Today we’d like to introduce you to Tennille Love.
Tennille, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am a mother, 4th generation farmer, and army veteran who moved to Atlanta over 20 years ago. Prior to coming to Atlanta, I attended Mississippi State University for three years. During my 1st year in college, I was deployed to Operation Joint Endeavor, where I spent time in Hungary, Bosnia, Croatia, Budapest, and Germany for the next year or so. While on deployment, I was afforded the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, even visiting Prague and Turkey. Upon returning to Mississippi State, I found myself bored and decided to leave school. Since that time, I have experienced success as a self-employed branding and marketing consultant. I worked as a public school educator and worked in corporate America in the last decade while completing my Bachelor’s at the University of Alabama and an MBA in Supply Chain Management.
I am currently the owner and curator of Magnolia Pink Artisans Market, where I am dedicated to teaching Makers how to craft as a career. Candle making was my hobby and I have always been a creative person, I have always enjoyed fashion, African American art and literature. If I could dream it, I always knew I could find a way to create it. For many years I, along with my friend, Shalawn, had hosted events throughout the city and I always felt the need to have my own space. However, having a space of my own would require a crazy marketing plan and money (that I probably didn’t have) to execute the plan. Prior to opening the market, I had taken what I thought would be a dream position with a company out of Lakeland, FL. I was hired as the Safety Manager for the Atlanta hub. I asked all the right questions and they checked all my boxes. About one month in I realized that this relationship would be short-lived. Nothing was playing out according to what I was told during weeks of interviewing and training. I soon came to the conclusion that I had been hired to close this location down. What should have been disappointing was confirmation that I needed to walk in my purpose.
I realized early on that I was not created to work for someone else. I wanted to be in a position to bless others and in the two corporate positions I have been in, I was forced to do the opposite. See, I was raised with love, so when my moral compass starts swaying from side-to-side, it’s time to vacate the premises. Eventually, I was laid off and I vowed to move forward following my dream and walking in my purpose.
Crafting is a $36B industry and there are roughly 2.1 million sellers on Etsy, the largest single platform for handmade sellers. Of those sellers, 90% are handmade businesses. Therefore, as a creative with a desire to bless others, it was only fitting that I create a space that provides a platform for others to grow their creative businesses and join a network of like individuals where everyone can learn and grow. Today, I not only am a chandler and owner of Magnolia Pink but I also volunteer as part of the leadership team for Agriunity, a farm and agriculture cooperative, overseeing the risk management services division.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all but I am blessed. COVID through a huge monkey wrench in our plans. Not only have we been affected financially but being a new business and trying to expand our visibility was completely halted. We were growing and on track to open a 2nd location but as a result of being shut down for three months, the plans have been postponed. I haven’t allowed it to stress me out as I am a firm believer that God made me slow down so I could reevaluate and make sure our current location is fulfilling its purpose.
We re-opened our doors June 6th with modified hours and we are slowly re-introducing our craft classes while trying to be as safe as possible. We have not received any funding from the SBA or any other sources, although all of my paperwork was in order and they ran my credit back in May. They haven’t denied me and say my application is still under review, so I’ll take that. I am just thankful that God has positioned me where I am and I trust that we will continue to grow as a community of makers in the Southern Crescent and beyond.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Magnolia Pink Artisans Market – what should we know?
Magnolia Pink Artisans Market (MP) provides a collaborative platform for makers of handmade wares to expand their visibility in a brick and mortar setting. MP also offers members an opportunity to create an additional stream of income by hosting classes and workshops in the space. Services offered to the members include product development and procurement training, and coaching. As the only business of it’s kind in the Southern Crescent, Magnolia Pink exists to offer the community a place to shop, learn, create, and connect through a variety of classes and workshops. Candle making, various art classes, and wellness workshops are just a few of our offerings.
As the owner, I chose to open the business in Henry County because Henry is one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia. Additionally, there is limited entertainment that isn’t a club, lounge, bar, or family-oriented. Sometimes grownups want something to do that doesn’t involve the family or a bar that also doesn’t require them to fight traffic into the city. Out here, there is plenty of parking and usually less than a 15-minute commute from I285. The Artisans Market is the only business of it’s kind outside the perimeter and attracts customers from as far as Sandy Springs and Woodstock.
I am most proud of the community we have created that extends beyond the members and includes customers we like to call friends of the market. According to our regular patrons, the energy is good. This is a safe place where you can meet your friends, have a glass of wine, and chill or do some crafts.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My friends, members, and friends of the market deserve all the credit. They have encouraged and convinced me that people need MP Artisans Market.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2248 Highway 42 North
McDonough, GA 30260 - Website: www.MPArtisansMarket.com
- Phone: 770.325.5551
- Email: Maggie@magnoliapink.com
- Instagram: _magnoliapink
- Facebook: MPArtisansMarket
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