BLKGirl Ambition

As Season 3 of BLKGirl Ambition comes to a close, I’m revisiting one of my favorite conversations—my interview with Teri Johnson, Founder and CEO of Harlem Candle Co. Teri’s journey is a masterclass in building something meaningful, staying rooted in your vision, and navigating the realities of entrepreneurship with intention, grace and grit. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to build a brand, the discipline behind creativity, and the mindset required to keep going—even when the path isn’t clear or easy. If you’re like me and in a season of building this conversation is a reminder: the climb is rarely linear, but it’s always worth it.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to BLKGirl Ambition

02:38 Teri Johnson’s unconventional path to entrepreneurship

05:16 How travel shapes identity and perspective

07:56 The rise of Travelista Teri

10:17 Lessons learned from building a digital brand before its time

12:49 Founding Harlem Brands: turning passion into legacy

15:30 Building legacy through luxury fragrance

17:44 Storytelling as strategy: weaving culture into business

20:38 Facing challenges, fueling growth

22:43 Expanding into the Harlem Perfume Company

25:21 The mindset every founder needs to thrive

27:38 Practical gems for aspiring entrepreneurs

30:34 Dreaming forward: future aspirations & community impact

33:04 Final reflections on ambition and legacy

Support Teri Johnson and the Harlem Brands:

Purchase Harlem Candles, Totes, Mugs and Journals: www.harlembrands.com

Purchase Harlem Perfume: www.sephora.com and www.harlemperfumeco.com

Connect with Teri Johnson: @terijohnsonnyc on IG

Email me with your episode ideas or guest suggestions at niya@blkgirlambition.com

Thanks for all your love and support. Tag me while listening @blkgirlambition & as always love to hear your thoughts :)

Join the BLKGirl Ambition community on IG and LinkedIn: @blkgirlambition and @glamourgirlniya

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