Today we’d like to introduce you to Mia Johnson.
Hi Mia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am Mia Johnson, and I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. It started when I was in middle/high school. I would bake cupcakes and sell them to teachers and students. After high school, I started tapping into my creative abilities and making photo letters, frames, and keepsakes. I would sell them on Instagram. I stopped selling my photo letters, frames, and keepsakes because I became more interested in candles. I always bought candles and wax melts from Bath and Body Works, Walmart, TJ Maxx, etc. I was intrigued by how they were made. I wanted to make my own. I researched making different candles; what wax is best for the different types of candles, what I would use to change the color of the wax, etc. In 2019, I brought my first candle-making kit. I experimented for about 3-4 months and finally found a way I like to make my candles. It began as a hobby that turned into a passion for me. My dreams of starting a loving, hand-crafted business came true, and that’s what I now call “Her Essence Scents and Co.” I have had ups and downs, but one thing I never did was give up. The drive and passion I put into my business helped me fund another business called “The Original Gal Designs’. I make planners, journals, educational materials, and coloring books. I feel these products marry the other products in my business because I firmly believe self-care is a priority.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I will be the first to say it has been a challenging road. I struggled to balance working for my business, school, and a full-time job. I would take a short break from my business. Taking short breaks made me realize I wasn’t giving myself the proper time for anything. This sparked the idea for my self-care products and the need to learn how to balance work, school, and business life. Once I grasped how I could effectively manage all 3 and still have good mental, physical, and emotional health balance, I came back more prepared than ever. There will be bumps in the road while trying to build a successful business, but sometimes you may have to pause to reevaluate everything and figure out how it will all work out for the greater good.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I am currently working as an Administrative Assistant at Palliative Care Group. Also, currently working towards my degree in Sports Management. I am most proud of my businesses, the woman I am becoming, and my impact on others. I am known for my creativity, detail-oriented, and my timeliness. When my mind is set on something, I am determined to do it efficiently.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My advice for networking is always to speak about your business or businesses. You never know who’s listening, who’s watching, and who wants to be a part of it. Word of mouth from others speaks volumes. Having your products on hand or even pictures for others to see is a great networking strategy. That is one of the leading networking strategies that has worked for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
heressencescentsandco.com - Instagram: heressencescentsand
co
Image Credits
Mia Johnson
