We were lucky to catch up with Cheryl Felton recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cheryl, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I named it after my fiance Luke. When I wanted to start this business, he told me to go for it. He is my biggest inspiration, motivator, supporter, coach, teacher, and cheerleader, .He makes me feel so warm inside. So therefore I named it Lukewarm. Fly Multi is named after him as well because in prison they call him Multi because of his many talents. He added Fly in front of it because he’s conceited and thinks he so fly!! Lol!!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

My name is Cheryl Felton.
My business partner/ fiance name is Luke Muhammad. Well we’re the Founders and Owners of the Only Black Fragrance Brand in North Carolina. We sell Top Quality, Luxury, & Designer Original products. Our Fragrances and Reed Diffusers are made at the same site in Milan, Italy where famous designers Versace, Armani, Fendi, Valentino, Moschino, Pierre Cardin, Dolce & Gabanna, and Prada manufacture their products as well. Unlike other companies, we use a variety of models to promote and market our products for us. We do not discriminate against anyone because of race, gender, size, age, religion, or sexual orientation. We believe that everyone is beautiful and unique in their own way. We are all made different for a reason and should get the same attention as anyone else. We benefit our community and the whole world because we’re showing others that they can pursue their goals despite their past faults. Luke was in prison for over 10 years and should have been released much sooner. However, the system failed him just like it has with so many other black men. He was bullied a lot growing up and experienced severe hate and envy from people he trusted and in prison as well. He also went through the severe trauma of losing his father and witnessed the death of two of his younger brothers at an early age. All of that has significantly impacted his life. I was homeless for over a year and lived in my car. I was also sexually assaulted everyday for a year by a person who I called a friend. I also had stage 3 cervical cancer in which I had to have some of my organs removed so I could live. Therefore that resulted in me not being able to ever have kids. We both grew up in urban neighborhoods and just wanted to make it out. So one day while shopping on the fragrance aisle, I asked myself, “I wonder how I would go about getting my own fragrance line?” So once I got home that thought still weighed on my mind. Then I went on Google and searched how to start a fragrance line. That’s when I came across Tailormade Fragrances in Milan, Italy. From there the product analysts gave me detailed instructions on how to get started. I was then giving the options of choosing the bottles, designs, and scents for the fragrances. Then I ordered 75 bottles of men’s Cologne and 75 bottles of women’s Perfume and immediately started selling them and made a website. Fragrances and Athletic wear are our main products that we sell. However, we do also sell Reed Diffusers, Face Masks, Calendars, Scented Candles, Car Air Fresheners, Cell Phone and Tablet Cases, Slides, Coffee Mugs, and Drink Tumblers. We choose our own designs, fragrances, names, photos, colors, backgrounds, and all other details for all of our products. Then our many manufacturers bring the products to life.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Luke and I actually met on social media (Facebook). He sent me a friend request and I accepted it. After a few days he inboxed me and ask was I single. I didnt answer right back right away. I mean he’s a good looking man but I wanted him to come after me LOL!! I didn’t want to give in to.him too quickly like the other women. So I finally responded back to him. We texted back and forth and talk on the phone for several weeks. Now almost 3 years later here we are!!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Luke was in prison for over 10 years and should have been released much sooner. However, the system failed him just like it has with so many other black men. He was bullied a lot growing up and experienced severe hate and envy from people he trusted and in prison as well. He also went through the severe trauma of losing his father and witnessed the death of two of his younger brothers at an early age. All of that has significantly impacted his life. I was homeless for over a year and lived in my car. I was also sexually assaulted everyday for a year by a person who I called a friend. I also had stage 3 cervical cancer in which I had to have some of my organs removed so I could live. Therefore that resulted in me not being able to ever have kids. We both grew up in urban neighborhoods and just wanted to make it out. Now all of the hard work, stress, and the trials that we went through led to a huge blessing.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.lukewarmfragrances.com
• Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/lukewarmandflymulti
• Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/lukewarmandflymulti
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukewarmfragrances
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lukewarm2529
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC31xfA8AVVHJ0lv9td42vdA

Image Credits
Photography By Scott from Quickbloom Production Photography By Cheryl Felton