We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ariel Henderson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ariel below.
Hi Ariel, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
So far the most meaningful project I ‘ve worked on is publishing my first devotional in 2021. There was so much growth that I had to go through before publishing. In my book I talk about my experience with losing loved ones and the grief/ depression I encountered because of it. I struggled with the thought that no-one would be interested in what I had to say but it wasn’t until the winter storm here in Texas that gave me the push I needed. My family and I were homeless for 3 months because our apartment flooded and was beyond repair. We lived in a hotel that our rental insurance took care of. It gave me time to process and I realized, what do I have to lose after I lost everything around me. I got still with myself and finished the last touches of my book. In real time I was able to see a perseverance that I didn’t believe I could gain.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
There is a saying that if you look over your life you will see clues of your purpose. And I had so many hints to what I am doing and building now. I love encouraging and serving people! But when my grandmother passed that shifted my life and I started my business and ministry from there. In 2016, I began a difficult journey through depression and anxiety. I was a newlywed and a new mother. I couldn’t grasp why all these bad things were happening when I asked God for this beautiful family. I started making YouTube videos and candles to help me cope through the pain I was going through. Then the Holy Spirit gave me the idea of starting a business that would honor my grandmother and encourage others at the same time. And that’s where Teatime With Nana came from. My grandmother’s nickname is nana and she would take me to different tea parties growing up. It changed my life and I wanted to keep it going. So in 2017, I started hosting tea parties that empowered women and moms to share their stories. In addition to the tea events, I am expanding my storytelling brand with new candles coming this summer, a new memoir launching this fall and a women’s retreat coming this august. I also have a YouTube channel called Teatime With Nana. It’s filled with practical bible studies, vlogs and interviews with women who are not afraid to share what they have experienced in their lives called Wisdom Through The Seasons.
My brand is about helping women of God find their authentic voice in life. I understand that the spiritual aspect gets a negative wrap, but I want to bridge that gap and touch on positive ways our spiritual lives can be healthy, abundant and powerful. I want new customers and subscribers to know that I am here to support them, be a listening ear and inspire them to live authentically. We are special and bright as women and having the right support around will help you discover who you are.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn that I am not invisible and voiceless. I was raised in a culture that did not welcome curiosity, or growth through making mistakes and learning from them. The church culture I grew up in was toxic and I think everyone did they best they could but as a little girl trying to navigate and find my voice it was difficult. I was taught that it’s better to do what I am told without understanding or comprehension. I didn’t want to upset my loved ones, so my coping mechanism was to blend in and stay in the background. This type of perspective caused me to make unhealthy choices at the time but in my late 20’s the light bulb went off. Through prayer, therapy, loving support and tough conversations, I was able to see and hear myself as a flavorful Woman with so much joy and peace.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
To be honest I am still growing my social media audience. But I started having short conversations on Instagram to help me get comfortable with being infant of the camera. My advice would be to think of a person you feel safe with being yourself around and pretend talking to them on camera. I also believe people can spot a fake, so be authentic! Your set up doesn’t have to be perfect because your audience will appreciate growing with you as you elevate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teatimewnana.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttwn61/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teatimewn
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttwn61/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2yjDYwxza1sdsmX7SmNtA
- Other: When The Pain Sets In: A Devotion For Dealing With Loss: A Devotional For Dealing With Loss Purchase Here: https://www.amazon.com/When-Pain-Sets-Devotion-Devotional/dp/1087857074/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32SFEUK657Z5W&keywords=ariel+henderson&qid=1680669090&sprefix=ariel+henderson%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1#customerReviews
Image Credits
beyounique photography