Felica Harris: A Radiant Heart and a Giving Spirit
From the moment Felicia Harris entered Fresh Scoop Studio, she seemed to illuminate the room like a beacon of spring sunshine. Though clouds and drizzle lay just beyond the studio walls, her bright smile and softly patterned floral dress countered the gloom outside. She wore a white half-sweater over her dress, and her skin glowed under the studio lights. Throughout the interview, her hands remained calmly folded in her lap, revealing a gentle tranquility. Yet, beneath that poise, a lively energy showed through each joyful laugh and every animated nod.
Felicia spoke with a subtle southern accent that brightened further whenever she smiled as she spoke.
“Felicia Harris here,” she said, her voice carrying a musical twang, “and I’m a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant and sales director.” She then recounted the highlights of her life: her husband, Arvelta Sr., whom she fondly called the love of her life; their three adult children; and four “glamdaughters,” an endearing term that conveyed how deeply she treasured her family.
In her melodious voice, Felicia explained how she came to Mary Kay, weaving a story that began on a cruise ship twenty-three years ago. At the time, she worked in mortuary science, serving as a funeral director and a licensed embalmer. Despite the somber nature of her day job, her personal disposition was anything but grim. She described meeting a “Mary Kay lady” on that cruise, recalling the woman’s certainty:
“She said, ‘You’re going to be on my team,’ and I was like, “What team is that? I already have a full-time job. But we connected, I joined, and we’ve been doing life ever since. She’s watched my kids grow up, I’ve watched her kids grow up, and it’s just been a wonderful partnership. So I love what I do. I really do.”
After two decades of balancing her mortuary work with Mary Kay, Felicia found herself laid off, right before the onset of COVID. She revealed how her mentor advised her to write a resignation letter in advance, just in case. Although she never dated the letter, Felicia said with a resonant laugh that she now believes a higher power intervened. On the last day of July, she was unexpectedly let go, entering August—the eighth month, which she associated with new beginnings.
“So I decided to promote myself to directorship,” Felicia affirmed, as though channeling the warmth of a Tennessee summer into each word. “I’m just so fortunate that I had built a part time business to help with our bills. We never lost a home, never lost a payment. I mean, it’s been great, but I have fun and the flexibility.”
She never looked back. Although her husband’s health challenges initially made the decision seem risky, she discovered that the flexibility of direct sales brought both financial stability and personal fulfillment. “And I get to teach men and women how to care for their skin,” she said, beaming.
Felicia’s giving nature also extended beyond cosmetics. She spoke about Greater Works Today, a nonprofit organization in Texas with which she is deeply involved. Her two major fundraisers included chemo-care kits for cancer patients and the Adopt the Elderly program.
Her voice rose in empathy as she explained the joy of handing gifts to seniors who might otherwise receive nothing at all. “I want them to know they’re not forgotten,” she said, unclasping her hands for emphasis. Then she gave a hearty laugh when describing how some seniors, surprised by the generosity, asked if they needed to pay. “Oh no,” she’d say. “This is a gift for you, free and clear.”
That desire to serve others, she revealed, stemmed from her upbringing. “My parents raised me to give back. If you’ve been blessed, then bless others,” she said, voice dipping momentarily in reminiscence. “If more people did something like that, the world would be a better place.”
Originally from Union City, Tennessee, she had moved to California in 1986. The transition was especially startling for her husband, who had never traveled far from his home state.
“He asked, ‘Where’s the grass?’” Felicia recounted with a laugh. “In Tennessee, grass is everywhere, but here, it’s different. You buy sod!”
Settling in Winchester in 2004, Felicia found a community that aligned well with her expansive heart and collaborative spirit. She quickly became a fixture at local chamber events and volunteered wherever she could.
In her final remarks, Felicia conveyed her heartfelt message to the people of Temecula: she wanted them to know she was a woman of her word, always striving to serve others without seeking attention. “I believe that if you are a person of your word, then people will support you. And wherever your heart is, go for it. If it’s to be your own boss, go for it. If it’s to be of service, go for it.”
With eyes shining, she offered her contact details for those interested in Mary Kay or sponsoring her nonprofit initiatives.
“I’m here,” she stated simply, hands folding back together in her lap. “And I’m ready to help.”
In that softly lit studio, Felicia’s spirit shone as brightly as her radiant smile. Through her southern warmth, unwavering commitment, and sincere laughter, she showed that caring for others is a vocation on par with any profession. Her calm voice and glowing complexion seemed to embody everything she stood for—hope, kindness, and an unbreakable faith in the good that comes from helping another human being.
Felicia received her Honorary Doctoral Degree on June 17, 2023 awarded by Global International Alliance with a Doctoral Degree in Humanitarianism.
If you want to donate to Greater Works Today, Inc., or learn how to sponsor any of Felicia’s initiatives, text her at 619-843-1301 or email her at [email protected].
If you’re interested in becoming a Mary Kay consultant or purchasing products, go to www.marykay.com/fharris2.
Watch Felicia’s full interview here: Felicia Harris | A Heart for Service & Empowerment
