We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tell’em the Poet a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tell’em the Poet, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I pride myself on being “me” in all situations. I understand that no one can bring what I bring to the table, because I am the only one that can authentically be Tell’em the Poet. With this mindset, I have always measured success against only myself. So even when no one looks like me, or even if they all look like me, no one can be me or offer what makes me who I am.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
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. We recently released our “Dear Mama…Mother’s Day Boxes” for the holiday, and a new fragrance “14 Karats” .
It is most important for current and future “Candle Babes” to know Smell’em is not just another candle company. It indeed helps that our products are better than most, but it is the personality and what we represent that sets us apart. My poetry is my expression to the world and how I relate, and it is my hope that others can relate and feel the same, as we walk different and similar paths of life. We are here to help build, maintain and bring humans together with self-care and self-love.
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?
Business Setup – Understanding how to turn your business into more than a “hustle” has been extremely beneficial. Although we are still in the early stages of our empire, we are building a foundation that can support multiple entities and a team to grow us.
Participation Event Vetting – Learning the right questions to ask event organizers has been a journey and continues. We want to be sure that any event we participate in can be mutually beneficial for both the host and our business. Every space isn’t for every product and sometimes it’s okay to pass on an opportunity. The market will find a way to whatever quality product/service you offer.
This process helped me better prepare for different types of events, build many long-lasting business relationships, and put myself in a good position to make as much profit as possible at each event.
Marketing Skills – We pride ourselves on being authentic and true to ourselves in marketing and social media presence in the same way we urge our Candle Babes to be. Meeting them face-to-face, engaging with them on social media, and really taking into consideration their reviews and suggestions has helped immensely in not only generating business, but building genuine relationships with them as well.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I’d say my mom. Although a bit cliche, she has truly been a lifetime of support. I’ve always had a hell-of-a-drive and passion to succeed; and she has supported whatever method I chose to get to success.
My entire family has been a huge support from my father and grandma to my sister and close friends, supporting me in a variety of ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smellemcandleco.com
- Instagram: @smell_emcandleco
- Facebook: Smell’em Candle Co.
- Twitter: @smellemcandleco
- Other: TikTok: @smellemcandleco Pinterest: smellemcandleco
