We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine Kelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.

Jasmine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

I would first start with middle school aged kids. I would do things to stimulate their minds and get them focused on their future! For example, start by conducting personality tests in the 6th-7th grade so they can begin to put a name and direction to their interests. I’d also begin to have career/college days for 8th graders where individuals come to share a bit about their profession, and the kids can go on mini college tours!
9th graders would take another personality/profession test to confirm their core interests. The high schoolers would have a class every semester where they job shadow different professionals in the career of the student’s interest. For example, a student whose personality traits are compassion, detail oriented, shows interest in biology/chemistry, would shadow different professionals in the medical field each semester i.e., doctor, nurse, biologist, imaging tech, etc. This would be done through out high school to
1) provide them with exposure of different career areas, allowing them to make an informed college program decision
2) provide them with experience that is often needed to enter into many positions
3) provide them with valuable relationships, allowing opportunities for mentorship, guidance, and references for school/employment.
This is actually part of a nonprofit that I am hoping to start in the near future!!! I feel these early steps would help so many young adults financially, mentally, and educationally!

Jasmine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey there readers!!!

My name is Jasmine Kelly. Many people call me Jas. I am 35 years old born in Michigan, raised in Indiana, and moved to Texas about 3 years ago. I am the owner of Mashonne Candles and Supply Co, where I create small-batch soy wax candles. My husband and I create unique scents to represent the rarity of us as individuals.

The name Mashonne comes from my 2 daughters, Aja Maree and Dakota Lashonne. The reason for starting forming my candle business was to allow the creativeness that Yah provided me to flow, giving warmth and calmness to those that supported my venture. In addition, I wanted the candle sales to provide funding for my nonprofit youth organization. Life has been life-ing nonetheless, but my mission and vision is still in effect. Delayed but not denied is my motto! What God gave to me, I have to see it through, no matter how many of life’s curve balls are thrown. Persevere to the promise!

Have you ever had to pivot?

A few years ago, my husband and I received a word that it was time to move from Indiana. Most of my life, and all of his was in Indiana. Our family, jobs, friends, and comfort was in Indiana. We began venturing to different places and settled on a suburb of Atlanta. It was affordable, far enough from the city for quiet, yet accessible to everything! We began interviewing, applying to apartments, etc. However, we kept hitting a brick wall! Nothing we did came to fruition. Everything, so we thought, was pointing to Georgia. But God had other plans. We took a step back, prayed, reevaluated, and restarted our search. Our search led us to Houston! When I say, this has been the best move we have made!! It has been nothing sort of eye opening. We found our church home within a few weeks of being in the city, good schools, wonderful jobs, the whole nine! But most importantly, we have truly been able to see God move!!! He placed us here to remove our comfort so that we could solely and whole-heartedly depend on Him for everything! The things we have been through could have broke us, and would have if we didn’t have our relationship with God! From my husband being hit by a semi, facing eviction (MONTHLY, okay!!!), account in the red weekly, wasn’t nobody but God that brought us through! I thank Him multiple times a day, daily, for it all! Had it not been for those tests, there would be no testimony! My relationship has grown even stronger with Him. I thank Him for giving us a story to share, prayerfully it’ll help someone else!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

While I am still learning, I’ve discovered that interacting in Facebook groups is extremely beneficial! Especially in the groups tailored to a particular city/state, farmer’s markets, and advertising. Also, groups that closely related to the core business. For example, I do candles, but I am also in skin care, makeup, mental health, and artesian groups. Most of the folks in there are very helpful!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @mashonne