We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer Champa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?

Magixstyx incense is all-natural, handcrafted, plant medicine. The incense ingredients are sustainably sourced, no chemicals are used, and the packaging is compostable and biodegradable. I make the incense by using ancestral plant knowledge and artisanal techniques. The ancient art of incense-making is used for healing, magic, and for a connection with the natural world.

Incense has been used worldwide for over 6000 years for spirituality, rituals, aromatherapy, mediation, and wellness. Originally made from burning plants for medicinal purposes, incense has sadly now become an industry where scents are mass-produced and synthetic, masking the true power and purpose of incense. Magixstyx is handcrafted with real herbs, resins, and woods for wellness. I think it is necessary and important to highlight the natural powers of plants, and to be able to share this spiritual tool.

Artisans and makers have an important role in the community. By honoring ancestral knowledge and techniques, you keep traditions alive. By supporting the art and creativity of a handmade object, you support the continuation of the arts for the next generation of makers. Leaving a legacy of handmade objects connects us to our past by telling stories, which strengthens communities. Artisans imagine each piece thoughtfully and uniquely from beginning to end. Artist expression becomes a meditative activity as you learn and absorb details. As you deeply and intensely focus on your craft, you find yourself in a state of flow. Flow occurs where you have an energized focus, and you are learning while enjoying the activity. The dormant parts of you come alive, and you discover new gifts about yourself. Unique gifts that you can share with others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Magixstyx was developed from the desire to create incense made from pure plant materials. I want to share good energy, uplift spaces, and elevate your incense experience. I experiment with different plants to create blends that enhance environments.  One of my biggest influences is my educational background in Physical Therapy. Therapy requires a rehab plan and continual problem-solving. As a wellness advocate, I enjoy making incense because I want to improve my spiritual wellness. I delight in finding new facts about plant properties and how I can share that with the incense community.

As an incense artisan, a challenge that I have faced is having the courage to know that I am capable of acquiring a new skill. Having a support system is optimal, but sometimes the support systems I require are not aways available within my network, so I seek knowledge all around me. This helps me expand my mindset and visions for not only the type of work I want to do, but also for the type of person that I want to be.

The lessons about craft making that I learned along the way are:

1. Truly trusting in the beauty and the power of your vision can make you shrink your self-doubt to make room for your big dreams.
2. Having faith in your process will help you overcome doubt, pain, boredom, frustration, and insecurity. Give yourself permission to fail, experiment, and express yourself.
3. Practicing your craft will challenge your mind, and creative breakthroughs will occur. As you continually learn, discover, and connect the dots, your brain will rewire itself to meet new challenges.
4. Dedicate time to learn something new about your craft on a regular basis. It is a privilege to be able to learn and innovate to fuel your passion.
5. Your support system and your community are there for you when you need help. Nurture your relationships, leverage your support system, and support others who need a boost. You do not have to figure out everything by yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Los Angeles is filled with diversity and adventure.

Some of my favorite things to do are:
– The Groundlings Theater
– Getty Center
– Wat Thai Temple
– Huntington Gardens
– Hollywood Bowl
– Sofar Sounds Concert

Here are some of my favorite neighborhood restaurants:
– Saap Coffee Shop
– PBJ LA
– Lacha Somtum
– Quarter’s Korean BBQ
– Gjelina
– Night + Market

Also, don’t forget to absorb the views from a rooftop bar, catch a sunset in Malibu, and make a magical wish on the Santa Monica ferris wheel.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

My parents and 4 sisters have allowed me to create with their encouragement. They share their traditions, wisdom, and love with me so I can flourish. My parents immigrated from Laos, and they sacrificed and endured so that our family could have better opportunities. The immigrant resilience is truly inspiring, especially when you consider language and social barriers.

The incense community also makes the path in my journey brighter. To be able to use an all-natural product in your spiritual toolkit is a way to honor yourself and your intentions. It takes time to turn an idea into a tangible object. What exists in my imagination can only be brought out by the belief I have in myself, combined with an environment designed for growth, and backed by a community that uses the product thoughtfully. I am grateful to be able to savor the steps of this journey.  

Website: https://www.magixstyx.com/

Instagram: @magixstyx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magixstyxincense/

Other: Email: info@magixstyx.com Bulletin Wholesale: https://bulletin.co/brands/magixstyx-incense Faire Wholesale: https://magixstyx.faire.com/

Image Credits
Image Credits: -Main image: John Juniper Additional Photos: – First 4 pics: John Juniper -Last 2 images with incense smoke: Brandon Inthavong

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.