Meet Renee Thomas

We were lucky to catch up with Renee Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Renee , so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

For me I do a few things for self care. I workout that’s a big stress reliever for me. I don’t bring the stress of my full time job home. I leave it at the office, hit the gym, and sweat it all out. The other thing I like to do is listen to audiobooks while burning a candle or incense sticks and just drift into the story. Doing this allows me to clear my mind and float. Floating is me just relaxing. Like literally Floating on a cloud. Doing this allows me to maintain my cool, make clear thoughts and stop me from overthinking. It helps me pull my creations together to one centered idea vs having a
bunch of ideas.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am the owner of Mrs.Bennie’s. I create all the products by hand. Mrs.Bennie’s was created in honor of my mother Bennie Thomas. She passed away September 28th 2021 after battling Dementia. I started creating candles to help me deal with my grief. Part of the reason I started Mrs.Bennie’s was so I could raise money for Alzheimers/Dementia research. I donate a portion of each sale and participate in Alzheimers Association events. When I first started I was so bad at candle making . I could not get a hot throw for nothing, but I started doing research, and taking online classes and I became better. I continue to work to be better in my candke making , but I am so happy with my progress. I have always done my own skincare , but I was a Dove girly. Then I started doing my research and realized I was stripping my skin. I began researching more and more to develop products that benefit my skin. Suddenly people were asking for what i used on my skin, and thus my skincare line was born. However, I wanted to be different. I wanted to clean the skin and make it happy. I am not a doctor, nor dermatologist. I am just a lady that reads a ton and doesn’t mind searching , and searching to find natural things to make the skin clean and feel amazing. I think people forget at time that our skin is our biggest organ, and we really do need to take the best care of it. So I try my best to provide the most natural and good feeling products I can make. I also have been working towards being eco-friendly, no waste , and sustainable. From the waxes and wicks, to my packing peanuts I try to find the most eco friendly items possible. I currently have an e-commerce website and ship throughout the US. Www.mrs-bennies.com
I also do vendor events such as local festivals. My niece and I were at The Westminister Flowers and Jazz Festival recently and we will be at the Beer and BBQ festival in June. We will have a Summer launch that will include new products such as 4 new soaps, tallow balm, Milk Bath Salts, Perfume, reed diffusers, and the kids korner line of kids size soaps and lotions. As well as restocking sold out items.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Determination- there were people with businesses like mine , that were blowing up fast, while my business was not moving anywhere. I had to tell myself it would happen and to keep going.

2. Being humble. Don’t be afraid to say your messed up, or need to try again.

3. People tell me I have a nose for scents. 90% of the scents at Mrs.Bennie’s are custom blends by me. Trust yourself.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

They let me be me . My parents allowed me to march to the beat of my own drum. They always said there is no ” normal” you be you and be happy. If trying to “fit in ” makes you unhappy , maybe you are meant to stand out.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Danielle Mackin
Bennie Thomas

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