Today we’d like to introduce you to Sacred Lotus.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Sacred Lotus By MM is my Mental Health business that I created to pull me out of a depression. Most people know me as Mariah Murray, the Dancer/Choreographer Extraordinaire. However, I have evolved into Sacred as I’ve continued on my self-healing journey. Not wanting to be put in a box, Sacred Lotus was created to express my other artistic passions. I’m multi-talented, and it is hard to give my all to just one area when I also excel in others.
Just two years ago, I created Sacred Lotus By MM! I started with just Dreamcatchers. If you dare to dream, so many questions can be answered. As a young girl, I fell in love with Dreamcatchers. One day, I caught myself walking through Ross and saw a really big one. I said to myself, I can make that! I started studying and trying different styles and techniques and eventually came up with my own style of Dreamcatchers. It came pretty naturally to me. In fact, I actually impressed myself. I knew that I didn’t want to work for anyone and that making dreamcatchers would be a business I knew I would enjoy. I told myself that making dreamcatchers with my frequencies playing in the back, clean house and my two cats would give me the peace and solitude I felt I needed at the time… and it did. The details that make my dreamcatchers stand out are the web patterns I choose, I also add Gemstones and Raw Crystals as well as LED Lights. After a while, I thought to myself, I can probably make jewelry with these Gemstones. I began selling them at the restaurant I was currently working at the time. I sold a lot of bracelets. Eventually, the bracelets were in high demand. At this point, I’m selling Dreamcatchers and Bracelets at my job. I created an Etsy and an Instagram. I also started reaching out to different events I knew had vendors and that I also wanted to be a part of or just coincided with the concept of my business. By the beginning of the second year, I was ready to start doing pop-ups.
I honestly didn’t have any guidance. I just looked up events and submitted applications and waited to see who would accept me. I even took my own product photos and also handled the social media. As a one woman show, I was willing to do any and everything I needed to do to become a successful business. I watched a lot of YouTube videos about business. Followed inspiring business people on Instagram. And by the middle of the year I got my business structure nice and solid.
My very first pop-up was at Ourbar ATL. Then I did The Groove Block Party and Black Girl Art Show in Orlando. I hit the ground running at the beginning of the second year. As I was building this business, I was still working as a Chef at a restaurant. Around May or June, I quit my job to become a full-time entrepreneur. Technically I put in my two weeks but they wouldn’t let me work it all the way through. That made the Beltline my new business home. I would set up on the Beltline at least five days a week, depending on the weather. I can proudly say that I received a lot of support and was able to pay all my bills for the first two months straight. However, just like there are ups, there are downs. Business started slowing down, and I needed to figure out how to keep the sales up. Also, the police were a bother. I then found Creators Market at Atlantic Station. I began attending their market every weekend, and it definitely was an experience that helped me elevate even more. I attended Creators Market all the way through their winter market. Now I am currently doing more pop ups but just in indoor events. I have a couple of events that I do every week. I now have evolved into a mini Bodega. Not only am I customizing on the spot Gemstone Jewelry, I also sell Incense, Sage, Palo Santo, Journals, Homemade Pies and Cookies.
As I continue to evolve, so will Sacred Lotus, for Sacred Lotus By MM is Me, and I am Sacred Lotus. I created this business so I can create whatever it is I want to create. I look forward to creating more things that make me happy but also help others. This is now the beginning of year three, and I am completely locked into my business. I love it, and I love creating, and I love learning and growing the business. Everything I make is intentional and from the heart. As I heal myself, I shall heal others. Which is another reason why I love that I created this business. I know that my purpose in life is to heal in many different forms. I feel that this business aligns with my purpose in life, and I am thankful to every individual who sees and receives my business with positivity and light.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the challenges I face is not having a big enough vehicle. I pack my little Honda Civic to the roof. I think running the business by myself can be challenging because I need help being consistent on social media, making flyers for my pop-ups, social media content, and outreach. When I’m working or picking up shifts and then setting up and breaking down events by myself, I don’t have time or the focus to really post like I want. But I do stay transparent through this new business journey. Lastly, if I didn’t work I would have more time to create in peace. The police on the beltline can be uncomfortable. Even though I did get a business license, they didn’t care about that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I customize Bespoke Gemstone Jewelry, intentionally choosing gemstones for their needs and desires, made on the spot. I also sell incense, sage, Palo Santo, journals, scratch-made pies, and cookies that I make myself. I’m known for the quality and care that I provide. It’s not just a pop-up; it’s an intimate experience between each individual customer. They either tell me what they need, or they allow me to create for them. Their purchase usually comes nicely packaged with the official Sacred Lotus Seal, a complimentary Palo Santo stick, sage, or incense, and a personal note that I write an angel number based on their favorite number and a motivational personal note on the back. I’m most proud of my consistency since the beginning of my second year and the elevation since day one. I never complain because it’s my business. I make sacrifices, so I make sure I never run out of gemstones, and my presentation is always evolving. I’m getting closer to the vision in my mind. What sets me apart from others is everything just expressed. My presentation makes them feel comfortable and gives them an experience instead of getting a market feel. I sell more than five products, and they’re all handmade by me. And lastly would be that I can provide knowledge of the metaphysical properties of each gemstone.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
No. Covid allowed me to dive deeper into myself and thus create Sacred Lotus By MM. Covid gave me time to get back to self.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Sacredlotusbymmllc
- Facebook: Sacredlotusbymm
