Today, we’d like to introduce you to Tiara Gray. Tiara was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Jessica Griffin.
Tiara, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
WaxT & Co. was born back in 2021, originally as WickT Candle Company after I won a battle against my own mental health. I’d just been released from the shackles of a toxic relationship, I had lost my sales job due to the pandemic and I was mourning the tragic loss of my stillborn son who I had given birth to just months earlier. I was in such a dark headspace that I knew I needed to do something to get myself out of it. I couldn’t let my poor mental health get the best of me so I decided to start journaling and burning candles daily. Thus, my self care journey began. I started to notice that the candles I was purchasing were leaving dark marks on my walls so I researched and was not happy with what I found. I decided to make my own candles and other products which turned out to be therapeutic for me. My own battles helped me discover my passion for helping others on their journey of self care/ self love.
Please tell us more about your brand, Waxt & Co.
WaxT & Co. is my baby. I’ve put my all into it & the entire brand is dedicated to helping others find themselves and love themselves. I want people to understand that there is a true luxury behind self care. That luxury, is the journey of finding yourself, loving yourself & pouring into yourself more than you do others. My products, the ones that I created with my 2 hands, are helping people along their journey and inspiring them to start it in the first place & I think that’s something that sets WaxT & Co. apart from others. I started the brand when I was pulling myself out of depressions & on my own journey to self love. That’s something that I’m most proud of. One thing I will say is that the journey as a growing business owner has not been easy but with my determination and focus, I have been able to overcome alot of challenges in the industry. I’ve kept God first in my journey and He has always guided me & continues to help me persevere. I’ve learned so many lessons as a business owner including the fact that not all days will be sunshine and gumdrops. Some days will be hard, some days will be 18 hour days, and some days, I’ll have to put in more work than I did the day before. I don’t mind any of those lessons though because it only gives me more drive to continue doing what I do.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Jessica Griffin and Moonfire and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Moonfire.
Ahhhh, Jessica, where do I start? We met back in the fall of 2021 when we both stumbled across a popular and growing market in the heart if Bishop Arts and today she is literally my business bestie, my mentor, my mentee, my confidant. We’re always working on business together, I’m always setting up at Moonfire for pop-up events, and we’re always going on and on about our passion for business and the love we have for our families. She’s such a determined and ambitious woman who really motivates me and pushes me to strive for more when it comes to WaxT & Co. I don’t know anyone who wants to support others more than Jessica and she truly shows that within everything she does for Moonfire from highlighting women owned businesses in the shop to hosting the best themed markets in Bishop Arts. Not only is she amazing, her business is as well and it’s definitely a safe space for the girlies.
Website: https://waxtandco.us
Instagram: www.instagram.com/waxtandco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaxTandCo
