Have you heard the good news? Multifaceted™ was featured with the denim brand, Lee®, for Black History month celebrations! This is a very very exciting celebration for us for multiple reasons.
We not only love the Lee® brand but also have the pleasure to know them up close and personal. I have been working for the brand for most of my career in the apparel industry and have been fully embraced by my coworkers and brand leaders in my own personal business venture. Lee® represents the people that are original and celebrate their individuality. The brand was built on entrepreneurship and embracing the pioneering spirit. I love to call Lee® the brand for the movers and the shakers. For the makers, creators and doers. This Black History Month makes me love the brand even more.
Working somewhere that I feel comfortable showing up as myself is important to me. Once I felt comfortable to do just that, I showed up as the true, big haired and even bigger hearted self. It’s been a liberating experience.
When the opportunity was presented to me to do this project, I thought I read my emails incorrectly. I thought maybe one of our marketing team members sent an email to the wrong Christina. Once I got over the initial shock, I got right to work and created this experience for both the brand and even more, for myself.
You can read more about the story of the Lee® collaboration for Black History Month here. Check us out and get yourself a couple of pair of jeans while you are there. I promise you will not regret it ; )
See snippets from our interview below:
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excerpt from Lee.com
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ONE THING THAT MAKES YOU ORIGINAL.
My name is Christina Degreaffenreidt, the owner of the brand Multifaceted™ where luxury candles meet creativity & sustainability. Wrapping up myself as one thing that makes me original is a challenge because I am so many things so let’s just say I’m multifaceted and that makes me original.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A BLACK SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. WHAT FUELS YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT?
Being a black business owner is a lot of things. It’s challenging, liberating, rewarding, hectic, frustrating at times but also beautiful. It’s a unique experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.
I’ve been driven to be an entrepreneur since I was a teenager and before it was the buzzword or trending noun. My entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by my spirit of never giving up, unapologetically expressing my creativity and talents, staying true to myself and my vision while also making an impact on the world. I’ve always had a desire to do good and Multifaceted™ allows me to do just that. I have been gifted with several talents since birth and have had the pleasure to develop them with formal education, work experience and mentorship. Thankfully over time I’ve finally figured out how to make that impact and it is through this business.
HOW HAS YOUR OPTIMISM HELPED SHAPE YOUR BUSINESS?
Optimism is in multiple aspects of my business. Our slogan is “making the world brighter. One candle at a time.” We strive to put a smile on people’s faces even if it’s for a moment. Our candles are like happiness in a vessel. Our signature flower top candles all have positive meanings for each flower design. We have products labeled “spark happiness” and even a celebration of humanity collection inspired to keep you, or those you gift our product with, inspired, uplifted and most importantly, celebrated. We try to find quirky, untraditional ways to approach the candle industry and bring a little joy to your day.
IS THERE A HISTORIC FIGURE OR SOMEONE IN YOUR LIFE THAT HAS BEEN A MOTIVATING FORCE IN YOUR CAREER?
I don’t have one specific person that motivates me but rather a group of women. That group of women is the women of my family. I am blessed to have an amazing family that have witnessed and conquered unimaginable circumstances. Just listening to their stories is a motivation in itself because I know I come from such a strong, fearless foundation. These women fought biased laws, limitations, and hatred a majority of their lives to help me be where I am today. It makes me less fearful of the unknowns knowing I have that DNA installed in me.
TELL US SOMETHING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE VISITING LEE’S SOCIAL CHANNELS AND LEE.COM TO LEARN FROM THIS CONVERSATION.
I hold the Lee brand very close to my heart. Lee has always been diverse even before diversity was the new hot topic. I remember Lee being one of the few brands I could wear as a young child growing up plus size. Lee’s been doing diversity for a very long time. I have loved seeing the brand evolve over the past decade and make major strides in fashion. It’s a pleasure to witness as someone who loves the Lee brand and what it represents.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’D RECOMMEND OTHERS DO TO BE RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE IN THEIR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES?
The best thing I can say is to acknowledge that no two people are the same. There is no one size fits all to diversity and inclusion. I would challenge people to get to know people on an individual level vs applying a stereotype or preconceived notion to an individual. I will always make the recommendation to be kind b/c you never know what people are going through (especially in our current world). I have had the pleasure to meet so many people through Multifaceted™ and I’ve never had anyone walk away frowning. If anything, I helped make their day better (which is the goal). We must be kinder to each other. Kindness is quite underrated, and it will take you a long way if you use it appropriately.
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1 comment
So well deserved!!!!