Suzan Foster: Empowering women through wellness

WITH the strength of a lioness and the heart of a healer, Suzan Elizabeth Foster is redefining what it means to turn pain into purpose. A proud Jamaican, a devoted caregiver, and the founder of the rapidly growing feminine wellness brand, Femme Essentialz, Foster’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and unrelenting determination.

“I’m a purpose-driven woman who believes in turning adversity into empowerment,“ Foster tells All Woman. “I’m a caregiver, entrepreneur, and advocate for feminine wellness — passionate about helping women feel whole, confident, and cared for.”

Born in Kingston and raised in Portmore, Foster pursued studies at the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies, and later attended the University College of the Caribbean, where she studied marketing and management studies.

“To me, success is living a life of purpose, one that positively impacts others,” she shared. “It’s waking up each day and knowing that my journey, no matter how hard, is helping someone else rise.”

She said one of the proudest moments in seeing her business take wings was receiving her first order for Femme Essentialz products, and making her very first sale.

“That moment was a turning point — it signified hope, belief, and a future I was determined to build from the ground up,“ she explained.

But before then, in 2017, her partner was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, and Foster became his full-time caregiver.

“The emotional, physical, and financial strain was immense,“ she shared. “But in the midst of that pain I found my purpose. Femme Essentialz was born from the need to provide, to heal, and to remind women — especially caregivers like myself — that our health matters too.“

She said she chose this specific niche because women’s intimate health is often overlooked or shrouded in shame. The brand is committed to feminine hygiene and wellness, and not only provides quality products, but also educates and empowers women to take charge of their intimate health with confidence and care.

“Every ingredient in Femme Essentialz is chosen with love. Every product is a love letter to our bodies showing you are worthy of care, you are worthy of healing, you are worthy of pleasure,” Foster said.

“I wanted to break that silence and create a brand that not only provides solutions but also gives women the language and confidence to speak about their bodies with pride.”

She said Femme Essentialz is not just a brand, it’s a movement aimed at reclaiming women’s intimate health and wellness.

“The products are designed to address the often-taboo topics on feminine intimate health,” Foster explained. “From recurring infections and odour to pH imbalances, from conversations had with a few women I know personally, I realised a lot of women were silently battling these issues in isolation and shame.”

Foster’s days are a balance of care and commitment. She starts with prayer and planning, attends to her responsibilities as a client service representative at Sagicor Bank, then transitions into managing Femme Essentialz — whether it’s fulfilling orders, answering questions from clients, or planning new wellness products.

Her evenings are often spent supporting her partner, who is on dialysis, and connecting with her community of women.

“Their response has been heart-warming and affirming,” she gushes about the way women have responded to her products. “Women are not only seeing physical results, they’re also regaining confidence. One client shared that for the first time in years she felt comfortable being intimate with her partner. Another called to say my feminine wash relieved menopause symptoms in just four days. Those stories keep me going.“

To educate and empower women about their intimate health, Foster uses every platform available — social media, live discussions, and one-on-one conversations — to inform about natural wellness and proper care. She’s currently working on launching wellness seminars across Jamaica — safe spaces for learning, healing, and sisterhood.

“The women who use my products are my daily inspiration,” she said. “Their stories, strength, and gratitude fuel my mission.”

Foster said building her business from the ground up has been eye-opening — every win, every setback, every late-night packaging session, they’re all part of a journey she created with nothing but faith and a fierce desire to make a difference.

“I would say I’ve made two great contributions that truly define my purpose. First, being commissioned as a justice of the peace for the parish of St Andrew stands as a profound honour. It has allowed me to give back meaningful service to my community and country, offering guidance, resolving conflicts, and supporting those in need,” she said. “It’s a role I carry with pride and humility.”

Second, through Femme Essentialz she said she has helped countless women regain confidence, restore balance in their bodies, and feel empowered about their intimate health.

“Creating a safe space where women feel seen and supported has been life-changing, not just for them but for me as well,“ she said. “Both contributions reflect my mission to serve, uplift, and make a lasting difference.”

Foster wears two professional hats and finds deep fulfilment in both. As a client service representative she said she gets the privilege of connecting with people every single day — listening, advising, and ensuring their financial needs are met with care and efficiency. She says she has consistently been recognised and awarded for exceptional client service, and those moments remind her that kindness, patience, and professionalism matter deeply in today’s world.

“On the other hand, my work through Femme Essentialz allows me to serve women on a more personal level — supporting their health journeys with compassion and purpose. In both roles my clients are my driving force. Making an impact on their lives — big or small — is what I love most,” she said.

On weekends the young woman who loves to dance may be found hanging at the beach as the ocean is her escape: “It calms me, centres me, and reminds me of the power of nature.

“And whether it’s a good reggae beat or a soulful ballad, dancing brings me joy and freedom,” she said.

Her circle is small but solid.

“I’m blessed with the unwavering support of my mother, sister, and my partner. They are my anchors, my cheerleaders, and my reason to keep pushing forward,” she said.

For young women looking to enter similar territory, she encourages them to believe in their vision, even if no one else does.

“Don’t rush or compare. Trust God’s timing, stay consistent, and know that your story matters,“ Foster said.

“Your scars can lead to someone else’s healing. You are more powerful than you think.”

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Some of the products from wellness brand Femme Essentialz.

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