Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Stevenson.
Hi Chelsea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I never anticipated being a professional henna artist In fact, when I first opened my business, I did so with a great deal of hesitation. I picked up a henna cone not because I loved it, but because I needed to generate meaningful income to provide for my family.
It was in 2011 when I walked into the office where I served as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault for the last time. That morning, I was relieved of my position, leaving me with no income, savings, or immediate opportunities to manage the financial strains of raising my son as a single parent.
Shortly after, I was in the grocery store where I was ready to spend the last few dollars in my bank account on food for my son. I had some henna on my hands, and throughout the store people commented on the designs. I made my way through the store, quietly calculating my total as I went, and finally arrived at the cash register.
The cashier was a sweet young lady who smiled and asked, “What is that on your hand? I’ve never seen that before!” Upon explaining that it was henna, she said, “It’s beautiful! Will you do it for me? I’ll pay you.”
Those words were the catalyst that changed the rest of my life.
By 2014, my life had changed entirely. I had married my best friend, returned to serving families as a social worker, and was expecting my second child. I’d also built a loyal following of clients across three states, and found myself working more and more with henna – but this time, because I’d come to love it!
My son was approaching school age when my husband and I made the decision to move across country. The plan was for me to homeschool our children and take on henna full-time. I rebranded my business and officially launched Cardamom & Clove Henna, a name inspired by the scent of my signature henna paste.
Within six months, I was up and running, serving clients and mentoring new artists – all with my new baby strapped to my back. In no time, I was invited to teach henna artists for the first time, an experience that kindled a love for educating women on how to use their hands to create their own empire. Over the years, I’ve served as a featured instructor at a number of the most reputable international henna conferences, and have served clients across eight states.
In 2015, my family moved back to the Baltimore area where we’ve since settled. Through Cardamom & Clove Henna, I’ve been able to connect with thousands of local women, using henna as a means to celebrate their experiences and successes.
Today, I am the most celebrated henna professional in Baltimore, MD, serving over 800 clients each year, helping hundreds of students around the world, and living a life I couldn’t have imagined that day in the grocery store. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road. My industry is challenged by a number of systemic disadvantages. Henna artists face socio-economic barriers on the basis of being artists who are often minimized to “crafters,” on the basis of sex- and gender-bias a this is a primarily female-dominated industry, and on the basis of working in an ethnic, ancestral trade.
These challenges have manifested for me in so many different forms — from being discounted at networking functions to being overlooked for funding when it came time to seek capital for business expansion and everything in between.
It was through navigating these obstacles that I came to truly value the experiences of entrepreneurs like me who hail from marginalized communities. I’ve worked exceptionally hard to change the narratives around what can be expected not only in my industry, but for anyone who dares to dream bigger than what society deems to be reasonable.
June 2021 marked the ten-year anniversary for my business, and despite the impacts of COVID on the economic landscape, I’ve been able to scale beyond six-figures while maintaining a part-time work schedule. This allows for me to continue to invest in what matters most to me — my legacy — through the continued homeschooling of my three children, mentorship, and charitable giving to the causes that align with my values.
Today, not only do I maintain my own business at the henna boutique, but I also provide my expertise as a business strategist to creative- and service-based business owners around the world who want to build the life and business they desire and deserve, ethically and sustainably.
I’ve built a fabulous and very fulfilling lemonade stand with the lemons placed at my feet, and I’m excited to help others do the same.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As Charm City’s top-rated henna professional, my clients lovingly refer to me as “The Beyoncé of Henna.” I provide top-shelf, five-star henna services to ambitious, empowered, and self-care conscious women across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and lower Pennsylvania areas.
I’m the most proud of my ability to hold space for my clients who often share that our visits are like therapy — and this is by design. My background as a social worker and my strong value for authenticity and connection create a safe space for my clients to let down their proverbial hair to be seen and celebrated in all of their fullness.
I feel it to be a key component for the work that I do. Many people don’t realize that henna has a deep-rooted history in West Africa, and continues to be used for beauty, self-care, and milestone celebrations there. For me and for many of my clients, henna is part of our heritage as descendants of enslaved people — a tradition that was lost in the Middle Passage. Using my skills to reintroduce this art to the women of my community, adorning them with custom pieces crafted uniquely for them, and sending them back out into the world with their heads held a bit higher is one of the greatest privileges. When my clients visit the henna boutique, they come for much more than the art. They come for the energy, for the uplifting, and for the legacy built over each design.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
As a child, I was very inclined towards the arts and to connecting those around me. Between participating in the theatre and expanding my access to the world through a foreign language, I was always looking for new ways to honor the lived human experience, both that of the individual and the collective community.
Some of my earliest memories revolve around relating to people, thumbing through the pages of the encyclopedia, mimicking bits of whatever languages I was exposed to, and creating art with my hands. I was known for my resourcefulness and my access to varied social circles.
I was raised by a single father who always encouraged me to be a proud, ambitious, and socially-conscious person who shows up in excellence and integrity. These values act as a filter through which I run every decision for my life and business, and very much impact how I choose to serve my clients.
When I reflect on my childhood experiences, I can appreciate that so much of my upbringing prepared me for the work that I do today.
Pricing:
- Individual Henna Sessions at the henna boutique start at $60
- Private Parties at your preferred venue start at $375
Contact Info:
- Email: info@cardamomclovehenna
- Website: https://www.cardamomclovehenna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardamomclovehenna
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cardamomclovehenna
- Other: https://www.hennapreneur.com
Image Credits
Annie Quick Photography
Jillian Mills Photography
Cardamom & Clove Henna
