Today we’d like to introduce you to Twanica Hazel.
Hi Twanica, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started researching candles as a coping mechanism for my postpartum depression and trauma as a two-time severe maternal mortality survivor. Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) is a life-threatening health problem that is present before or 6 weeks after delivery and includes serious bleeding, eclampsia convulsions, heart attacks, emergency hysterectomies, and other potentially fatal crises in women around the time of delivery. Maternal morbidity can include near-death experiences during pregnancy or while giving birth, but thankfully, women survive. Five hours after giving birth to my fourth and fifth children, I received seven blood transfusions and experienced kidney failure. After this nightmare, I did not feel like myself. Everything about me had changed, but I ignored my feelings and jumped right into my normal routine of taking care of my family and household. I became a shell of a person stuck in this robotic routine. After a while, I couldn’t dismiss my experience. I eventually sought help and was later diagnosed with postpartum depression and SMM. I began to discover ways to work through my emotions and found a new interest; candle making became one of them.
I have always been a huge candle lover. Learning how to create candles became therapeutic for me. What started as a hobby became a joy I wanted to share with everyone. The name Manzi comes from my two daughters, Imani and Zoe; Lux means light. The blend of natural and essential oils in our hand-poured, small-batch candles creates a soothing, comforting fragrance that will permeate any room. We create candles together to share our light with the world!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life, motherhood, and entrepreneurship are journeys. There are many ups and downs of emotions associated with having a business and family that people don’t speak about, like self-doubt, mom guilt, and the struggle to balance. Being able to balance life is a struggle, especially when brakes are needed and when you don’t have a village to help, it’s hard. During the pandemic, I had to learn how to give myself grace and enjoy the things and people that are important to me. Start each day with gratitude, meditation, exercise, and caring for your temple. Being a wife, mother, and nurturer of the home is a lot to carry mentally while still trying to be this new you. You must take care of yourself to take care of others and do what you love. Your mental state and family depend on it. Always ensure you’re getting something out of the day that makes you happy, whether baking your favorite dessert, bathing, lighting a candle, or reading a book. Also, try taking breaks with your family; make it a movie night or a fun Friday. Spending time with your family and creating bonds and memories is also relaxing and good for the soul. I get joy from seeing smiles on everyone’s faces.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Manzi Lux, we handcraft scented candles, melts, reed diffusers, and room sprays. We also specialize in curating exclusive fragrant candles, wax melts, and diffusers for businesses seeking to add luxury candles to their brands. Manzi Lux is here to assist you in creating bold fragrances that your customers will love. Our products are strongly fragrant, slow-burning, and durable.
Manzi Lux hosts the Wax and Unwind Sensory Lab twice a month in Charleston, SC. We want to bring a fun, interactive, relaxing, and unique event to Charleston. During this event, guests will craft their own candles and enjoy games and light refreshments. I found that making candles is very therapeutic and a great way to bond with co-workers and family members. This event is perfect for a ladies day, date night, group outing, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and more. We also offer private events at our space, or we can come to you!
We are also launching a podcast called The Highs and Lows of Life with Manzi Lux. We will discuss topics centered around the emotional, mental, and physical experiences of motherhood during and after pregnancy. We will also dive deeper into maternal morbidity, mom guilt, children, maternal relationships, and other circumstances that may be difficult to discuss. Becoming a mother changes so much that sometimes it is difficult to adjust to the newness. I have been through so much on this motherhood journey, and I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone! Our podcast pilot will launch on July 1, 2023.
Pricing:
- Wax Melts $9
- Bath Salts $9
- 8 oz candle $23
- 14 oz candle $43
- Wax & Unwind Sensory Lab $50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.manzilux.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manzilux/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopManzilux
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manzi-lux-396611240/
