Akenis LLC, a company founded by an inspiring and phenomenal woman named Sineka Demery, has become a beacon of hope for women struggling with chronic health conditions. Sineka’s personal journey with Sickle Cell Anemia and PCOS has been a significant influence on the direction and mission of Akenis LLC. She understands the trials and tribulations that come with battling chronic illnesses, and she wanted to create a safe space for women to feel seen and heard without someone trying to shove ineffective and unsafe methods in their faces.
The founder’s own experiences have led her to create holistic resources and products that have made a significant impact on her health journey. When she contracted COVID-19, she immediately incorporated more vitamins and herbs into her diet, making all the difference. Her approach to holistic health practices is practical and grounded in her own experiences. She has even rented lab space to do more in-depth tests on the products to ensure they are safe and effective for women with various health conditions.
One of the biggest challenges facing women with chronic health conditions is the lack of understanding and awareness about their daily challenges. Some people do not believe that these conditions are real, and this can be very isolating and frustrating for those who are struggling. Healthcare professionals need to be better educated about these diseases, and Akenis LLC advocates for this by providing peer-to-peer volunteer counseling and Empathic Healing Sessions.
Akenis LLC also supports and advocates for individuals with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. They provide a calming environment for women to learn ways to connect with nature, utilizing essential oils for anxiety and depression and other natural ways to relax their minds and body. The company has hosted and participated in various events and donated products and clothing to women in need who just need a reboot on finding their happiness again.
Sineka’s personal journey with Sickle Cell Anemia and PCOS has led her to create a safe space for women to explore holistic health practices and find the support they need to thrive. The company’s holistic resources and products are safe and effective, and they have made a significant impact on the founder’s own health journey. Akenis LLC’s approach to holistic health practices is grounded in practicality, and they provide a safe and reliable space for women to explore these practices and find the support they need to thrive.
Khadijah: How has your personal battle with Sickle Cell Anemia and PCOS influenced the direction and mission of Akenis LLC?
Sineka: I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia at birth and PCOS at the age of 25, so from an early age, I knew that life was going to be a little different for myself. I started Akenis because of the trials and tribulations I have faced personally. Until recent years, there has been limited information and resources available to the millions of individuals who are impacted by these diseases. I wanted to create a safe space where women can feel seen and heard without someone shoving ineffective and unsafe methods in their faces. Do I aim to empower and uplift women every moment possible? Yes, but I also understand that on the days when you just are physically and emotionally drained, it would be nice to have a safe place to come to.
Khadijah: Can you share an example of a holistic resource or product that has made a significant impact on your own health journey?
Sineka: This one is going to probably shock some but make others so proud. When I first caught COVID in 2020, I was so scared because, honestly, I was warned that it could be deadly for myself and others with Sickle Cell Anemia. The moment I received the positive result, I immediately started incorporating more vitamins and herbs into my diet. I started off drinking organic coconut water, lime, and lemon-infused water, and eating only fruits and vegetables daily. COVID was not that bad for me. I honestly felt like I had the flu and was back to work in a week, with NO ER OR HOSPITAL! NO BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS! NO NARCOTICS FOR PAIN!
Khadijah: What steps do you take to ensure that the resources and products offered by Akenis LLC are safe and effective for women with various health conditions?
Sineka: I tested them all out on myself, and also I also rented a lab space for over 6 months doing some more in-depth tests on the products. It is easy to sell a product, but I wanted people to know that I actually use the products I am selling, so we are on this journey TOGETHER!
Khadijah: In your opinion, what are some of the biggest challenges facing women with chronic health conditions in today’s society?
Sineka: I know personally it has been hard to explain the daily challenges. You can’t physically see my disease from the outside looking in, but I promise you I can feel every ounce of it. Some people think that it’s not real or that it is not as bad as I explain, and that’s ok, but I think that it’s important, now more than ever, to use my platform to advocate for myself and others like me. We need more healthcare professionals properly educated on these diseases. I worked in the medical field for 14 years, and the lack of knowledge some of the physicians had about Sickle Cell Anemia shocked me. I witnessed a doctor googling Sickle Cell Anemia during my daughter’s medical examination; I asked for her complete medical record at check out and found a new doctor.
Khadijah: How does Akenis LLC support and advocate for individuals with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts?
