We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Selena Alcantara a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Selena, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?
If I were to change the education system to prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career, I would make it more hands on, more elective/interest based. I think what we get wrong is trying to force all students into a 1 size fits all type of approach when everyone’s skills, interests, and learning types are different. I also think that we as a whole have forgotten about how important to actually try out, touch, and discover things while learning. I wish that instead of just studying about plants & animals from a book, that we had gotten to experience them more; I wish that kids were allowed to test out things they wanted to do and be encouraged outside just the typical school curriculum. Imagine if there were more schools teaching about how to care for our ecosystem, how to do different trades, and were more art and movement involved- we would have more diverse ways of thinking, possible breakthroughs in innovation, and happiness when people get to freely express themselves and learn about what they love in addition to basics we all need like reading, math, etc.
Personally, I knew I wanted to own my own business one day from a young age, but the types of businesses like my current one was considered unattainable, unrealistic, etc. and I was told to choose something more practical. I still kept working toward learning to start a business but at that time it was a coffee shop idea (I don’t even like coffee haha), and over a few years that dream faded- it was never really for me. Eventually, I moved to a place where I saw people owning businesses of all kinds- even ones that in my hometown would be considered unrealistic, so I started my witchy business anyway. I’ve been loving it so much, but imagine if my dream was allowed space to flourish and develop years earlier. I am a lucky example where my dreams persevered anyway but not everyone gets that opportunity, but it should and could be more common.
Selena, 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?
Hi, I am Selena Alcantara, I am a green witch! My family is filled with magikal beings, some who acknowledge it and some who don’t but my grandmother on my father’s side was a town medicinal healer in the DR, and my grandmother on my mom’s side was Wiccan. I am blessed to have been born into my craft; as a child my Wiccan grandmother would bring me on hikes, teach me to identify plants, animals, tracks, and more, she would show me how to make things from stuff we found, she would read tarot cards with me, and she was also an incredible artist- everything from drawing to stained glass. My other grandmother lived in the DR and I didn’t get to know her as much as I would’ve liked to but her wisdom and magik is running through me as well- I always ask her spirit for guidance. With all this already in my life, spirituality has always been around but I didn’t start taking it really serious until after college, where I wanted to start tapping into all of it more. Through healing myself, and creating a better life based on my beliefs and lineage, I started using that knowledge to forage and craft spiritual tools for myself & friends. Over time the products developed, and I started selling on Etsy, and now at Markets and on my website! My business started as just products but has expanded into craft classes, mentorships on radical green witchery, and making your own witch practice based on your lineage, and even more to come!
I think what sets me apart from others in my field is that I have an oath to Gaia (the Earth) to protect and respect her, including in my business. I either ethically source my materials from friend’s gardens, thrifting, etc. or forage for them- I try to do as little harm to the Earth as possible while making tools people can use that are directly from the source. With classes and mentorships, I am able to help people learn to do the same, and this makes a huge ripple on ethical and authentic witch craft practices.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Success is only what you determine it to be. I have always been told and believed that success is based on financial gain, material possessions, and followers/fans. This are all outside, societal projections that have little to nothing to do with feeling fulfilled in your business and life.
I was looking around seeing businesses run from a more traditional model, and feeling insecure because mine doesn’t gain traction the same, or whatever other issue, but my business is niche, and different, and that’s ok. I had to sit down and really think about what feels like success to me, I made a list, so I can remind myself when the anxiety kicks in.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Markets, and other in person events! I enjoy interacting and meeting customers- showing them the things I’ve handmade, because pictures don’t do them justice, and explaining my classes & mentorships. I feel like people receive these types of information better with a personal touch, and good conversation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://greenwitchbyselena.square.site
- Instagram: @greenwitchbyselena
- Facebook: GreenWitchBySelena
Image Credits
Joanna Tilson for the 2 professional images