 By Lajeune Hollis Some of the best ideas are born out of frustration. In 2015, Annie’s daughter, born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, was experiencing skin care issues due to multiple surgeries. Traditional products were not working, so Annie turned to her Jamaican roots and begin to concoct natural healing products to combat the breakouts her daughter was battling. She went to work in the kitchen of her Bridgeport, Connecticut home, which would eventually lead to the launch of her new business, NaturalAnnie Essentials. When she ran out of room in the kitchen, she turned to the washroom and then the basement. But it wasn’t long until she outgrew the basement—giving her husband his “man cave” back—and set up shop in their garage.  By 2020, the NaturalAnnie Essentials body and skin care products had taken off to the point where she was able to secure a studio space in a Connecticut Avenue building. This passion project of Annie’s had now become a family affair with her husband, father, mother, sisters and children all working together to move the business forward. What started out as a bath, body and skin care product line had grown into a lucrative candle business when Annie added soy candles to her offerings based on sheer demand from her regular customers. The beauty of it all? The tropical-inspired home fragrances were all made in-house. NaturalAnnie Essentials is first and foremost a lifestyle brand so in 2021, Annie started a Sip and Pour candle making party—which has grown to be a signature in-demand event with a live DJ, appetizers and fun. Just like all other aspects of Annie’s ideas, her event offerings have grown to include Candle and Craft parties on Saturday afternoons for children and teens—parents can also participate! And for adults, Annie offers Game Nights, where the dance floor comes alive on select weekend nights with a live DJ, candle making, hookah bar and interactive games. NaturalAnnie Essentials is truly to the answer to anyone who ever said, “There is nothing to do in Bridgeport.”  What started out as a bath, body and skin care product line had grown into a lucrative candle business when Annie added soy candles to her offerings based on sheer demand from her regular customers.  At all of her events, participants love that they are able to shop at the NaturalAnnie Essentials store, which is not just a retail candle shop—it’s also filled beautiful and original home décor products, t-shirts and mugs. And today, NaturalAnnie Essentials products are found in over 600 stores throughout the United States in additional to offering products in an online store, where shipping is available nationwide. Interested in renting Annie’s inspirational space? NaturalAnnie Essentials is available for birthday parties, Quinceaneras, baby showers, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, networking affairs, happy hours, photo shoots, corporate mixers, team building and more. Find NaturalAnnie Essentials on social media @naturalannieessentials on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest or visit naturalannieessentials.com. NaturalAnnie Essentials is conveniently located on Connecticut Avenue in Bridgeport and offers free parking.
BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:AUTHOR Lajeune Hollis is a Connecticut resident, media sales professional, local news junkie, daughter, sister, proud aunt and colon cancer survivor. She has spent the past 30+ years in the media industry and has written, produced and hosted mini-biographies (bio-line) for a gospel video show called Lifeline Gospel Videos on a Bridgeport, CT public access television station; written African American book reviews for a monthly urban newspaper, The Inner City Newspaper, in New Haven, CT; co-hosted an on-air book review (the L & L Book Review) on an urban contemporary radio station (WNHC AM 1340); hosted an African American monthly book club at Barnes and Noble bookstore in North Haven, CT; worked as a community radio announcer (Lovers Corner with Lajeune) at a New Haven area radio station (WYBC 94.3 FM); worked as a local ad sales manager for Umoja Newspaper in Bridgeport, CT; worked in radio advertising sales and management for a total of four Connecticut radio stations (WNHC AM 1340, WEBE 108FM, WICC 600 AM, and WYBC 94.3FM) and is currently working in local ad sales (television, digital, online, content marketing and social media) for News 8, a New Haven, CT based ABC TV affiliate. Lajeune also has her own website, LajeuneHollis.com and blog, The View from Lajeune. Photos provided by NaturalAnnie Essentials
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5/31/2023 0 Comments Kemistry Media Lab Presents: Welcome to the Beauty Booth - A Unique Beauty and Social Networking Event Submitted by Kemistry Media Lab, LLC Christina Outlaw, event producer for "Welcome to the Beauty Booth," is thrilled to announce a beauty and social networking event for beauty entrepreneurs, influencers, and new beauty professionals. Taking place on Monday, June 12, 2023 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, this highly anticipated event offers both in-person and virtual attendance options. Welcome to the Beauty Booth will showcase local master stylist, Marissa O. Kendrick as the keynote speaker, who will demonstrate her renowned "Scissor Queen" method on live models. The event will also feature renowned beauty entrepreneur Luvena Leslie from The Curly Hair Salon, international deejay DJ Too Much, and emerging beauty phenom Kierra Arbor of Superior Design Beauty. In-person attendees will have the opportunity to shop from select vendors, network in our selfie lounge, visit beauty activation stations, and learn from beauty professionals. "We are excited to host Welcome to the Beauty Booth and provide an inclusive space for beauty enthusiasts to connect, learn, and grow," said Marissa O. Kendrick, the keynote speaker. "Our event is designed to inspire and empower beauty entrepreneurs, influencers, and aspiring professionals, fostering a vibrant and supportive local beauty community." Welcome to the Beauty Booth is actively seeking partnerships with brands to enhance the attendee experience and further cultivate the local beauty community. For full event details can visit www.thebeautybooth.co. Tickets for Welcome to the Beauty Booth are currently on sale and can be purchased at www.thebeautybooth.co. "Our event is designed to inspire and empower beauty entrepreneurs, influencers, and aspiring professionals, fostering a vibrant and supportive local beauty community."
BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY: Submitted by Natural Annie Essentials Mom-life is exhausting! Whether you’re the mom to one child or five, single or coupled, working outside the home or filling your day with the revolving tasks of keeping a house, being the caretaker of little humans depletes reserves most of us didn’t even know we had. Mom’s night out is not just a cute idea for a gathering of women. It’s a matter of survival (for the entire family)! Many of us know how well wine and candles go together. (Think bubble baths and romance.) But have you thought about wine and candle making? If not, then prepare to be convinced. There are many great reasons to visit a candle bar. Plus, your friends will see how cool and not-cliche you are when you suggest candle-making as an outing.  Here are the top 7 reasons to grab that bottle of wine and head to the Candle Bar: 1. The first and most obvious reason is time away from your children! At the candle making bar, there won’t be children clinging to you, whining about hunger, or crying because the toe of their sock is crooked and they can’t fit all their legos in their pocket!  2. Depending on the relationship, you may be more excited about getting time away from your partner. If you’re single, you’ve been doing the work of two and double need this time off.  3. A chance to hang out with your friends. A lot of parents make social connections through their children’s friends. We sometimes hang out with other parents just because our children like each other. It’s important to foster other relationships as well. Or at least hang with those parents without the chaos of double the children.  4. A place to drink wine and not be judged. Wine isn’t allowed at PTO meetings and soccer games. Desperate moms all over the country are filling reusable water bottles and travel tea mugs with the sweet nectar of sanity because openly drinking a glass of wine in these settings is frowned upon. But not at the candle bar! Here, helping yourself relax and unwind is strongly encouraged.  5. No dancing is required! This will be a relief to some and a bummer to others. But hey, if you want to shake it while making your candle, or get down to the latest TikTok dance trends you’re welcome to do so. For those horrified by the thought of having to get out on the dance floor and try to execute moves you learned twenty years ago or saw on TikTok, you’re safe here.  6. The fulfillment of being productive. It’s hard sometimes to turn off that productivity meter (that’s partly what the wine is for). Spending time at the candle bar not only means a fun and relaxing time but taking home a self-made candle can also help you feel good about your time away, and hey, it's also proof to your partner that you didn't just drink wine all night at talked about them with your mom friends.  7. Home and in bed by 10. For those who boo this idea, may I suggest attending your local hot spot or late-night restaurant after the candle bar? But if you’re like many moms who think ahead to the following day when your family has long since forgotten about Mom’s night out and is spiraling headfirst into all that needs attending, you’ll appreciate the reasonable bedtime.  Moms need and deserve breaks, too, a relaxing, fun experience away from the needs of family and the chaos of bars and restaurants. NaturalAnnie Essentials Candle Bar located in Bridgeport, Connecticut is a unique place to relax and have fun with friends. Wine, candle making, good friends, and laughs are great ways to take that night off.  To book your next mom's night out, check out our calendar here for availability and round up the moms! Private parties are also available for groups of 10+ if you just want to hang out with your group of mom friends - inquire about a private party here.  BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY: |
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