We recently had the chance to connect with Antoinette Turner and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Antoinette, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is anything but “normal,” and honestly, that’s the beauty of being a small business owner and a mom. My mornings usually start with my three younger kids , making sure they’re up, ready for school, and out the door. And even though my oldest is grown now, I’m still balancing motherhood across different stages of life, which keeps me grounded and motivated.
From there, I pivot into my business, QBAM Creations. Some days I’m in production mode, handcrafting batches of mango butter, shampoo, or body wash. Other days, I’m focused on packaging orders, updating my website, or designing new labels. In between, I’m reaching out to barbers, stylists, tattoo artists, and shops about carrying my products, or responding to customers who remind me why I started this journey in the first place.
Because I still work full-time in healthcare, my evenings can be a juggling act – work, family time, and then diving back into “entrepreneur mode” once the kids are settled. That usually means brainstorming new ideas, planning social media, or mapping out the next step for my business.
Every day is a balancing act between being a mother of four, an employee, and a founder , but it’s also a blessing. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s real, and every step I take is about building something lasting for my children and showing them what legacy looks like in action.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Antoinette Turner, and I’m the founder of QBAM Creations, a Black-owned, woman-owned luxury skincare brand that I run out of Texas. The name stands for Queen By All Means, because at its heart, my brand is about helping people embrace their natural beauty while feeling regal in their own skin.
I handcraft all-natural, small-batch products like our best-selling Mango Butter, sulfate-free body washes, Sunflower & Jojoba shampoo and conditioner, and Fresh Lil Pitz™ kids deodorant. What makes QBAM Creations unique is that we create luxury that’s accessible , blending nourishing, natural ingredients with a royal, fragrance-inspired touch. Our products are designed for the entire family , from kids to adults and they’ve gained a reputation for being both effective and beautiful to experience.
My story is really about balance and resilience. I’m a mother of four (three younger kids and one adult child), a wife and a full-time healthcare worker and in between all of that, I’m building this brand from the ground up. What drives me is knowing I’m creating not just a business, but a legacy for my children.
Right now, I’m working on expanding QBAM Creations into more retail spaces like barbershops, salons, spas, and beauty supply stores, while also developing a luxury fragrance-inspired line that brings high-end scents into natural skincare. My goal is for QBAM Creations to be the go-to brand for families who want products that are safe, healing, and royal.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks bonds between people is often the small, unseen things, unspoken hurts, pride that gets in the way of listening, or simply neglecting to nurture the connection. Sometimes it’s bigger things, like betrayal, jealousy, or trust that gets chipped away over time. Distance isn’t always physical; it can be emotional, when people stop showing up for each other.
What restores those bonds is humility and intention. It’s honesty, forgiveness, and the willingness to come back to the table, even when it’s uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s as simple as one person deciding to soften their heart first. Shared laughter, breaking bread, or even just a phone call saying “I miss you” can begin to weave the threads back together.
At the end of the day, bonds are broken by forgetting each other’s humanity, and restored by remembering it.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life was enduring an abusive relationship early on. It left scars that went far beyond the physical, it shook my confidence, my spirit, and at times made me question my worth. There were so many moments when I could have lost my life, and I also carry the grief of children I’ve lost along the way.
But my healing has come through God’s grace and the divine presence of the Holy Spirit. It’s only through faith that I’ve been able to rise from those dark places and find purpose in the pain. Today, I see my life and my business as part of that purpose, to create, to nurture, and to leave behind a legacy that shows my children, and others who are struggling, that brokenness can be transformed into beauty.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is faith and integrity in everything I do. Where I come from, we’re taught that your word and your character are worth more than anything money can buy. I carry that into motherhood, into my business, and into every relationship I build.
In QBAM Creations, that means never cutting corners on ingredients, always keeping my products safe and natural, and honoring the trust people place in me when they put something I’ve made on their skin or in their home.
In life, it means protecting my faith, because my faith is what carried me through abuse, loss, and hardship. It’s what reminds me that I’m not just building a business, I’m building a legacy. At the core, I believe in walking with honesty, keeping my promises, and making sure everything I create leaves people better than I found them.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes, because giving my best is not about the applause, it’s about the assignment God placed on my life. I’ve learned that purpose doesn’t always come with instant praise or recognition. There are seasons where you plant seeds in silence, where you work faithfully even when nobody is clapping for you.
As a mother of four and as the founder of QBAM Creations, I know firsthand that some of the most important work I do is behind the scenes, the sacrifices, the long nights, the prayers whispered when no one sees. My reward is not in the praise, but in knowing I’ve honored my calling and left something better than I found it.
The applause is nice, but the impact is greater.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://qbamcreations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qbam_creations/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freshlilpitz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QBAMCreations/
