams a reality. I'm your host April Kemp and each week I have the honor of sitting down with incredible women of all ages who have faced challenges head on and emerged victorious.

APRIL: Through their stories of resilience, passion and triumph, I hope you'll find the spark to ignite your own journey. This is your time. Let's dream, believe and achieve together.

APRIL: Welcome gel.

JEL: Hi, Miss April. Welcome, welcome.

APRIL: I'm glad you are here with us. I read many articles and got phone calls about this amazing woman from Huntsville, Alabama that has founded the most amazing soaps. tell us about your soaps and this excitement with New York.

JEL: Oh, yes. First things first. Thank you for having me.

JEL: I am I'm happy. I don't know what perfect word to describe the emotions that I'm feeling now. Yes.

JEL: about the New York, it was once in a lifetime experience. It's very, it's very emotional. I was very happy.

JEL: I was very excited. But I was sad when we were breaking down everything because New York was good to me. I've met many fellow Southern people also from Nashville, from Atlanta.

JEL: and they were hyping up the people in the crowd also. I was blessed.

APRIL: Well, tell us what was it called in New York and then tell us about your soaps.

JEL: Yeah, first our soaps, I made everything is a cold process soap. it's just oils and butters, there's no chemicals involved. And our most popular one is the oatmeal.

JEL: that's our best seller for over four years now. It helped with people that has eczema, psoriasis, and just very dry skin and sensitive skin. And then New York, it was different emotions that we had.

APRIL: Well, it was an event, right? Tell us about that. You got picked, correct?

JEL: Yes, I applied last February 2025 at Urban Space. the holiday market in New York, it's the Super Bowl for all the crafters all over the world. They picked all the unique artisan products to show the world because in New York, in Christmas time, it's not just the local are in there is all over the world that is visiting the city.

APRIL: It's fantastic, you were picked and you went.

JEL: Yes ma'am and then on our last day the manager even told us that there was a committee with the urban space and they are also voting their favorites when it comes to the set of the products that we were showcasing and we are the crowd favorite of the committee.

APRIL: That is fantastic, Jel. Well, the pictures I've seen, they look amazing. Tell us, don't you have different shapes and colors?

JEL: Yeah, I love colors. majority of it are pink, but they're all bright colors. I got yellow, pink, purple, blue, and majority of the shapes are bakery food, croissant, ice cream, cupcakes.

APRIL: yeah, that's probably why I got many calls. Not only do I love those, but pink is my favorite color. I just thought it was amazing, the talent.

APRIL: Let's go back to when you were a child. when did you, first of all, when did you realize this dream? And as a child, what guided you to this?

JEL: Okay, I am a millennial, I am a millennial baby. growing up, our parents always keep on telling us that finish your college, get a job, and you're going to have a stable life. Well, it's no longer applicable in this time.

JEL: but I'm always passionate to have a business. But I don't know yet what type of business that I wanted. I tried several things before when I was in grade school and in high school, selling stuff and making homework for other people.

APRIL: Well, how did the soap begin? Tell us about that. Obviously, you have a passion, and how did it influence your journey and how did it start?

JEL: Okay, I have a terrible eczema personally. I have a very sensitive skin. I used to love one of the biggest soap business or soap company all over the world.

JEL: I used to love their products, but I'm not going to name trap anything or anyone, but I still love them. It's just that there are some products that will gonna work on my skin for a few weeks and then it will gonna flare up or irritate my skin. And then I was during pandemic, I got very irritated skin, it was very flaky.

JEL: It was bleeding. I needed a steroid shot. And back in COVID time, we're not allowed to just go and walk in because they're only doing COVID cases.

APRIL: Ryan.

JEL: I was if it's topical, I'm applying something wrong on my skin. I did a lot of research that I can make some products that are organic for my skin. And then there's one organic formulator class that we're offering in Europe.

JEL: And it's just an online class. They will just teach you how to formulate your own soap. Because not all ingredients are compatible with one another.

JEL: I've learned that. And I've tested several formulations on my skin. And I have formulated successfully one formulation that really, really good in my skin.

JEL: I never had any flare ups for months. Oh, great. Yeah.

JEL: So.

APRIL: you made it and then it worked and then you started what just making more and more of it and the shapes and

JEL: Well, I started with cupcakes. I started with the hard one first. I love baking.

JEL: I was Hmm, maybe I can make some fun shapes because the square type are boring for me since I love cute things. I love pink. I love goodies sweet foods.

JEL: it's maybe I can combine two things together. yeah.

APRIL: Well, tell us how pursuing this dream, this is miraculous, it's just exciting. How has pursuing this changed you personally? you've invented this, you're selling them, everyone is excited about it, but how has this process changed you personally?

