Today we’d like to introduce you to Belen Alejandra.
Belen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I got started, originally modeling. I started my company back in 2011 as a one-stop-shop for all your modeling needs. That was an epic fail. In April of 2013, my biological father passed, then eight months later, my stepfather, who raised me, passed away of cancer. In 2014 I moved to Atlanta. Atlanta was where I feel I got a real start at building something worthwhile for myself. That was also the year I revealed I knew how to paint to the public. I did my first art show in 2015 for Verse Simmonds WILD & FREE Event. 2016 I sold my first painting to a Falcons player. I would paint people’s houses, condos, whatever! So if you’re wondering to yourself, like “she paints like regular walls?” the answer is yes, I do. Later that year, I got a job at a sneaker store, where I got my next big client. Made my first five figures. later that year, I did some artwork for AfroPunk job I landed, did my first 20ft mural in the west end of Atlanta & had my first solo art show in 2017 at The God is Dope Store.
In 2018, I was evicted out of my Atlanta home six days before my 30th birthday. Starving artist much? Definitely, but I was determined. I moved back to Miami Jan of 2019 after hiding in Tallahassee for the rest of 2018. I spent the first half of the year crying and making things happen. In April of 2019, I launched my website for my paintings. I sold my next painting to a client in Paris. Came back from my trip and started my candle company with the money I got from selling my painting. Candles was a dream of mine always. I was super obsessed with scents. To be honest, anything home-related I love. In Nov of 2019, I got a booth at the Yellow Green farmers market with my business partner Stephanie. In Jan 2020, we let go of our booth at the market and went back to online only. This has been one of the hardest processes in my life, and I am so thankful for it. Now I have not only candles and paintings but a teddy, puzzle and t-shirts with my art on it.
Great, 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?
This has been anything but a smooth road. I have had all kinds of curveballs, plot twist, oh you thought, BLOCKED, wtf moments ever. But, I must say I loved everything about it. I lost my fathers. Two years later had my worst heartbreak, lost my condo, my car was totaled, I have lost money, made money and lost it all again. I still mess up. I don’t have it all together all the time. I make mistakes, too, like recently when I paid for inventory. I had no sample of. When I first started making candles, the smell was not strong enough or the wick kept messing up. Just stuff happening for no real reason. But, knowing how happy-making things were making me feel, it was worth it. Life isn’t going to stop happening just because you want to build something. You need faith, patience and passion. So make sure you find something you love and go full speed ahead and don’t look back unless you’re checking your growth,
Please tell us about Home By Belen.
Home By Belen is the second entity of my company called The Belen Company. I originally started out with just paintings, and have now expanded and will continue to grow. I now have candles, paintings, Teddys, T-shirts, puzzles, stickers, and so much more to come. I specialize in Home Decor. Martha, here I come, so make room. I was mainly known for modeling, that switched to paintings, and now it just “she does it all.”
What I am most proud of with my company is its growth each year. It does not matter to me if I made money that year or not, just that I didn’t stop, that I don’t allow my struggles to get the best of me. I believe what sets me aside from others outside of my drive is that I am a person of quality. I pride myself on giving things I truly enjoy and love, my all. I think people see God in me. They can feel my energy, my passion. I put my heart into anything I do. I make all my candles by hand. The people I work with on projects and behind the scenes are actually all my friends, so I support local and minority businesses. Product-wise, I use pure grade essential oils in my candles. And, I simply don’t push products, as far as my art is concerned, that don’t have powerful meanings. For me, things need to have purpose and meaning. I would never just put out anything just to make money.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite childhood memory hmmm… that’s a lot. I believe as I got older, that has changed. Some memories don’t seem as important anymore. If I had to pick one, though, it would be a bayside park where they do the live shows. My dad used to take us there pretty often and anytime they would play any Bob Marley song, my dad would make us get up and dance with him or he would be super annoying singing it in our ear to no woman, no cry, or three little birds. One other one would have to be watching my mom get ready for work, I know that sounds so basic, but she kept it interesting. I never knew if she was going to kiss herself in the mirror after hyping herself up, and I just use to love that. She still does it, but it was watching her remind herself every day that she was “all that and had it going on” that what she would tell herself, that was so dope to me. She didn’t need anyone to remind her of who she was. My mom may also read this and go, “I don’t remember that,” but I do.
Pricing:
- Paintings vary starting at $700+
- Candles vary between $22 – $50
- Art Merch starts at $12+
Contact Info:
- Website: BelenAlejandra.com
- Email: HomebyBelen@gmail.com
- Instagram: @HomebyBelen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homebybelen
- Twitter: @homebybelen
Image Credit:
Jordan & Aleah Norwood
Belen Alejandra
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