Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Wells-Lewis.
Kristen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
One of my favorite things about The Chemistry Of is that it is a culmination of my many gifts and talents and I’m learning and creating every step of the way. As a child I never left home without a pen, paper and purse , I’ve always loved DIY projects and making things for myself and others, by 9th grade I taught myself to code thanks to Myspace , by 12th grade I taught myself graphic design and founded a company in honor of my dad, my freshman year in college I bought my first camera and added photography to my business, I graduated college with a BS in Chemistry, post grad I waned in self-care, and soon I’ll be receiving my Masters in Community Development with a practicing study focused on the Intersection of Health & Community Development – all coming full circle – edit all my pics, create all my graphics , do all my research & development & create all of the narratives- trust the timing and ride your wavelengths with grace, it will all make sense in due time. My initial plans to become a Pharmacist took a turn once I began learning about how politics controlled various aspects of our lives most importantly health and education. I did not want to be a part of the pharmaceutical industry as we know it, but I wanted to be a healer and felt that could be achieved with various lifestyle adjustments – what we eat drink, think, say and do and so I started with myself first. My passion to be a change agent has always been consistent but over time I learned that my higher calling would’ve give me a more controlled and hands on approach to a solution tailored to communities of color.
Has it been a smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road or rough road but a road that required much self-reflection and evolution. With a desire to heal through traditional care, my initial plans were to pursue a career in Pharmacy. I began to stray away from that and it created worry amongst a lost of people who were banking on my dreams. That somehow my success as a Pharmacists would provide me the same fulfillment that it would provide them. Soon I learned how to walk in my own truth – how to be unapologetic about my desires for my future. It was not easy surely Pharmacy school and its coursed out path would have provided be much more security but my faith in God is what gave me the confidence to walk away from that. I knew what I wanted to do, what it looked like and felt like but I just did not know what to call it. after receiving my Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a Biomedical concentration I noticed that my academic career has culminated a variety of learning experiences that has directly lead her desire to heal I just needed to align them with my passions. My experiences includes working with preventative care, public health, and community health, while helping to bridge the divide between access, education, and affordability in communities that need them most. This then lead to pursuing a Master’s degree in Community Development and birthing The Chemistry Of. The Chemistry Of… is a symbolic example of chemistry, exploring the complex psychological interaction between two things via an Intersectional Approach – Community Development & Health. Evolution is necessary in our educational spaces and you are free to shape the story you wish to tell through your work – Evolving is key.
I have always made sure to make time for what I am passionate about and it took much sacrificing. I spent my lunch breaks, weekends, etc. doing the work to get me here. I have never been afraid to do the work, to make connections, to tell my story. I had to walk away from comfort many times , the comfort of a secure pay check , a secure calling , a secure future but what I know is that every time I walked away God has continued to show me favor ain’t fair. All I had to do was trust him and that has made all of the difference – just don’t be afraid, don’t underestimate what he can do that no one else can , what he can give that no man can take away, the fruit from the labor of when passion and purpose collide. A message that I have also devoted to sharing with young women through my nonprofit organization, Unapologetic, Inc.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Chemistry Of – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Chemistry of… (TCO) is a plant based beauty & apothecary brand that aims to restore holistic healing and herbal beauty care through a monthly subscription box. TCO aims to provide an all-natural experience that allows one to explore ancestral healing and beauty rituals to incorporate into our daily lives as a form of self-care. The Chemistry Of… is a symbolic example of chemistry itself, exploring the complex psychological interaction between two things – community & healing.
What we do.
Each month we curate a themed box of 3-4 plant based handmade products using ethically sourced ingredients from across the world. And sometimes we will bring you along with us before we deliver them straight to your doorstep.
TCO is the self-care that ensures you put yourself first, because YOU MATTER.
TCO features handcrafted paraben, sulfate, and chemical free products highlighting natural oils, herbs, butters, and food grade ingredients. TCO was born to align two personal traits: alchemy and altruism – combining both my desire to manifest gifts from mother earth and my devotion to the welfare of others. We know holistic transitioning can seem like a lot but we want to ease you through the journey of a lifetime.
In addition to The Chemistry of I am the founder of Unapologetic, Inc. a 501(c) (3) non- profit organization whose mission is to cultivate an environment suitable to align one’s passion with purpose through service learning. Our service learning model is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience by empowering one another, teaching civic responsibility, and strengthen communities through three primary components: Women’s Empowerment, Civic Engagement, and College Readiness with a primary focus on at risk secondary education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
My most favorite thing about Dallas has to be the brown and black communities. There are various community networks of entrepreneurs, artist, community servants and community leaders who have been able to share their gifts in spaces across the city cultivated by brown and black young adults. The energy here is contagious and being surrounded by likeminded individuals has definitely help stretch me to utilize this networks to chase my dreams and reach back and connect with others who are doing the same.
My least favorite thing about Dallas may be that we always have to create our brown and black spaces because of limited opportunities in other spaces across the city. Because the network is so supportive sometime you don’t notice it and you start to appreciate those like you a lot more.
Pricing:
- Monthly Subscription – $25 : What you’ll get: Each month we curate a themed selfcare, beauty & apothecary box of 3-4 plant based Handmade products using ethically sourced ingredients from across the world highlighting natural oils, herbs, butters, and food grade ingredients. Ships: ships to the US
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thechemistryof.com
- Phone: 4694580245
- Email: thechemof@gmail.com
- Instagram: @thechemistryof
- Facebook: The Chemistry Of
- Twitter: @thechemistryof
- Other: @thechemistryof
Image Credit:
Kristen Wells-Lewis
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