JEL: It changed me a lot because it made me braver. I became more confident, resilient. I became more self-aware also.

JEL: And I learned how to trust myself in making decision under pressure and just showing up to the people, even though I'm scared. going to New York, I was scared because I don't know if people in New York were gonna buy my stuff. just keep showing up and be consistent.

APRIL: What were the good moments that have stood out along this path for you? What were some of your two favorite things?

JEL: Oh my goodness, I have a lot of favorites, but my number one favorite is if a customer come back for a second, third, fourth time around because the soap really helped them. That is my favorite because it's not just for the business, you know. My goal and my mission is to help people that has skin issues eczema psoriasis me that finally we have a product that are really clean and honest and effective.

APRIL: Well, when you look back, even within your life or before you began this, what experiences helped you the most? you're there. This is exciting.

APRIL: But what would you say has helped you the most? some people, when I asked this, they'll say education. Some will say a class online.

APRIL: Some will, inevitably just say, they learned from a mentor, but what experiences helped you the most? Create these soaps, and now they've come to market.

JEL: Well, it's time management for me, because I'm a full-time nurse. juggling two things, most especially in healthcare, it's taught me discipline. It taught me to use my skills every day.

JEL: Of course, I keep on telling to myself that I have to do this because people are waiting for new products every single day. And if it's helping them, I have to continue doing it. yeah.

APRIL: Oh my goodness. Well, tell me about the moment you realized you could make this happen because a dreamer, I've never met a dreamer far that doesn't remember the moment that they realized they could make this happen.

JEL: Ah, when a stranger believed in my brand enough to spend their hard-earned money on my products, that moment made everything feel real because, earning money and just buying an expensive soap, it's not the priority, most especially the economy now. Trusting me with their money and coming back for more, I feel I was telling to myself, okay, this is really happening. It's working.

APRIL: All tell us about what were some of the major obstacles that you've had to face and how'd you overcome them?

JEL: I have many. But of course, the fear, finances, we don't have a backup. We don't have investors.

JEL: It's just our family pitching in some money to make it happen. Of course, self-doubt at the beginning. I don't know if someone will going to buy my products, especially I'm a woman of color.

JEL: it's a big factor.

APRIL: Well, look at you go. Now you've made it. We're just speaking of that.

APRIL: Where can people buy these incredible soaps?

JEL: There will be several platforms. We have a store here in downtown Huntsville. We're located at 101 Clinton Row, and our website is www.

JEL: mojannasoaps. com. And then we are also unfair.

JEL: for the gift shops and for wholesalers, they can also buy our products in wholesale.

APRIL: Well, I think this is great. I will definitely be there the next time I'm in Huntsville and going online as well. I'm assuming the soaps too, they're for not just adults, but kids too.

JEL: yes it's for everyone for all ages all gender everyone is taking a shower

APRIL: Okay, Jel, what about this? You're very positive. And I heard that about you before our interview, and I was blessed with a chance to chat with you.

APRIL: What's your go-to self-talk? When you're having a tough day, how do you speak to yourself and what do you say?

JEL: Hmm, I always told to myself that I've come this far. I cannot stop now. that's always my pep talk to myself.

APRIL: Oh, I love pep talks. I think that, the majority of women are good at pep talks to other women, but not as good to themselves. And I think we need to start with ourselves.

JEL: Yes, yes.

APRIL: I love that. I think it's such a gift we give ourselves. Okay, well, here's the next question now.

APRIL: Okay, what thoughts were running through your mind the first day that you stepped into this? this is it. Your first day where you have all your soaps and this is it, what were you thinking?

JEL: Oh, I was thinking that I was crazy because even my family think that I was insane for doing it because in an Asian culture, we really don't believe in business. We believe that, most especially I'm a Filipino, we have a stereotypical that we are supposed to be nurses, doctors, that's our, I feel that's our role in the society. And putting up a business, it's not normal for us.

JEL: yeah, I think the first day I was done to myself, I was crazy.

APRIL: Well, you did it. And this is just exciting. How do you feel every day now?

APRIL: Because you're very different than the beginning. And I talk about this a lot, even with my podcast, it was once an idea. And now it's a platform, right?

APRIL: what emotions every day do you feel when you wake up? you've achieved incredible success and more to come. But I wonder, it's different than when we're creating something and it's a sketch on a piece of paper, and then it becomes real.

JEL: Yeah. every day I keep on reminding myself that I have to be better than yesterday. The products, I have to keep innovating different products that will help people.

JEL: I started with just soap. Now we are at expanded with different products such as body butter, shampoo, that shampoo bar that help our cancer patient to help their hair back. yeah.

JEL: and we have several people that was using our shampoo for a year that makes, that helps their hair grow back faster. yeah.

