Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha L. Mason
Hi Natasha L., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Have you ever seen a candle that looks good enough to eat?
I’ve sold my delicious looking candles to consumers and other candlemakers throughout the US and internationally for over 7 years. Before you panic and call the Food and Drug Administration, allow me to elaborate. I make scented soy candles that look and smell like food. Looks good enough to eat, smells sweet, but don’t bite it, you’re meant to light it. Hope you can handle, it’s a candle. Let me tell you how God lit my path to get there. (Pun intended.)
Have you ever heard of Myasthenia Gravis? Me either—until it was diagnosed with it in 2012. After being resuscitated in 2015, then on life support again in 2017, doctors counted me out, but God counted me in. With a life changing diagnosis or circumstance, people are often tempted to throw in the towel. I chose to light a flame. Through divine inspiration, I used my recovery period to educate myself on the art of candle making. Finding beauty in the suffering, I realized I was graced to be differently abled to make a different type of product.
Prior to the life-changing diagnosis, I’d spent over a decade as a chair-side dental assistant and dental lab tech; I tapped into those same skills when teaching myself to bake and cast scented soy replicas of sweets. Insert a wick and Baby, you’ve got yourself a candle!
In October of 2017, I officially became the owner and maker of Creations By N.L.Mason, LLC. Never doubt God’s sovereignty and perfect timing. I started that year with talks of my final arrangements and ended that same year arranging my Etsy shop!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Candlemakers hope to pour what we call “smooth tops,” but in life we don’t always have smooth roads. Although most people are impressed with my creations; on occasion, a few admittedly were afraid to order—thinking they would exhaust me. Entrepreneurs aren’t built to break, especially differently-abled ones. Innately, we’re innovators that figure out how to get things done. I strategically schedule days of productivity, as well as intentional days of rest. Leave your pity at the door because, Honey, bills are still due. HaHa! God gives unto every man a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Entrepreneurship will stretch every single measure. Faith the size of a mustard seed turns into a boulder in Business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Oftentimes, I am asked if I have taken a course to create my faux food scented candles and wax melts. What sets me apart is that my gift is God-given. As an avid researcher with a dental background of pouring stone/plaster models, I remain in awe of how skills I rendered useless after the diagnosis, God saw as a useful combination. The fact that I’ve regained the use of my hands multiple times and restoration of clear vision makes my handmade products even more special. I elaborate on my multiple surgeries and restorative journey in my best selling anthology, “My Disability is my Ability.”
Handmade products require more
time and care, I’ve learned to pace myself to meet demands in life and in Business. Embracing that my path wasn’t made to look like anyone else’s was liberating. I am most proud of my growth! Finding my place in an already saturated market was challenging, but as God promised, thankfully my gifts have made room for me.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
As a proud 80’s baby, what stands out most is my fond memories as a Girl Scout.
What a beautiful transition! I make wax cookies now, but a Girl Scout cookie drive was my first experience with Entrepreneurship. Picture it! The year was 1987. It was freezing cold as my troop and I sold cookies in front of a Food Lion Grocery store. Little Brownie Girl Scout, Natasha was determined to earn her cookie badge. That was the day I discovered shivering little hands can still collect cold hard cash. Those integral values still remain with me daily as I promised years ago:
“To serve God and my Country, to help people at all times and to live by the Girl Scout Law.”
Pricing:
- “My Disability is my Ability” Anthology Book $20.00 +Shipping
- Best Selling Wax Donuts Starting at $30.00+
- Best Selling Sweet Potato Pie Scented Soy Candle $35.00
- Cinna-Minni’s Scented Soy Wax Melts $15.00
- Embeds-R-Us Collection Fruit, nuts and Cereal pieces $35+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://CreationsByNLMason.Etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creationsbynlmason/profilecard/?igsh=MTM2NjNrYXhkNzE0ZQ==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiftsByNatasha
- Twitter: YummyCandles4U
Image Credits
Product photos taken by: Natasha Mason
Graphics Images: Natasha Mason, via Canva
Photo of Natasha Mason by: Precious Moore