We recently connected with Mya Jhene and have shared our conversation below.
Mya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
My business journey began about four years ago, with the birth of my baby in August 2020. Initially named “WAISTED by MJ,” it reflected my focus on handmade waist beads. These beautiful pieces of body jewelry are worn by women for various reasons, such as embracing their inner beauty, tracking body changes, and enhancing overall wellness.
In my second year, I decided to rebrand to better represent the evolution of my offerings. What started with waist beads expanded into a diverse range of crystal jewelry, including bracelets, anklets, and earrings. I also began curating intuitive self-care baths, oils, and self-love boxes, along with offering intuitive readings to my community. This transformation led to my new name: “Waisted Bespoke Healing.”
The term “bespoke” signifies a tailored approach, perfectly capturing the personalized healing services I provide to my clients.
Mya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Mya Jhene—an Intuitive Oracle and Healer, as well as an educator, artist, model, and poet. I’m originally from Grand Rapids, MI but now reside in Detroit, MI. My journey with beading began in childhood; I adored receiving new kits and creating all sorts of projects. This passion resurfaced during the pandemic when I had plenty of free time and wanted to reconnect with activities that healed my inner child.
I returned to beading, focusing on waist beads as I was navigating weight changes and needed a way to visually track my progress. As a plus-sized woman, I found that many jewelry options weren’t inclusive for larger body types. When I couldn’t find someone to create waist beads for me, I decided to make them myself. This soon blossomed into a larger endeavor, as I became my own walking advertisement. People would often ask where I got my beads, and when I shared that I handmade them, they wanted to support my work.
Over the past four years, I’ve been grateful to create wearable healing pieces for my clients. One of my favorite aspects of my work is offering intuitive readings, which allows for a more personal connection where I can provide spiritual guidance on various topics in their lives. I’ve always had a desire to help others, but I recognize that my work can be seen as taboo, even amidst the growing acceptance of spirituality. Some people respect what I do, while others may shy away from it. I’m here not only to serve my community but also to shed light on these practices and challenge the perceptions surrounding them.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
My personality definitely plays a big role, but it’s also the genuine care I extend to everyone who inquires about me or Waisted Bespoke Healing. Many people tell me that my energy and aura draw them in, but they stay because of my warmth, authenticity, and attentiveness.
When it comes to providing readings, my reputation is paramount. I strive to offer my clients truthful insights that they can use for personal growth. During our conversations, I tailor the experience to each individual, being mindful of my tone, body language, and the overall energy of the environment. I believe that paying attention to these small details enhances my reputation and creates a more impactful experience for my clients.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
It’s truly been “Word of Mouth” that has connected me with opportunities I never could have imagined. Last year, my jewelry was featured in the Kendall College of Art & Design (KCAD) fashion show, one that I also had the opportunity to model in 2 student collections for. I’ve had the privilege of creating handmade jewelry for talented music artists like Lizzy Jeff and affirmation artist Toni Jones. My journey with Waisted Bespoke Healing has taken me to various cities, allowing me to travel for vending events and experiences like Zen & Kush and Electric Forest. This exposure has helped expand my brand beyond a local reach to a wider market.
Vending gives me the chance to showcase all my products in a pop-up shop format, creating a community-focused shopping experience where patrons and potential clients from all over the world can explore and connect with my work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @WaistedBespokeHealing
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@purplepassionprophecies356