APRIL: Oh, Jel, I love that. And I love that the products have been able to expand and help people more. But I think that's great now after all the success in New York and all the press.

APRIL: that is fantastic. And I think the fact that you're a nurse, I think somehow that helps much with this dream of this entire line of products.

JEL: Yes, yes, simply because I'm already have a background in science. And I always wanted to become a doctor, a dermatologist, to be exact. I wanted to explore more on that options.

JEL: And of course, I wanted to use Mohana as a platform to help more people for us to be the tool to share our blessings, our profit to everyone, such as the homeless people, the homeless community, the Cancer Association of America, American Heart Association, and many more.

APRIL: Fantastic. I love this. Tell us who supported you the most along the way and how they help.

JEL: Okay, I have three people that helped me since day one. Of course, number one, it was Maurice, who is the mastermind of bringing me to Hobby Lobby and created and started this whole thing. And my até, até malin and kuya brainy that stayed as a rock for me.

JEL: They are the one who keep telling me that, yes, we can do that. Yes, it's possible. Let's do that.

JEL: There's no. It's always, yes, we can do that. If we fail, that's not a failure.

JEL: It's an experience. It's a lesson. Yes.

APRIL: Well how blessed that is fantastic. What advice would you give a young person that has an idea you did and you even were using products that didn't work but what advice would you give a young person following a similar dream as you?

JEL: I have one. I always tell to the other people who ask me about that, it's always start before people are ready. You don't need to be perfect.

JEL: Just go there, scare, take a risk, and every day you can improve it, you know.

APRIL: Oh, I love that. I think that's important for everyone to hear. Well, tell me, I've never met a dreamer yet that doesn't think outside of the box.

APRIL: How did you think outside of the box to achieve your goals? I'm sure financially it was tough, but what would you say is the biggest way you thought out of the box to achieve this with Mohana Soaps?

JEL: Yes, I think it's all about the branding and have an effective and good product, that too combination and consistency.

APRIL: Well, your product, just a couple of my friends sent me, obviously, an article they had seen, but those soaps are precious. The color, the shapes, it just, it makes you want to buy them. And I think it's neat that's one part of it, but the other part is that they're made to help certain skins.

APRIL: I think that's, you said, a clean product.

JEL: Yes, yes.

APRIL: All now I'm one of my favorite parts of the interviews. What is your favorite quote?

JEL: Oh, I always hold on to this quote by Jack Ma. It is not your fault if you were born poor, but it's your fault that if you die poor, because you have your lifetime to improve your situation. And I always believe in education.

JEL: I used to be homeless when I was a kid. I always believe that dreams do come true.

APRIL: Oh, Jel, they do. And look at you. I am proud of your, your journey.

APRIL: And that quote, wow, I don't know that I've ever heard it, Jel. It's powerful.

JEL: Thank you.

APRIL: Well, is there anything else you'd to share and if our listeners if someone wants to connect with you? I know you gave your email. Do you mind if they reach out?

JEL: Yeah, of course. I always accept custom orders also. If there's a birthday party or any events, they can always reach out to our email also.

JEL: It's www. mojannasoaps. com.

JEL: And our social media is mojannasoaps. And if there's anything else that I would to share to anyone, Dreams doesn't have any deadlines. It's never too late to start over or try something new.

JEL: You just have to go and get it, you know.

APRIL: Absolutely, and I'm sure Huntsville has supported you and gotten around you.

JEL: Oh yeah, much.

APRIL: I just, I love that. And an example was how many people reached out to me with your information. And the more I saw, I'm this is exciting.

APRIL: we're just all really proud of you. And what do you want to say to some of our, our young girls and our younger women out there that maybe need an extra dose of love and confidence? What do you want to say to them?

JEL: You don't need anyone to believe in you. Just believe in yourself, believe on the product, believe on that idea and make it happen.

APRIL: Oh, Jel, that is very, very true. What would you say in closing? How did you invest in yourself to be able to believe in yourself the way you have, especially with such a hard journey?

JEL: Yes, I believe you have to invest on yourself too, because people look at you personally. If you are well invested in yourself, education, your health, it will reflect on how you project yourself to them. And if you're taking care of yourself, investing more for your growth, then they will believe in you and eventually they will invest in you.

APRIL: Oh, Jel, thank you much for sharing and being a guest on Fanatical DreamHer podcast. What an example of a true dreamer. We're just proud of you and this journey.

APRIL: And I know it's far from over. I want to thank our listeners for all your support and continuing to refer us to your friends and family. Thank you much.

APRIL: We are growing crazy and we couldn't do it without you and all your support. Thank you for listening to Fanatical DreamHer stay healthy and happy. Thank you much for joining us and always remember keep dreaming and never forget the world always makes way for the dreamer.

APRIL: We'll see you next time.