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Meet Shadaya Hardy of Alleviated Aromas in Austell

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Shadaya Hardy.

Shadaya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m from Bronx, NY. I grew up in Charleston, SC. After high school, in 2008, I enrolled in the Army. I was honorably discharged in 2010. I moved to Atlanta to pursue a degree in Child & Family Welfare from Atlanta Metropolitan College. After completion of the degree and working in the field, I was drawn to troubled youth. I then started working as a juvenile correctional officer; however, I was injured on the job back in February (still recovering from a chest sprain and a concussion). After having a back and forth battle with the job about my injury, I resigned and I said I wanted to spend more time with my kids anyhow. I wanted to invest in myself, so with that being said, I took the stimulus check that was given to us by the government and invested in myself. I split it half of it on applying for nail technician school and the other half I bought a candle kit. I love both nails and candles so it was definitely a win/win. My thinking process at the time was whichever would assist me and being financially stable was going to be my goto! That’s honestly what I was thinking.

I was in Florida for a memorial service for my mom, whose birthday was May 25th. I literally cried all day that day. Just wishing and thinking, praying for my family and me. Just mentally and physically drained. The next day I went to get something to eat for my family and me from a local diner next door to our hotel. That’s when I ran into beauty mogul Reynell “Supa Cent” Steward and her friends. I quickly noticed her! I’m a fan! I even bought some of her products! I saw her, wanted to introduce myself and thought to give her some of my candles that were stashed in the trunk of my car. She loved them! Her friends purchased some! She then shared it on her social media and the flood gates opened from there! I can’t thank her enough for showing me love, at one of my low moments – she didn’t even know it!

May 4th, 2020, I constructed a vision board with all of my crazy ideas and I started to see it to manifest right before my eyes! I took a leap of F A I T H multiple times and saw how God just started guiding me to the right people to help manifest my deepest desires.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No. It has not. My apartment went form a living space to a full-blown warehouse in literally two weeks. It was struggle all around, from operating day-to-day, figuring out more space, getting help with orders, etc. There has been many learning curves from beginning to end and I am still learning.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a candle maker. I specialize in making 100% soy candles. With any true soy candle, the through last for hours! However, I think what sets me apart from others are my scents. They uniquely define what I love! My top fragrance is 90’s R&B, and the people love it! The scent consists of Mandarin & Musk with a little Amber! It literally put you in the mood for some 90’s R&B!

What were you like growing up?
I’m very empathic, so apart of me always was/is willing to help. That’s the reason I entered the field and children & family welfare. It allows me to be that guidance and helping hand. I was into sports. I loved being creative. I think that’s what drew me to want to be a nail technician. Have you seen today’s nail creativity?!

Pricing:

  • 8oz candles are $10
  • 2oz soy melts are $5

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
AG3 Digital Photopraphy

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