We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Camie Lewis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Camie below.
Camie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
When my grandmother passed in 2018, it really took a toll on me. To be honest, I still have days where it feels like she passed yesterday. My grandma meant everything to me. I remember staying over her house during the summers and she would always make her own remedies for different things such as colds, skin care, and she loved things that smell good. During the pandemic, the lost of her hit me hard and I needed something that would give me peace. So I’m the summer of 2020, I started to do a lot of research on different ingredients that are great for the skin. I also did a lot of research on companies to ensure that I would be receiving the highest quality of ingredients. Being that my grandma was a hard worker and she used a lot of natural things, I wanted my products to have that same quality. After doing all of the research, I went through months of testing out my products. Once I had the products to meet my expectations, I created an Instagram and launched my first line of products. Belle’s Garden and Co was made. For anyone who doesn’t know, my company is named after my grandma (it’s her middle name) and I decided on that because without her, none of this would even be possible. She is the strength that keeps me going and honestly when I make these products, I feel as if she is standing right next to me. She and God gets all of the credit for all of my success.
Camie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Camie and I am a University of Florida Alumna. I have a Bachelors Degree in Public Relations and a Masters Degree in Communications. Currently, I am a Operations Strategy Consultant and Skincare/Candle Business Owner. Belle’s Garden and Co., specializes in all natural handmade skincare such as body butters, sugar scrubs, body butters as well as candles. All of our products are made by me and contain all natural ingredients even down to the scent. What sets me apart from others is the quality of ingredients in my opinion. My business means a lot to me so I make sure to keep my integrity and keep it honest. When I say everything is 100% natural I mean just that. Most of my ingredients come from Africa and has the highest quality. I have maintained to continue to order my base ingredients from the same supplier to ensure that customers will always receive the same product. Many people do not know this but there are a lot of toxins in some of the products they place on their skin and inhale. My candles for example were curated by me and the scents are made from essential oils instead of perfumes so they are safe to be in your home and around your elderly and young family members/friends. I wanted to create a company that would heal, educate and provide a sense of peace for everyone.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
When it comes to taking a risk for the better, I am not afraid to take it. I believe in betting on yourself. At the end of the day, if it doesn’t work out at least you can say you tried right? I took a risk in starting this business and I continue to take more risks as I grow. I’ve always been a fan of Sherelle Rosado even before Selling Tampa premiered. Being that I was a huge fan, I really wanted her to try out my products so I started sending her messages on Instagram. Of course people in the spotlight do not have time to read all of their messages but I said to myself if I send enough messages maybe she’ll see it lol. After a few messages, I had the bright idea to reach out to her manager. He provided her mailing address and I ran with it. I created a unique scent just for her and I even personalized candles to read her label and to say congratulations on her newborn. I boxed up the package and sent it with a note. After a few weeks, I saw she was on live on Instagram and I joined. I wrote a comment and told her I sent her something and she thanked me and said once she was back in town she’d open it. That was that. A few weeks later I saw that she was having a meet and greet with her team in Tampa. I said to myself, I’m not a realtor but it would still give me a great opportunity to meet her and connect. So I took the hour and a half drive to her office on the day of the meet and greet. There were so many women in attendance and as I glanced the room, I saw Sherelle heading over to me. All I could think was omg there she is! This is my chance! She stopped and thanked me for coming in (not realizing who I was) and I asked to speak to her in private and she agreed. I told her who I was and asked if she received my package. She immediately was like “you sent me THESE candles?! I’ve had them lit every day this week! Come here look!”. She had my candles on her desk and all throughout her office and I was so happy! She introduced me to her team and provided me with her personal contact information. After the event, I would say I connected with at least 50 business women. Those women, along with her team provided me with a lot of exposure on Instagram and I even connected with them to provide wholesale orders. I thank God for giving me the courage to take that risk and go for what I wanted.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was that your biggest supporters are people that you know. That is definitely not true. I believe that your main supporters are those who you do not know. At the end of the day, no one owes you anything. You would like to believe that your friends would buy your products but they don’t have to and most of the time, they may buy from you once but that’s probably it. And that’s okay! The focus is to grab the attention of those who do not know you and they will get your name out there by word of mouth. I’m not sure why things are this way but I’ve seen it through my own business and through friends businesses as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bellesgardenandco.com
- Instagram: @bellesgardenandco