Today we’d like to introduce you to Tell’em the Poet.
Hi Tell’em, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My journey begins in East Baltimore and has taken me from coast to coast. Born in Baltimore, primarily raised in Atlanta, my introduction to art took place at Arena Players Playhouse during the early years with summers and holidays in the city. Although we learned acting, dancing, and singing, the art of writing captured me most. Being able to capture the unspoken words between individuals that experience the same stories every day seem to be my biggest inspiration. After leaving Penn State University for Hospitality, I set out on a career path that was meant for success. After more than 7 years of giving my all to the biggest hotel chain in the industry, I wanted to find something more. Find something I could do that would awaken the artist within me again. I set out for something that would express my love for words through poetry, teach me a new skill, feed my creativity and bring in a few dollars. In this, I found candle creating.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely been a rollercoaster ride. As an artist, creative ideas flow all the time but one of my biggest challenges is making my love for art a full business. Getting others to understand my vision, the connection between the art and the product, and what sets us apart from other wax and wicks (candle) companies. Trial and error is the only way to exam what supply your consumer’s demand. It’s the trials that can stunt the creativity but the rewards are ones that are worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Tell’em presents…Smell’em Candle Co. is an aroma company built to promote self-care and self-love through products that embody peace and serenity. We create products that are meant to put ‘self ‘first and foremost. Every fragrance is hand-mixed for each individually created product in small batches for maximum quality. It is our vision that each aroma customer will create an atmosphere of their own, by infusing aromas within their most comforting spaces with candles, melts, incense and so much more. My spoken word quotes are placed on our vessels to introduce positivity, inspiration, and wisdom into the space that our “Candle Babes” choose to enjoy our products. We are proud to be a Black Woman-Owned business, empowering others to create their own atmosphere and space to be free and authentically themselves.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a theater kid; loved acting, singing, and dancing. I have always been a creative marching to the beat of my own drum. I fell into writing and found it an emotional release to write poetry, and later performing spoken word. I was serious in the goals I wanted to peruse and used art to release from the pressures I put on myself to succeed. Overall, I was a fun kid who loved to laugh, explore and learn. In many ways, I am, still the same ‘kid’.
Pricing:
- Candles: $ 12-$30
- Air Whipped Body Butter: $5-$30
- Aroma Incense: $7
- Aroma Kits & Seasonal Gift Boxes: $21-$40
- Oil Infused Hand Sanitizer: $5
Contact Info:
- Email: smellem@smellemcandleco.com
- Website: smellemcandleco.com
- Instagram: @smell_emcandleco
- Facebook: Smell’em Candle Co.
- Other: TikTok: @smellemcandleco
Image Credits
D. Porter
One Guy’s Camera
