Our Story
Circa 2009, as I sit in my apartment on Euclid Avenue debating if I would take my sister up on her offer to move to Atlanta, GA, I was overwhelmed with a multitude of emotions. A part of me wanted the move. I was desperately seeking a new beginning. I envisioned moving to the south, embracing a new scene, the beautiful, new people and the unknown. The other part of me feared the unknown. Moving meant I would not have a place to call my own, a car, a job or the necessities to get by. I was conflicted and confused. However, I began to pray. I remember going to my eldest son’s bedroom and praying. My prayer was for God to give me peace and clarity in my decision. Long story short, God did just that.
June 2009, the transition from Cleveland, Ohio to Marietta, Georgia took place. Needless to say, it was one of the best decisions of my life. I’m an artist and a designer. Therefore, I am very sensitive to my environments and the atmosphere.
Once I moved to Marietta, although I had no car, no job, and no house to call my own, I had peace like I never experienced before. I knew it was nothing but the GRACE of God, because how can one have peace when there are so many pieces missing? God was holding my hand and leading every step of the way. I always said I was rewarded for the leap of faith I took moving away from almost everything and everyone I knew. Within 2 years, God had blessed me with more than I ever could have imagined. Within months of my transition, I was blessed with a job, a brand new car and a beautiful apartment. Additionally, I went back to school to major in my passion, Fashion Marketing, and Design.
While pursuing my degree, I began to pay attention to children who were battling childhood cancer. This stood out to me because I was pregnant with my second son. Like many moms, I was excited as I prepared to welcome him into the world. Buying large bottles of baby lotions, creams and shampoos had become a whole thing. I was buying what I considered to be “great skincare”. I was soon informed the brands I had been purchased were known for using cancer causing agents in their skincare. I took my research and love for wholistic living into my kitchen to craft what has now become Handcrafted Herbal Body by Shelena Racquel.
In 2013, I earned my Bachelors of Fashion Marketing and Design degree.
In 2014, I had my third son.
In 2015, I launched Diary of Queen Esther.
I always say “everyone has a story.”
For me, no matter how great things appeared on the outside, I still felt incomplete, sad, broken, bitter, scared, confused and controlled by fear. I am the voice of a girl who mastered smiling and laughing through internal bondage. I would always tell God “I just wanted to be happy.” I hungered to know what success and prosperity felt like. However, The mental and financial struggle had worn me down. Bad decision making left me exhausted. Being unsatisfied with who I had became hindered me from enjoying any of my blessings. To sum it all up, I was a mess.
However, little did I know, I was praying to the ultimate FIXER of all messes. There is no mess, and I mean no mess, that’s too much for our Lord God and Savior to clean up. As I stand here today, for the first time in a long time, I’m learning to manage the pains of my past. I am no longer controlled by things I can’t control. Today, I am INSPIRED to inspire others to know life is what we make it. Life can be beautiful, uplifting and liberating. Although life can be hard and knock us down sometimes, we have the authority through Christ Jesus to LIVE, LOVE and be all God created us to be.
In 2021, with much praying and the leading of Holy Spirit, we decided to move back to my hometown, Cleveland Oh. Just like a true Esther, God continues to positions me where He desires me to be, FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.
Currently, I run and operate my business out of the Shore Cultural Center, located in the great city on the lake, Euclid City. Additionally, I am a board member of The Euclid Chambers Of Commerce. This lead me to being awarded with the 2023 NOACC Award, representing the city of Euclid.
As I’m watching things unfold in my life, the greatest business accomplishment is God using this “Faith-Based” business He birthed out of me, as ministry in the market place, FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS (Esther 4:14).
Shelena Racquel, Founder and creator of DOQE