We were lucky to catch up with Essence Moore recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Essence, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I am the type of person that constantly self reflects, sometimes I think too much, and analyze different moments or experiences. As I am always reflecting I about my legacy, I often think about what I am instilling and leaving behind for my son; but not only my son but the children’s lives I am in the care of day in and day out. I think we often think about just what our children will have when we think legacy, but for me I also think about the purpose God set up for my life, and the impact he has granted me grace to provide. I remember growing up I was a little book worm, I would multiple books weekly and I just loved reading, and people would always tell me I should be a teacher. I was dead set against it. I recall being at my 9 to 5 job where I was over the stagnant and complacent work, it wasn’t me. I prayed and God kept leading me to go and teach; I prayed some more because I just knew he couldn’t have meant me, kids were doing too much for me. I prayed some more, and then finally I decided to be obedient and I got hired to become a teacher two weeks before school started. I was not in my zone, I had no clue, but what I did know was that I loved kids and anything God brought me to, he had already prepared me for. So when I think of legacy, I don’t think I’m just responsible to my flesh and blood, but I think about what impact will I have made in my communities and even the world. I hope that my legacy will be one of dedication, one where I played a role into our future leaders; one that my son can be proud of, and one where he learns from to also make his community a better place.

Also with my candle line, I hope to be able to leave my son something he can monetarily inherit, and expand however he sees fit.

Essence, 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?

For people who do not know me, I am extremely passionate about working with black and brown girls. Before I became a “9 to 5” Educator, I coached girls in dance and cheer for a long time. Once I made the transition into the classroom I was able to fit right in, and continue working with them without strain or some type of culture shock.

I got into making candles and creating a candle line, because I needed a way to deal with my anxiety, after my father passed in 2021, my anxiety increased, and making candles was a way for me to put my grief into something that made me feel good.

What sets me apart from others I believe, is my ability to be an empathetic hustler lol. When I am committed to something I go hard for it, but I also relate in some way, because people just need to be understood sometime. I am a go-getter, I always have been. I don’t mind trying a business, and if it fails, it’s ok. I’m ready to take what I’ve learned and create something else.

I am most proud of the work I put into the children I interact with daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. I love when they can contact me for the smallest things like advice, to the biggest things. I like to see the fruition of the sweat and tears I commit to any endeavor.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I sell on my site www.demicollection.shop because I like the ability to be creative in how I want things to look; and I like having my own. I don’t think anything is bad in selling on other platforms, they definitely have a bigger market. The pros are definitely the bigger market, but the con is the fees they charge you, when you can put those fees into your own site.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I manufacture my products. I always joke with my family and friends and say, I’m like Madam CJ Walker, in the kitchen.” LOL. I literally work out of my kitchen, I pour every candle by hand, and although I became an official business this year, I’ve made and sold over 1500 candles. The lessons I’ve learned are it’s ok to ask for help, and make sure while creating your product or doing your business; you don’t lose your intent or purpose for starting it. With my candles, it’s not just about making candles; I want people to feel good, I want to be able to create an atmosphere that a customer may need.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.demicollection.shop
• Instagram: @the.demi.collection
• Facebook: The Demi Collection

Image Credits
Essence Moore