Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kiwanna Lanta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kiwanna, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The vision for my work came from my own journey of healing and motherhood. Dear Kiwanna began as a personal outlet of blending herbs, intention, and spirituality into teas, bath kits, and waist beads that helped me reconnect with myself. What started as self-healing turned into a brand rooted in holistic wellness and ritual care.
After becoming a mother, my focus shifted from just healing the self to healing the community. That’s when Mami Thyme was born a space built to support mothers in need through diaper drives, baby essentials, and emotional care. It became a movement centered on compassion and sisterhood.
As a Holistic Doula, everything is tied together. The herbs, the healing, the hands-on care. I realized my purpose was to nurture women through every stage of their journey, from birth to rebirth.
The Mami Thyme logo symbolizes that spiritual growth, nurturing, and balance. My work is unique because it’s personal and lived. I built what I once needed, and that’s what keeps me passionate every day.
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 back background and context?
My name is Kiwanna Lanta, and I’m the creator behind Dear Kiwanna and Mami Thyme; two branches of the same tree rooted in healing, motherhood, and community.
I started Dear Kiwanna in my twenties after going through my own spiritual awakening and healing process. I’ve always been drawn to herbs, ritual, and energy, so I turned my kitchen into a little apothecary. What began as making herbal teas, spiritual bath kits, and waist beads for myself slowly turned into a full-blown brand that helps others reconnect with their inner peace and purpose. Every tea blend, waist bead, or candle I make carries intention, whether it’s balance, grounding, or cleansing.
As I grew into motherhood, I saw a deeper need in my community, not just for spiritual healing, but for tangible help. That’s where Mami Thyme came in. It’s a community-driven initiative that supports mothers in need, through diaper drives, baby essentials, and wellness support. It’s my way of reminding moms that they’re not alone, and that nurturing yourself and your village can coexist.
What sets my work apart is authenticity, everything I create comes from lived experience. I don’t speak from theory; I speak from the heart, from the messy, beautiful reality of being a mom, an entrepreneur, and a healer. My products and projects bridge the gap between spiritual wellness and real-world care.
What I’m most proud of is the impact seeing a mom smile when she gets the help she needs, or hearing that one of my teas helped someone sleep better or feel calmer. That’s the kind of success that fills me up.
At the end of the day, I want people to know that Dear Kiwanna is about the inner journey, and Mami Thyme is about the collective one. Both are reminders that healing and helping can be sacred, simple, and beautifully human.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
When I started Dear Kiwanna, there was no investor, no grant, no perfect business plan just me, my kitchen table, and a deep belief that what I had to offer mattered. I funded everything out of pocket, piece by piece. If I sold a few waist beads or teas, I’d reinvest that money into more herbs, packaging, or supplies. It was very grassroots, slow, intentional, and built with love.
Dear Kiwanna truly grew from faith and consistency. I used what I had creativity, intuition, and community support. I learned how to stretch $50 into something beautiful. That scrappy start taught me to trust the process and build with purpose, not pressure.
When Mami Thyme came along, it followed the same path fueled by community instead of capital. Donations, small fundraisers, and in-kind contributions became the foundation. The truth is, the heart of what I do has never been about having big money it’s been about big purpose.
Every dollar that’s gone into my work has come from a place of service whether that’s through product sales, personal sacrifice, or community giving. It’s not the traditional startup story, but it’s mine built from the ground up, with prayer, perseverance, and pure intention.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Honestly, I think what built my reputation the most was being real. I’ve never tried to present myself as someone who has it all figured out. I share the highs, the struggles, and the healing in between. Whether it’s through Dear Kiwanna or Mami Thyme, people can feel that my work comes from lived experience, not just marketing.
Consistency has been another big piece. I show up even when it’s quiet, even when I’m tired. I stay connected with my community through honest conversations, helpful resources, and products that actually make people feel better. Over time, that kind of authenticity builds trust.
I also think my reputation grew because my mission goes beyond selling things it’s about serving. I’m not just promoting self-care; I’m creating spaces for women, especially mothers, to breathe, heal, and be seen. That energy resonates.
At the end of the day, my reputation has been built by word of mouth, heartfelt connection, and results people can feel whether it’s a mom who finally got diapers for her baby or someone who found peace in a cup of my tea. I stay grounded in my why, and I think people recognize that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://MamiThyme.org
- Instagram: @dearkiwanna @mamithymeofficial
- Facebook: @Dearkiwanna @Mamithyme