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

Hi Monae, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I first started my business, I didn’t have the typical structured “business plan” I had ideas that I knew I wanted to bring into the world but I knew I had to take baby steps. I started out with products that took less time and money to make until I worked my up to being able to outsource products and get to where I am today.

But my main focus was always making spirituality more attainable, more affordable and less intimidating.
Growing up in a very spiritual household I wanted to give everyone the chance to explore their spirituality it has opened many doors and opportunities for me and wanted to extend that to others i also wanted others to understand that you can make it your own and still be a valid spiritual person because spirituality is different for everyone !

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.
Hi I create many different types of art, of course I create/design all of the items in the shop, I also create a lot of digital content. I have a podcast, I make youtube videos so in whatever way I can make art I am going to do it lol. Getting to where I am today with all of my art was not easy and honestly there are still days where it can get a little tough. My biggest issue is time management, since it’s a one woman show at the shop right now I really need to make sure that I do everything in a timely manner because one misstep with timing can mess everything up lol.

What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that, The Pastel Botanica has changed a lot over the years but at our core we have stayed the same. I will always keep my focus on creating and bringing you products that actual aid you in your spiritual journey, and keep it affordable,ethical,attainable and cute at all times!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my lovely bosses Jon & Ashley Thompson of Pressed NC in Fayetteville,North Carolina. They were my first wholesale order, the first store to carry my products and they have been amazing mentors to me and have taught me so much some of it without even knowing it THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BELIEVING IN ME GUYS I LOVE YOU!

Website: thepastelbotanica.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastel_bruja/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx8mK7iA3o6dMLggyGKrwCg/featured?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits
Photos of me taken by Angela Santos

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.