I’m building a brand.
It’s still in the works. Still becoming. Still tender in places.
Right now, it looks like handmade bags sewn in memory of my mom, candles poured with care, and other wellness goods I’m slowly dreaming into existence. It’s not polished or perfect. It’s real. And it’s mine.
I didn’t create this to chase trends or go viral.
I created it because I was trying to find my way back to myself.
My Story Begins with Loss
A few seasons ago, I lost my mother.
And with her, I lost a sense of safety, softness, and certainty in the world.
Grief didn’t hit me all at once — it showed up in quiet waves.
Some days, I felt like I was floating above my life. Other days, I was deep in the ache, feeling everything.
I kept going — showing up to work, doing what was expected — but I was hollow inside. I needed something to hold onto. Something that gave meaning to the mess I was carrying.
So I started making things.
With My Hands, I Started to Heal
I bought a sewing machine.
I stitched through the sadness.
I poured wax into jars.
I blended scents that reminded me of stillness, of my mom, of home.
I didn’t know then that I was building a brand. I just knew I needed to create. To turn pain into something useful. To remember that beauty still existed, even in grief.
Each bag I sew is a love letter to the woman who raised me.
Each candle I craft is a moment of quiet, of grounding, of peace.
This isn’t just a product line. It’s a practice. A process. A soft return to self.
Building in the In-Between
Building in the In-Between
I’m still in corporate Canada — doing meaningful work that supports the province. I work hard during the day while slowly growing this brand in the evenings and weekends. I’ve also recently decided to return to my Master’s in counselling psychology — a quiet promise I made to myself years ago, now finally being honoured. It’s not glamorous. But it’s honest.
Some days I’m tired. Some days I’m lit up with vision. Most days, I’m somewhere in between — learning how to balance survival with creation, fear with faith, healing with hustle.
I don’t have all the answers. But I’ve found purpose in the process.
What This Blog Is (and What It’s Not)
This blog isn’t a highlight reel.
It’s not curated for clicks or wrapped in perfection.
It’s a space for real stories. For sacred pauses. For women who are doing the quiet work of rebuilding themselves.
Here, I’ll share:
- My healing journey after loss
- The ups and downs of starting a brand from scratch
- Affirmation practices that support my nervous system
- My experience as a Black woman balancing work and wellness in Canada
- Soft routines, real thoughts, and creative lessons as I grow
If you’ve ever felt like you were meant for more but life hit hard and held you back — you’re not alone here.
A Gentle Invitation
You don’t need to be “fully healed” to build something beautiful.
You don’t need to be loud to make an impact.
You don’t need to have it all figured out to start.
I’m building as I go.
And if you’re doing the same — whether through grief, creativity, faith, or quiet rebellion — I’m so glad you’re here.
This space is for us. The ones who feel deeply.
The ones who are done pretending.
The ones who are building something sacred from the inside out.
If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to stay a while.
You can read the next post.
Let’s heal forward — one handmade thing at a time.
With care,
De’Shante‘
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