Check Out Tamika Jackson’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Jackson.

Hi Tamika, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began making candles as a part of my spiritual practice as well as a respite. A way to alchemize stagnant energy into creativity, intentionality and self-love. I fell in love with the revolutionary act of “Radical Wellness”, finding my own way. It was life-changing. I wanted to share my new hobby and passion with family and friends so I made a few and mailed them off. The response was shocking. They actually loved them and wanted to purchase them. I couldn’t believe it. I took some time to sit with the thought of selling something so intimately created but I was struck with this thought. “Create so that others may find their own path to Radical Wellness. Hence the beginning of Radical Wellness BTQ.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Ha, the obstacles of entrepreneurship. I’m pretty private but this entrepreneurial endeavor requires I market, create social media, which requires a modicom of vulnerability. And that has been extremely hard. Selling items I use that I know work for me and making others see the worth in your products. It requires constant work. For me, internal work. Trusting the process and being consistent. Again it’s work, and I wasn’t prepared to have to do it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner and maker of a handcrafted wellness boutique, Radical Wellness BTQ. By profession, I can be called a Social Service Advocate and worker with 20+ years of working in Prevention, Education, and Case Management. Working as a Sexual Health Educator, Sexual Assault Advocate, Domestic Violence Advocate, Life Skills Coach, Suicide Prevention Advocate/Trainer, Reproductive Justice Advocate, and most recently a Harm Reductionist. Radical Wellness BTQ is a creation born from necessity. In trying to be intentional about my personal “Radical Wellness” journey I began to think of all the things I use to support that intentionality of “being well”. In my personal and professional relationships, I GIVE a lot of myself. That giving began to hollow me and I searched for ways to heal.

Those things: soaking in an herb and flower-filled spiritual bath, smelling an amazing candle, setting intentions with crystal-infused candles, taking a long hot shower, using my waist beads to adorn my hips and add to connecting with my sensuality. Every last one of these things has helped me ground myself and aided in my own self-care along the way.

What sets me apart from others? I lovingly create products in my home, by hand, for those seeking to find that radical practice of wellness.

What does success mean to you?
I define success as “the intentional outcome of the desired goal”. I set out to reach over a 100 people in my small business first year. I’ve sold over 300 candles so far. Do I define that as a success, meh. It’s a step. Grateful but still working for more.

Contact Info:

• Website: radicalwellnessBTQ.net
• Instagram: radicalwellnessbtq