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

Hi Cheyenne, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I began thinking about starting a business, we were smack dab in the middle of what felt like the apocalypse of 2020. I had lost my job, like so many others, but this gave me the room to start thinking about my own interests and passions. I knew I wanted a product that wouldn’t cause strain on the environment, that people could use and feel great after. I also started delving into aromatherapy and what traits and energy herbs and flowers held. I knew I wanted to do something that connected me closer to earth while helping me survive and take care of my family. Thus, Mooney Junes was born!

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.
Was it easy? Not at first. The candle business is a very saturated business, online and in person. If you want to be successful, you HAVE TO stand out. What I create is handcrafted, decorated & scented candles. My niche is gorgeously decorated candles with a darker, spookier feel. I’m an eclectic artist, so I love a lot of different types of art ranging from Occult to Kawaii to Classic, so you’ll see that in the tops of the candles. Most of my larger candles are one of a kind, filled with crystals and other decorations. In the beginning, I only had a vague idea of where I wanted to be but didn’t have the skills necessary at all. I took a lot of advice from others and critiqued my own work very harshly. This caused a burnout about 6 months into opening Mooney Junes on Etsy. I felt my product wasn’t me at all, I was only listening to friend’s suggestions and not exploring without question. After convincing myself that a business I call my own should represent my own creative being and freedom, and everything changed. It felt like puzzle pieces were clicking into place. ideas flowed much easier.
What do I want the world to know about me and my brand? I’m just a girl who moved to Houston from Tennessee 11 years ago with nothing to my name but the bag that I came with. Never could I have thought that I would own a business in this city before I turning 30. I’m also an incredibly shy, homebody and I’m out here living my best life meeting other business owners who are exactly the same. Mooney Junes is one of the best things that has happened to me, and I’m just so thankful that others enjoy my candle art as much as I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were to visit me here in Houston, we could not miss out on THE FOOD. We’d be enjoying Korean BBQ like Gyu Kaku & conveyor belt sushi (my fave!) from Sushi Sakura, who has the best price for good quality Salmon Sashimi! And you can’t forget about the crawfish! My favorite place is BB’s Tex-Orleans, the sauce is always amazing. You couldn’t visit Houston without a thrilling concert either. I’m really into EDM so 9 PM is my go to venue. The venue itself is beautifully decorated, but the stage.. the stage is just jaw dropping amazing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes! Like I referred to earlier, we were in the middle of the pandemic, so any extra money was needed at the time. My partner had paired up with a buddy and started a side gig business, which they made look like a piece of cake. They signed the papers, did the work, marketed & advertised, and it really made me rethink how I viewed the world of business. I had a sneak peek, behind the scenes view of business startup, watching my partner’s business flourish. This inspiration is what sparked the fire for Mooney Junes. Shoutout to Cameron ♥

Website: mooneyjunes.etsy.com

Instagram: @mooneyjunes

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mooneyjunes

Other: https://campsite.bio/mooneyjunes

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX 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.