Sineka: We have provided peer-to-peer volunteer counseling, and Empathic Healing Sessions, which provide a calming environment for women to learn ways to connect with nature, utilizing essential oils for anxiety and depression, and other natural ways to relax their minds and body. Did you know women with chronic illnesses are highly likely to develop anxiety and depression? We have hosted and participated in awesome events such as Hell-O-Ween and Galentine’s Day. We have access to various organizations and brands that are designed to help women battling mental health and donate tons of products and clothing to women in need who just need a reboot on finding their happiness again.
Khadijah: Can you share a success story of someone who has used Akenis LLC resources or products to improve their health and well-being?
Sineka: YES! I had met a young lady who was deeply depressed. She was recently divorced, a single mother, and she was a domestic abuse survivor. She battled with low self-esteem and was just at a very low point in her life. I kind of took her under my wing immediately and started doing peer-to-peer sessions with her. I am not going to pretend like oh each day was great, and I cured her, and she rode off into the sunset because that is not the reality of battling mental health. It was more that she knew she had a safe space where she could vent, ask advice, and know that it was unbiased and with ONLY good intentions. I wasn’t here to tell her what to do but help her figure out and plan how to move forward positively. I literally was just asking her the right questions to get her brain going. She is now in a thriving new relationship, her self-esteem is at 10 (she got a haircut, dyed her hair, and bought herself a new wardrobe), and when she has bad days, she now asks herself the same questions I used to. I love that! I love seeing people win!
Khadijah: How do you stay current with the latest trends and research in holistic health and wellness?
Sineka: I continue my education at any chance given by taking college courses (biology and botany) for fun (Yes, I am that much of a nerd). I love reading holistic medicine books, and there are so many…so you have to be careful of the authenticity of literature, but nothing beats a good ol’ book. I have colleagues in the medical field specializing in Holistic Medicine whom I am blessed to be able to consult with for advice. I am always learning and wanting to know more.
Khadijah: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in exploring holistic health practices but needs to know where to start?
Sineka: Get the education first! Although it is natural, if you are not educated, you and your clients will not benefit from it. Authenticity is SO important with Holistic Medicine. Make sure if you are selling products that, your suppliers carry organic products only. I have seen diluted oils, old herbs, etc, trying to be sold, and to someone who didn’t know any better, they would buy them.
Khadijah: How do you balance the mission of Akenis LLC to support those with chronic health conditions with the need to run a successful business?
Sineka: I set aside a specific amount of time on specific days each week to tackle Akenis LLC brand business with just being me. I also have a small team that I can count on in person and remotely to help with shipments, social media, and events. I am naturally nurturing so supporting my clients comes easy, but running the business was a big challenge I had to learn a lot about. It took years, and I am still learning but comparing Akenis 2020 to Akenis 2023… I am SO proud and humbly blessed to have this platform.
Khadijah: What are your long-term goals for Akenis LLC, and how do you hope to impact the lives of those with chronic health conditions in the future?
Sineka: I want Akenis to be one of the mainstream Holistic Wellness Brands in the world! I have been manifesting this since I was a little girl. Expansion is ALWAYS the goal, and that’s the plan. I want to have many Akenis Holistic Boutiques across the country and definitely engage in more guest-speaking events to bring awareness and more collaborations too! I love working with other brands and companies. It’s like work and play at the same time!
Khadijah: How can others support and get involved with Akenis and its mission?
Sineka: Join the Akenis family by following us on Instagram @akenis_llc, and we have a new Tik Tok page as well @akenisllc. We are always updating our pages with events, volunteer opportunities, and new Holistic Brands available! You can donate to Akenis Cares, which we create hygiene care packages that we give out to the homeless. We also create “happy packs” with donations which include various Akenis Skin Care & Meditation Products/Jewelry, and hand them out at random to various people within the community. In 2022 alone, we have given over $2k worth of Akenis products; by combining donations and my own personal funds. This is just the beginning.
Article Written by: Khadijah Phillips| Khadijah Phillips is a highly driven woman who was born to break barriers. She proves that when powered by purpose, women are unstoppable. She’s built her storied life and career brick by brick, fighting fears, failures, and setbacks to have the success she’s always known was hers to claim. Today, she personifies what it means to ascend above adversity while inspiring countless others to do the same through her media company and strategic partnerships. You can follow her on Instagram @bestiesmedia and check out her website www.bestiesmedia.com.
