Profiles of Change: Carla Beaumont

Since some of our listening audience may not yet know who you are, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Carla Beaumont, and I’m the creator behind root essentials, www.myrootessentials.com. I’ve lived in Maryland my entire life, been married for 27 years, and have two kids, 18 and 22.

I’ve always been in the telecommunications industry and my successes have been primarily with leveraging technology to reduce cost, improving processes, and increasing efficiencies. I’m told people describe me as passionate about my work and an expert in my field. My greatest personal satisfaction, however, came when I discovered the solution to an annoying problem with my hair, my gray hair. I created a “dry” natural product that let you brush it, blend it, leave it, and one that would protect the hair with natural SPF protection. Very appropriate that the finished product would save time, money, and solve a problem, right up my alley! We launched root essentials September 2009 in Hollywood California, and we are a finalist in the upcoming CEW 2010 Beauty Awards. Something that I spent over 20 years fighting against is now what empowers me.

You are a great success. Because of what you've accomplished and where you are in life, what would you tell others to inspire them today, regardless of where they are in their life?

To have faith and think positively if you feel strongly about something, and it feels right! I like to pray for direction, look for signs, meditate and talk to my loved ones who have passed on. I sometimes like to give thanks when I ask as if I know they will deliver. In addition to being spiritual the next thing I’d say is exercise. Ride a bike, walk, run, skate, play sports. I like to run or take a long walk when I’m tired or stuck. Afterwards, I get plenty of ideas and directions.

My other go to for inspirations are to find a mentor, journal often, and create a vision board. This is not only key but loads of fun!

We all know that inspiration can change lives. Can you share a personal story of someone who inspired you and made a difference in your life or a defining moment or experience that inspired you or changed your life?

I was mourning a loss of a child for over 18 years never having closure. I wanted to write about it, publish it, so I could put the mourning to rest and move on with my life. I subscribed to First 30 Days and before that same amount of days I had written a poem, and someone from your office put it on your site for Mother’s Day. My life totally changed that day. No longer would I say, someday I will. From then on, it became, I will. From there I organized a “change for charity seminar,” and Ariane was the key speaker, donating book proceeds to the cause. I was reminded that if you take action you can succeed at any goal, one step at a time. Those two opportunities taught me that success was not measured by how much money was in the bank but by meeting one's goals.

You make it look easy, but I'm guessing you've experienced challenges in your life. Can you share with our listeners how that has strengthened you to reach success? In other words, how do you overcome adversity?

In the beginning challenges were the norm and expected. I would jokingly say, “This is good, the harder the journey, the better the story and outcome”; however there was a time when I felt like giving up. Root essentials was self-funded so after borrowing once from the family, I went back for more, and was told absolutely not a good idea. I knew in my gut I had to finish what I started and this felt like one of those walls for sure. I stewed for awhile, and then realized I wasn’t following my own advice. I started to pray, meditate, and exercise, and just had faith somehow it would work out. Shortly later I was notified that root essentials (www.myrootessentials.com) was selected as CEW Beauty finalist.

We all have ideas on how to improve our lives, whether it is a new job, moving to a new city, or finding love, but change can be a bit scary sometimes. Can you please share an experience with us where you "stepped off the ledge" with only faith, and took a big risk, based only on your belief that you would succeed?

Certainly! Entering the CEW Beauty Awards was very scary. I went to New York to demo the product in front of experts in the field, writers, and so on. My booth was right next to Clairol’s, and all I could think of was “how can I compete?” I relied on my beliefs to get me off the ledge and kept repeating positive things to myself, and went over reviews and testimonials and then dismissed the fears as just that. Sure enough, when the day was done, I was very much alive, and felt great! Ironically getting off the ledge didn’t come at the end of the night like I expected, it was at the beginning. Since I was doing what I loved, after the first minute , the rest was all fun.

How can others do what you did?

Start by journaling. Write often what you feel and how. Recognize what you are grateful for, and what you want in life. At first if you are unsure, generalize, but the more you write and search, the more specific you should get. Picture your dream, close your eyes, and feel it. Then read the First 30 Days book from start to finish, completing all of the exercises. This is not an endorsement. It's simply what I did and it did work. I took the book and action items very seriously as if a future depended on it, and that was a great investment of time. I am much more confident and knowing of my new direction in life now and really attribute the First 30 Days book and website for that.

What process, steps or exercises do you recommend that our listeners could do right now and each morning, to improve the quality of their lives?

Live by the rule, “Take care of yourself first.” It sounds selfish but in fact it is quite the opposite. By doing this, you will have more clarity, and better physical and emotional health to do both, instead of sacrificing one area for another. The results are amazing. You will feel inspired instead of overwhelmed, and you will be able to do more with less time. This is one mistake I think many people make. I like to do something for myself every day whether it is a run, walk, lifting weights, or just reading some inspiring material off of one of my favorite sites.

What's the greatest joy in your life?

My tribe; my family and loved ones, even the ones who have passed on, are still in my tribe. I receive strength from their love, support, and I learn so much from them. I especially enjoy getting signs from above! The hotel where we launched in CA was on San Vicente Blvd. My Dad’s name was Vincent. A picture of me standing under the street sign is actually my screen saver.

If you had to wrap up the wisdom of your life to leave as your legacy- call it YOUR BRILLIANCE- what important things that you've learned would you want to pass on to others?

If you have a passion in life, go for it. If you’re not sure what it is, keep searching, don’t settle. Stay positive, be kind to yourself and others. It makes life more rewarding. Above all, I’ve learned death doesn’t separate us, and by having faith it actually guides us. We learn more from our losses then our gains.

If you had just one more thing that you could accomplish in your lifetime, what would it be?

To help fund cancer research, as well as help make life easier for those battling it.

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Thank you for this wonderful interview. Carla, your philosophy on life mirrors mine so closely I feel like I know you! I am probably 10-15 years behind you in age so it inspires me to see how living your life passionately and thinking positively pays off. :)

• By Kena_p
• on 4/15/10 6:39 AM EST

About Carla Beaumont